2nd week now since I got it. I did not try away from my desk yet but working from home and having the work computer connected to the monitor, and able to turn on the M+ and take short breaks of music is Wonderfull . I have no problem using just the device since maschine studio and I have never used the maschine so much since I got the M+. I have a lot of plugins on my personal Mac and Ableton, putting maschine plus in stand alone mode get my flow going in a different way then in mk3 mode. Not better but different. so I recommend it over the mk3 even if you do not travel or need portability. it is just so much fun.
Tack! (Swedish 😅) Super thanks.. been asking myself this question for months wanting to upgrade my mikro to one of its big brothers.. Keep it up Jef! Inspiring and fun to watch, and learning stuff as well.. Probably choose the mk3 cause it’s never going to be a live performance.. travel a lot so the + has been in my mind.. but honestly.. don’t think I’ll use it when abroad.. GF lives in Holland and me in Sweden so better drop the mikro there instead.. one bass, amplifiers and other stuff has already moved down there.. Thanks again.. for inspiration and the future will be a mac with a TV as screen! Cheers!!
I live in my van and use a power station, so it's perfect for me. I do use a laptop when I have access to a land line. Midi composing and editing using knobs and buttons is fantastic on this thing. It's mind blowing how well integrated it is. I get giddy every time I use it.
I think the Maschine Mikro is a great option both for people who don't want to use the Maschine's screens and folks who want to be more mobile. The Maschine is pretty big and if you're not going to use the screens much, why pay for them (or lug them around)? The screens can be a bit fiddly, but I love having the display and the knobs there. But with a huge screen (or even just a laptop) in front of you, you still get ~80% of the benefits of Maschine with the Mikro.
I got maschine micro last year since i use the screen on my computer. I also do most of my finishing in Ableton and only use Maschine to sketch out my tracks. I have Maschine mk1 (have had it since the beginning) and never really used the interface as much as i should have.
Regular Maschine is mostly for sampling I'd say. If you don't sample, Mikro does everything you need. I got the Mikro a year ago and haven't looked back.
Akai MPCs give you so much, especially with the crazy 2.10 latest updates. Mashine = Limited processor, no touch screen, not "portable", no speakers...the only thing it has over an MPC is a less convoluted workflow and the arranger. But I'm sure Akai will fix that in future updates.
The MPC’s primitive workflow rules it out for anyone wanting to record vocal takes or normal musical instruments beyond the narrow timeframe of a sequence . As a result, it will never be usable to arrange songs that use these. Of course it is great for loop-based best making, but it’s limited to that. Maschine+ has the best workflow of any standalone device on the market for songwriting and arrangement . It would however benefit from more audio interfaces ( XLR/TRS jack etc).
Jef, you're so skilled and i'm so daunted by this piece of hardware. I get frustrated and quit touching it for months at a time. Who has the most basic tutorials available, so i can regiment myself with baby step progress and not despair?
I just bought a Maschine studio unused(the plastic bag inside the box was still sealed) for £200 Including the software transfer, cheaper than a mikro, What a bargain for what used to be their flagship Maschine.
Returned M+ for, I don’t really know why - nit picking. Missing it, no latency, unlimited tracks (enough for the song, but no artificial limit, like Verselab and op-z which I love both), and no strings attached (no wires). Will be getting it back. Incl for studio use. Can connect same project to computer for mouse manipulation, without even moving project file and get back to all-inclusive world. Wish Maschine would have Freeze feature like everywhere. I’d play VST, freeze to have same track on M+ standalone and when back to DAW mode, unfreeze for tweaking.
maschine+ was never intended to be a daw in a box - what most people think/thought. its a sampler with groovebox-features and with amazing resampling features. its not supposed to run 10 vsts at the same time plus fx-plugins, etc. - also I never had any of theses problems. make sure you use a professional fast sd-card - will solve all the hickups while loading a project while another projects plays. also a new big stability update is coming this week. great machine :-)
People has issues with it, you can't just deny that, people do not complain cause its fun, attended to be this or that, how do you know? It has certain features on it and if it does it has to work and be stable.
Seeing you demonstrate most of the kits makes me want to buy them xD I have a little addiction with getting kits even though I'm not really making music. Your sessions sound great. Always a pleasure to watch your videos!
I've been using the Maschine mk3 in my studio for a couple of years...When out and about or travelling I prefer to use BeatMaker 3 on the iPad Pro along with my MPK mini mkII ...I've also converted all my maschine expansions to BeatMaker 3 using kit-maker app.
I picked up the maschine+ as an upgrade from the MK2. After the novelty of making music in the backyard wore off I’ve had the + connected to my laptop for months now. The idea of getting away from the computer is great but it just doesn’t have the processing power I need. I’m liking the expansion videos recently where you cover different topics in addition to the sounds within the pack. But I must say that Backyard Jams is one of my favourite packs NI has put out this year.
Thanks Barry! Yeah, trying to change it up a little. Hoping to get away from product reviews soon and more back into the theory/ technique/ basics of all of it! As for the M+, definitely needs to be used outside. I should really make a challenge where I just do that once a week or something. Nothing but good would come from that! (I desperately need to get out more...)
I bought a MPC One and the M+ and I ended up returning the M+. The workflow and sounds are better plus quicker on the M+. But that’s subjective depending on one’s expectations and patience among other things unknown. Also imho…the M + felt colder and more uninteresting compared to the MPC One. When working on the MPC One, I found myself more excited at the possibilities. And strangely enough, I actually liked that I had to work harder on MPC One. I felt more like I was inside of a complete studio more so with MPC One. At times, I felt a little like I was this little giggly kid hanging out with Willy Wonka, living inside of the Chocolate Factory with the MPC One. The MPC One is something special.⭐️ Owning both of these great machines, At times, I felt a little more guilty, leaving the MPC One turned off to work on the M+ Lol. Besides that the MPC One is half the price, more interesting and can do everything that M+ can do and more. I bought my MPC One brand new for $643.00 😊versus spending north of $1400 for M+ 😏
I would absolutely love a video that goes through the workflow directly on the device. I have the MK3 and use it largely through my DAW but would love to try forcing myself into the tactile hardware based workflow for a bit to see if I can reach that level you're talking about.
