Hey everyone!
So I’ve been using my Kontrol S4 for some months now (i am a beginner), and I’ve started getting interested in remixing, making my own tracks both at home and live. Now i’ve been looking at 3 different MIDI controllers:
The NI Maschine MK2
The Novation Launchpad
The NI Traktor F1
Now remember i am new to all this, so pardon if i don’t know all the words and stuff
But can you guys tell me what controller is for me? I will be happy to answer all questions.
I’ve also looked at the pricing. Since i am still a teenager with school and only work 2 days a week after school, i am not able to just “buy everything” … But i’ve seen that the Maschine is pretty expensive.. I can of course buy it used off different pages but compared to the Launchpad which is almost a fourth of the Maschines price, i really need to know if the Maschine is better or worse and how and why.
What i think i know so far is that (what i think i know ) Maschine is mostly for producing at HOME. Making beats and music (which i really wanna do other than DJ’ing). The launchpad can also be used at home for making beats, but is more (?) for live remixing in front of a crowd. And the same with the F1.
Am i completely wrong or..?
Well thanks to the ones who wanted to read and please help me! I really really want to start making music, since i have a lot of ideas. I also wanna add that i do have the latest Ableton since my brother bought it.
What you need to understand is this: There’s not a lot you can do in terms of “remixing” other than effects, mashups, cue point juggling, and launching samples, unless you want to spend the hours to do a proper remix at home. That said, the Maschine (full size) seems like it might be for you, as it will get you started in a very basic DAW but has enough knobs/buttons to really get creative when you do go live.
Personally I’d get the F1; you can always map it to Ableton or any other production software, in which case it’ll fulfil basically the same role as the Maschine. In addition, you’ll be able to use it live AS WELL.
I just want something i can use for both having fun improvising on-stage and making music at home
But thanks for the quick response!
But if you tell me to get the F1, why would anyone pick the Maschine over the F1?
You can use Maschine live. There are some great mapping for Maschine+Traktor in the maps section. Also, you can run Maschine as a live input in Traktor. This is what guys like Bass Kleph, Hawtin and I believe Booka Shade does as well.
Maschine. Launchpad is good, but the pads aren’t as nice as the machine. Plus, you can run the maschine without a computer I do believe. Solid piece of gear. Save up, you won’t regret it.
If you want to just rock traktor though, the F1 is also a solid choice.
As far as I’m aware, Maschine’s main draw is that it’s a SAMPLER as well as a control unit… You also get a collection of samples included in the box, but considering how there’s so many free samples out there (and you could make your own using free synths and whatnot), it’s never really been particularly attractive to me.
Also, Maschine doesn’t integrate with Traktor’s Remix decks properly - STILL - which is a bit of a pain in the arse.
I see… But since most of you are saying i should just save up and get the Maschine, i think i’ll do that.. It also looks cooler to me haha. Who knows maybe i’ll even get the F1 and the Launchpad if i get super famous and rich (lololol).
[QUOTE=dripstep;594232] Plus, you can run the maschine without a computer I do believe. QUOTE]
No, you can’t. its USB only, needs the software.
Maschine. You can build your own sample collection or use the collection provided. Plus, with the 1.6 update, Massive is included for free. The controller is great. I still use the MKI controller. I don’t see the point of the colored pads just yet. I’m gonna wait until I break this controller to get the MKII.
What about the MK1? I’m in the same boat as Numbox. Any midi device would be foreign to me at this point. Would it would be worth it, in my case, to spend twice as much on the newer model?
The MK1’s pads are good, but not as good as the MK2. You can adjust the sensitivity in the software, but I also find the RGB pads to be quite helpful for grouping sounds. Also, I have an F1 and I hardly ever use it for remix decks, I mostly keep it in midi mode and use it for cue points. Hence why I recommend the Maschine so much.
) Maschine is mostly for producing at HOME. Making beats and music (which i really wanna do other than DJ’ing). The launchpad can also be used at home for making beats, but is more (?) for live remixing in front of a crowd. And the same with the F1.
