MPC vs Maschine Which One Is Better?? 

You can make great music with both devices, in the end it just comes down to which workflow you prefer. People need to stop blaming gear for their lack of musicality 😂

I have both and use Maschine 90% of the time. The MPC is good for when im traveling.

Akai is on the cutting edge, the integration with with DAW is getting even better, Eurorack control is way ahead of everyone, if they can only add CV input, that will be a game changer!

I've been making tracks since the Boss DR-550 drum machine & the ADAT recorder. I'm 50 years old. It truly depends how savy you are with a work flow & patches

Everyone talks about Maschine+ crashing alot, I have never had mine crash, just saying, however, I only use mine in standalone mode. What I have run into issues with on the Maschine+ is CPU usage, and most of that is related to using sounds from expansions that have multi layered effects. The way around this is to disable effects that are placed on the default sounds, as many of the effects are unnecessary or have very little impact on the sounds being played. What can make it frustrating in this regard is, when the CPU has trouble keeping up, sounds are choppy, regardless of what the CPU usage is showing on the device. If the sounds sound choppy, disable effects. The MPC Live 2 is stable as f*. I have never had CPU usage issues with my MPC Live 2, I mean, I did once but that was intentional when I was trying to see what I had to do to actually push the machine. You are going to be hard pressed to find situations where you will have CPU usage issues on the MPC platform. Usability between each device is just different. If you are good with shortcuts on a computer keyboard, the Maschine+ is going to appeal heavily to you. If you get around more visually, the MPC platform will appeal to you. The sounds builtin to the Maschine+ are just better. The Maschine+ synths are heads and shoulders above the MPC synths, with the exception of one key area, drums. The MPC platform has, what is in my opinion, a drum synth that can virtually replace just about every drum sample you have. Yes, it's that good, and it doesn't require a degree in soundshaping to use it. Using either of these devices as a controller is a moot point, that is not what these units are designed for. They are both functional, the software for the Maschine is better on PC, yes, but I am guessing most people already have Komplete in some form, just use your MPC as a controller for the Maschine software on the PC, ignore Beats 2, it's meh. In other words, if you have a MPC or a Maschine plugged into a computer, use Maschine software on the computer. These are both competent controllers. Alot of people like to talk about linear writing, as if that kind of functionality is not existant on the MPC. These people would be mistaken (see next paragraph). This requires a one sentence explanation, what is linear writing? Linear writing is the notion of writing each bar of music from scratch. This does not necessarily mean you arent copy and pasting, it does however mean you are manually adding content for each measure, for each instrument across the length of your track. MPC's take a different approach, which is wholly appropriate for beat writing, each segment of your song is designed to allow for easy copying. The most common way to write music on the MPC involves picking a few instruments / filling a couple banks of sounds on the pads (usually about two to four banks), writing out a segment of your song that will have all or nearly all of the instruments playing at once and then utilizing the track mute functionality to simply mute certain instruments during certain segments of your song. During your chorus for example, you would probably have nearly every instrument playing, during your verse, you would likely only have a few instruments playing, so you'd write your chorus to have nearly all the instruments playing, then in the verse, mute some instruments. Then, you simply arrange your song to play each segment with some tracks already muted first, then the next segment with nearly all the instruments unmuted (in the most simplistic example). Think of a song as having an introduction, a verse, a chorus, a verse 2, a chorus, repeating the chorus, a bridge, a chorus, another chorus, and an ending. In most modern music, nothing much changes between each segment, just more instruments are added to increase intensity. If you want to write linearly on the MPC, just increase how many bars you have in your segment to something ridiculous, like 999 bars. Done, now you have the ability to write linearly. The MPC just has more features and more functionality. Whether those features and functionality are something you need is a matter of debate, but if soundshaping and warping / mangling sounds is your thing, MPC wins hands down. Just as the quality of the synth sounds on the Maschine are better, so too are the effects. the difference however is marginal. The tradeoff is that the Maschine needs a ton of CPU to do the same things that the MPC does with almost no CPU usage. I like each platform for unique reasons. For me, the deciding factor is usability. The MPC has a touchscreen. I use a ton of different devices, I don't live inside the world of a device exclusively (or even close to exclusively), therefore, for me, the visual feedback and ques makes the MPC significantly more usable for me. If however I primarily wrote music on one solitary device, I could see the Maschine+ being faster than the MPC. Most everything is available on the Maschine+ through some combination of key shortcuts, where as the MPC will require menu diving to some degree. The menu diving doesn't bother me, but just know going in, on the MPC platform, expect to menu dive and on the Maschine+, expect to spend a few weeks learning and memorizing shortcuts, and definitely expect to have a cheatsheet handy until you have learned all the shortcuts. It gets real fun for both platforms when you find shortcuts that are undocumented, because they are shortcuts that were added after the documentation was written :) Bottom line is, whatever device you have, enjoy it, don't worry about what you are missing out on, they are both great.