For my workflow, I like writing on my little battery powered circuit tracks and dumping the midi into my Mk3 which lives in the home studio. I think the M+ is very cool, but kind of big and pricey for mobile song sketching. I can see it's use case though if your taking your mobile work seriously. For me, I'm just sketching out midi notes and drum beats with intentions of arranging and mixing later.
I think the maschine MK3 is the best one out there. Native Instruments do some really good gear but the maschine+ is a bit of a stretch. I don't know anyone using it outside. its like the S88 been fitted with a battery and calling it a mobile keyboard. But the Maschine mk3 is perfection.
Definitely hear you ochre! If the next version has more of the missing things it'll be fantastic. After playing with a few mobile devices, I can definitely do the most with the M+ out of the studio, but the truth is I don't leave the studio that much!
Jeff… you always come wit it, with the coolest, smoothest chords and dope grooves. Love your videos. I discovered you, Uncle Knock, Sarah2ill and Bolo The Producer, July 2020… when I first purchased a MK3. Got a MASCHINE PLUS this past May. You all have been a great help and my “go to” producers and Pals, for tips and tricks. I learn from you, each and every time, you release a new video 😀. Thanks 🙏 for all your hard work 😓 that we all benefit from….
I love everything about my Maschine MK3 (and accompanying KK S88), it's some of the best and most intuitive bits of kit I own, especially when using it in Maschine standalone mode. It’s incredible. However .. a few very big drawbacks for me is the inability of Maschine to allow you to record the automation of pattern switches while mid-scene, automation of group mutes, and automation of any mixer volumes. It seems like such simple things to be able to do from a songwriting and composition standpoint but it doesn't seem like it's possible. For example, say you want to fade in a drum track/s, do some automation on the volume of a pad, mute a specific pad/sound halfway through a pattern. None of these things seem possible unless I haven't worked out how... Or, say you want to switch to a different pattern without a specific sound halfway through a scene. The only workaround to this scene problem I can come up with is that you have to use a huge amount of ridiculously short scenes as you cannot mute or play selective parts of patterns in an arrangement unless there’s a unique scene that allows you to do this. This is something I like to think many other people would like to be able to do as well. You can do all of this live, but you cannot automate any of it. Again, unless it’s actually possible... And when I say possible, I mean intuitively, like just pressing the auto button and doing your thing. I don't mean by some weird workaround hack, like using a gate plugin as an insert effect JUST so you can use its parameters to get your volume automation. Any comments or ideas on this, Jeff?
One comment for all your great videos I've been watching : thank you so much, really useful things on the setup, technique, workflow, possibilities. And, of course as averybody here : I love your studio... Made me one in the basement, rather pleasant, but a world afar from yours ^^
Does Maschine have "Linn Drum" sound banks? I'm relatively new to audio but have been going back and listening to sounds I love in the 80's when I was a kid and Linn Drums were all over what I loved. I REALLY would prefer a VST3 Plugin, but i'll get it for battery or maschine if necessary.
some maschine expansions have kits of linns,you can also make your own kits easy from real linn drum samples of the net-i did and have those expansions.I love acid and 80s stuff i can say maschine can do it-I have maschine mk3
Good review and end conclusion but 1 thing i don´t agree, and it´s about comparing the mk3 and the plus, connected to a computer is the same,you can do things with the +, not possible with the mk3, and the thing is in using it in standalone, as a midi controller and secuencer. Like try it with reason, wich i know you use. Set the plus in your midi devices in prefs,and you can use ableton link. Set maschine to use midi via usb, pick channel 1. Now look at it as a midi controller that has scales, chords,arpegiation,note repeat,...i know there are devices that do this in reason,but you have to do it for each instrument and using the plus that has really advanced scales and chords it´s a whole other user experience. And don´t get me started on ableton lol, you can do real crazy stuff,sequence your clips with the arpeggiator from maschine for example. Anyway you should try this,it´s hella fun with reason. Maybe you could make an episode about this 😉
can't I combine the Akai MPC one and maschine mk3 together makes it a power house ---- MPC one for as your main station for drums and you can use the Maschine Mk3 for sampling, leads ,chords, atmospheres etc!
I have a question regarding the maschine+, first, I have to say Jeff, I love your videos, and reviews.✌️From a fellow Canadian. I have a Korg Opsix, and I was wondering if it’s possible to: -Record a bassline created on the Opsix, into Maschine+ -Apple Sidechain compression to said bassline There’s a used M+ for $799 CDN, and it looks oh so tempting. I’m a huge of of FM8 and Massive. Two of the best VSTs Ever made IMO.
Thanks! 🇨🇦 you can definitely record the moth as audio then side chain. Just google sidechain maschine “ and you should be good to go! Do you have a MK3 already? Just be aware of the cpu limitations of M+ check any of my M+ specific vids. If you’re cool with that and know the workarounds it’s a very powerful device!! And for the price of a MK3….!
@@jefgibbons You’re very welcome. Never had an MK3. And thanks very much for the info. I had an MPC one, MPC live 2, and a circuit tracks. Ended up returning the Live 2. The circuit tracks was picked up used, and I still use it today. But I tried a demo version of the Maschine, at L&M, had no idea what the heck I was doing, and it sounded damn good. With massive, FM8, Monark included? I loved it. The price was a stumbling point. But after watching a few more tutorials this morning, as well as the info you provided, I’m picking up the M+. Thanks a lot Jef🙏
This was a wonderful video! I don't regret buying my Maschine+, but the CPU can really limit you at times. I find myself using it as a standalone and a controller equally.
put your mouse aside and turn off screen then open maschine mk3 it is quite different feeling cuz you concentrate better to make music and don´t check email and download and listen youtube video and organize folder at the same time like me :D Just started to use my mk3 like that and it liberates my mind and I can use more time to check sounds and other stuff cuz don´t have that much stuff interferes my mind and workflow.Btw have you made tutorial for using mk3 without screen? If not maybe you could?
