Got mine in Covid 2020 hardly used it but jumped back on it this week. Been using logic. I’m feeling the test beats I’ve made in maschine so far. Sounds so different. Your tutorials are clear my friend I will be watching more if you make some new ones. Keep going.
Thank you! Definitely more to come. We're also expecting Maschine 3 software to be released later this year, so there will be loads of topics to cover.
It revitalized my production flow a year ago and I'm still enjoying a lot of aspect this offers. The DAW was a learning curve for sure but you, Blezz & Jef & many others have provided such great tutorials! Incorporating Ableton was the best thing and it's actually integral to really arrange a song properly. Not a con as you point out but something I hadn't anticipated. Thanks for all your tuts & tips!
Nothing is coming soon when Maschine Plus isn't even 3 years old ..they should be fine tuning their software instead of releasing countless hardware revisions as their device's are major enough.
I always am curious about it compared to an Novation push.. I’ve gotten so use to maschine I don’t see a reason to switch, however I feel like they have more audio mixed capability -> which is the only issue and reason I see
Very well done video! To be honest, I love Ableton to death, but the sheer endless possibilities sometimes slow down my creative workflow as I tend to get surgical very fast instead of pushing the composition forward. Maschine let’s me focus on the creative process more. We just need AUTOMATION IN SONG MODE for every parameter we want, and I do not mean putting a filter on an empty group and routing my drums to it. That works, but we all want hassle free automation of all instrument parameters OUTSIDE PATTERNS over the course of the whole arrangement. Once this tiny wish has come true, I don’t see anything standing in the way of making finished and professional sounding tracks with MASCHINE.
Glad you enjoyed the video! I agree about Maschine allowing you to focus on the creative process. As far as the automation thing goes - fair point! However, that feature may be enough for you, but the next person is going to demand this and that and the third, so where does it end?
Man, I've had the OG Maschine, MK2, and now the MK3. I love the integration between the hardware and the software, and the entire a Native Instruments lineup is fire. Battery, Massive, awesome effects, beautiful sound packs... It's awesome.. BUT! I literally just picked up an ableton push 2, because the Achilles heel of Maschine is that they lock you into their little garden. I have spent the last year learning Ableton, and it's been really eye opening. I never really realized what I was missing with Maschine until I went to Ableton Live. You just can't compete with the full feature set of pretty much any other real DAW. I'll say that for anyone buying a Maschine, you just need to know what you're trying to do. If you're trying to make simple beats, maybe finger drums, sample flips, etc, then yes it's amazing. But if you're seriously thinking about making complete tracks, it's just going to bottleneck you at a certain point. You'll find yourself having to export stems into FL or Ableton, which has really been a workflow killer for me. It's gathering dust at the moment unfortunately. 😭 Please allow us to integrate Maschine into other DAWs. 🙏
As someone who has used Live even longer than Maschine, I agree, I always use it to arrange and finish my Maschine tracks. I don't think Maschine locks you into their garden though. You can use it as a MIDI controller in other DAWs and you can use plugins in Maschine software or use it as a plugin in other DAWs. It's just more limited but that's what makes it so fun and fast to use. But I also agree that if you have a Push 2, Maschine is not really necessary, just a fun instrument to have and enjoy.
I agree about exporting stems to ableton being the easiest route to finishing a track you began on Maschine, but in reality, all NI need to do in order to make Maschine viable for finishing entire tracks is allow automation in the song view and then make BPM/Time Signature/Lock States Automatable parameters. My biggest gripe is that I have to fuck with grid resolutions and pattern lengths to accommodate time signature changes, instead of being able to assign a time sig to individual patterns...so if I'm writing a track in 6/4 but want a section in 4/4, I have to manually count out the beats and then make the pattern like 2.3.0 length vs 2 or 4 complete bars in length. It's awkward as hell. Otherwise, if I'm honest, Maschine's more focused workflow helps me finish music as fast as a track started/finished within Ableton. I tend to use Ableton for more precise edits, like when I need a rest/bit of silence after a crescendo that doesn't really fall exactly within the grid or if I've added lyrics and realized that I need to extend a section by a few bars...