The crashing stuff would annoy the heck out of me. I work on computers all day so having a stand alone like the MPC Live 2 is a game changer. Being able to be productive sitting outside or chilling is awesome! Thanks for the honest reviews Bolo. Glad i found your channel... i'll be subscribing to keep up with your flow :D

I’m starting to use my MPC Renaissance to make my drums because they sound better with less work added. Then I will Port everything into Maschine and finish everything off because I love the workflow for Maschine.

keep blessing us with the good stuff.

I definitely enjoy the Mpc more with a computer. It’s easy to sequence all the vsts. Love it

cool vid bolo. love the breakdown. yep!

Really like stand alone.The Akai force was a uphill battle at first but after learning the basics, the work flow is actually easier than using a Midi controller with Fl Studios. Touch screen is excellent my only caveat is that using it flat on a desk can be stressful on the arms. So I bought a mixer stand and boom problem solved

Would love for you to continue doing videos like this comparing and reviewing equipment much love

So far the best head to head gear video. Thank you.

Super detailed and informative video. Thank you!

Amazing video!! You’re right. They are two completely different forces. Everyone things I am team Maschine but I love it all. I am just trying to wrap my head around the MPC because it’s soooooo different from the Maschine’s software. Definitely gonna keep working on using my Live 2!! Thanks fam!

used to own several MPCs, from 3000 up to 2500, love those boxes, very intuitive and musical. I got Maschine recently second hand during lockdown, to kill the boredom. It is a concept of AKAI MPC, for me it was super easy to swap, few differences but general idea is the same. I can say one big difference at the end of the day - Maschine i a VST compatible, so you can use it within your DAW or you can use within the Machine VST plugs or instruments you already have. MPC is different software, it is really a matter of choice - per person, as you can make great music on any of the box!

Love your videos homie! Always keep it a buck!!

My MPC Live 2 should arrive tomorrow. I'm new to all of this and have a lot to learn. It'll become a good hobby

MPC live for ever!! I don't have a computer and the mpc in standalone mode is just incredible! Love it so much!!

I pick the live II but, I use both

I agree with Bolo on the crashing aspect of it great video you told the truth 100% and I am a machine user

So much valuable information!

Excellent videos. Thorough and detailed. Thank you.

CORRECT!!! BOLO. Just flat-out HONEST about both products. I use them both MPC X and the MK2, GREAT GEAR in the right hands. Now the game-changer is my New MPC KEYS 61 WAKE UP CHURCH !!! Thank you Bolo for your INSIGHT and Professionalism.

I love the MPC X!!

I have a Force and a Maschine plus and used to have an MPC. Never had Akai crash ... and the Maschine does crash occasionally - and I have never had it hooked to a computer. I'm still learning the Maschine - I still like the Force sequencing better, but the pads and sounds on the Maschine are awesome. I loved the stock Maschine sounds and I added 5 packs for $99 on a special and those are fire also. Best of both worlds - you can control the Maschine plus with the Akai - you can set each Maschine bank for a separate midi channel and thus have 16 kits or synths at once. Store a few projects like that and you can pull up one project on the Maschine and instantly map your favorite 16 kits. Works great, you should try it.

Solid review Bo

My Maschine Studio has NEVER CRASHED on me, NEVER in 4 years!!!!

I agree with everything bolo said. Spot on

Great Video Boss, I totally agree with You!

interesting to hear. ive been kind of curious about the Mashine but the one time I tested the software on a desktop I never really got comfortable with it, not that the MPC was a super intuitive thing but between the two the MPC way was easier for me to work with. My live is portable, stable and the internal sounds are simply first class./Ed

Thank's for video! Maschine+ is absolutely awesome! I'm using it in a standalone mode and after last update almost all problems with crashes has gone! But I wish to test MPC too)) Just need more money and free time for all this stuff))))

I’m a 20 yr mpc user and after a while I grew to prefer the Maschine pads over the mpc

Thank you. I have the mpc live 2. I was gone get the machine plus. I changed my mind now. I need something easy. And standalone. So I'm keeping the live.