I just picked up my Maschine+ a week ago, after having used an MPC Live 1 & 2 together. When it comes to content, it is my understanding that only "expansions" work in standalone mode, with the exception of Primsatic Bliss and the MassiveX expansions? Things like the symphony series do not work, nor do things like thrill? In fact, the exclusive list of VST's is software that the device already comes included with (FM8, Massive, Monark, Prism, Reaktor, Retro Machines, Raum, Phasis)? Basically, if I just wanted to make sure I have all of the content this will work with in standalone mode, I just need to look at expansions and exclude MassiveX expansions & Prismatic Bliss?
when you press SCENE/PATTERN or EVENTS button the screen should stays there, right? on my device when I relase button it skips back to main window. Sorry for silly question, but I am not sure if my device is faulty or am I doing something wrong? Thank you for any advice, I am new in M+ territory - trying to switch from Force, but I am pretty lost for now.....
nice vid, I just got the M+ used and minty, and I love it as a NI plugins lover and a DAWless guy these days it's a perfect marriage the battery pack makes it perfect for mobile use the autosampler function is great to take multisamples of bulky studio gear on the go 🙂
just made my first live hardware jam with it a few days ago - still have a lot to learn on it but got by after only a few hours of messing around with the new arrival: ruclips.net/video/SSgNR7gv6qw/видео.html
You should be able to get a fair bit if you sell it locally, now would be a good time while people are still heading outdoors! (unless you live somewhere nice and warm all year)
Great video. Very informative. Definitely helped in my decision for what model to get. Thanks. I gotta know though...Where did you get that T-shirt? I need that too!
Do you have a crash course on the Maschine+ or using Maschine software that is applicable to the Maschine+ workflow? You're an exceptional teacher and I wish I had in person tutoring for the Maschine+ with you.. oh well, thank you anyway for your video content! Very well made.
Interesting Video and Jeff - nice to have you walk us through these things. I feel that as others have stated - if you want portability, go with a Laptop and Maschine Micro. I have Maschine Mk3 and I can't justify the + as it hasn't the library access that a PC has with Komplete or other VSTi's and the processing is limited. I must though break away more form the computer screen and get into using Maschine Software through the Mk 3 Interface more. My Classical Guitar learning though has taken over my time LOL - can't wait to match that up with a pickup to Maschine. Thing that gets me with Maschine Mk3 is that the Audio Interface and drivers are a bit Meh. A basic Focusrite AI will dump all over the built in Mk3 AI. Pity as it is another thing that one has to bother with and that also is where some of the latency issues arise with the Mk 3.
Unc Jef .. i haven't got 1 yet!? I was thinking either new mac pro laptop or a machine +.. lol. I would definitely have 2 get used 2 finding stuff manually. So used 2 using cpu & machine together.. Shout out 2 knock square, les beats , accurate beats fs! Appreciate all the game/ info! TY 💯
Thanks V! Yeah, it really depends on how much you think you'll use it away from the computer. It's definitely the perfect product for those that do, but you can't beat the power of a good laptop and the MK3!
@@jefgibbons Yessir ! You definitely helped make my decision! If i start working more away from home or going out more I'll def get a + But for now it can wait. Thx a bunch Unc Jef ! Have a great weekend
@@jefgibbons touchscreen not a selling point at ALL!!! Maybe if I’m working in the MPC but Maschine software isn’t in need of it not one bit it’s optimized for knobs not a touchscreen. I’m interested seeing if I enjoy working back in MPC like I used to.
@@marclemar Oh I disagree...editing notation in the piano roll makes the touch screen invaluable. Granted, the Maschine+ will teach you to record it right in one take because editing the piano roll is so involved. Also, sorry, the X/Y FX style way of manipulating plugins is incredible. When I can combine two effects that I can impact simultaneously, that is just amazing. I love doing things like a pitch shift with a tempo shift, or a hipass filter in combination with a tape stop. I will agree that Akai relies a little too much on the touch screen for the MPC Live models, (the one and the X are significantly less reliant on the screen), because of the location of the screen, it is merely a thing worth mentioning in passing. The things that kill me about the Maschine+ is that it has no touch screen, which means editing notation is a pain. It also only has SD card expansion for storage. It is not really stand alone in that it needs power and audio. The processing power on the Maschine+ is severely limited. Linear writing can be done, but when you start getting into tracks that are 10 minutes in length, things become unwieldy, and that is provided you haven't hit the processor limit by that point. I don't write music the way beatmakers do, in that I don't just write 8-12 instruments and then create sequences where tracks are muted. No offense to people that do this, but this just feels like lazy writing. Anyone can write 8 bars with 10 instruments and mute different instruments. Try writing 8 unique sequences where you don't reuse anything from previous sequences, where each sequence is wholly unique, but the whole thing is cohesive, that is song writing. Listen to something like Kraftwerk, even if you don't like the style, the reason Kraftwerk is unique is that each segment of a track is unique. Their track, Autobahn is 9 minutes in length and is varied throughout the entire song. Listen to RnB from the 90s and early 2000s (Usher, Boyz II Men are a couple of examples), each segment is very unique. The problem with music today is, it is extremely repetitive. The problem with the Maschine is, the lack of processing power forces you to be extremely repetitive and reuse large swaths of the music over and over again.
I have a MK3. I travel a lot & want 2 shrink down the amount of gear I carry. Right now I have a medium size suit case & would love to shrink to a backpack. Is it worth a 2nd purchase?
4gb of ram is low though- im sure those plugins and instruments from native hog up or use so much of the ram available- unless if it allowed you to upgrade the ram slots to say 128gb of ram or 64 gb of ram -(i guess thats the breaking point)
Thanks for this video :) Actually I'm recording my tracks with Cubase, I'm using my bass, guitars and native kontroller for control de DAW. What's happens if I buy this Maschine +? I have to plug the Kontroller on Maschine and plug Maschine on my PC? Both need to be plug in USB? Sorry for this noob question :D And thanks again for your videos.
Hi, Jeff. Love what you do and I love your work on the Fender Rhodes. Do you think Native Instruments will release anything new this year, like maybe a MK4? Thank you for all your content. Blessings!
Thanks David! I don’t have any insider info on a MK4, but I feel like it’s still too soon since the release of the Maschine Plus… I’m just hoping for v3 of the software, I feel like the hardware is still incredible at this point!
Are you able to freely transfer files between both interfaces from the software? Such as, working from + out in the world, then working from mk3 when you want to work from cubase?
@@jefgibbons Yeah, I suppose that would be the better way to use it?! Thanks for clarifying that for me, I've been on the fence about which one to upgrade to!
Hey Pierre, I don't use my Maschine outside of the studio enough to need the Plus. The build quality is great on it though, but it really is designed for those that want to get away from the computer.
