MASCHINE +! The Coolest Standalone YOU Should NOT Buy

Thoughts on Native Instruments new Maschine plus standalone workstation, from the perspective of a former Maschine MK3 user and current MPC and Octatrack user.
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[@EngoneEndong]

“When you go dawless, there is no going back.” 100% correct. I’m so happy with my MPC Live, my Digitakt, my Moog Grandmother, my Sp404sx and my Zoom H6 for field recording. I don’t need anything else! Thank you! Great content! Awesome video.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

That is an awesome setup! You could make music forever on that👍🏼 thanks for watching my friend!

[@dondvil5538]

Amen

[@1301407gl]

I would argue that the mpc live is the Dac.

[@deadmoonscriptures1556]

Hey man, what about recording vocals and mastering..? :) I want to go dawless. Was looking into a zoom 8 track, I have a live and a roland r26, plus a moog subsequent 37. Woooooo lol

[@dazeja]

Not 100% correct at ALL. Once you've been around music for 1/2 a decade you'll clearly experience people including professionals....well especially professionals.... that go back and forth all the time. For example, you would never hear Hans Zimmerman say something like that.

[@crybo]

Had mine since release. Do not regret buying it whatsoever. Love jamming on my external synths with it or just sitting on my couch and using the internal synths.

[@edgarm6017]

i really appreciate the last few seconds. something we need to hear every day

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Edgar M.P. Thanks bro, I feel it’s easy to forget what’s important in the end. Hope you’re making the music that makes you happy, peace!

[@jakovd]

I agree, on point!

[@rednax3333]

Absolutely! Limitations breed creativity, always!

[@tubaszuba]

Loved this video. I am a high school music teacher. I bought the Maschine + with the hope that with the full library, my kids who focus on hip hop and rap are able to learn an "instrument" like the band and orchestra kids. Hope the gamble pays off, but so far I'm loving it 🙂

[@tubaszuba]

@@mattmurphy7030 it's okay. So far none of my students have shown a lasting interest, but there've been a couple that created a few tracks. Not giving up though! 🙂

[@clumsylol8329]

that is the most amazing thing a teacher could do i wish i was your student during my high school career

[@treyhudson73]

This is how it should be done! Kudos to your innovative thinking.

[@joelcarloaymat]

"In the end it's just you. Your creativity, your passion and the love you put into your work" Out of all the people making videos on youtube about music and gear over the span of the 15 years I've been watching, the directness and honesty you present is by far my favorite. Glad I found your channel. Subscribed and looking forward to more. Cheers and greetings from sunny Barcelona.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much for this. I’m really trying to do the best I can, as honestly as I can, so I really appreciate you taking the time to write this, helps keep me going! Lots of love!

[@neiljamessloan]

I concur. Casual honesty, a mix of considered knowledge and observation. Well done TMS.

[@prozakmusic1]

Love this analysis, specifically the end, I own mpc one and I’m so glad I choose this machine!

[@Syntox]

I don't think there will be a more nuanced, sane or fair review of this thing to be found anywhere on KZbin. This showed up as a "suggested" video on my homepage but you got yourself a new subscriber

[@jeanhilairejuru9852]

I'm you're subscriber number 1000, and I'm so proud. You have a very good storytelling and a straight way to tell what it is this reality. Thank you. Respect from Italy.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much🥳🥳🥳 I can’t believe I made it to 1000, and I’m very thankful to earn your sub! Grazie mille caro amico!

[@MrTian1212]

"Instead of hooking it up with a computer, you have to hook it up with a wall" dead right there.

[@louisrelf5903]

Same! Was really hoping for them to put out something I could whip out in long car rides 😕

[@jeremyellismusic]

I understand the price comparison, but let me let y'all in on something a high up person at one of these companies once told me when requesting something everyone else was requesting; "Why don't you do this?" I asked. They said simply, "Because it is hard." Another time I was at dinner with an executive from one of these companies and asked why they had to build in China. And he told me that their drum machines would be sold for $1500 if made in the USA or Germany, instead of the $600 price at that time. What I'm getting at is that we all want nice things to be built in a nice way but we don't want to pay for it. And I'm guessing they didn't spend $200 on those fancy new knobs, and they tried to make it as cheap as possible while actually maybe saving their company and their employees. It's like 400x more powerful than my MPC2000xl and about the same price I paid for that MPC in 2001, with the upgraded 32 MB of storage. 32 MB, people. Now we get a standalone drum machine as fast as a PC, loaded with commercial/radio ready drums and various synths that are hundreds of dollars each and we wonder why it costs money. All that said, good breakdown on who or why people would or wouldn't want to get this. Have a great day.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

That is a great response to the video man, I can certainly understand that reasoning. And yes, we are reaching peak levels of spoiled 😅👍🏼 thank you for sharing! Have a great day as well!

[@jeremyellismusic]

@@MidlifeSynthesist Kind regards to you, brother. One other thing slept on in all of these reviews is that the Studio had 3, THREE, midi outputs which during pandemic life have become the center of my actual studio. I literally have the Studio running my MPC200xl now, LOL. Strange times, indeed. And since you are literally MIDIlife guy: If you are only running your amazing MIDI hardware gear that sounds better than any plug-in, you might not have to worry about that CPU suck. Waldorf Micro Q is $600 these days with 16 MIDI channels; throw in a Behringer something for $300, and the CPU will be sitting close to 0%. The "Boom" computer I used in a few NI videos can literally run this set up at 0%, I'm not kidding at all. More MIDI, always, is my motto these days. Blah blah, I'm annoyed at just the one MIDI out, but most people legit aren't working with 16 MIDI channels these days. Though they should and it would greatly improve their processing performance and studio experience. $300 plug-in bundles are one of the biggest cons to take your money away from what will actually improve your ability to make music while there are banging hot sick sounding hardware synths available for the same price which you will actually touch and remember to use. I could go on, but maybe I should just re-launch my youtube channel, LOL. Kind regards again, Synthesist!