Maschine user here. I’ve the Mk3 and the + . Maschine’s workflow is awesome but I agree with Bolo in that it’s much better when hooked up to the computer as the software is great. I was also quite dissapointed with the connectivity: no midi thru, no gate/cv, no individual outputs, no xlr input or headphone out at the front. However, something that many ignore is that you can use the headphone out as an aux send to route groups or sounds through external effects units. The thing I most dislike is not being able to sample something and exporting the sample right away. You need to place it in the arranger first and then export, which is a huge pain point. Other than that Maschine is such a joy to use and feels great under your finger tips. Now I want to get a live2 and have both, especially for that awesome mpc standalone vibe.

I have the original mk1 and still run it with my old 2011 MacBook Pro. I’ve been using this set up since 2011. No crash what’s so ever. I hella push it and use it like 8 hours a day. I don’t plan to upgrade cause it’s still running good and it does what I need it to do.

Mate, I love everything about you; knowledge, honesty and humour! Always a pleasure watching your vids. ❤

My first and only Akai product is Akai Force and man I’m all in with it on the go and in the studio! I would go with the Live 2 compared to Maschine plus based on my knowledge of Force, NI Komplete Kontrol S61 keyboard and Maschine Mikro. Get a Maschine MK3 or Maschine Mikro MK3 if going to mainly use with computer!

Here’s where I am after 1 year with MPC Live after being a Maschine aficionado for the last 8 years…MPC sounds GREAT…IN the box…stemming out? Maschine murders it. The MPC sounds are very VERY sharp on the high end and if you have a complex sequence or patterns again it’s a pain in the butt stemming because quite honestly you can’t separate all of your sounds in EACH sequence in song mode. Maschine is much easier to stem out and finish full songs. Sampling MPC is KING. Touch screen man ease of use it just kills. Maschine for more “musical” pieces. The plug ins are just more natural. Scarbee basses are KING. Great video per usual brudda!

ive had the maschine for 3 years and the MPC live 2 for about a year and a half. for real I bought the MPC for its standalone capabilities. I was tired of being behind my computer. the sounds on MPC are SO good sounding right out the box. so crisp and they all seem to have been engineered to fit perfectly together. its real fun to use and it feels like a professional tool that you can take anywhere. that said, I really dont like how old school they are with the folders and samples. the way it doesnt overwrite a program if you are loading it into one you have selected right now and need to delete later is a bit annoying. the folder system kind of annoys me, and the pads are not sensitive enough. they do feel sturdy and like you could hit it with a hammer every day without them falling apart the Maschine in my opinion has steeper learning curve. one reason is the lack of touch screen and that it is all buttons and knobs. it does come with many famous digital synths and the most immense library of sounds EVER. it is complete insanity how many sounds and groups it comes with. it also has a much better overview of your project and the song mode (especially since the clips update) is way more superior to me. I can start of with some ideas, paste them in the "song mode" as to speak and edit them in there as I like, without it feeling like its a completely separate part of the tool i'm working with(feels like that with the MPC. also the pads on the Maschine are FAR MORE SUPERIOR than those of MPC. hands down. there is no contest there. they are much more sensitive and expressive. I do not own a maschine + but I heard its seriously underpowered. they should have probably worked on it for a couple more years. the reason I NOW use my Maschine MK3 more than my MPC is because I recently got a mac pro and a simple dongle to attach my Maschine to. I also use the mac exclusively for either music or photo editing, so I am not very distracted by what is on my computer for daily use. the only real downside I see is...that Maschine needs downloaded software and likely has licence check going on. I can blow off the dust of my MPC in 20 years from now and make beats the moment I turn it on again.

If it feels good, do it! I use MPC but I can see the appeal of the "dark side" too. Nice to see you are doin' alright!

AIFF/WAV (the two formats are essentially the same with respect to sound quality and files sizes) are uncompressed, and therefore sound better than MP3s, but take up more space on your disk. MP3s need to be decoded in order to be played, and therefore require more processing. If you are looking at this question from the point of view of computer performance, uncompressed audio required less processing time, because it does not need to be decoded, but requires much more disk time, because of the amount of data being moved around. Peace, keep up the good work Bolo !!

Bolo=Dope 🔥🔥🔥 I watch you all the time bro you taught me so much about different programs and software you are the truth .. I think you where put on this Earth for people like me who don’t like to read manuals LOL 😂

Ya dude! You nailed it.

Excellent review

YES ON THE USING KONTACT! We should be able to pull up all NI vst on the plus. Messes with my workflow

Maschine MK3 Gang ALL DAY!!!!