You said that the Maschine+ has NO benefits using it as an MK3 in the studio. Can you please explain? I'm on the borderline of purchasing the Maschine+ because of it's portability but still want to be able to plug it into the computer/ laptop with my Komplete Kontrol S6 and use it with the DAW. Mayday! Mayday! Help! STAT!
No worries! You can of course use it as a regular Maschine with your computer!! It just functions exactly like a regular mk3 without any advantages. Some people thought it would have More power or something like that with the computer but it’s just a controller like the mk3. All good!
@@jefgibbons Okay! Whew!! Thank you so much! I already had to fight with myself on justifying the price tag for the portability and convenience but along with still being able to use it just like an MK3. Thank you Jef!!!!
Can we trade pluses cause using my own samples in it via sd card is not a fast task at all.... now my mpc live 2 moves very swiftly...I do love the maschine now although it took me some time to get used to it.. bought it last year when it first dropped.... used it a few times the week I bought it then put it in the closet till about a week ago I've had a few crashes on it which I've never had on my mpc live 2..I mean I can sample in that mpc all day long and it won't even flinch...I try to use my SSD SanDisk ultra-hard disk on the USB slots of the maschine plus and it is painstakingly slow so I've abandoned that idea so I stick to the sd card.. Right now I'm using the maschine plus as a glorified sampler..sampling back into the mpc live 2 because I absolutely love its unique way of taking a sample and making it do something real nice...
Honestly..its so a pain in the ass to finish a real good music on what so ever hardware standalone, because you will need extra synth sounds and other things that all those major standalone machines doesnt have it all.....or....to do that you have to spend huge money into plugins and expansions.....plus...the arranger matrix / grid is way limited
be aware that the Maschine+ wifi module is crap , its has a ton of problem downloading the library, the proccessor choke's very eazy just by loading a project you have not press play or play any sample or intrument it jump to 40 to 50% precessing power ... Maschine is very underpower proccesor & memory wise , the SD card is a big mistake it would been better to have an SSD onboard im on my second unit , as it has been a totaal nightmare "returning this unit also "it sucks
Personally, the software from Komplete is terrible, I have had no end of issues with Machine 2... put me off, and now spending my cash on Roland kit, in honesty I haven't looked back, I use my MV verse lab everywhere !!!
Great video but am going to mix it up a bit. The Mk+ is defo not worth the price tag.... at all.. I have had this maschine since pre-order.. The whole project was rushed and certainly not ready for release as a standalone maschine.. Was a beta when released and every update since has been more about fixing bugs.. They threw in a polysynth a year ago but basic functions like midi clock sync issues for external - known about since release ... still not 100%.. I am a big fan of NI but certainly would not be rushing out to buy this so called standalone - knowing waht i know now.. Sorry NI but thats my opinion ..
This machine doesn't provide me "confidence" for a live situation. And I base my comments on different "unexpected behaviours" I noticed during the first 3 weeks of using this device. First and most disturbing: sometimes (but with a high repro rate) the system hangs when switching between projects. The screen says "busy.... loading", the music starts but you can't do anything but a hard reset. Second: If you finally can load a new project, sometimes the output sounds creepy distorted. Also, randomly, different sounds, specially high frequency ones, sounds "clipped". I totally understand this is not a quantic computer or even a MacBook Pro. But these issues happen even with the projects provided by NI which were supposedly tested. I'm not pushing the maschine to the limits. And, let's suppose that NI consider this a known issue or expected behaviour, please include this warning into the user manual. I still consider M+ as an interesting alternative to the expensive MPC Live 2, but I'm from Argentina and I've paid this USD2000, and that's the average 6 months salary of a worker... is a really big investment for the poor obtained results.
Hey jef! I think machine mk3 and m + are really solid beat machines. Had the Mk3 myself because I wanted to test the workflow. After 1 year I sold it again because I recognized certain limits compared to a daw like ableton. with a controller and ableton you have more options. The machine is ingenious for implementing an idea quickly. But then it gets annoying when it comes to mixing a track to edit it even if it got better with the clips (update). The automation is also not good compared to the daw mentioned. Automating soft filter processes was difficult. As far as machine plus is concerned, it is interesting because it is standalone, but there are 2 major design errors. The missing touchscreen to edit notes. Sometimes time-consuming and annoying to edit afterwards with the rotary encoders. The competition can do that better. Not innovative. Not understandable for this price. And that there is no battery. I like Native Instruments. Use the software and vst a lot. But after 1 year of experience I can say nice to have but not necessary.
2nd week now since I got it. I did not try away from my desk yet but working from home and having the work computer connected to the monitor, and able to turn on the M+ and take short breaks of music is Wonderfull . I have no problem using just the device since maschine studio and I have never used the maschine so much since I got the M+. I have a lot of plugins on my personal Mac and Ableton, putting maschine plus in stand alone mode get my flow going in a different way then in mk3 mode. Not better but different. so I recommend it over the mk3 even if you do not travel or need portability. it is just so much fun.
One of the few channels where I know it’s safe to smash the like button before it even starts 😊👍
Tack! (Swedish 😅) Super thanks.. been asking myself this question for months wanting to upgrade my mikro to one of its big brothers.. Keep it up Jef! Inspiring and fun to watch, and learning stuff as well.. Probably choose the mk3 cause it’s never going to be a live performance.. travel a lot so the + has been in my mind.. but honestly.. don’t think I’ll use it when abroad.. GF lives in Holland and me in Sweden so better drop the mikro there instead.. one bass, amplifiers and other stuff has already moved down there..
Thanks again.. for inspiration and the future will be a mac with a TV as screen!
Cheers!!
Thanks for the tip!! Yeah the MK3 sounds right for you!
I live in my van and use a power station, so it's perfect for me. I do use a laptop when I have access to a land line. Midi composing and editing using knobs and buttons is fantastic on this thing. It's mind blowing how well integrated it is. I get giddy every time I use it.
I think the Maschine Mikro is a great option both for people who don't want to use the Maschine's screens and folks who want to be more mobile. The Maschine is pretty big and if you're not going to use the screens much, why pay for them (or lug them around)? The screens can be a bit fiddly, but I love having the display and the knobs there. But with a huge screen (or even just a laptop) in front of you, you still get ~80% of the benefits of Maschine with the Mikro.
Great point Robert! Laptop+Mikro=perfect mobile combo... comes with a battery, speakers, tons of CPU and RAM...and a microphone!