[@undergroundanonymousdj]

How does it stand next to the akai force? You got that one for the comparison?

[@jimmylin7233]

@@jeremyellismusic "...maybe I should just re-launch my youtube channel..." Yes, please!

[@dtrelzmusic]

I respectfully disagree!

[@enjoyenjoy5721]

And btw perfectly put how you said: ''That feeling when you finally have that studio done...'' That was spot on!!!

[@bradlucid]

Damn!!! this is one of the best device reviews I've come across in a long while. Especially because of the way you broke it down into three groups and showed how the device will be helpful or not helpful to those specific groups. I was also a bit boggled when I heard about the standalone not having CV outputs. They're giving me Apple vibes lol

[@RiczWest]

Best review / commentary so far. Just get an MPC ONE a month ago and just loving it! When I heard about Maschine+ I though "Oh no, I should of waited just another month..." But after digging in to it and watching a few reviews I have 0 regrets and just enjoying learning the MPC ONE workflow with an eye to start hooking up some modular gear in another month or so. BTW GREAT Channel #InstantSubscribe :)

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much bro!!

[@kodymonroe2613]

I'd like to add the new maschine is by far the best thing I've ever buaght for my studio. The sounds are amazing and the you can get songs going in like 10mins. Plus it's way more fun then clicking a mouse

[@ensiformmien9107]

This is exactly what I needed to see to decide between M+ and Akai Force. Piano Roll info made the decision. Thanks

[@remyvegamedia]

"I hope you found this video useful," at the end. Yeah, I really did. I've been on the hunt for the "perfect" standalone unit for when I'm away from my home studio with my Ableton Push 2 (which to me is the closest to perfect besides not being portable). I've been stressing about which to buy because I don't want to spend money and be find out that it just doesn't work. That last part was inspiring, though.There is no perfect tool, but we still gotta be creative! That's what's most important. Thanks for the video!

[@ckay7665]

Saw the news the other day, got really excited about it, then i got to the price, in my opinion (as maschine studio owner) they missed the price tag by about 1000 dollars

[@damonbennett5911]

Maybe it’s because I’m an old head that’s been into electronic music production since the 80’s is the reason why some of the things that big you guys out about the Maschine+ doesn’t bother me. Back then nothing had a touch screen or a piano roll. Some of those keyboards and drum machines had numeric only displays that only went to 99. There was no such thing as an instrument with thousands of internal presets. In 1990 I got a Roland W-30 and made some pretty nice tracks with it and it only has about 15 seconds worth of sampling time. So to hear people complain about Maschine+ not having a touch screen and it doesn’t ship with enough content, it’s not enough cpu power, it’s not battery operated and that kind of stuff is kinda funny to me. NI manufactured something at least 100 times more powerful than what I had access to in the 80’s and 90’s. I got it done with instruments that were not nearly as powerful and some cases way more expensive.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

damon bennett hi bro, I totally get where you’re coming from, and it does sound like I’m just spoiled, but tech and competition advances, so the bar gets raised as well. I’m by no means saying that it isn’t awesome, this thing is a beast. I’m just saying the price doesn’t add up within the current market, and it offers little to distinguish itself from the mk3 at half the price. Even three or so years ago the Plus would have dominated, but I honestly think that akai “unbalanced” the market with their MPC One, it’s just insane at that price point, and the Live (which would be the direct rival for price of the Plus) offers much more hardware (battery, in/outs, ssd compatible, cv etc). The Plus at around 999 would’ve hit a sweet spot between the two I think. Anyway, that’s just my humble opinion, and I might be way off🤣 thanks for a very interesting and well grounded response to my video. Hope you check in next time and continue to share your thoughts with us, I appreciate it👍🏼 cheers!

[@robappleby583]

I grew up making beats on a clavichord with CPE Bach in the eighteenth century. That doesn’t mean that I want my modern gear to use catgut strings now rather than physical modelling and a user friendly interface.

[@Gainn]

Yeah, I'm not sure why people rag on the lack of touch screen. If you want that, just buy a MK3 and a touchscreen lappy. Then you have a much larger control surface than they could possibly add to a device this size.

[@scyhte82]

​@@Gainn maschine software doesn't play well with touch screens.

[@americaworks4202]

Old head vs New head, who shall win?

[@bluelouie399]

Really respect you and your input man! Subscribed! As an XP maschinist, I ordered the plus and I can’t wait!!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Awesome bro! thanks for watching! I really hope you make many many hours of great music on that bad boy! peace!

[@morgancollins6035]

Great video and really liked the personal approach to your comparison of the two products. First vid I've seen which didn't focus on the technical details but the workflow differences and bigger picture, yet still I learnt more from this than any other M+ / MPC comparison review - thanks

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much for the feedback Morgan, I really appreciate it! I’ve been trying to focus more on the human/musician aspect of these instruments instead of the technical since there are already many much more talented KZbinrs than I for that lol. Hope to see you around! Cheers!

