- ABLETON LIVE VS PRO TOOLS VS LOGIC VS MASCHINE SOFTWARE
- ABLETON LIVE VS PRO TOOLS VS LOGIC VS MASCHINE PC
- ABLETON LIVE VS PRO TOOLS VS LOGIC VS MASCHINE PLUS
- ABLETON LIVE VS PRO TOOLS VS LOGIC VS MASCHINE FREE
At launch, the selection of instruments available isn’t exhaustive.
ABLETON LIVE VS PRO TOOLS VS LOGIC VS MASCHINE SOFTWARE
The big selling point with Maschine+, of course, is not just that it runs the sequencing software inside the box, it’s that you also have access to some of Native Instruments’ best soft synths and effects (VSTs) for the first time in hardware. I’d even say there’s a bit of a learning curve, but that’s typical of all hardware grooveboxes (even the tiny OP-Z took a while to get the hang of). For one, unlike Logic or Ableton Live, there’s no multitrack audio - it’s more about beats, samples and plugins. If you’re new to Maschine, then know that it’s a little different to what you might be used to if you primarily work with a conventional DAW. If you’re used to that workflow, you’ll be in familiar territory here.
ABLETON LIVE VS PRO TOOLS VS LOGIC VS MASCHINE PLUS
The Maschine software baked into the plus is pretty much what you’d expect if you’ve ever used any of the older controllers with the desktop software. Though there are still a few tasks where I find myself wishing I had a mouse or keyboard shortcuts. All the company needed to do was give it the processing power, and (in theory) it was standalone ready. By waiting, slowly improving the Maschine’s control surface and workflow while it was still tethered to a computer means that most of those pain points have been ironed out. And this is where Native Instruments has been shrewd.
ABLETON LIVE VS PRO TOOLS VS LOGIC VS MASCHINE PC
Editing single notes, quantizing or any other number of routine tasks you take for granted on a PC can quickly become friction points on badly thought out hardware. Standalone advanced sequencing hardware can be tricky to get right. This is obviously what makes the Maschine+ interesting.
ABLETON LIVE VS PRO TOOLS VS LOGIC VS MASCHINE FREE
It’s these additions that allow the Maschine+ to cut itself free from the PC and run all the software and instruments directly. The most important differences in the hardware are the ones you can’t see: the Atom quad-core processor, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. You’ll need the included power supply for that, though USB power still works for controller mode.
Also, if you were hoping that Maschine+ could run in standby mode with USB power, you’re out of luck. Sadly, they’re not touchscreens, though, I think they’re a little small for that to be useful anyway. The third iteration of Maschine provides a logical workspace with high-quality pads and knobs that give it a premium feel - even more so on the plus with its metal housing. The fact that it’s so similar to the MK3 is no bad thing. NI even includes a 64GB SD card in the box. Lastly, there’s the all-important SD card slot for storing your projects and samples along with 32GB onboard storage for expansion downloads. There are now two USB-A ports (along with the USB-B port for connecting to a PC) which allow you to add other interfaces or MIDI USB gear. You still have two inputs and two outputs (1/4-inch TRS), MIDI in and out, a pedal jack and a 1/4-inch headphone port. Even around the back, where all the connections are, there isn’t much of a difference. The two are nearly identical, bar the new metal finish and a few minor tweaks to accommodate the necessary computer-free functionality. If you’ve ever seen the Maschine MK3, then the Maschine+ will be familiar. And while I wouldn’t call Maschine+ “portable” in the traditional sense, you can bring this with you on the road and leave your laptop somewhere safe. Plus, computers can be unpredictable (especially in a live performance). Some feel that clicking a mouse staring at a screen isn't conducive to creativity.
The idea is obvious: Getting rid of the PC is something many electronic musicians want to do. Maybe you could think of it as outboard gear, but with the UI running on a PC? But that doesn’t quite do the software side of it justice. But then there are plenty of software-specific controllers like Ableton’s Push or Korg’s MS 20 VST hardware. You could argue it’s desktop music-making software with a dedicated MIDI controller. Is it the all-in-one music production hardware many people (myself included) seek? Maybe, but what I can say for sure is that it’s an impressive, if not a slightly expensive attempt at merging desktop functionality with groovebox-style usability.įor those unfamiliar with Maschine, it’s a little hard to explain what it is without underselling it. It’s finally here, it’s called Maschine+, it costs $1,399 and it’s been on my desk for the last week or two. While this approach made it popular, it soon led many to want something ambitious: a standalone Maschine with the software built-in. The dedicated hardware-software combo was an instant hit with users looking for the tactile control of outboard gear with the flexibility (plugins) afforded by a desktop.
It’s been over a decade since Native Instruments introduced the Maschine platform.
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