MC-707 vs Maschine MK3 (and MPC One / Live)

This video is a review and comparison of the Roland MC-707 vs the Native Instruments Maschine Mk3. In some ways it is an apples and oranges comparison, in others it is a head to head matchup worth investigating.
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#maschine #mc707 #groovebox

[@DylanParisMusic]

Check out my new album "There's Something Better" on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/album/6HCemxzxzH49z9vXIOjgug?si=UVLvHMdUSXaCWTJ3UIiriQ

[@RadicalOwl493]

This is a much appreciated discussion. I have mk3, but started to bother me being tethered to my laptop, and pushing the ram (I think that was the issue) causing glitchy ness. Have now been down the standalone rabbit hole. Slowly getting into my Digitakt, but wanting to try mc-707 or 101 (but then small form factor vs onboard sampling dilemma)... A couple years ago I tried to gel with MPC Live, but for some reason the mpc workflow hurt my brain... What would I do with all my time and $$$ if I stopped trying to chase the “perfect” box? I guess make more music, and have more savings. : ) Cheers.

[@DylanParisMusic]

I feel this for sure! I've definitely drifted away from the Maschine and have focused a lot on MPC Live lately

[@BubbaSatori]

Best discussion on the 707 and Maschine. Lots to think about. Thanks!

[@seltzerjunebug8760]

Can you resample/freeze or whatever it's called to avoid the voice limit issue?

[@DylanParisMusic]

I think you can record 60 seconds of audio into a looper track but it's not like a traditional daw freeze that writes midi to audio in the same track

[@jenskrause8230]

Thanks a lot for your honest and helpfull opinion :-) i struggled with the question whether to get the MK3 or the mc 101. I think You eased my descision 🙂 Keep up your good work!

[@DylanParisMusic]

Glad I could help! Between those two I think the mk3 is the clear winner, I’ve been getting back into the 707 but i much prefer the 707 to the 101.

[@jenskrause8230]

@@DylanParisMusic thats cool 😎 the 707 was wide outa my affordable range ^^ so i digged today a little more Into MK3 stuff in KZbin and i think the workflow in that unit will more fit for me. So thanks for your response and have a great creative time with your equipment 👍

[@BlueFrog531]

This is really helpful. I’m on the fence between MC 707 and the Deluge. Still not sure which I’m going for, but your perspective gives me a lot to consider.

[@DylanParisMusic]

The Deluge looks awesome too! I'm not sure if it has the same kind of polyphony issues as the 707.

[@BlueFrog531]

@@DylanParisMusic yeah the polyphony thing for the 707 has me on the fence. What if I want to program in a bunch of jazzy chords LOL

[@DJVanGhosted]

@@BlueFrog531 the deluge is awesome but you can just sample any external gear or synths you have using cv/gate input

[@GorgeousRoy2024]

Which one did you get, I'm in the same position now

[@nucentury08]

Just got my 707 using it with my MPC Live 2 and NI Komplete Kontrol S49 MK2 🚀🚀🚀🚀🔥👌🏾

[@matsuda150]

13:30 Firmware available is 1.60. Same for MC-101. Assume you have that on your MC-707?

[@DylanParisMusic]

Yeah been using it for a bit, the 707 has definitely grown on me since I made this video :)

[@aloharay]

I own both the MC-707 and Maschine Plus., and i used the Akai Force for 4 months before selling it. This is a very good discussion of the platforms. The MC-707 has become a sound module for me mostly now, with the ZEN-Core engine on one or two tracks at most. Love it for that purpose, but I go to the Maschine for sequencing and access to my PC VST collection.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Heck yeah! I've started to get more out of the 707 again but it definitely is limited compared to a Maschine

[@raven-jz6cv]

Why u sold the force? Akai keeps on updating em instead of ni and roland? Interestes in ur reasons cause i am complete dawless and am torn apart for those three. I own an mc909 and a 505 so i kinda like the mc line but the 707 seems like a memorabilia sound module rather complete groovebox sampler like akai line

[@MrCcfly]

@@DylanParisMusic how ? u get 3k sounds and with mk3 100 ? rest u need to buy ?

[@surf_machine]

Ahh just ordered a 707 to play along with my TR-8S. Now i am unsure again. Orginally decided against the MK3 because i was a bit scared of the sheer posibilities of the Maschine. I got the fear too many posibilities could make me feel lost and i lose creativity... But on the otherhand i could save half the money and maybe have an even easier workflow.. maybe you can share some thoughts on that:) and If i would get the v collection do i have all NI Instruments/Sounds? Or would I need something else? Thanks!

[@DylanParisMusic]

I have actually really gotten into the 707 again. I will make a follow up video on this. I would say it will pair well with the TR and it is really powerful given that it is standalone. To have all the VSTs I have, you would need to buy Komplete and the V Collection, whereas with the 707 you don't need to buy additional sounds unless you want to get Zen Core Packs. In your case a 707 could work well, I would say just buy from somewhere you can return it if you are unsure.