[@morgancollins6035]

You are welcome. Actually your video made the difference for me. I spent too long focussing on which might have more memory or more plugins or nice feeling pads but your video made me think of how I would actually use the Maschine and in what scenarios. I bought an mpc one in the end. Touch screen and price were the main factors. I didn’t go for live. I never expect to be outside in the cold English weather annoying everyone with the repetitive drum sounds while perfecting a break!! Editing samples and piano role in mpc is super fast. Thanks for helping realise the obvious 👍

[@goodboid]

The Akai Force at 900 bucks, if you like the Ableton workflow, makes for an attractive alternative. Comes with Ableton Lite as well. Now they've added an arranger as well as a Drum Synthesizer

[@BuleriaChk]

The Akai Force has no time signature other than duple meter.. As such, it is severely limited for those wanting to work in (eg) 3/4 or 6/8, not to mention 9/8 (Karsilama)

[@DirgeHanson]

I'm interested in it. The one thing that people skip over is the Maschine SOUND. The preamp in the MK3 sounds amazing! Plus, the amazing sound engine emulation. The events tab is super easy to use plus, it has a step sequencer that's visual and easy to edit. I think it's a good look for NI! There's the Massive standalone too! Exciting!

[@bradenrodriguez5183]

also the mic in on maschine is an important feature too, akai overlooked that on mpc one.

[@haydnr1631]

Yes - I think we'd all agree the MK3 is amazing. If I really needed the standalone capability I would buy the MK3 +.

[@theMIDImaniac]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm a real hardware musician and the Roland MV-8800 is my main core sequencer/sampler but somehow I'm looking to do an upgrade. I thought it would have been the Maschine+ but you made me think twice. Anyway, you've got yourself a new subscriber and meanwhile I will keep on thinking what to do. Grtzzz, Roger

[@dkd8747]

I came from the Old Mpc world. I love the Maschine. Ever since i bought my workflow has been much faster.

[@0-1allalone16]

MPC ALL DAY. And Night.

[@o.e.bangerz6548]

Man I’m still making super bangers with the original Maschine Studio 😂 I’m not upgrading until I’m highly impressed I don’t really like the MK3 so I stuck with the studio. As long as I can make great music and make a nice living doing it I’m good. Not falling for the okie doke. Thanks for this video man you’ve just got a new sub 💯💯💪🏾💪🏾

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thanks brother! Welcome to the channel and hope to see you around🤟🏻

[@benchdawn]

Me too still using maschine 1.8 and people love the songs ;)

[@Divuar]

Does that machine (puns again haha) support current OS version? I have one on my mind on the local used market for a ultra low price. And how do you think, is it worth to buy a that old used Maschine?

[@o.e.bangerz6548]

@@Divuar yes indeed everything still runs smoothly with the old Maschine I have all my currents updates etc. Still making 🔥🔥🔥🔥 I’m now considering upgrading because you can upload and use your own custom sounds with the plus. At first we couldn’t

[@Divuar]

@@o.e.bangerz6548 Sounds gorgeous, I guess I'll consider grabbing it. I like the form factor and size of it. Thanks for the reply! Have fun with music and stay creative, my friend!

[@Mr_Tummy]

Thanks for the video! I've also battled GAS and mostly kept it a bay ;). I've tried all the beat machines, from all the brands (Machine, MPC, Elektron, Roland, TE, etc.) and eventually I figured out what I need and the way I like to work and found the device(s) that worked best for me. I ended up with a Elektron model samples and Roland MC-707, they do what I need, nothing more and the UX gets out of my way, so I can focus on being creative. From a price point perspective, I think the TE PO-33 and Volca Sample 2 ($75-150) are great for starting out. Then moving up to the Model series and others in that $300 range. After that, and assuming funds are limited ya gotta pick a "tribe" :) (NI, Akai, Elektron, Roland). And to your point about Logic, the new 10.15 sampler and drum machine designer is legit and with a midi keyboard, not a bad DAW setup.

[@homie4resh980]

Very useful information . I almost lost it when it came out,when I found out the price of the Plus MIND BLOWN !!! 1

[@djsharpmclive1221]

yes, smart move for all would be the tie in to a ipad for the piano roll, i think i saw a video where there was wireless midi connectivity to a NI ipad app ...btw your review to me is spot on [very honest ] it competes with itself which is splitting the users who owsn the software already or mk3...cool video thumbnail screen

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thanks bro! Yeah I think incorporating a companion app might fix that! Hopefully the come out with a maschine + “light” with less software for people who already own it. Stay safe!

[@damontmiller1502]

I still use my mk2 I love it I was actually trying to hold on to it knowing a stand alone unit would come out . After checking out the stand alone maschine I opted to keep my mk2 and buy a Mpc one

[@dagr8s815]

So many key points you made. I have the Mk2 and was debating on the MK3 or the plus I think I will go with the MK3 since my setup is still working with the computer and there isn't a significant difference between the MK3 and the plus

[@thomasmatthews5732]

I am a hardware and software user. I Record in both formats: daw and dawless. I got the MPC ONE and Roland Juno DS 61 together for under 1400 Dollars. Sometimes I’m in FL Studio at other times I’m in the MPC One or 2000 or Ensoniq EPS

[@LousyFacelift]

Totally agree on all the points you make here. The Maschine+ is a much different concept compared to the MPC but also not different enough from the MK III to really make sense. Not including a battery at this price is such a bad mistake, probably the most obvious dealbreaker for potential customers. Compared to the MPC, the Maschine+ is a rather closed concept, you could call it a NI plug in groovebox. The MPC is a standalone DAW and as such the Maschine+ is no real competition. And it will be extremely difficult for any other company to compete with Akai who have their software development, which is the most expensive part, backed up by four different hardware products all targeting different groups of customers to ensure enough sales, which seems like a very well thought out, solid business plan.

[@EvilMambo]

I totally agree with you! I use the Maschine since 2010 And now I currently use the MK3, so it’s hard for me to justify the purchase of a M.Plus unit, even though it seems promising, it lacks several features that would make me go for it, and the price is like... iPhonish

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Lol, I didn´t want to say it, but yeah, it´s kind of the same thing. Shame though, I really hope they turn it around, the potential certainly is there. Thanks for watching bro, hope to see you around!

