FWIW, I have the MPC One, and just got the Maschine+ so I’ll offer some of my initial thoughts coming from my use of both.
MPC One:
Likes:
. Nice form factor
. Nice for sequencing external synths (either hardware or on iPad)
. Song Mode makes sense
. AutoSampler feature is great for quickly creating KeyGroups from sampled synths- which you will need to do since the onboard synths sound so bad
. Nice set of Effects
. Love the Chord Progressions
Dislikes:
. I cannot stand the Pads…they feel like I’m finger drumming on frozen ham cubes
. Onboard synths are of poor sound quality. I just can’t find any use for any of the patches on the 3 included synths. They don’t work for me at all
. Not very fond of the included Sound Packs - they aren’t my thing sonically or emotionally
. Touch screen reminds me of an ATM as opposed to an iPad screen. The latency on it is maddening at times. I have so many misspelled Project names because key presses are never detected
. Why is it so fat? Does it really need to be that thick?
. Pads are a magnet for dust no matter how much I clean it
. The headphone jack is a joke…always unplugging with the slightest tug
*. Q-Link UI is buggy as heck…works most of the time, but doesn’t when you really need it when deep into a project…they refuse to display when tapping the encoders…grrrrr…just turn it OFF! *
. I really don’t like the Industrial Design. I feel like I’m climbing into a Hyundai Sonata from 2007 every time I use it
Machine+
Likes:
. On board instruments sound great
. Included Sound Packs are fantastic
. Pads are perfect to play. They feel so good
. Great to sequence external synths and gear and accompany it with onboard Instruments/Sounds
. Just learning the workflow, but loving it so far
. Looks great paired with my OT MKII and DigiTone and other Gear (aesthetics are important to me when playing…I have to like what I’m playing to play well)
. While the MPC One feels like a Hyundai, the M+ feels like a modern Lexus or BMW…feels great to drive, and not too bad on the eyes
Dislikes:
. Wish it had Progressions like the MPC One
. Wish I knew the workflow better…but am willing to learn…so this will grow over the next several days and weeks
. Will need to use and abuse more to see what I don’t like
So…if you were to ask me today, which to buy between an MPC and a Maschine+, I’d say get the Maschine+. I feel like this box is going in the right direction with the future in mind, while the MPC line is relying too much on their legacy of MPC gear to bring the original user base into a future that they’re familiar with. It’s a good strategy, but the Maschine+ feels more inline with the way I like to work when composing. If NI were to never update the M+ after today, I’d still be happy with it. The MPC One, not so much.
Hope all this makes sense.
Cheers!
I recant my assessment. The M+ has been a total disappointment for me…guess it took a couple years to realize this. Go with the MPC One or Push 3 if you really want an MPC type workflow…
However, you can get an M+ cheap cheap on the second hand market these days…