The competition - Akai

Ever since starting with komplete 4, I have never seen NI so quiet. Big announcements get announced the 1st. I'm checking for November 1st. If nothing get's announced I say next year. December is NI's big sales. Next year man new maschine, traktor 3 with 2 and 4 channel mixer, new imaschine/traktor dj ipad app, komplete kontrol new keyboard, and komplete 11. Glad I'm putting money away.

 

Removing the shift+pad shortcuts (which many existing users were already well versed in) will always be something I think of as a mistake for the Studio. Partly because they were actually an intrinsic part of Maschine, as its "identity" in a way, but mostly because all those other buttons could have been used for other stuff. Even if they kept the form they eventually used. Keeping the pad shortcuts would have given them more (and, in my opinion, better) options. But anyway, the Studio is what it is. I prefer the Mk2.

As for the touchscreen app extension, I'm quite torn: if it was done and done well (much how @73* suggests above - doing things that are better on touchscreens and the filling the gaps where you need to reach for your mouse/keyboard), it could be a great addition. HOWEVER, I really would not want NI to only provide for iOS (even though I am an iPad user myself) and even less would I want them to spend valuable development time on this extension when the core software is in much greater need of work.

 

But by removing the old shortcuts, it frees up those options for added functionality in future updates.

 

but isn't kind of weird to say that maschine is in such dire shape that it needs a companion app, it's almost like we need a groovebox for this groovebox?

 

the legendary mpcs always had the pads on the left look at the mpc300 and the mpc 60; do ur homework

 

Who said "need'? There are plenty of iPad apps for music applications, but none of them "need" them. It's just an added bonus (when they work properly). I don't think any one has said that Machine is in "dire shape " either (if it was it would have been dropped years ago through lack of sales).

 

I dont agree maschine is in dire shape I just got bored of the workflow; I got bored of the lack of progress, I got bored of ignored suggestions and NI just fobbing users off with bells and whistles.

but if u like maschine as is and are productive with it; and still have love for the workflow then its great, but my interest tends to go in cycles with these production boxes.

and yes I was being sarcastic about NI being destroyed (it was a reference to the NI killer post on GS)

 

yeah but you know I'm speaking figuratively, I know the word 'need' wasn't said, my point is if it was live, logic, or some other daw I could see a companion app, but for a groovebox lol

 

Yeah I notice this. I personally don't have a problem with it I'm left handed, but it seems as though all the right handed people forgot.

 

I sympathise with this, often tempted by the Studio but sheer size puts me off. I think a well implemented shift button system (where all shift functions are clearly labelled) is an efficient way to balance size with operability. There is no reason why every control should not have a shifted function(the pad shift functions on Maschine seemed quite natural to me and I was not happy to lose the pitch shift functions from the top four pads).

 

I think touch screens are fine when the screen is laid flat or at a slight angle. When the screen is mounted at 90 degrees touch is not so comfortable. Large screens are better situated at 90 degrees to take up less desk space, but at that angle and with the larger screen area I think the mouse is still the better option (only takes small hand movements to cover all areas of the screen).

When using Live I like a large screen though I mostly use Maschine without expanding the GUI to full screen size, probably due to the controller.

 

So shift+pad can be other functions on future Studios, but still the same on Mk1/Mk2? This is true, but makes no sense on any front to me, be it development of the software/brand, supporting the product, and even using (e.g., if you use Mk2 and a Studio).
Maybe I got the wrong end of the stick from what you meant and it might have been tongue-in-cheek, but it's just my opinion that they should have kept the shift+pad shortcuts across all controllers.

 

And a groovebox with its own dedicated hardware already... I see your point. But there are some things that will always be better with more "computer" methods (and on another level, some things that will always be better with mouse/keyboard etc.). However, I'll say again that I'd much prefer just development of the core software and, if any "extensions" were going to be offered, for it to be tailored scripts for the Traktor controllers or even (God forbid) 3rd party controllers, such as the Live-centric ones (never going to happen though, NI are far too into themselves, so to speak).

 

I don't get this touch screen thing. i have an iPad and it works fine but we had a computer with a touch screen and I never used it. I love the glide pads though. I will have my mac set up and a glide pad by me way out of arms reach of the computer, no issue with accuracy or such and it is so great having gestures and multi finger options. I would much rather see more development for that to work as well as possible all the time! Or more development of the leap motion. Touch screen should be included but it isn't the only way of doing things. I love it on a tablet hate it on a desk top.

 

Im sure NI will copy Akai and add a touch screen to their repertoire if it takes off; they basically use akai as testers for the market hence why they have been dragging feet on development

 

Drop by your local musical instrument retailer and try the Touch Screen on a Korg Kronos.
The MPC Touch's Touch Screen just doesn't display the MPC Software on it (it is an option though). It has a dedicated Touch GUI which interacts with the MPC Software. From the videos (as I have yet to see one up close...but hopefully I will soon), you will be able to do a lot of things that were not previously possible with the previous MPC controllers.
One of the biggest advantage I see is that you can touch a parameter displayed on the Touch Screen then use the physical data dial to adjust it. All previous MPCs, you have to use the 4-way cursor to navigate between some parameters.

 

You get bored if you just make the same beats over and over again. That's the whole point of maschine expansions and to learn one thing and stop bounceing around from gear to gear. You don't learn anything or achieve anything by that. Plus if I had the mpc studio I would be doing more mouse work that anything. Maschine Studio you don't touch the mouse lol.

 

That makes absolutely no sense to compare the MPC Studio with the Maschine Studio. smh lol MPC Studio is the portable version..Maschine Studio is for 'studio' use.

Compare the MPC Ren and Maschine Studio. I rarely touch my mouse when using the MPC Ren. I may use the mouse when adding plugin FXs as it feels faster to me although you can easily do it from the hardware.

 

your ignorance blinds u

 

Expansions sort of make me laugh. You don't need analogue samples if you have copy of Reaktor, and samples are basically free. Download them and get chopping! And sure it's nice to have a load of classic full kit drum samples (Addictive drums 2 my fav at the moment, and I have Komplete at hand).

I think these expansions are simply not much different that buying other people's albums. But buying other people's albums is far cheaper and better for you, plus it puts money (one hopes) into musicians hands.

Maschine probably cover 25% of my workflow right now, there is no set pattern when making music, if you use a factory approach you lose creativity. As I speak I'm plugging in a stylophone. Bass guitar on standby.