[@oracle-0018]

I’ve got no idea about NI maschine or its plug-ins I use mostly arturia plugins and stuff like vcv rack! I have heaps of hardware and modular synth’s I would think in the future it would be some sort of bridge into native’s gear but your negativity is great! In the end i learn it is some sort of mini version of the hardware mk3 ! Thanks!

[@skvan]

Instead of a touchscreen, they could implement USB mouse support. Should be doable with an update

[@WhiteWulfe]

When I started looking at getting back into things (as I'd sold off almost all my gear several years ago to try and clear up some debts I'd had), I was happy to hear about this device... Until I saw that price, and that it was missing what I would consider essential things for a standalone box. The lack of a battery really harms it, and while I'm not a touch screen kind of guy hearing it's comparisons against other things makes me go "oh yeah, that would suck". In the end, I wound up deciding I was going to save up for an Octatrack, but I've also been looking at some of Akai's offerings because that's just how I roll - if I'm spending a theoretical amount of money, I want to also look at the competition and what they offer. But yeah, pricing it at or around the same price as the Octatrack and Akai devices made it a lot less appealing, doubly so since it seems it doesn't take much to get the CPU usage up into the 70% range.

[@TheTechnobear]

loving your videos... great content, and really nicely shot - thank you. I think, unfortunately, you're spot-on with the Maschine+ ... it needs more to differentiate it from the MK3, since its not really portable also, I think cpu would not be an issue IF it could 'freeze' tracks to audio (like in Ableton), this would help save some cpu as you develop tracks. Finally, I think the USP , that will make 'sing' or not is integration with the desktop... where I can see this useful is a workflow where you do something like: - Standalone mode - flesh out track ideas, play with it on the couch, focus on the flow... use 'proxy' instruments - Mk3 mode - take the ideas, sit down on the desktop, mouse-around :) , add more cpu heavy effects, - Back to standalone for performance - bounce it down, take it out, without having to drag around more gear. here quick and simple integration would be critical, it has to be 'almost effortless' here NI can have a competitive advantage since they can provide 'vertical integration'... this is the Apple model, make it simple, make it fun.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

TheTechnobear thank you so much! Really appreciate the feedback! It’s a shame really, I really think the Maschine+ is awesome, but NI basically just gave the finger to their whole existing user base with that price. Perhaps they could make Maschine + select/standard/premium with prices that take into account for those already heavily invested in their software🤷🏻‍♂️ thank you very much for watching and taking the time to share your thoughts, hope to see you around!

[@TheArtosan]

Great tips, especially at the end! Thank you

[@jessetaldotcom]

I love the name of your channel. I subscribed just because of it. I also appreciate that you get straight to the point. Keep it up.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Lol Thank you so much! Hope to see you around, stay safe!

[@jessetaldotcom]

@@MidlifeSynthesist Thanks -- you, too.

[@ohheyitskevinc]

Throw me in the “I kind of know what I’m doing, but am a Native Instruments beginner” list. I went with the mikro mk3 at $220, liked it, paid $50 to get the Maschine factory library, got a KK S49 mk2, and now just waiting on the annual half price upgrade from select to Komplete 13. Overall it will have cost around $1200-$1300 for a lot more. And yes, no touchscreen on the S49, but it’s nice to control the daw etc. Not standalone, but I have a TR-8S, a System 8 and a Moog Matriarch for that. This was just to get into the NI world. Given where I am now - a couple of nice controllers and the same software, I can’t justify the price of the maschine.

[@ochitsuitav1108]

"I don't know this feeling neither" - it hits differently.

[@Lion126TSE]

Tha is for this. I have been salivating waiting to get the Plus.....now, I think I’ll just fall back for the time being

[@audian666]

i bought a maschine jam years ago, and Komplete 11 select was included. i was watching the screen all the time.... sold it (and other gear) and now have a Digitakt & a Model: Cycles. works perfectly DAW-less, and still is usable wit ha computer if needed..... the Native Instruments boat has sailed a long time ago for me ...

[@Roomer645]

Best analysis I have seen so far that looks past the initial hype and GAS hunger.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much! I think I’m just trying to convince myself not to buy yet another groovebox I’ll only half use🤣 thanks for watching and hope to see you around! Peace!

[@sonofastonedhigh]

lol jam in the park... i dont know where you live but i wouldnt bring a 1400 dollar box of anything into a park around my house with out a pistol in my backpack too

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

LOL! I said the same thing about the MPC LIVE 2 in another video jajaja thanks for watching bro, hope to see you around!

[@substance90]

So glad I don’t live in such a place 😬

[@zuki5904]

These days whether you have gear on your or not, not a bad idea.

[@chuckery5177]

Bro just engineer a $600 case

[@user-od4yl3rf4n]

Wow. Where are you from guys? I'm living in a country with very high rates of criminal but still can use expensive gear in public places.

[@pierrecharmantjr7667]

Great review, I purchased the MK3 and the M32 as an alternative to my MPC REN. I love NI products, high sounds, easy workflow and low learning curve. But this is a bit over priced, choose wisely and take your making a purchase as this.

[@jermainelong1843]

Very well presented and thoughtful comparison👍

[@DavidDeLuge]

I still think the Deluge is the best standalone device.

[@NSW-ye3xw]

Looks pretty, but limited.

[@paolomoretti9291]

@@NSW-ye3xw In what?

[@americaworks4202]

The Deluge?? Weirdo.

[@DavidDeLuge]

@@americaworks4202 Rude! Yes, it is a fantastic device. Have you ever even looked into it? It has no hard limits whatsoever, unlike pretty much every other DAWless groove box thingy whatsit. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5iTiWWLh56ahqM

[@DavidDeLuge]

@@NSW-ye3xw the Deluge, limited? Most certainly not. It is probably the least limited DAWless device there is. No hard limits on anything at all. You load it up until the CPU can't take anymore, which means you could pretty much have all instruments of an orchestra playing simultaneously.