[@surf_machine]

@@DylanParisMusic Thanks for your fast answer! Would love to watch a follow up video! So basically the MK3 with those two packs is nearly as expensive as the 707. Hmm i guess i'll stick with the 707 for now. I want to create my interpretation of modern berlin techno and therefor i need some melodics and synths to play along my TR-8S. I guess both the 707 and the MK3 can do this Job. Maybe is just have to try both. Point for the 707 in my case is also that the workflow is kinda similar to the TR which i am already used to :-)

[@DylanParisMusic]

I think the 707 is the better option for what you are doing. I paid 650 for the Maschine, plus 250 for the v collection, and 200 for Komplete 12 standard on sale. I got the 707 for 750 used on Reverb dot com

[@surf_machine]

@@DylanParisMusic thank you !!

[@issiewizzie]

great insight into your workflow

[@DylanParisMusic]

Thank you!

[@hvhvgitaar]

Thanks for this useful feedback on maschine Mk3 vs MC-707. I am a beginner songwriter/composer and started with Logic. That is an impressive piece of SW, but I found the clunkiness got in the way of the creative process and getting things from my head into the tracks. So I invested in a Maschine Mk3 and I don't regret it for a minute. The power of the software instruments combined with the feeling that you ar actually using an instrument is just amazing. All thanks to the superb engineering of the user interface.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Happy to hear it's working well for you!

[@alexshdvideo]

Thank you for posting.. very interesting. I’m thinking of the MK3 as well. Though I almost want to get Mikro first to see if I like working that way, though with the MK3 the added loops/data $99 uprade, the extra controls, knobs, screens and inputs for $300 more... makes the thought of getting the Mikkro to be questionable purchase. Anyway got into Native Instruments from Sanja C and his review of the M32 from Native Instruments and really like their Kontact system. Will be even better when I upgrade from my 2014 laptop to a 2021 Mac Book Pro or iMac M1+ or M2 in a few months... by then Native Instruments will be native or at least compatible with Rosetta 2 for Massive. Ok. Will check out your other videos. :)

[@DylanParisMusic]

I will say that I have started using an MPC Live I bought used and it is quickly becoming my new favorite, will be making a video about it soon.

[@TAM-mj9lb]

You hit ALL of the important components of music-making for me in this comparative video relative to the NI Maschine MK3 versus the Roland MC-707. I have to admit that all of your stated issues with the 707 would have a huge impact on my music creation as well, which is largely ambient & house with a tiny bit of techno for film/ documentary scores. I have a ton of hardware synths and modular gear, but want a quick workflow for polished capture of ideas and then convert these ideas with minimal fuss and utilization of my massive synth software sound libraries (Arturia V-Collection & Pigments 4, NI Komplete/ Kontakt, Serum, Dune 3 and Surge XT onto my DAW platform, which is Reaper. Particularly the polyphony ramifications for my layered ambient sound styles with the MC-707 would make a huge difference in my final product. So, thank you Dylan for hitting it out of the park for me with your explicit explanation of your issues with the 707....

[@DylanParisMusic]

I’m glad to hear this was helpful! Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!

[@MrCcfly]

so you saying hw 707 is bad to connect to reaper and use that vst pack plus for bonus is standalone device too vs midi device that mk3 is ?

[@milk_bath]

With Apple going to ARM processors, I am hoping that Maschine software will eventually run on iPads. This would be my perfect setup.

[@DylanParisMusic]

That would be siiiick

[@yutube3799]

And you will brake your eyes with LCD monitors, and mc 707 users will made ther song by hand . Lol

[@DylanParisMusic]

MC707 is awesome but screen is much harder on my eyes than maschine or ipad to be honest

[@substance90]

On a similar note, imagine how much faster the Maschine+ would be if it ran on Apple M1 instead of an Atom.

[@Iredidv]

Me too. My maschine plus, the cpu power is..laughable. its a freaking atom processor, yknow netbooks from 10 years ago when they were a thing, yeah...they better took anr5 ryzen and underclock it for less heat and no need for fans, it would be worth 1400. BuT i like to use m plus with reason as a midi controller, arts, scalez, chords, note repeat, assignable midi cc etc.. it´s like a squid, even better imo. For me rhe m plus must be used with other hardware, mixer and maschine as sampler and main sequencer. That´s another way of using it. But standalone for full songs..some monark patches take 65 percent, so its endless resample, disable instrument etc... but with a computer, i fly with it, faster than ableron and love the sound.

[@MrCcfly]

so mk3 need to be connected all time to pc ?