@@OGBrut-bq2xr gross have you ever even tried this? There are far better ways than using the Maschine vst, which just introduces lag and makes it almost impossible to play things on time. This is why 90% of people just make loops in Maschine and export the stems. I don't know about using it in FL because I'm an adult and whatnot, but I know in Ableton it sucks to use the Maschine vst. That's my experience at least, and I know a lot of other people's, from when I looked around the internet to see if anyone was successfully integrating Maschine and Ableton. If you have a video of what you're talking about though, because I could be wrong, I would like to know, as I like playing the Maschine pads a lot more than playing the push 2 pads.
@@LowHeatBeats I really appreciate this reply! I honestly hadn't even realized that I could just load my Maschine expansions folder into the Ableton places browser and use all those samples in drum rack. What a game changer. I really thought those were locked into the expansion or something. You're awesome, man. Long time subscriber! Thanks again 🙏
Still loving it! Personally still stuck on how to access the rest of my sounds when I've used more than the 16 pads while sampling. Glad to see your health on the come-up, we appreciate you. 👊
Thank you so much for the support, I really appreciate it! Btw to access more than 16 slices in the sampling section, hold shift and you will see the option to go to a second bank of slices. Otherwise, after you've chopped it you need to transpose your keyboard mode an octave higher to play slices 17-32.
Great review! I was so amazed with the original MASCHINE I ran right to Guitar Center and bought it soon as I got paid that Friday! Took it home and fell in love with it! Also, it can still be used in 2023! I don’t have the MK3 but I still want it!
I Agree 100% Carnal! I love my Maschine MK3 and because of the lack of DAW features and flexibility I alway finish in my DAW. Other than that, I love the way I can create tracks (at lest the base) of the track really fast. Speeds up the process. I also like the way that we still get updates to the software. I just hate the fact that I can't finish on the Maschine... I hope some day N.I comes out with an update to finish a track from start to finish on the Maschine (I know people do it now) However, I can't LOL
For me the maschine mk3 (and komplete keyboard) made my work flow of music production happen. I was always struggling to find a technique in order to get a track going properly..... But now i fire up maschine.... Create stems.... Load maschine into cubase... Drag them across as audio, and arrange my track, still using maschine as a plug in to further add to my track.
Low Heat, I bought a MK3 after watching your videos. I love it. I will add that the software likes to crash if left open overnight. I'm glad it does have a recovery mode though.
Glad my videos inspired you to buy it and that you're happy with it! It's been pretty stable for me, recovery mode has saved me only once so far. It probably depends on what plugins you'e using.
Hey Low Heat i have feeling that we who bought Maschine we all "succeed " in Music journey, there is something magical in analogue human input. MK3 is perfect instrument .
It sure is a great instrument! But let's be honest, success in your music journey is not really about the gear that you use, although it does help a lot.
Great video. Thank you. I agree with everything you say about both Maschine and Maschine Plus. Even a year further on, when people are talking about a lack of updates and why? "Are NI about to abandon the format?" As an older user, I am slow to assimilate changes and I personally would not wish to add extra layers of complexity. I want to introduce some more complex sounds from the Kontakt instruments such as Vocal colours but it is so huge that it barely runs on my Mac, so working with it, I expect to record my sound in Ableton and use them as samples in Maschine. This might seem like a slow groove but it suits me.
Damn, that's what I call bad luck man. But on the flip side, let's be honest - you're not going ot make better music with the MK3, the Studio is more than sufficient.
Yeah, I've heard about this, but they do count as cons since it's a basic functionality that isn't available right out of the box. Also, do you really need to use Reaktor for this? There are plenty of VST's that can probably enable this functionality. Unless you're on the M+, of course.