[@Brian-nz6ns]

I could care less about CV outs but I agree NI totally blew it with the Maschine+. I wish they would focus their efforts into making the Maschine software better. I want to be able to use Komplete Kontrol and an s-series keyboard inside the Maschine software while using the Maschine Mk3 at the same time. Why can't I use both to create music? Some instruments are easier and better to play on a keyboard. Wouldn't it be awesome if their products were compatible with each other!

[@damelos4039]

Well said. Very thoughtful and sensible.

[@deejayblaz3526]

I love mine. I’ve learned so much about the hardware and got away from the mouse. I live in South Florida so going to the beach, not needing a power cord and only my MacBook is pretty cool because I also have a maschine studio which is way too big and needs a power cord no matter what. From mpc to maschine, I’ll never go back. Hopefully the new owners of Native Instruments, keeps the legacy going. I’m kind of worried about that.

[@saneneweyes6189]

Damn you! I gotta say, as someone who has been waiting to find a box that was as inspiring for me as the mc-909 a decade ago I was REALLY wanting to get on the maschine plus band wagon. I can get pass the touch screen... but no lithium battery and the price point just... they are missteps. Really just wanting Roland to make an mc-909 that is smaller, 24-bit, with larger sample memory, cv outs and battery powered. I really loved having 16 channels and 8 being kit channels that I could expand to 128 individual samples for each pattern. Of course no sustain between patterns and the limited sample memory were limitations but like with any piece of gear, you learn to work within a certain confines and make the most of it... which has always been the problem with DAWs for me... when you can do EVERYTHING it's difficult to do anything. Sort of that blank slate syndrome. Of course with those who are truly gifted musicians and producers, this isn't a problem. But for those who have a limited imagination, sometimes you want your limited sandbox to play in because the endless desert is just too vast and overwhelming.

[@jeroendeclercq7580]

The average phone has more processing power than this thing. all they had to do was make the software Android/iOS compliant, and integrate some kind of cloud storage, so you can access your 'mobile projects' at home on your desktop and vice versa. Simply connect your mk3 to your phone. Tada! Standalone!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Lol, that´s a great idea! I hope with the advent of apple silicon macs, we´ll start seeing Iphone and Ipad Logic/ableton etc. Good time to be alive!

[@Quodge]

Someone hire this guy ffs

[@reoscorpio]

Thank you. When i keep saying that to charge $1,400 for a device with on 4gb of RAM, is a UNfunny joke.. So some people can feel that the computer under the hood is not really a computer. & then they go spend goo gobs of money for SD Cards or external hard drives, to make it act like a computer.. its stupid, and adding more money to something that is already overpriced. you can buy a computer for the extra money being spent on peripherals, to act like you're kicking the computer to the curb. But yes, most devices have more power then what NI is offering here (my phone has 16gb of RAM).. & the don't want to touch a computer, non-computer heads don't even know what they're signing off on.

[@rhythmace1]

How do you know? All they've said is that it's a quad core CPU and 4GB of RAM (which is plenty considering it doesn't have to run a graphical OS)

[@jeroendeclercq7580]

@@rhythmace1 meaning it has 4 cores of what?

[@Dizzellmixx]

sold my mk3.got the mpc one.im in love with it.no way on earth im gonna spend that much on the plus.im staying with akai.merci beaucoup lol

[@milovmladenov]

Great video man, i can see the experience and wisdom in your words!

[@PalaceofVision]

Great video, excellent, rounded perspective on the Maschine+. Lovely piece of kit that’s ultimately not quite there yet and ferociously overpriced. Like pretty much all NI hardware it’s worth keeping an eye on the first version, but not wading in just yet. A year of seeing how it works out in the real world will enable NI to turn it into something genuinely special and, hopefully, iron out a few of the obvious flaws. The high price point helps NI gauge just how many people really are gagging for it while enabling them to slowly ramp up production and control demand (the same goes for not offering existing Komplete users any kind of discount). And, hopefully, gives them time to upgrade the software into a fully working DAW.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Insert the office “thank you” gif right here👍🏼 That’s exactly the point I was trying to make in the video. Thank you for posting my friend, can’t wait to see what the future brings for this device and its competition, cheers!

[@fukxzz]

Only maschine users cry that it's not a full DAW. Nobody was complaining that their SP1200 didn't have full DAW features... lol

[@chrisloren9363]

As someone who's not interested in a multiple synth setup, maschine+ is really appealing. I was thinking about the mpc one for a while, but it seems like it doesn't really have daw functionality and is more of a beatmaker in a box, whereas maschine is a full daw in a box. Plus it has great sounds. For someone like me who's just looking for a living room coffee table setup, it seems perfect

[@DoctorNemmo]

You can export your whole song in the MPC to a SD card and it's all ready to use. You can't do that with Maschine+: you'll have to plug it into a computer.

[@peters1223]

An excellent video, very concise and positive even when explaining the negative aspects! You got a new sub my man...

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Evan Peters thank you so much bro!

[@musicalcomposer9804]

Don't forget the MPC can auto sample so you can sample Native Instruments vsts so I think you still win with the MPC

[@robisapixel]

Hey. Remember when the akai force was 1500? How long did that last?

[@nativerezmedia]

I am an MK3 owner...it comes with Komplete Select an awesome sound collection to start off with. Pair that with a 700 buck laptop and you're golden, and still less than the Maschine+. I don't know what they were thinking with the price, but I see discounts coming in the future. You made some solid points in the video, and I can tell just by your objectiveness you are not getting paid by NI nor or you getting one of the Maschine+ instruments sent to you to test. Everyone that has done a review on this thing (that is getting one shipped to them) bite their tongue in the reviews.