I got maschine micro last year since i use the screen on my computer. I also do most of my finishing in Ableton and only use Maschine to sketch out my tracks. I have Maschine mk1 (have had it since the beginning) and never really used the interface as much as i should have.
100 percent right, don't need the big bro (Maschine plus) Little brother (Mikro) works jus fine for me, especially when I route it thru Studio One.
Regular Maschine is mostly for sampling I'd say. If you don't sample, Mikro does everything you need. I got the Mikro a year ago and haven't looked back.
I agree. Believe it not, the mikro is the center of my production setup. Despite having access to a lot of hardware
Akai MPCs give you so much, especially with the crazy 2.10 latest updates. Mashine = Limited processor, no touch screen, not "portable", no speakers...the only thing it has over an MPC is a less convoluted workflow and the arranger. But I'm sure Akai will fix that in future updates.
@Heffe and MPC X I agree it will be a game changer but Akai will always stay loyal to its unique workflow
The MPC’s primitive workflow rules it out for anyone wanting to record vocal takes or normal musical instruments beyond the narrow timeframe of a sequence . As a result, it will never be usable to arrange songs that use these. Of course it is great for loop-based best making, but it’s limited to that.
Maschine+ has the best workflow of any standalone device on the market for songwriting and arrangement . It would however benefit from more audio interfaces ( XLR/TRS jack etc).
Jef, you're so skilled and i'm so daunted by this piece of hardware. I get frustrated and quit touching it for months at a time. Who has the most basic tutorials available, so i can regiment myself with baby step progress and not despair?
I bought a broken Maschine studio for $125 and repaired it, now I can make some beats without spending all of my money.
I just bought a Maschine studio unused(the plastic bag inside the box was still sealed) for £200 Including the software transfer, cheaper than a mikro, What a bargain for what used to be their flagship Maschine.
Returned M+ for, I don’t really know why - nit picking. Missing it, no latency, unlimited tracks (enough for the song, but no artificial limit, like Verselab and op-z which I love both), and no strings attached (no wires). Will be getting it back. Incl for studio use. Can connect same project to computer for mouse manipulation, without even moving project file and get back to all-inclusive world.
Wish Maschine would have Freeze feature like everywhere. I’d play VST, freeze to have same track on M+ standalone and when back to DAW mode, unfreeze for tweaking.
maschine+ was never intended to be a daw in a box - what most people think/thought. its a sampler with groovebox-features and with amazing resampling features. its not supposed to run 10 vsts at the same time plus fx-plugins, etc. - also I never had any of theses problems. make sure you use a professional fast sd-card - will solve all the hickups while loading a project while another projects plays. also a new big stability update is coming this week. great machine :-)
People has issues with it, you can't just deny that, people do not complain cause its fun, attended to be this or that, how do you know? It has certain features on it and if it does it has to work and be stable.
Seeing you demonstrate most of the kits makes me want to buy them xD
I have a little addiction with getting kits even though I'm not really making music. Your sessions sound great. Always a pleasure to watch your videos!
I've been using the Maschine mk3 in my studio for a couple of years...When out and about or travelling I prefer to use BeatMaker 3 on the iPad Pro along with my MPK mini mkII ...I've also converted all my maschine expansions to BeatMaker 3 using kit-maker app.
That’s my setup as well!🤟
I picked up the maschine+ as an upgrade from the MK2. After the novelty of making music in the backyard wore off I’ve had the + connected to my laptop for months now. The idea of getting away from the computer is great but it just doesn’t have the processing power I need.
I’m liking the expansion videos recently where you cover different topics in addition to the sounds within the pack. But I must say that Backyard Jams is one of my favourite packs NI has put out this year.
Thanks Barry! Yeah, trying to change it up a little. Hoping to get away from product reviews soon and more back into the theory/ technique/ basics of all of it! As for the M+, definitely needs to be used outside. I should really make a challenge where I just do that once a week or something. Nothing but good would come from that! (I desperately need to get out more...)
I bought a MPC One and the M+ and I ended up returning the M+. The workflow and sounds are better plus quicker on the M+. But that’s subjective depending on one’s expectations and patience among other things unknown.
Also imho…the M + felt colder and more uninteresting compared to the MPC One.
When working on the MPC One, I found myself more excited at the possibilities. And strangely enough, I actually liked that I had to work harder on MPC One.
I felt more like I was inside of a complete studio more so with MPC One. At times, I felt a little like I was this little giggly kid hanging out with Willy Wonka, living inside of the Chocolate Factory with the MPC One. The MPC One is something special.⭐️
Owning both of these great machines, At times, I felt a little more guilty, leaving the MPC One turned off to work on the M+ Lol.
Besides that the MPC One is half the price, more interesting and can do everything that M+ can do and more.
I bought my MPC One brand new for $643.00 😊versus spending north of $1400 for M+ 😏
Jeff, you make the most relaxing videos. It's always a joy and I always come away learning something.
Glad to hear it Max!
I would absolutely love a video that goes through the workflow directly on the device. I have the MK3 and use it largely through my DAW but would love to try forcing myself into the tactile hardware based workflow for a bit to see if I can reach that level you're talking about.
I love the feel and build quality of the Maschine+ , but I’ve no need at all to get away from my laptop
YES! More Awesome Maschine tutorials please!
More coming Robert, thanks as always!
For my workflow, I like writing on my little battery powered circuit tracks and dumping the midi into my Mk3 which lives in the home studio. I think the M+ is very cool, but kind of big and pricey for mobile song sketching. I can see it's use case though if your taking your mobile work seriously. For me, I'm just sketching out midi notes and drum beats with intentions of arranging and mixing later.
Great to hear, really interested in the Circuit Tracks!
one question: the knobs on the Plus seems different than the MK3. I have the MK3 and thos knobs get loose over time. How's the Plus encoder?
I think the maschine MK3 is the best one out there. Native Instruments do some really good gear but the maschine+ is a bit of a stretch. I don't know anyone using it outside. its like the S88 been fitted with a battery and calling it a mobile keyboard. But the Maschine mk3 is perfection.
Definitely hear you ochre! If the next version has more of the missing things it'll be fantastic. After playing with a few mobile devices, I can definitely do the most with the M+ out of the studio, but the truth is I don't leave the studio that much!
I think the best part of machine Plus is "what's to come". I think In 5-10 years we'll have a true daw in a box with plenty of resources.