@@LowHeatBeats yeap, I'm on both - mk3 and M+, that's why I was looking for smth, that would work on both - to be able to port the projects among them (actually, I have them in different cities) but, anyways, if mono-ing is quite easy with lots of vst, recording mutes is still a pain. And yeap, I'm agree - this is more about cons, than pros
I mostly agree with your assessment of the MK3. I started my music making after a 30(!) year break using Logic but got bogged down in the overwhelming user interface and feature overload. After seeing a few reviews of the Mk3 I bit the bullet and got one. I have never looked back as it really gives you the most frictionless music creation experience possible. I agree with the limitations with audio. Clips however resolve much of this, and even comping is easily done. I don’t see NI launching any new hardware, except (and this is my dream) they release a “plus” version of the S series keyboards. That would be a killer standalone workstation and if it had an XLR and instrument input , would give the MPC key a run for its money ….
hello, if someone can help me a little, with the machine + in samping mode for each recording the audio is put on the sd card, is there a possibility of having the audio recordings in virtual memory and afterwards when I record the project is all put on the SD card, for the moment when I record guitar in several takes, even those that are not good are saved on the SD card, it takes up unnecessary space, what do you think?
I don't use a Maschine + but I think it works the same way as Maschine software on the computer, so it's probably not possible. But i think this is better than filling the RAM with recordings that you're not going to use. Also it's great to go through old recordings and find some interesting stuff to reuse.
Sure, it also has some other very useful features that Maschine doesn't. It's just that you need to use the mouse and computer screen with it which (for me) kinda defeats the purpose of using Maschine in the first place.
After new screen on komplete s mk3, maschine 3.0 sofware in progress. If 3.0 software in progress, maschine mk4 ("Maschine Next" may be?) in progress too. I think its one large screen and someting feature from old "machine jam" (faders may be?). Wifi, bluetooth...
Yeah, they are probably working on it, but I have no idea when we will see it. I would hope autumn 2024 but I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes even longer for a new Maschine hardware.
Not saying this is a bad product but the cons he mentioned are never brought up when comparing it to the Akai software.I own both and i have to to say that Akai has the edge a little in the recording department.All the cons he mentioned the Akai software does.
To all those using Maschine to make a loop and finish in their DAW: IMO Serato Studio is much superior, more modern software for that purpose. If you like sth. more streamlined to get the creative juices flowing and don't need an MPC-style hardware box, I can only recommend to check it out. (I'm not affiliated with them in any way, but without Studio maybe I wouldn't make music today, because that software made it so easy to create and learn by doing as a total noob, so I'm trying to pay it forward 🙌🏻)
Sounds great and I've been meaning to check Serato Studio out. But if you don't need an "MPC-style hardware box", why are we discussing this under a Maschine review? 😀
@@LowHeatBeats Because many (potential) Maschine users are open to alternatives, and not all of them view the hardware as make or break, I guess. I personally know people who have the Mk3 on their desk, but just use Maschine software with their mouse.
Hello as a guitar player i need to play a set with full backing track just without the guitar, this machine is it able to play like 8-10 full song if we load in in ?
You can load and play full songs but I'm not sure if it's the best tool for this use case. Ableton Live would probably be more suitable for this. Or even an SP-404 MK2 if you want to skip the laptop on stage.
That’t why I never use it in a DAW but rather treat it as a hardware instrument using only the Maschine software. When I use my main DAW (Ableton Live), I just use it as a dumb midi controller or just don’t use it at all.
Hi, thanks for your videos. Greetings from Mexico. My question is if i can perform with MK3 without a computer? Sorry, but i am ready to buy it, but i have this serial doubt because i have read a lot of old and new reviews and i am really confused. In Native Instruments site information makes me think that i can use it without computer, but maibe i am misunderstanding. Thanks
Hey, no, the Mk3 only works with a computer. You’re probably looking at Maschine Plus which is the same thing but can work without a computer as well and it costs twice as much.
Hey man , thanks for the review on the machine mk3 . I was wondering if you have any videos for beginners who want to learn the machine mk3 or if you links to websites or youtube . thanks
There are also two in-depth videos on the NI channel: Part 1: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YcSle_Cypzg.html Part 2: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-prEuh1P6-JM.html
@@LowHeatBeatsYou can also buy used directly from NI, they have 3 MK3 returned units available right now, cleaned - with software - full warranty. For 380-350e.