[@ArthurElectric]

You dont find a good laptop for 700 usd to run DAW like or Machine...

[@nativerezmedia]

@@ArthurElectric lol, I have a legion 5, I paid 769.00 for and it will run it perfectly. It has one of the Ryzen 4600h chips in it.

[@SixthQuarter]

Absolutely brilliantly put. Completely agree with you. Fantastic video.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much! Hope to see you around!

[@tommyoz777]

Great observations and well said. My first reaction when I heard the price was " Oh hell no". MPC user plus others here. I'm sorta new to NI. I just picked up a used MK3 ($400) and I already had owned all of the software. I have no problem hooking up to a computer. I just have to spend some time with it. I've subbed.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much bro! Hope you enjoy the channel, I’ll work hard to earn that sub always. Best wishes!

[@imperialworks6170]

My biggest gripe was the lack of a battery power option. If their goal is a "standalone" "portable" sampler, they're taking a step backward by not giving the option to power over USB. Why would I want a sampler that "doesn't need a laptop" if I still need an electrical outlet anyway? If I'm gonna have to plug it into a wall, I might as well be plugging it into the laptop and using the software there.

[@adamdoran235]

Exactly!

[@8BitThoughts]

I can't wait to go to the park and use this! Oh wait.... :(

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

🤣

[@inthefade]

For me standalone has nothing to do with battery power. It is about being able to play with a band or play live without a computer.

[@MrRayDupree]

I feel the same way you do. Can't justify spending twice as much for the Maschine+ just because it's a stand alone unit!!!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Exactly!🤟🏻 cheers my friend!

[@lawrenceonethree6872]

Loved the video. Love your honesty and authenticity. ✌️

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much! I’m happy you liked it, see you around!

[@geekindakitchen]

So look at it this way the guys who bring in Native Instruments and Akai in Australia are the same mob! Maschine+ dropped, MPC LIVE II dropped from 2,299.00 to 1999.00 same price as the maschine+ and then the Akai MPC One dropped from 1499 to 1199 so good times. I just wish that Akai had something like the native access for installing their stuff as MPC installing expansions is not breezy and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BROTHER.

[@ricogaming2047]

if u dont have an ear and a soul for music its wont matter how much you spend i bet if half of the people went back to just a keyboard and pc or apple now lets see who has the real talent imo

[@kevinbirge2130]

Prince could have made a half dozen platinum albums on a Casiotone.

[@BrandonSmith-jc1tx]

That's real

[@juntaoy.o7357]

Just a keyboard alone and lets see who got talent

[@carlitot5388]

💯

[@ildarkinildarkin]

999.90 is the ceiling price for Machine+ as I think.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Ildarkin Ildarkin I totally agree. That would make it a very cool middle ground choice between the mpc live and mpc one, and would make it harder to pick between the maschine mk3 and plus.

[@tylerzanona2591]

Veteran Maschine user here - for the last seven years, I've actually been recording indie-rock music using Maschine and no other DAW. I've always just loved Maschine's responsivness, it's sleek design, and even the workflow (despite the lack of a proper Arranger, which has been fixed recently via the Clips update). Was very stoked when Maschine+ was announced, as I've been wanting to go standalone for awhile now. I 100% agree with your assessment - I'll always love NI and the world of Maschine, and I'll absolutely have a continued use-case for my MK3, but that's the problem: I already have the MK3 and while I want to grab their standalone, that price just doesn't work for me. For my first entry into the dawless world, I'm going to grab an Akai MPC One. Thanks for this video, it was really helpful.

[@germakenjuju]

Also a veteran Maschine user myself and as someone whos been using the mk1 since 2010 never upgraded to the mk2 or the mk3 just updated the software and replaced the sensor pads when they got worn out now after my second replacement is starting to get worn out I'v been considering getting this but even for me who is arguably exactly the kind of person it seems like it was made for (regardless of how niche a target audience that may be, and I really think it's just me) it's still too expensive for what it is at 1200, maybe if it had cv or better hardware more ram ideally, it could be worth 1400, but as is, even if it were on sale for like 1200, to me at least, still seem pretty expensive. I'm planning to be in Jamaica for a while and idk if this would be worth it cause I can buy a newish pretty good gaming laptop PC for that money and for a little extra scratch some extra gear, so it's definitely a dilemma. Wish it was a straight G like I could easily see myself dropping a rack on one.

[@Iredidv]

I think you can´t see the m+ as a full computer replacement. In 1st place it´s a midi sequencer. You can get 4 stereo ins with another soundcard, so attach 4 stereo synths or samplers or drummachine. Then combine that with the sampling and internal sampler and instruments it´s awesome. Also editing midi is almost just as fast once you are fluent with how it works. I also have the mpc one. Sampling is better, but the instruments are pretty basic compared to m+. Been using it since 1.0, so muscle memory is great, don´t need to think. Turn of your monitor if you have another non standalone maschine, and see how far you get. You will learn alot more how to do almost everything from the maschine w out touching the computer.

[@ToyKeeper]

Had high hopes for this one, but it appears it's not what I've been looking for. After a decade of being dawless, I finally tried a DAW. It's a huge change, suddenly not having limitations everywhere... and I like it. Would like a standalone device even better, so I wouldn't have to use a notebook, but I still haven't found any gear which is designed to record from external hardware and arrange audio+midi clips on a timeline. I don't really care about VSTs or plugins or sample libraries. I just want to record from physical instruments and arrange those recordings into songs on a timeline. Ideally with the ability to edit midi data along the way, to clean up timing and such. It's weird that no hardware seems to exist for this.