It's great for live performances as well as djing. If you want something that you can make a song fast anywhere at anytime, its perfect.
so you can dj with this and can probably connect my Akai MPC one to it
Jeff… you always come wit it, with the coolest, smoothest chords and dope grooves. Love your videos. I discovered you, Uncle Knock, Sarah2ill and Bolo The Producer, July 2020… when I first purchased a MK3. Got a MASCHINE PLUS this past May. You all have been a great help and my “go to” producers and Pals, for tips and tricks. I learn from you, each and every time, you release a new video 😀. Thanks 🙏 for all your hard work 😓 that we all benefit from….
Thanks Wallace!! Love those producers as well… so many great RUclips contributors out there!
I love everything about my Maschine MK3 (and accompanying KK S88), it's some of the best and most intuitive bits of kit I own, especially when using it in Maschine standalone mode. It’s incredible. However .. a few very big drawbacks for me is the inability of Maschine to allow you to record the automation of pattern switches while mid-scene, automation of group mutes, and automation of any mixer volumes. It seems like such simple things to be able to do from a songwriting and composition standpoint but it doesn't seem like it's possible. For example, say you want to fade in a drum track/s, do some automation on the volume of a pad, mute a specific pad/sound halfway through a pattern. None of these things seem possible unless I haven't worked out how... Or, say you want to switch to a different pattern without a specific sound halfway through a scene. The only workaround to this scene problem I can come up with is that you have to use a huge amount of ridiculously short scenes as you cannot mute or play selective parts of patterns in an arrangement unless there’s a unique scene that allows you to do this. This is something I like to think many other people would like to be able to do as well. You can do all of this live, but you cannot automate any of it. Again, unless it’s actually possible... And when I say possible, I mean intuitively, like just pressing the auto button and doing your thing. I don't mean by some weird workaround hack, like using a gate plugin as an insert effect JUST so you can use its parameters to get your volume automation.
Any comments or ideas on this, Jeff?
Can you provide a link to the battery pack you used?
One comment for all your great videos I've been watching : thank you so much, really useful things on the setup, technique, workflow, possibilities. And, of course as averybody here : I love your studio... Made me one in the basement, rather pleasant, but a world afar from yours ^^
Thanks for this video! Please do the video on editing on the Maschine device when you get a chance! I’d love to learn more about that!
Great insight Jef cool 😎
Does Maschine have "Linn Drum" sound banks? I'm relatively new to audio but have been going back and listening to sounds I love in the 80's when I was a kid and Linn Drums were all over what I loved. I REALLY would prefer a VST3 Plugin, but i'll get it for battery or maschine if necessary.
some maschine expansions have kits of linns,you can also make your own kits easy from real linn drum samples of the net-i did and have those expansions.I love acid and 80s stuff i can say maschine can do it-I have maschine mk3
Behringer is droppin a linndrum clone soon
Great video Jeff. I keep.on buying gears, but I always return to my M+
Just bought it and I love it already, I just wish it was more stable
@@magnuseriksson8081 I have the same wish
@@falazarte They the new update will help, I hope so
I just noticed you have an Omnibot on the shelf 🤣🤣 man that was my childhood!
That beat you started making at 11:11 is fire 🔥 smooth af. Did you sell it to anyone?
I'd love to see you do a video combining the S series keyboard with Maschine+ in standalone mode.
Good call Alec, I’ll put it on the list!
Even my portable rig includes a laptop or iPad, I wouldn’t take ‘only’ the Maschine. But, I do understand why learning a single device is attractive.
Good review and end conclusion but 1 thing i don´t agree, and it´s about comparing the mk3 and the plus, connected to a computer is the same,you can do things with the +, not possible with the mk3, and the thing is in using it in standalone, as a midi controller and secuencer. Like try it with reason, wich i know you use. Set the plus in your midi devices in prefs,and you can use ableton link. Set maschine to use midi via usb, pick channel 1. Now look at it as a midi controller that has scales, chords,arpegiation,note repeat,...i know there are devices that do this in reason,but you have to do it for each instrument and using the plus that has really advanced scales and chords it´s a whole other user experience. And don´t get me started on ableton lol, you can do real crazy stuff,sequence your clips with the arpeggiator from maschine for example. Anyway you should try this,it´s hella fun with reason. Maybe you could make an episode about this 😉
What was the battery pack that can power it 7+ hours so I can take it to the river and make beats lol
can't I combine the Akai MPC one and maschine mk3 together makes it a power house ---- MPC one for as your main station for drums and you can use the Maschine Mk3 for sampling, leads ,chords, atmospheres etc!
Damn that workspace is such a amazin place. Truly enjoy your work brother! Bless your brkfst!
I have a question regarding the maschine+, first, I have to say Jeff, I love your videos, and reviews.✌️From a fellow Canadian.
I have a Korg Opsix, and I was wondering if it’s possible to:
-Record a bassline created on the Opsix, into Maschine+
-Apple Sidechain compression to said bassline
There’s a used M+ for $799 CDN, and it looks oh so tempting. I’m a huge of of FM8 and Massive. Two of the best VSTs Ever made IMO.
Thanks! 🇨🇦 you can definitely record the moth as audio then side chain. Just google sidechain maschine “ and you should be good to go! Do you have a MK3 already? Just be aware of the cpu limitations of M+ check any of my M+ specific vids. If you’re cool with that and know the workarounds it’s a very powerful device!! And for the price of a MK3….!
@@jefgibbons You’re very welcome. Never had an MK3. And thanks very much for the info.
I had an MPC one, MPC live 2, and a circuit tracks. Ended up returning the Live 2. The circuit tracks was picked up used, and I still use it today. But I tried a demo version of the Maschine, at L&M, had no idea what the heck I was doing, and it sounded damn good. With massive, FM8, Monark included? I loved it. The price was a stumbling point. But after watching a few more tutorials this morning, as well as the info you provided, I’m picking up the M+. Thanks a lot Jef🙏
This was a wonderful video! I don't regret buying my Maschine+, but the CPU can really limit you at times. I find myself using it as a standalone and a controller equally.
I didn’t see the link for the external battery, but love this video! Thanks Jeff
put your mouse aside and turn off screen then open maschine mk3 it is quite different feeling cuz you concentrate better to make music and don´t check email and download and listen youtube video and organize folder at the same time like me :D Just started to use my mk3 like that and it liberates my mind and I can use more time to check sounds and other stuff cuz don´t have that much stuff interferes my mind and workflow.Btw have you made tutorial for using mk3 without screen? If not maybe you could?
