Standalone Maschine+

The Lounge Other Gear
2327

Hmm, just because they’re detected by Maschine+ doesn’t necessarily mean they will “work” with it. I’ve connected several USB audio interface which are “detected” but not useable. We’re in quite the early days of using USB peripherals with standalone music hardware.

Maschine+ can detect many class compliant USB audio interfaces, but, from my limited experience with USB mics, usually they aren’t considered an official “audio interface” per se…someone with more computer experience may want to chime in here.

I would go with a conventional mic plugged right into the analog Mic input. A used SM58 is cheap and going to be reliable and likely better sounding than many USB mics. Just my 2 cents.

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2328

Got a M+ coming tomorrow after getting a good deal. Been keen to try one for a while as heard some great things about the workflow and quality of the internal sounds and effects, slightly concerned around CPU limits and crashes but seems to be more stable at present.

I’ve had a Force and MPC live 2 which have both come and gone so will be interesting to see if the Machine ‘clicks’ with me.

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2329

Well at the very least the plugins and fxs sound better on Maschine + than the MPC/Force.

My real issue with Maschine + is whether it’s really worth it compared to a laptop + Maschine MKIII, which is even more portable. NI should have added an internal battery. I don’t trust external portable chargers.

Workflow wise, Loopop did compare MPC and M+ workflow, and he is absolutely right when he says M’s workflow is more unified and coherent.

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2330

loopop doesn’t know how to use an mpc half as well as he knows the maschine though, nothing wrong with not being as familiar with one over the other it’s just something to keep in mind if when comparing you were counting on equal prowess of both platforms

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2331

I’ve been debating whether to get Maschine+ or a Mk3. I want M+, but haven’t pulled the trigger because I feel like there is quite a bit to improve on with a hardware upgrade. Like more RAM for instance. As well as better integration with NI synths and effects. I think what would really solidify the current M+, is a really solid standalone keyboard/workstation. Something that could run full featured versions of their synths and effects. I think something like this would really add to the product line without killing what’s there now, as the M+ seems pretty tight if it’s used mostly as a sampler and it really lacks as a synth.

2332

He has decades of Mashcine experience.

He’s never used MPC other than the reviews.

MPC standalone is way more reliable than a Machine +.

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2333

depends on how set on standalone you are.
In my case, the mk3 is a better deal, I would have the plus next to my laptop anyway, to get access to third party stuff. U-he synths for example are great with nks.
The laptop adds just a lot to it.
But many people want get rid of the laptop completely when making music

2334

I think it’s all down to personal choice. I’ve just picked up a M+. I don’t own a computer other than my work computer-and that doesn’t let me download things-so I’ve always just been ‘standalone’ in terms of my music making. Spending 8 hours a day on a laptop I’ve never really had a desire to spend anymore time, and this is just a hobby for me. Therefore the M+ made sense and I got a decent used deal.

I have been through pretty much all the ‘groove boxes’ since I got into this world in 2019 ish (from a guitar background). I’ve had an Akai Force, MPC live, MC707, DT, DN, MC, Circuit rhythm and tracks, and now the M+.

To me they all have strengths and weaknesses. I liked the Force a lot, but it was huge and I didn’t like the touchscreen element, the MC707 sounded great, but I found the workflow a little slow, I liked all the Digis but always ended up moving them on, I’ve still kept the circuit tracks as I think it’s a great little device on the move, but lacks depth, I sold the rhythm and sometimes regret it.

The MPC live 2 was great in many ways, but I didn’t like the touchscreen and for a ‘portable unit’ (speaker and battery) it was just to cumbersome. I also found the onboard synths a little bland.

So now onto the M+. I’m still in the honeymoon period, but I am really enjoying it. I am finding the workflow fast, the quality of the onboard kits, sounds and synths is way ahead of the MPC in my opinion. Sampling is similar but building kits is easier on the MPC. I have not experienced crashes yet on the M+ (I had a few on the MPC) and for my use CPU limits seem fine-I loaded up 2/3 kits and a couple of plug ins yesterday and was at 70% but that is the highest I have seen-it tends to jump up to 40% quickly but then stabilise.

For me as a non laptop owner it was a no brainier over the MK3 and a Laptop. I can see others may prefer that option though. For me being able to use standalone is a big thing, and remember you can always use the + as a MK3 controller if you wish and use those 3rd party plugins.

Anyway-in short I think this device has had a bit of a raw deal, potentially it was release ‘too soon’ much like the Akai force, and it be negative press is partly due to that, but in its current iteration it is (for me) at least the equivalent of any of the boxes I’ve mentioned above.