[@user-kx4kc5tj6e]

akai force

[@ToyKeeper]

@@user-kx4kc5tj6e I eventually got an Akai Force, shortly after they gave it an arranger mode. It's fantastic -- exactly what I've been wanting for like 15 years.

[@geebee44]

Hard "G" on "gigabyte," not jig-a-byte

[@niterida380]

He also said VSCs, but I’m not here to correct him.

[@ags911]

Haha Jigabytes

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Lol I blame Back to The Future´s Doc Emmet Brown for messing up my english jaja. Thanks for watching fam!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Lol I swear I said VST´s, it´s just that my enunciation is crap jaja

[@rayzrblayd]

@@ags911 I was like what the? Never heard it pronounced jigger lmao

[@dijjidog]

i got a keyboard and a wah wah pedal from my grandparents a few months ago and for about a week i felt "that feeling" but then i counted my money and realised I almost have enough for a dx7

[@yotrakzproductions7324]

Great review. Thanks. My guess is that whichever manufacturer is brave enough to make a stand alone device with the touchscreen size of an iPad, the features of a music app like Gadget2 (or even FLS Mobile), pad sensitivity like a Nektar Aura and the attractiveness of a Machine+ will take the market.

[@gazfunk]

Most of those NI synths are over 10 years old. It won’t even run Massive X. The MPC still has the edge. You can sample anything you like into the MPC. I don’t think the content thing is much of an issue.-

[@RaggaMatik]

And you can't sample in Maschine?

[@miseryloveseverything]

@@RaggaMatik I think he's saying that one of the selling point are the sounds that come with the maschine not the sampling capabilities

[@gazfunk]

Ramón Leal I’m sure you can.

[@RaggaMatik]

As far as sampling goes, I think they both are equal, but the Akai synths are simply horrible. I am sure that whatever NI allows you to run will be better. Even if the CPU makes it so that you have to render VST output as a wave file to save CPU I would rather do that than deal with Akai's newer, but limited synth engines.

[@BecomingProductions]

Yep good call. I must admit when I seen the leak initially my GAS meter went through the roof. I'm already sitting in a room with an Akai MPC X, Force, every Elektron device in their current lineup, a Novation Circuit and a Roland MC707. None of which I'm using to their full potential. Its safe to say I dont "need" this.

[@nucentury08]

Dave Kavanagh What Records have you placed?

[@BecomingProductions]

@@nucentury08 Records? How do you mean?

[@LukezyM]

You literally have every groovebox there is. If you’re hoarding grooveboxes, then buying another one(Maschine+) makes sense. 😜

[@BecomingProductions]

@@LukezyM agreed, feels more like collecting at this stage. I think I'll be sensible for once and pass on the Maschine plus.

[@slapopimp]

Your comment goes to show that people put a lot of stock into features and wants, but it's your creativity that makes the music at the end of the day not the device.

[@ruemadeit2335]

Super intuitive review and comparison, thank you, seriously

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much for watching! Hope to see you around!

[@reasons4171]

Thank you. You summed it up very well.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you for watching!

[@bodhibeats8257]

Nailed it. My tonight exactly. I am a Maschine head. I’d love to have a Maschine+. But like you said, the main reason to want it over other devices is the software, and I already own all that. The price is just way too high for what I’d get out of it. A built-in battery might have swayed me. I’d probably still have thought the price was too high, but I might have pulled the trigger anyway.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Bodhi Beats I get where you’re coming from bro! I also would’ve pulled the trigger if it would have offered just a little more or at a bit lower price point. I really hope it continues developing into a must have though, thanks for sharing my friend, see you around!

[@MarcusFenixGears]

No reason to ditch my MPC. And in my opinion the expansions packs are even higher quality than the maschine expansions. And the MPC is an autosampler which basically allows you bring each and every VST sound you love to a real standalone format

[@fukxzz]

Crazy to think they are higher quality on MPC when there's a lot of the same people making these expansions for both platforms.... 🤔 😕 😅 yeah.... that is your opinion.

[@rafsanrahi2469]

@@fukxzz If you have the MPC One, having an ipad with auv3 synths can solve all your synth needs. MPC is a very powerful sampler and sequencer. It's much deeper than the Maschine+. The touchscreen also helps a lot doing certain tasks and faster. Akai is the granddaddy of the MPC kingdom.

[@fukxzz]

@@rafsanrahi2469 and Honda is the granddaddy of the Civic kingdom. Wow what a stupid comment dude. 🙄

[@RazofSD]

I definately understand your points I have used maschine since mk2 currently on mk3 with kontrol s2 komplete ultimate 11 I love NI stuff and love maschine but your correct the price is insane. I will likely purchase the Maschine plus myself despite its shortcomings I have always wanted a standalone maschine. It should have a touch screen however not having on doesnt really bother me but for 1500 it should well thanks for the video and yes I agree that they kind of dropped the ball here I would bet the next edition will likely be much better but hey at least now stand alone maschine exist now something we all asked for.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

King Raz Music i can’t agree with you more my friend! To be honest, I’m fighting my own GAS hard not to buy the maschine + myself🤣

[@michaelkonomos]

Love the video. One general point on the subject - I don’t really understand “going dawless“ and then going to a tiny screen. Like if you are going to use a screen at all, why not use one that’s more comfortable on the eyes? Maximize the tab if you need to and turn off notifications, if that’s what bothers you.

[@Kaje05]

I don’t need touch screens, but I really wish they made upgrades to the GUI. Especially when using the synths. The little icon and title is a pretty weak use of the screens.

