Hey guys, my head is spinning as I watch the videos on Push 2 and I had to ask for someone else's perspective on this. So here goes:
I have Maschine Studio and Mikro, with the S61 keyboard - for a really sweet home setup - with K10U. All were purchased during their blowout sale, and via other sales, $1775 for the 4 products "all in."
For DJ'ing I have the S8 on Traktor Pro, and I still have an F1 lying around from a few years ago. I nabbed the S8 for $400 and an old control surface by pure chance, and the F1 ran me $200.
This fall I bought the Midi Fighter Twister, bc I was frustrated that NI won't yet allow Maschine to run within traktor, thus my remix decks were fun, but I could not sequence out beats and such within the deck. The twister was an obvious solution. However, after a few dozen sessions, I think it's still something I can live without in Traktor, and maybe that USB port could be better used.
As I watched videos for the Twister I slowly started seeing more footage of Ableton, which reminded me of my lovely Ableton Suite install I hadn't opened in ages. For reference, I used to DJ at loads of events, but that was many years ago, and lately between work and bikes I have barely touched my software. I played multiple instruments as a kid, and there's a million ideas in my head I need to try to express musically. I am renewing that interest and the gear to get going again -
I digress:
I recalled how much fun the old APC40 was, and how great live shows were with Ableton. The Twister videos led me to Push, which now has my FULL attention. The instrument seems to combine the cool parts of Maschine with the cool parts of Ableton, all in one layout. It's brilliant. The original Push unit reminded me of the old Maschine v1 in some ways, and I could see how the Maschine Studio unit still excelled in certain areas when compared to the Push (ie- the displays, browsing, sampling and slicing)...
So PUSH 2 comes out last night and totally adds all of the awesome stuff in Maschine Studio, making my head explode.
NOW comes the issue/questions:
If I was going to order Push 2, do you guys see a legitimate reason to keep this Midi Fighter Twister alongside?
I like my new setup with the Macbook Pro, and I would like to avoid bringing USB hubs to a gig, so I am considering getting the Audio 2 Dj just to pack alongside Push.
Originaly I purchased Mikro so I could sketch out ideas, later taking them to the Maschine Studio unit for advanced procedures. I am now looking at the Midi Fighter Twister as a similar tool, a VERY simple and portable control surface for Ableton ideas that can be later translated into the Push unit.
BUT here's the thing: I'm not made of money and I don't need 3 of each thing. I like to think I'm a musician and a producer, but to date I haven't any original compositions worth sharing, so really I just enjoy playing around (so far) and I am STOKED by the potential of these new devices. Additionally, I just received my new laptop and got everyting configured, so I haven't really even been able to test Mikro or Twister as a portable sketchpad. I'm now in a town with a demand for live electronic and downtempo, and with my many years of playing I am really well suited to fill the void, but I need the right setup and a few months at home to get things flowing first.
At home I have a thunderbolt dock, so I can run loads of devices into that and plug 1 cord into my Pro. However, for shows I really just want a simple setup.
What would you do?
My S8 is the mega-beast for Traktor and I love it. While running that unit i can plug just 1 more thing into my other USB port on my MB Pro... Right now that's an F1, but that seems redundant - except the fact that remix decks are a bit more fun with 16 pads vs 8, and it's nice to control multiple remix decks simultaneously, which is sometimes tough on the S8... But I could live without the F1. The Push would be nice alongside, but I would need to route the audio internally with Traktor and Ableton into my S8, and in years past I had terrible luck with things like SoundFlower.
Maschine Studio is MEGA powerful and i was very excited to get it, but so far I haven't experienced the same creative spark Ableton used to provide me. The fact that I can run Maschine inside of Ableton, with internal sync, and have both devices share a single audio card output, is a cool idea... But I have to plug in a hub to run those things + a sound card. The audio 8 seems like it will do the job, albeit with 1/8" to RCA outs only.
I am pretty sold on Push, but again I have a hard time justifying Maschine, Mikro, and PuSh - and the DJTT unit too!
So, anyone here with an insane reason why I should definitely integrate the MF Twister with Push, or should that thing just be sold along to someone who really needs it?
I'm thinking the following items are up for potential sale:
Kontrol F1
Midi Fighter Twister
One of my Maschine units
- maybe even the S61 - since Push allows for expression of keys so smoothly, and the S25 would be much more affordable and compact, should i need keys for producing.
I know it's long guys. I figured this is the best place to pick brains. I just want creative setups that aren't too redundant. Maybe you guys have experience with these various setups and can steer me. Thanks in advance!
-Bobby
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