Very informative vid as always.
Thanks!
I just picked up my Maschine+ a week ago, after having used an MPC Live 1 & 2 together. When it comes to content, it is my understanding that only "expansions" work in standalone mode, with the exception of Primsatic Bliss and the MassiveX expansions? Things like the symphony series do not work, nor do things like thrill? In fact, the exclusive list of VST's is software that the device already comes included with (FM8, Massive, Monark, Prism, Reaktor, Retro Machines, Raum, Phasis)? Basically, if I just wanted to make sure I have all of the content this will work with in standalone mode, I just need to look at expansions and exclude MassiveX expansions & Prismatic Bliss?
when you press SCENE/PATTERN or EVENTS button the screen should stays there, right? on my device when I relase button it skips back to main window. Sorry for silly question, but I am not sure if my device is faulty or am I doing something wrong? Thank you for any advice, I am new in M+ territory - trying to switch from Force, but I am pretty lost for now.....
nice vid, I just got the M+ used and minty, and I love it
as a NI plugins lover and a DAWless guy these days it's a perfect marriage
the battery pack makes it perfect for mobile use
the autosampler function is great to take multisamples of bulky studio gear on the go 🙂
just made my first live hardware jam with it a few days ago - still have a lot to learn on it but got by after only a few hours of messing around with the new arrival:
ruclips.net/video/SSgNR7gv6qw/видео.html
Anyone wants to buy my + ? I tried, I use the MK3 more and my mpc one.
You should be able to get a fair bit if you sell it locally, now would be a good time while people are still heading outdoors! (unless you live somewhere nice and warm all year)
Great video. Very informative. Definitely helped in my decision for what model to get. Thanks. I gotta know though...Where did you get that T-shirt? I need that too!
I just want a mk3 with the + body for the studio, ill take the Deluge to go its a much better portable.
Do you have a crash course on the Maschine+ or using Maschine software that is applicable to the Maschine+ workflow? You're an exceptional teacher and I wish I had in person tutoring for the Maschine+ with you.. oh well, thank you anyway for your video content! Very well made.
theres suppose to be no latency its now the KI version of akai
Interesting Video and Jeff - nice to have you walk us through these things.
I feel that as others have stated - if you want portability, go with a Laptop and Maschine Micro.
I have Maschine Mk3 and I can't justify the + as it hasn't the library access that a PC has with Komplete or other VSTi's and the processing is limited. I must though break away more form the computer screen and get into using Maschine Software through the Mk 3 Interface more. My Classical Guitar learning though has taken over my time LOL - can't wait to match that up with a pickup to Maschine.
Thing that gets me with Maschine Mk3 is that the Audio Interface and drivers are a bit Meh. A basic Focusrite AI will dump all over the built in Mk3 AI. Pity as it is another thing that one has to bother with and that also is where some of the latency issues arise with the Mk 3.
Unc Jef .. i haven't got 1 yet!? I was thinking either new mac pro laptop or a machine +.. lol. I would definitely have 2 get used 2 finding stuff manually. So used 2 using cpu & machine together.. Shout out 2 knock square, les beats , accurate beats fs! Appreciate all the game/ info! TY 💯
Thanks V! Yeah, it really depends on how much you think you'll use it away from the computer. It's definitely the perfect product for those that do, but you can't beat the power of a good laptop and the MK3!
@@jefgibbons Yessir ! You definitely helped make my decision! If i start working more away from home or going out more I'll def get a + But for now it can wait. Thx a bunch Unc Jef ! Have a great weekend
does it offer xreggistry parameters numbers-
I was like, “Minor 9 set?!?! How do I get those!!” 😂😂😂 thought I was missing out on something. Thanks for another video!
Wishful thinking!!!!
So would Maschine+ and NI S88 work well together?
I have a plus but for some reason I’m wishing/wanting to try the MPC live 2… idk why!
Battery speaker touch screen??? Sorry… had to!
@@jefgibbons touchscreen not a selling point at ALL!!! Maybe if I’m working in the MPC but Maschine software isn’t in need of it not one bit it’s optimized for knobs not a touchscreen. I’m interested seeing if I enjoy working back in MPC like I used to.
@@marclemar Oh I disagree...editing notation in the piano roll makes the touch screen invaluable. Granted, the Maschine+ will teach you to record it right in one take because editing the piano roll is so involved. Also, sorry, the X/Y FX style way of manipulating plugins is incredible. When I can combine two effects that I can impact simultaneously, that is just amazing. I love doing things like a pitch shift with a tempo shift, or a hipass filter in combination with a tape stop. I will agree that Akai relies a little too much on the touch screen for the MPC Live models, (the one and the X are significantly less reliant on the screen), because of the location of the screen, it is merely a thing worth mentioning in passing. The things that kill me about the Maschine+ is that it has no touch screen, which means editing notation is a pain. It also only has SD card expansion for storage. It is not really stand alone in that it needs power and audio. The processing power on the Maschine+ is severely limited. Linear writing can be done, but when you start getting into tracks that are 10 minutes in length, things become unwieldy, and that is provided you haven't hit the processor limit by that point.
I don't write music the way beatmakers do, in that I don't just write 8-12 instruments and then create sequences where tracks are muted. No offense to people that do this, but this just feels like lazy writing. Anyone can write 8 bars with 10 instruments and mute different instruments. Try writing 8 unique sequences where you don't reuse anything from previous sequences, where each sequence is wholly unique, but the whole thing is cohesive, that is song writing. Listen to something like Kraftwerk, even if you don't like the style, the reason Kraftwerk is unique is that each segment of a track is unique. Their track, Autobahn is 9 minutes in length and is varied throughout the entire song. Listen to RnB from the 90s and early 2000s (Usher, Boyz II Men are a couple of examples), each segment is very unique. The problem with music today is, it is extremely repetitive. The problem with the Maschine is, the lack of processing power forces you to be extremely repetitive and reuse large swaths of the music over and over again.
I have a MK3. I travel a lot & want 2 shrink down the amount of gear I carry. Right now I have a medium size suit case & would love to shrink to a backpack. Is it worth a 2nd purchase?