[@hanspieringer]

I just read a lot of reviews and I have a totally different conclusions. Maschine’s software its incredible to set up different patterns, scenes with external and internal gear. The standalone mode are able to use external audio interfaces. This is crazy, because you can add a mixer automation or different effects for every external instrument or audio input. The sequencer, the arpeggiator, chord progressions are really well designed, in special for midi controlled external gear. NI have a rich and curated data base of sounds and effects. Additionally they have extraordinary VST’s Maschine’s software don’t pretend be a Daw. But maschine + could be, easily, the brain of a dawless or live set up. It’s just my opinion 😬

[@bluelouie399]

Totally agree. I’m fucking gassed!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Hi bro! All opinions are very welcome here! The idea is to start a conversation👍🏼 I also think that NI vsts are the best in the business, I just can’t shake the idea that they didn’t do enough ti differentiate it from the mk3, especially for previous owners. If you end up buying it I would love to hear about your experience with it. Stay safe and hope you make some dope beats on it, peace!

[@LouKrew]

Wait for the next dawless mpc... that will be where they get the io’s right and it will be a decent piece of gear to consider imo

[@MrAkkamne]

Well said brother love the video nice and calm and you broke it down I wish other tech reviewers would do the same . Peace and be safe.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

Thank you so much my friend! I hope to see you around these parts again. Peace bro!

[@JUNO-69]

I went with the MPC live to go completely dawless (almost) a while back as it was the only real solution available at the time. I hhhaaated learning the interface so much. It was the most non intuitive thing ever especially coming from a first time MPC and Daw background. Now that I’ve learned the in and outs and have produced completed tracks entirely on the MPC (except for a couple of final eq/mastering things I have to do inside a Daw). I love my MPC and the limitations are now just part of my creativity and workflow. This new device probably would have been pretty alluring if it was around at the time I was investing in a dawless solution but as a now full time Mpc user it didn’t really spark my interest at all. Especially given the cost.

[@habproduction3142]

What kind of tracks have you made on the MPC?

[@JUNO-69]

High Altitude Beats Mainly Sample based hip hop stuff. A few other electronic pieces too. The biggest limitation to working exclusively inside the MPC live is audio tracks are horrible to work with. Unless you are recording audio in to later sample and chop up it’s just not a good workflow to try and use it like a normal Daw. It absolutely excels in recording / sampling / chopping as you would expect from an Akai device. Because I use it as my main sequencer hub the workaround is recording all midi data and tracks into the Mpc and recording the audio from my other synths straight into another source to mix in ableton later on. Once I’ve finished arrangement, mixing everything else inside the mpc I export all the stems over to ableton to do some very basic eq and a couple of mastering things with ozone which the mpc also doesn’t support 3rd party plugins which is the other big limitation. Technically you could do everything completely inside the device though.

[@JUNO-69]

Akilleus Highly recommend the MPC bible. It will take you through some real easy to follow stuff that is easy to miss otherwise. Also there are some real good channels here on KZbin such as Tube Digga and Marlow Digs. Also join the Facebook group “akai mpc live standalone”. All of those sources got me up and running and I’m now pretty fluent on that thing.

[@sontwisted]

Learning the workflow is why i didnt get it

[@bartjanc]

Learning the workflow is why i got a deluge

[@Randuski]

I think this thing is fabulous. The biggest sticking point for me is editing the piano roll. It's pretty much the only thing I'd reach for my mouse for. It would be awful not having a mouse. Touch screen woulda fixed it

[@PrisonLaParis]

My new favorite channel🔥🖤🔥 pure fire bro!

[@KordTaylor]

Thanks so much for this video. Trying to research all of these dedicated hw groove boxes/daws is daunting wo videos like yours. Just need to research what your favorite is. Thank again. 😃

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

I’m happy to know this helped! Hope you find what you’re looking for, see you soon my friend!

[@biggareid]

Seeing that price tag definitely made me pass GAS!!

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

lol made my spill my drink jajaja thanks for watching!

[@TheoVoidTV]

I love Maschine but I never found a good way to integrate it w/ Ableton Live so it kinda slipped out of my workflow. Also, it kinda pisses me off that I paid $1000 for the Maschine Studio and now they go for like $250. I've moved on to Elektron but maybe I'll bust out my Maschine for old times sake.

[@lindasson]

Great points!

[@tomkam9783]

You're analysis was outstanding! From watching other similar analysis' I think it's clear that NI doesn't want to canibalize sales of the MK3. This is a problem Canon also has, micro targeting new cameras with "just barely" enough features at too high a price that always leave users wanting. Of course, the reverse is Nikon, who brought out cameras that did canibalize sales of their pricier models and that led to them falling behind and struggling for many years. My take-away, NI will do none of what you - or anyone else - suggested until the next refresh, my guess in about 4 years. I think they are a *software* company that also makes hardware, and they priced the + accordingly.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

That’s a great analogy👍🏼 I completely agree!

[@Clutchmillion77]

I’m still buying it bruh. I don’t need it but I want it.

[@MidlifeSynthesist]

LOL! That definitely should be what my next tattoo says! If we only bought things that made sense, this industry would be dead jaja. Enjoy the hell out of that bad boy, peace!

[@SuperPussyFinger]

Brilliant analysis. I think that the Maschine MK3 is an absolute bargain; so much so, that it obviates the rationale for buying the M+. I think that we subscribe too readily to the fantasy that we all need standalone hardware, presumably so that we can make beats on a canoe or something. I prefer to work in a dedicated space, with access to the full power, functionality, and accessibility of a computer with a spacious screen. There’s no shame in that. Do you prefer to use, say, Microsoft Excel, on a computer or a 6" mobile phone? Most people who own standalone gear admit that they rarely, if ever, take it out of the house. It’s a bit of a chimera, and we’re all plenty full of shit.

[@Black_Reign]

And there it is... in a nut shell

[@madebykerwin]

Very good perspective! 👍