[@DylanParisMusic]

Yep, it’s essentially a MIDI controller and an audio interface

[@issiewizzie]

I've had my M3 for a year .... Addicted

[@DylanParisMusic]

Heck yeah! I can definitely see why

[@alexshdvideo]

I’m close to jumping into this world. I have the NI M32 keyboard and Komplete Select... looking forward to Summer sale and will go ultimate or even the higher end during summer. Looking at lots of audio tracks for my own video creation projects I’m developing.. create sketch music and influence the writing, camera work etc.. then rework the musical score after it’s shot... maybe get other people involved for the audio score at the end.. but before/during/after a full suit of synth and effects.. so I think I’ll jump for the MK3 (skipping the MK3 Mikro) and probably NOT go for the MK3 +. (Better to spend that $600 difference for the summer sale Komplete package). The Roland MC707 or even new Verselab look really interesting.. but I’m leaning towards the NI MK3. Editing video on a NLE (FCPX/Davinci Resolve) I think working inside Maschine/Komplete on it’s own or inside Logic Pro x wold be easier for me to get going and expand vs hidden menus, multiple mapping and work on any section I want at any moment.. not waiting till the end to add vocal tracks (Verselab can only add vocal at end). IF I get really into music on it’s own vs atmospheric film audio soundtrack.. then maybe get a Roland Verselab or MC707 in a year or so... well it sounds plausible anyway.... anyone want to chime in?

[@DylanParisMusic]

For your use cases the Maschine seems like the better option to me

[@fluorophoremusic3679]

Broseph I am absolutely banging my head against the wall trying to determine the best groovebox. I currently use the Maschine Studio (old gen paired with Maschine software) to sort of control the majority of my songs. I'm trying to go more the dawless organic route here and replace the Machine and even potentially replace my keylab at the same time. Thus, I need a very capable sequencer for my hardware synthesizers, as well as the capabilities that were present in Maschine. That said, I don't want to go the Maschine+ route...I can't justify the price and I'm tired of my current workflow. I've watched countless vids, but there are simply just too many choices out there and my head's going to explode. Some say Digitakt is amazing, some say it's trash...some say the Polyend Tracker will replace a daw...other's say it's not great for external control...some say MC-707is the best groovebox period...some say Novation Tracks will do the job on a budget...some say Pioneer's Toraiz is an amazing option for the $. I'm not that interested in going the MPC route either right now...I just want some a bit more in the sequencer realm with all the capabilities...for me the Maschine+ and MPC are more or less production focused and less sequencer (although I realize they are perfectly capable sequencers). I know this is asking an awful lot...but, what do you think for someone trying to maybe perform live one man sets (similar music to yourself) AND simply doing more ambient Synth based stuff for KZbin and so forth: -Hapax -Digitakt -Tracker -MC-707 -Toraiz -Novation Tracks -Korg Electribe Thanks for the videos man...I hope your sub base continues to grow.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Any of them will be a big change, these days I do actually mostly use maschine plus and the mpc live 2. An mpc one used is probably what I'd recommend on a budget. If not that, probably the 707 but it has some limitations (really nice synth engines though)

[@substance90]

I bought a used Mk3 in 2018 and then resold it for the same amount of money. No problems with the NI license.

[@DylanParisMusic]

happy to hear it, most of the ones i saw on ebay at the time i bought mine didn't include a license

[@yutube3799]

Functionally logic, cubace, FL beat all boxes. But boxes creating for people who dond want brake eyes on the lcd sreens. In this case 707 is a winner.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Maschine allows the best of both worlds in my experience, but your opinion is completely valid as well :)

[@niellseen]

Yes Maschine is set up to a computer , but you could se the MacBook as a battery hub with sounds , a MacBook isn’t necessarily bigger or more heavy than a power bank , so there’s many ways to look at this . Maschine is fantastic and very inspiring and extremely powerful , no polyphony issues and the absolut highest sound quality 😊

[@Iredidv]

9:10 why does every maschine user miss an icon from his legit bought nks instruments lol. Also i wish we could just add a pic for a sample collection, kinda like in reason where you take a foto of the current instrument voile. No xml, no 4 different sizes. Simple.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Hahaha I think this is a plugin I tried to delete so it might not be NI fault there.

[@Weareroses]

I’m torn between the mpc live two and mc 707… ugh. After watching countless videos for weeks and weeks I still can’t decide.

[@DylanParisMusic]

I'd go with the Live 2

[@Weareroses]

@@DylanParisMusic it’s what I’m leaning toward. I don’t use a desktop I use an iPad only I recently read I could update via usb drive by downloading the files to iPad, hoping this would work. Otherwise the mc 707 and iPad workflow may take the cake. Still undecided lol

[@DylanParisMusic]

I think that will work! I think the 707 vs MPC Live is really do you want a full daw in a box for song creation and recording (MPC), or do you primarily want a performance device (707)?