What would you buy? The plus? Think of the weight and you probably always bring a computer anyway? The Micro?
4gb of ram is low though- im sure those plugins and instruments from native hog up or use so much of the ram available- unless if it allowed you to upgrade the ram slots to say 128gb of ram or 64 gb of ram -(i guess thats the breaking point)
Thanks for this video :)
Actually I'm recording my tracks with Cubase, I'm using my bass, guitars and native kontroller for control de DAW.
What's happens if I buy this Maschine +? I have to plug the Kontroller on Maschine and plug Maschine on my PC? Both need to be plug in USB?
Sorry for this noob question :D
And thanks again for your videos.
Hi, Jeff. Love what you do and I love your work on the Fender Rhodes. Do you think Native Instruments will release anything new this year, like maybe a MK4? Thank you for all your content. Blessings!
Thanks David! I don’t have any insider info on a MK4, but I feel like it’s still too soon since the release of the Maschine Plus… I’m just hoping for v3 of the software, I feel like the hardware is still incredible at this point!
@@jefgibbons 👊❤
Are you able to freely transfer files between both interfaces from the software?
Such as, working from + out in the world, then working from mk3 when you want to work from cubase?
Definitely! Tougher going from MK3 to M+ though, can't have anything in the project that is missing from the +
@@jefgibbons Yeah, I suppose that would be the better way to use it?! Thanks for clarifying that for me, I've been on the fence about which one to upgrade to!
do you prefer the maschine + standalone machine over the mk3 computer version ???
Hey Pierre, I don't use my Maschine outside of the studio enough to need the Plus. The build quality is great on it though, but it really is designed for those that want to get away from the computer.
I would love* an editing video. Your content is amazing.
You said that the Maschine+ has NO benefits using it as an MK3 in the studio. Can you please explain? I'm on the borderline of purchasing the Maschine+ because of it's portability but still want to be able to plug it into the computer/ laptop with my Komplete Kontrol S6 and use it with the DAW. Mayday! Mayday! Help! STAT!
No worries! You can of course use it as a regular Maschine with your computer!! It just functions exactly like a regular mk3 without any advantages. Some people thought it would have More power or something like that with the computer but it’s just a controller like the mk3. All good!
@@jefgibbons Okay! Whew!! Thank you so much! I already had to fight with myself on justifying the price tag for the portability and convenience but along with still being able to use it just like an MK3. Thank you Jef!!!!
Can we trade pluses cause using my own samples in it via sd card is not a fast task at all.... now my mpc live 2 moves very swiftly...I do love the maschine now although it took me some time to get used to it.. bought it last year when it first dropped.... used it a few times the week I bought it then put it in the closet till about a week ago I've had a few crashes on it which I've never had on my mpc live 2..I mean I can sample in that mpc all day long and it won't even flinch...I try to use my SSD SanDisk ultra-hard disk on the USB slots of the maschine plus and it is painstakingly slow so I've abandoned that idea so I stick to the sd card.. Right now I'm using the maschine plus as a glorified sampler..sampling back into the mpc live 2 because I absolutely love its unique way of taking a sample and making it do something real nice...
Awesome video Jeff! Loved getting perspective on the Maschine + from
a hardcore user👍🏼 GAS has subsided for now😅
Cheers!
Nice gear
Honestly..its so a pain in the ass to finish a real good music on what so ever hardware standalone, because you will need extra synth sounds and other things that all those major standalone machines doesnt have it all.....or....to do that you have to spend huge money into plugins and expansions.....plus...the arranger matrix / grid is way limited
be aware that the Maschine+ wifi module is crap , its has a ton of problem downloading the library, the proccessor choke's very eazy just by loading a project you have not press play or play any sample or intrument it jump to 40 to 50% precessing power ... Maschine is very underpower proccesor & memory wise , the SD card is a big mistake it would been better to have an SSD onboard
im on my second unit , as it has been a totaal nightmare "returning this unit also "it sucks
Not for me but it was good info.
Personally, the software from Komplete is terrible, I have had no end of issues with Machine 2... put me off, and now spending my cash on Roland kit, in honesty I haven't looked back, I use my MV verse lab everywhere !!!
Great video but am going to mix it up a bit. The Mk+ is defo not worth the price tag.... at all.. I have had this maschine since pre-order.. The whole project was rushed and certainly not ready for release as a standalone maschine.. Was a beta when released and every update since has been more about fixing bugs.. They threw in a polysynth a year ago but basic functions like midi clock sync issues for external - known about since release ... still not 100%.. I am a big fan of NI but certainly would not be rushing out to buy this so called standalone - knowing waht i know now.. Sorry NI but thats my opinion ..
This machine doesn't provide me "confidence" for a live situation. And I base my comments on different "unexpected behaviours" I noticed during the first 3 weeks of using this device. First and most disturbing: sometimes (but with a high repro rate) the system hangs when switching between projects. The screen says "busy.... loading", the music starts but you can't do anything but a hard reset. Second: If you finally can load a new project, sometimes the output sounds creepy distorted. Also, randomly, different sounds, specially high frequency ones, sounds "clipped". I totally understand this is not a quantic computer or even a MacBook Pro. But these issues happen even with the projects provided by NI which were supposedly tested. I'm not pushing the maschine to the limits. And, let's suppose that NI consider this a known issue or expected behaviour, please include this warning into the user manual. I still consider M+ as an interesting alternative to the expensive MPC Live 2, but I'm from Argentina and I've paid this USD2000, and that's the average 6 months salary of a worker... is a really big investment for the poor obtained results.
Hey jef! I think machine mk3 and m + are really solid beat machines. Had the Mk3 myself because I wanted to test the workflow. After 1 year I sold it again because I recognized certain limits compared to a daw like ableton. with a controller and ableton you have more options. The machine is ingenious for implementing an idea quickly. But then it gets annoying when it comes to mixing a track to edit it even if it got better with the clips (update). The automation is also not good compared to the daw mentioned. Automating soft filter processes was difficult. As far as machine plus is concerned, it is interesting because it is standalone, but there are 2 major design errors. The missing touchscreen to edit notes. Sometimes time-consuming and annoying to edit afterwards with the rotary encoders. The competition can do that better. Not innovative. Not understandable for this price. And that there is no battery. I like Native Instruments. Use the software and vst a lot. But after 1 year of experience I can say nice to have but not necessary.