I’m just curious, I use Beatmaker 3 on iPad. I’m able to load an acapella and arrange to that wav. Can you load a wav. that’s like 3 minutes long and arrange to it.?
I actually liked the simplicity of the MK1 a lot, although it did work better with the simpler v1 of the software. The MK3 has some quality-of-life improvements like bigger and better screens, built-in audio interface, MIDI note editing capabilities and generally you can really do everything from the controller. But let's be honest - it probably won't make your music better and the MK1/MK2 still offer enough control and visual feedback to get the job done.
I thought I wanted the Push 2. Then I accidentally got a second-hand Maschine Mk2 and I like it so much that now I think the Maschinke Mk3 might be better for my needs. Can I sell a Mk2 with the software when I get the Mk3 with its software without losing stuff? It is a hard decision for me right noww as I do use Ableton Live as my main DAW, the Push would work well of course, but the Maschine feels so sturdy and precise.
I know it's tough, I always go back and forth between Ableton and Maschine, they are both super dope. You can sell the MK2 with the software and you won't lose anything, unless you upgraded your Komplete Select with the full version of Komplete, then that would be tied to your original Maschine 2 license.
@@LowHeatBeats Tricky how software and hardware are tied together, I will thread carefully. Perhaps I shall go both routes as well, they each have their strengths and weaknesses. Thank you.
Got it. Yeah, there isn't, but if you need to adjust the gain you can insert an EQ after the Audio module and use its gain control to set the desired level before the signal hits the next effect on the chain.
@@LowHeatBeats Bless you sir. Thank you for that wonderful insight. I greatly appreciate the help. This has stopped me from even making music in maschine. Now I know the next steps. Thank you again.
For me Maschine - as much as I enjoy making a beat with its hardware workflow - sits in a useless "middle ground" rn. Many will point out that "all DAWs do the same". Which in a way is obv true, but it's my experience that the specific tool will still leave its imprint on the music; between Maschine VS Logic VS Serato Studio, if you have me start from the same sample with each, each tool will facilitate different ideas & execution. I'm stating this because I like the different vibes/ideas the Maschine hardware workflow can coax from my brain. BUT in practice, I've come to the point where 95% of the time I'd rather work in Logic from the start, *especially* when flipping a sample. Between the Sample & Audio modules on Maschine a lot is possible - but I'm just SO much faster in Logic, plus I'm more willing to try out crazy ideas, which OTOH can seem like too much work in Maschine. I hate to say it, but in 2022 the Maschine software is in many ways a bit dated. I'm not even talking about the DAW feature-set. If you're on Mac, you might notice that you can't even zoom in/out the piano roll using pinch gestures on the touchpad, like, for real NI? That has been the standard way to interact with any content on Mac since when Jobs was still around. And btw, my money is on: We will end 2022 and still not be able to run Maschine natively on Apple Silicon. That might not matter to many; the point is, it is symptomatic of NI/Maschine development pace compared to most competitors - it's f'in glacial. Many opt for Maschine as a "sketch pad" to make a loop, and then bring that into their DAW. For that purpose I much (!) prefer *Serato* Studio. It's a much more modern software, and it's even more streamlined to eliminate distractions, especially for noobs. It's basically a mini DAW built around Serato Sample. You can set a project key, and the software will keep everything (!) else in key automatically. The current Beta has a "stems" feature, where you extract parts of a sample similar to izotope RX. It's obvious their devs give a sh*t about the community as well. So yeah, I'm selling my Mk3 Ultraviolet, because it's collecting dust. Between the super streamlined, user-friendly, modern Serato Studio and a full-fledged DAW, Maschine is neither here nor there; unless you're like an old-school MPC/Maschine head & can't live without your 16 pads.