Wow that's amazing, because I never get crashes. I use an HP Envy, with an i7 processor. I have an MK2, MK3, and 2 Maschine Studios. And I still have my MPC 2000. But both of your product reviews are valid for sure.

I’ve had both and they both have great workflows.. That is what it comes down to when you have to decide.. I like the MPC better

DistroKid dope

It's crazy this is some divine shit, was just saying to myself earlier I wonder what the difference is between these as I'm thinking of investing in one and here comes bolo saving the day!

Good information. Thank you sir.

Great Vid Fam 🥃🥃

Just found your channel.. Subscribed! Thank you.

Seriously love my MPC Live 2. Had plenty of issues with the latest update but the device is overflowing with functionality. The way sounds are presented in their packs largely relies on grouping a bank or so and presenting them as short demo songs. Not to wild about that, but I wind up making my own banks and kits ultimately just by the way the workflow occurs.

Thankz 4 the review, Ive owned Akai MPCs since 2000..but thinking about purchasing a mashine try something new

Oakland CA... You're wearing my hat😎

I still want the MPC X. I will say I've considered the Maschine just because you've been working with it and did a few pros and cons. I'ma get that big boi tho. Thx for making these.

Hey! I think your review sounds super real and fair to me and this is why it was so hard to choose one over the other, I honestly fell for the workflow, and high-quality feel of the Maschine, love the sound from both, I might be more towards the MPC dirtier sound too but it depends on what I create, surprised by how good my vocals sounded on the Maschine after very little processing but I used my Roland MV1 vocal affects into the Maschine and maybe that helped me too. Please have a go-through on how to work with vocals on the Maschine with clips (how to convert patterns to clips), in the software and standalone as I love to work in a standalone mode and when needed hook it up with the computer, but I like to draft ideas in the standalone mood. I just have not figured out how to place vocals across the whole song and make sure it is all in sync as I want

I own multiple MPCs and have used the Maschine before and I totally agree with you. The workflow of the two systems are completely different. Each of these has it's advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I prefer the MPC over the Maschine. To add to this topic, I also have the Akai Force. Although the sound engine and featureset of the Force is very similar to the MPC, the workflow of the Force is also completely different from that of the MPC and the Maschine. With that said, I like the way the Force works as well because it is very similar to Ableton Live.

Akai does a good job with there updates ,

Thanks so much for this video, Bolo! I'm an old MPC 2000 and 2000XL user/beatmaker and I was undecided about these two machines. Definitely, I think Maschine has great software, but as you pretty well said, MPC lovers gonna love MPC, especially for its sounds. And this last one, it's so important to me cause actually I'm making beats with a MPD 226 combined with Groove Agent ONE (Cubase) and this workflow and sound don't inspire me like back in the day. Oh, and of course, the standalone mode is a big plus for sure. I was thinking about buying an MPC 2500 with JJos xl, but man, I really love its sound but I prefer something more updated to get a better workflow. Again: thanks so much for your content and I wish you all the best, Bolo!

I use both 👍👍👍👍

I definitely agree with the MP3 issue

The last akai I had was mpd32 so after using the mk3 for a year now I really wanna get back to akai. Thanks Bolo!

I holding off until the next generation of the mpc I’m pretty sure it’s in the Akai lab. I could imagine the next MPC will have linear song arrangement with a better processor!!

The best Comparison , I have a MPC and Maschine!

"My x never crashed on me." Bolo wtf. Good stuff man. Mpc is the king of standalone

Since the new update.. clearly maschine+! It‘s now what they should deliver the first day!😎

Thank you

I like the Maschine workflow better in my opinion. I have MPC beats the free version and I like the sounds for sure but the MPC workflow is not my favorite at all. The Maschine is more user friendly

Weird i have the mk3 and it never crashed. Using with windows11 pro. But i love also the mpc sound aswell. Tough decision. Thanks for your honest opinion. I like my Maschine though.

I had the Maschine MK3 and I prefer the MPC One/Live II. But I prefer Native Instrument Ecosystem over Akai software! Great Vid Bro! Also RN4L🏴‍☠ 😛💯

fastforward to your most recent content ..thats ur answer

good job Bro

I been banging on the maschine since day 1 but I think Imma grab a MPC One soon I like the maschine but... I have messed around with a friends MPC an if you can afford it I think there is a place for both.

I got the mpc live & I've had the maschine MK2 I think the MK2 sounds good but the live seems to be a little more professional....

I used mine as a VST in FLS So for example in fls the user sample files on the left side. What you gotta do is navigate through your files on your Maschine Daw to pull user samples in. Not sure if this can help you but...

Thanks or the review!

