Native Instruments Maschine vs. AKAI APC40 for a beginning producer

[Dietch]

Hi there,

Since i'm DJing for quite a time now i want to start with producing so i'm looking for a decent controller (including software)

I saw two controllers that i like and that are the Native Instruments Maschine, because of the including producer software (But is the software capable enough for producing a full track?)

And the AKAI APC40 including Ableton live lite, with maybe a later update to the full Ableton live.

The Maschine looks like more fun for me but can it do enough when i'm using it as a stand alone controller?

Hope you guys can help me with some useful tips!

And sorry if my english isn't that good, i'm from Holland.

Dietch

[padi_04]

Had both, my personal opinion is that Maschine is a much better solution to get you started on production. It's not a full DAW but that doesn't mean you can't write a full song in it. If you need more you could always pair it to Live (it has a fully featured 30 day demo) to give it that extra boost. The software is not perfect but IMO it has way tighter integration than the APC, you can write a song while laying on bed/couch without even looking at the screen, ever.

The controller has an average official script for Live and a nicely implemented Mackie emulation, you can edit these easily to tailor your needs, the APC has NO MIDI editing capabilities and you are stuck with either Live's mode or dumb mode (all buttons acts as hold and you lose the banks.

I used to brainstorm in Live's session view and build the arrangement upon that. Now Maschine has taken the first job.


OT: If Akai decided to release a smaller version with only the endless knobs and faders i'd be all over it tho, you get way better clip feedback with an iPad. Basically I need an updated UC33

[botstein]

I have both and I use them together. If you are really just starting out I would go for Maschine. It might be my favorite controller.

[diezdiazgiant]

i too have both and think theyre very complimentary to each other, but that being said - you can do a lot more with maschine out of the box. the apc was made to be paired with another controller, and provides a limited version of the software in the hopes that you want to upgrade.

[botstein]

the apc was made to be paired with another controller

I've honestly never heard this before. To which controller are you referring?

the apc... provides a limited version of the software in the hopes that you want to upgrade.

This is 100% true.

[grazz16]

I've honestly never heard this before. To which controller are you referring?

yeah i have an APC40 (although its been in the shop for a month, god help u if it breaks and u are out of warranty) and i think its quite the opposite actually. The APC40 is supposed to be "THE" Ableton controller. You can do pretty much anything you want with that thing if you know what you are doing. Although i think the really advanced stuff all requires you to have max-for-live, but i dont think you need another controller.

[padi_04]

I think he means a keyboard/drumpad for a production scenario, the APC is targeted towards performance in session view (Ableton Performance Controller). It does have some extended scripts that expand it's functions but sometimes you just need velocity or some regularly laid out keys.

[BiggChev]

haven't used the APC but damn, that Maschine is something else...

I started on FL, moved to Acid Pro 5 (at the time) then onto Cubase SX. I'm used to having a DAW/software that can do everything. especially with Cubase and to some extent Acid (Midi editing was weak then) but the Maschine can pretty much do everything. MIDI, sample, arrange, FX and FX chains. i do miss having the arrange view but if you're used to the song view that FL used to have you'll be fine with maschine. PLUS it comes with loads of samples, and VST's so you can get started making tracks right away.

[photojojo]

I always thought of the APC as a performance tool and not really a production tool. Maschine's are still on sale for a few more days. BPM is also just over a month away.

[lolski]

now that the new maschine with colorful pads are almost out nothing will stop us form getting it instead of any other drum machines with boring, colorless drumpad haha