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2335

The above was a little longer a post than I intended… anyway, this is an example of how it is used by me:

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2336

Don’t expect an hardware update anytime soon, so buy the M+ for what it is right now. Imho sound-wise, with the supported synths and fx Maschine really has the edge over MPC. NI typically tends to sound much more “polished” and “produced” out of the box.

TBH, as a Maschine MK3 user, i really don’t mind running it with a laptop. I have a small Macbook (Air) to run Maschine, and i don’t even notice it or look at it, all is happening from the mk3 controller. So it’s as if the laptop is not even there. But i do get all the advantages of having a laptop connected. You can ofcourse also run the M+ as a mk3 controller with a laptop, so you have to decide for yourself how important the standalone aspect is. For me personally it’s not an issue, even on the couch i simply put the laptop away in the corner or something, almost closed, so the only thing i have is the USB cable for power. Which you will need for the M+ also, as it has no battery.

I guess the most important thing is workflow: i started with grooveboxes in the 90’s (and before that Trackers), so Roland MCx0x’s, Yamaha RM1x etc. I still have my RM1x, and love it. For me Maschine comes closest to that seamless creative groovebox workflow.

I guess MPC is more a standalone DAW in a box, with touchscreen etc. Much more options, but for me less creative flow due to the touchscreen and having to think more.

If you’re really looking for an all-in-one workstation, and you don’t mind touchscreen etc the Akai MPC Keys 61 is probably the ticket. If you’re looking for a more inspirational “groovebox experience” the Maschine might be the way to go.

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2337

same

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2338

I can see no advantages in ‘stand alone’ at all with the M+, if it was battery powered then you would have an argument for portability, outdoor use etc…ironically to active that you are better with a laptop and controller- more portable, more powerful and it runs all VSTs! Personally I have a an MPC Live 2…battery + decent speaker = portable :slight_smile:

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2339

Because it doesn’t.

Most users that got it at launch found that out.

While prices of MPCs went up due to demand and cost, prices of M+ went down withing weeks of launch because of lack of sales and loads of disappointment over how underpowered the device is for the NI workflow.

2340

Yes, the (AKAI) MPC Platform is very stable and the frequent feature rich updates have made the platform very popular…I guess having lots of different hardware from the One to ‘X’ make this constant investment viable.

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2341

I love sitting on my couch with my + away from all my other gear. No distractions, no computer, that imo amazing workflow. I don’t own a laptop, so this is perfect for me. I owned an MPC Live, sold it a few weeks ago as I much prefer the workflow of Maschine.

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2342

Likewise. I had the MPC live 2 - it was fine, but didn’t like the touchscreen, felt very DAW like. The M+ feels more like an instrument to me.

On top of that the sounds and effects are in a different league (YMMV) and I much prefer the workflow being pads, buttons and knobs rather than touch screen.

It lacks the battery and speakers but to me is MORE portable regardless as it’s smaller, lighter and more comfortable. I haven’t yet found a situation where I’ve wanted to use it and not had a plug near enough by. By the same token I didn’t use the battery in the MPC, not the speaker much.

The M+ does seem to get quite a bashing from people it seems. I for one am glad I moved on the MPC and went for this. For between £600-700 on the used market-given the build quality and the sound quality I think these are a total bargain.

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2343

I also like the workflow of Maschine but as I have a laptop (and Mikro MK3) I don’t feel the need to buy it again, especially as my laptop has good speakers and a battery so I don’t need power or headphones! If Machine was only available as hardware I would probably have bought it! As I had a lot more experience of Maschine workflow it took a while before I ‘got’ the MPC way…but is so powerful and deep so takes a while…I also use the 8 CV outs with my modular so it is horses for courses! (plus we now also have probability settings and ratcheting so it is getting more Elektron!)

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2344

With the MPC LIVE you can sit on the couch or anywhere and make beats.

Truly portable but full featured.

2345

Yes I know I had one, but I prefer the workflow of Maschine. Never used my MPC Live again once I got the +. Never had any problems with my + either, hardly any crashes or cpu issues. Still terrible for browsing your own samples but I can live with it and the only other thing I miss from the Live is midi program and bank changes for my hardware synths.

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2346

I hardly consider a device that’s as large as the MPC Live (almost a foot and a half long and 7 and a half pounds) portable. The thing is too large for that.

Truly portable would be something that could comfortably fit in a backpack with other things. OP-1, Dirtywave M8, OP-Z etc. That’s just my take. If it’s too big to sit on an airplane eating tray it’s not portable lol.

But yeah, I also feel the Maschine+ has better sounds and a better workflow. But let’s not pretend both of these pieces of gear are pretty transparently overpriced computers. I’d probably recommend most people to just get an iPad instead.