I’ve been trying to figure out the MPC software since the first version came out. I gave up a while ago.

"...is like comparing apples to broccoli," caught me off guard 😂

This comparison is exactly what I have experienced. If you like the shit, buy both!

I was thinking about the Maschine+, but went with the MPC One Retro to go with my MC-707. I love control of the MPC One. The One is basically the same as the ll without the battery, speaker and SSD. I have it controlling my dawless synth setup. I do want to get add a Live ll.

I have the OG Live and dig it. But I use a lot of NI and NKS instruments, controlling them with my Komplete Kontrol. Because of this, I'm quite interested in a Maschine. Since I do 99% of my studio work hooked to the CPU, I'd go with the MK3 if I go that route. But the lack of touch screen scares me. How folks edit MIDI without one is a mystery. I assume they use a mouse when connected. Standalone? How? Yeah, the MPC software sucks. They could have a nice DAW after all these years. Why they haven't developed it, I can only imagine is because so much of the user base is standalone. It's a shame. I haven't used it, but the Maschine software does look slick. And the browser is nice! That's another thing sub par with the MPC, even on 2.11. Cool comparison!

Hi mate nice opinions . I'm a long time underground electronic music producer. I wanted to create a series of conceptual eps. Ie use just a stand alone machine. I decided to get the MPC One, mainly due to its form factor. I have very slowly started to fall back in love with the MPC One after the initial honeymoon period was over I realised I hated the non linear timeline. Easy fix, like many I just created one massive sequence in the end as the bars where extended, Inever touched the song mode. This was all well and good to a certain degree, but I feel that the software for the standalone needs also tweaking. I do welcome the next 2.11 update because these are many of the things that really made my shit hang sideways and now I can use the blooming thing to write these eps. I would like them to add a better mixer, yes that old chestnut give us the Force Mixer or better. Also, graphic eq please. Blessings from Berlin

Love my mpc one

Hi Sr. great content! One doubt. I produce music only via DAW (Cubase) and Im trying to decide between MPD218, MPD226 (cuz note repeat seems more handy on this model) or Nektar Aruba (that replaces old Aura), the only concern about MPD is the pad response. I saw some bad reviews aboud MPD sensibility. The Aruba seems to be the way to go, but I also saw reviews saying that its good when works but after few usage, brokes fast, things starts not working as pads, lights, etc. Gimme something. Thanks

Man Maschine never crashes on me and I still use the MK1 controller! Been had it since 2013. I’ve never used an MPC so I can’t speak on it, but I’ve been tempted to buy one for the last couple years. That Live looks dope.

Just some random thoughts and a couple of questions please: The connectivity of the MPC plus the touch screen makes it more attractive than Maschine +. I didn't know about Maschine + and the crash issue until this video, thanks. Maschine used to have metal add-on skins before Maschine Studio. Not sure how support is for MPC. Support for Maschine/NI during the pandemic is hit and miss. Does Maschine + have a built-in audio interface like Mk 3 and what is the device you are using for your camera? Thanks, Bolo 😀

Hey Bolo, have you tried using the MPC software as a plug-in in Maschine? Not the plus, just the Maschine software.

I run 16BG ram and my mk3 crashes all of the time. It's irritating. Just started playing with the new key61. It seemed to me that the two machines were different animals of the same kingdom. They each shine im different ways. Good take man, I agree fully.

Bolo I’ve been on machine for two years used to crash so mines doesn’t crash at all anymore and it works very well light gray device you just gotta learn

MK3 gang!!!!

Luv u Bolo! But the MPC4000 was and still is a dream came true! Ask Just Blaze...Nah joke. But I had two caus I was afraid one could crash on me. Its like the next level 3k!!!! You got all the tacts - best sampler up today - best midi - and the sound? WOW! Z series people don't even know about it...

I have both systems. I can't say which is better or worse. It's similar but still different. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but the end product sounds punchier, crisper with the MPC, especially for Hiphop production.

can 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!

3:15 I’ve NEVER had my MK3 crash…🤨 that’s strange. I’ve been using Mascine for 11 years (started on the OG. That was fun 🙄) with no hiccups. Now the Plus, 🤷🏾‍♂️ I can’t use stand-alones for that very reason. Reliability. 😎

You're being very nice about that maschine+... I'm loving the mk3 for $350 if you know what I am saying. Tha Akai software....mmm mmm. Like you said... SMH in shame. MPC deserves better. Sounds are great.

Great voice :-D

Bolo did u know the 5 folder icon in browser are for favourite folders? I say that cuz u mentioned about certain folders pulling up first.