Yes.

I planned to get a MPC 500 at some point this year, I currently use ezdrummer and would like to move towards making my own beats (loops / drum patterns) and physically triggering samples using a pad rather than a keyboard.

Then the maschine by NI came out and has made me consider buying this beast instead.

Would this be a better purchase? It seems to have better computer / software integration and comes laden with 5gb of sounds to start (handy!) but is not as portable as the 500. Lookin round various forums the MPC certainly has it fans and is built on a solid reputation.

Has anybody experienced both and is able to give a lowdown on pros and cons of both?

Will SOS have a review in the next edition?



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www.myspace.com/hoursandminutesmusic

Imagine my joy as my subscription SOS drops through the door. Ohhh funky white front - looks lovely. Rupert Neve mic? excellent, I've seen the ads.. Animal Collective? great album, what will SOS have to say on recording techniques?

etc. Always pleased when I see a new SOS. Except when I am waiting for a review I thought must be in the this edition.

As the header reads - Maschine - I have played with it in the shop but this gives me no real idea how it will (if it will) integrate in me studio. It works great in the shop (what doesn't?)

In desperation I bought Future Music magazine because it had maschine on the front, I quite like this magazine but the review was limp. No real insight.. damn it SOS you spoil me.. well written, intelligent reviews reflecting the information I need to know.

Tell me it is planned for next month at least?

Is anybody else in the postition of thinking Korg padkontrol,trigger finger, MPD24.. or step up straight away to what looks like the next league - MPC 500 or Maschine..

I have read quite a few forums around this issue and the MPC fanboys seem to get in the way.. anyone else?

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www.myspace.com/hoursandminutesmusic

What concerns me is that the Maschine might over-engineer the MPC concept, which is essentially a very simple one - bolt a sampler onto a MIDI sequencer and add drum pads not a keyboard.

You also remain completely tethered to a computer. It doesn't run on it's own.

That said, Maschine and any other MPC for that matter wipes the floor with the MPC500, it's very limited.

As far as sampling drum machines go the smart money is on the forthcoming Roger Linn/Dave Smith Linn Drum II. If it lives up to the hype (which it probably will with those two at the helm) it will be - as they say - da bomb.

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Original artwork and unique devices inspired by vintage technology http://www.thisisobsolete.com

JJ! You had to go and mention the Linn Drum! Just noticed they've changed the design again and the name: Linn Drum II. That's good, I think the previous working name was something awful like "Boom Chik".

http://www.rogerlinndesign.com/products/linndrum2/LinnDrum%20II%20third%20 design.jpg

Hope they don't over complicate things.

I'm more Emu than Akai anyway.

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I'm All Ears.

Yo! Sam check this. It looks like monster. I'm rockin' the mpd32 with Battery 3. Whatever you use just keep bangin the pads!!!

Edited by DRUMZ (16/04/09 02:15 AM)

Anyone mention the LInn Drum 2 again and I'll ban them in a heartbeat.

There's so much an ethnic can take you know.

Please, have some consideration.


Sam, read the specs of both and go to a shop and demo them and feel your way through.

I could go into a whole heap of spec pros and cons but you really need to get your hands dirty with both.

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Samplecraze
Stretch That Note

Quote Zukan:

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Anyone mention the LInn Drum 2 again and I'll ban them in a heartbeat.

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Lol! Why what's going on? I must have missed that memo

@drumz - the motu thing is software only

@ken - they've abandoned that design too

there's a new drum oriented openlabs board too

http://www.openlabs.com/DBeat.html

looks like a dog's dinner to me

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Original artwork and unique devices inspired by vintage technology http://www.thisisobsolete.com

Quote DRUMZ:

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Yo! Sam check this. It looks like monster. I'm rockin' the mpd32 with Battery 3. Whatever you use just keep bangin the pads!!!

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Very Cool. Will check it out some more. Cheers. BPM Looks very promising.

So many choices :- maschine, bpm, battery etc, I'll make my desicion based on the samples that come with them as well as ease of searching for the right sounds. Bpm looks cool to me - will do more research.

Peace
Josef Horhay
Producer / Mixer
www.acoosticzoo.com (acoostic zoo recording studios brisbane)

the MPC will be the least functional of any of the others mentioned, but with rock solid timing and user friendly interface it's an absolute joy to use. people bang on that it imparts a certain character to the sound, tbh I can't tell the difference, it's all about the playability for me and this is where nothing else comes close.

ps. forget the 500, it's waaaay too limited to be of any use, it's only plus point is a battery but you'd be better off with a laptop when out and about. go for a 2000 or a 1000 with jjos2 (basically a smaller/cheaper 2000 less a few controls).

If all goes to plan the Maschine review will appear in the June issue.

I checked out MOTU Bpm. And I have to say it looks amazing. BUT. I feel like I would get lost on something like this. Which is sort of painful considering that, out of necessity, I will now be doing production on computer only.

Let me just put this in perspective, I grew up in the days of sequencing midi on hardware and computers, getting the sounds out of mpc style machines, synth modules and samplers. Tracking via analog outs through proper consoles and sweet outboard gear, onto tape. Then it progressed to tracking onto DAW which is fine by me.

Now, due to my current lack of equipment I have to wrap my head around doing all production/creation ITB. But if I had my way, I would get an MPC.

I'm sorry, there is just a certain comfort level in having a separate machine, completely disconnected with the DAW until sync-up is needed. It feels more like a rock solid musician who can work on his/her own. From a data stand-point a separate machine also seems like a better idea, as far as having a handle on what file is where. Somehow putting EVERYTHING on one computer seems to lead to things getting lost in the sauce. Anyway, if you do want to import files from a 'puter to a machine, these days you can drag and drop. Done.

Maybe I'm just a silly old man to feel this way. Oh well. Now here comes the onslaught of young cats who are comfortable with producing completely ITB. Go ahead, I won't argue with you, because we're all right!

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Gear list: If you can't find it, grind it

Well, Im in the pro hardware catogary as well, having been a long time MPC60/2000/2000xl user. I tried to go over to the equivilent in software but have recently got a ROLAND MV-8000 which I can whole heartedly recommend. Just so much better than the MPCs in my opnion.

Just to throw another option into the mix, I've just bought GURU and i'm very impressed with it so far, the way it's set out really encourages you to frack around with your beats.

It's hard to believe how much of a rip off of GURU Motu's BPM is, I was tempted to spend the extra on BPM and get a bigger library plus I thought the FX might be better but apparently the library isn't as impressive as it makes out (lots of re-used hits) and I figured I'd give my money to the company who originally designed the software. Also, the designers have said Motu have copied some things that FXpansion now consider mistakes.

I think GURU with a suitable midi controller is a very impressive proposition and prob cheaper than Maschine. FXpansion have got a downloadable demo now which is worth checking out (Having said that the demo I DL'd about 5 months ago was a little sketchy, the proper install I've had zero probs with so far)