The middle ground thing is a valid point, I'll give you that. Sometimes I just use Ableton Live and skip Maschine altoghether. I can live without the 16 pads, just give me a MIDI keyboard and I'm good. But Logic or Serato Studio aren't entirely comparable, since you need to mostly use the mouse and keyboard and the whole point of Maschine to me is that you're playing and instrument and using mostly your hands. That's why the shortcomings (which are valid points you're raised btw) of the Maschine 2 software don't bother me that much. But anyways, I appreciate your perspective, it's different than mine, but I respect that.
Unless you're using the Maschine software, you can only use MIDI mode, that's how it works. But you should be able to route MIDI from the Maschine plugin to another MIDI track but I'm not a Luna user, so I can neither verify this, nor explain how to do it.
Maschine is by far the fastest machine to create a beat, but i need to update it for Apple,s M1 i don’t know what they are waiting for whit rosetta it‘s terrible you can’t work. Un saludo desde España
Ssup low, how u doing? I was wondering if this is the device for me, cuz I produce on Cubase and Im not into to Machine Software, I only need a Drum Pad midi controller to control Cubase Stock Plugins and Third Part ones, as Sylenth, Serum, Ana, U-he, Omnisphere, Superior Drum, Groove Agent, etc. The functions that I like in Maschine, are the ability to PAD, Keyboard, Chords, Beat Repeat, etc. I heard that if someone is looking for a pad midi controller device for this purpose maybe Maschine is not the one to be chosen. Can you give some perspective?
Hey man, I appreciate you asking for my perspective, but I think it becomes pretty clear from the video - the whole point of Maschine is the integration with its own software. So if you just need a pad controller for your DAW you're paying extra for stuff you're not going to use. Also the keyboard mode, chord mode, note, repeat, etc. only work within the Maschine software.
@@LowHeatBeats Thanks, for the fast answer. Do you know any pad midi controller with a good pad touch feel and also with PAD, Keyboard, Chords Beat Repeat Functions, cuz I saw Akai MPD and lacks chords and Keyboard functions. Also saw Nektar Aura but I'm afraid I won't have it too.
I can't think of any off the top of my head tbh. You're welcome to join our Discord server (link in description) and ask there, maybe someone will be able to point you in the right direction.
@@LowHeatBeats don’t get me wrong I love it. But the recent update was nothing. It’s been 2 years and no other plugins being ported, no features worked on etc. They keep dropping new plugins and expansions, but nothing for the plus or maschine software. Maschine 2.0 came almost a decade ago, where is maschine 3?
@@heffe4257 I feel what you're saying man. But at the same time, as I said in the video - I got what I paid for and I don't have any expectations for updates. If they add some cool new stuff, that's a bonus, if not, it's still cool. Granted, I'm talking about the MK3, I don't have a Maschine+.
No, this works with Maschine software on your computer. If you're looking for standalone, there's Maschine Plus which is the same thing, except it has the computer built-in.
Maschine sequencer is seriously lacking: *'no tempo/meter changes'* - badly needs development!! For a Groove-Box, it is awesome tho. But I can't use it for serious Composing.
@@LowHeatBeats I had an mpc2000xl before, I believe that on the mpc at least you could write different time signatures & chain them together. I'm not sure abt tempo changes. It's bn so long 🤷🏽♂️🤣
I mentioned it at some point, but it was never my intention to tell the full history of Maschine. I also skipped Mikro and Jam, because I didn't want to make the video too long.
Maschine's work flow is over-complicated compared to what a DAW with 3rd Party Plugz can do in seconds! Don't be lured in by the flashy lights of its cluncky hardware!
Actually, I find the Maschine workflow much less complicated than that of a DAW. It’s one of the reasons I only use a DAW now for final mixing and mastering.
I just wanna know why everyone compares maschine with a DAW but nobody compares an MPC with one? Maybe the computer connection? Which all new MPCs have... 🤔
It's always going to be cumbersome when you use 2 sequencers at the same time, so I don't think Maschine is the problem here. I don't use it as a plugin, its most enjoyable to you use it by itself just with Maschine 2 software.