[@Weareroses]

@@DylanParisMusic honestly a bit of both, but the emphasis on recording and putting together full production. The live preforming seems like a great thing especially the 707 but it not having a full song mode is really a downer.

[@MusicWizard85]

@@Weareroses I don't get why people say that. Any groovebox has a song mode - it's called using a DAW with it. Record directly into the DAW or export piece by piece. Super easy! As Dylan states in this video "sometimes limitations can be inspiring".

[@jona_KardCiv1]

There is also the Deluge

[@DylanParisMusic]

True! The deluge lights and interface hurt my eyes to be honest but it seems like a great machine for people who dig it

[@bose5160]

Deluge owner here. It’s nice but the workflow doesn’t really click for me. It’s too much like a hardware DAW. For some that is perfect but I prefer the layouts for the MCs or even a Circuit. Those MCs are loaded with good sounds. Deluge sounds a bit thin to me.

[@nilesh100975]

nice my friend 🤗♥️

[@DylanParisMusic]

Thank you friend 🙌🙏

[@nilesh100975]

@@DylanParisMusic always welcome bro 🤗👍

[@tricks-and-tips]

Interesting approach! Actually I feel the voice limitation on the 707 is happening too quick indeed and is not so much a limitation that sparks creativity, but one that is limiting. And I think they can't change this with a firmware update (otherwise it would not have been there in the first place I guess) given they have even gone this far as to make parameters that define how voice 'stealing' should be done. I'm not sure how it will end up for me and the 707 (it is in repair right now, as 2 of the buttons did not function correctly but I found out after I got it) but once I get it back I will decide what the future plans are for 'us'. One thing I have discovered is that it is not something I will make music on in the way that I'm used to in my DAW. But I also know I can't make music as quick as I can with the 707 on my DAW and with as much fun as on the 707. We'll see how things go from here. Maybe selling the 707 and moving back to the daw (which is not a bad thing per se)

[@DylanParisMusic]

Yeah the voice thing is something they really didnt telegraph well in other videos. And i forgot to mention custom drum sounds and the onboard drum kits, but those also drive me nuts.

[@tricks-and-tips]

​@@DylanParisMusic Indeed. I had heard about it before buying, but other users clearly did not have too much issues with it. Maybe because I seldom use samples that I run into it too quick (for my likings at least) And especially with longer pads (that will run for a couple of bars) it is bad. I will see when I get it back how I will like it. Maybe with a bit more sampled stuff I can live with it and still have the joy it brought me so far! Looking forward to seeing the whole workflow of Maschine though. I have to update to a newer version of Reason someday, so it might be a good time to reconsider my options!

[@davidcache]

The MPC could auto sample any vst... A good synth is hard to find these days. Akais operating system really makes the most of it's hardware. I'm bullish on the MPC, best sequencer on the market.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Yeah this video was before I got super into the MPCs and the Akai Force, a lot has changed for me since then

[@ten70four24]

Can't really compare these two as they do some very different things. You need to know what you want to do first, before making a selection. In some cases, both would be great options, in some the Maschine MK3 might be a better one. Too many video's are X better then Y when both devices are so different! People really need to research what they want to do and if possible, go to a music shop near them and try it out first.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Agreed! I made this a long time ago but this was definitely a bit of a weird comparison in hindsight. Things have changed a lot and there are now a lot more players in similar spaces. This video predates the Maschine Plus I believe but I could be wrong.

[@ksgant]

I have to say you dodged a bullet in the Maschine+. I had one and sent it back. It's VERY underpowered, or else the software just isn't optimized for it, but you quickly start hitting the limits, CPU wise. Also, it wasn't a matter of being able to work on things in stand-alone mode and then quickly just hook it up to a computer to finish/enhance it. It's either in 100% stand-alone mode, or it's in 100% controller mode. Any work you do on stand-alone mode you have to copy to the computer first, and then bring it up in controller mode. And I spent most of my time in controller mode as it was, so I couldn't justify the steep price for something I would have been doing with a much cheaper Mk3.

[@DylanParisMusic]

That's what I've been hearing lately which is too bad, the plus looked very cool at first. I actually have an Akai Force on the way, excited to see if it's the right blend of workflow, power, and standalone

[@elsantoproductora]

;)

[@xenobiigaming]

why the heck do you keep saying MACHINA? its called MASCHINE!!! stop adding an a sound dude it sounds bad

[@DylanParisMusic]

This is a very old video I had only ever seen people who pronounced it the German way my bad

[@DylanParisMusic]

I stopped doing it after i realized that isn’t how they pronounce it here but language is magic and you actually don’t have to be an ass in comments, it costs nothing

[@xenobiigaming]

@@DylanParisMusic I didnt see the age of the video, and that had nothing to do with it. It just sounded very strange for you to keep pronouncing it that way. I would've ex[pected an accent to go with that pronunciation. its not that big of a deal tho bro.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Cool thanks for watching 😎🙏