# Maschine VS Live/MPD **URL:** \ **Category:** Music Production\ **Created:** [July 28, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706 "2011-07-28T22:32:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LmnLm3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LmnLm3](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/LmnLm3)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/1 "2011-07-28T22:32:23Z")
**Maschine VS Live/MPD** For beat juggling and major mashups (think studio work to be played at club on a cdj or whatever) which is preferred? Maschine 1.6 comes with some other stuff now that makes it more DAW like, so I’ve heard. Say I’m having choices of getting Maschine OR MPD (that comes with Live 8) and using ONLY Sampler (or Simpler. Whichever. I don’t care.) Obviously one is MUCH cheaper. What would I miss out on if I go with an MPD? [[MPD+LIVE=MPC, right?]] ---
**Author:** ![nuke5](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/nuke5/32/10345_2.png) [@nuke5](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/nuke5)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/2 "2011-08-03T17:17:55Z")
Well for the maschine it has beats, samples, and other things that are built into it and with an mpd it is a midi controller typically used to trigger something thru ableton or whatever. The maschine is more comparable to the MPC but the maschine can also be used as a midi controller to I believe. ---
**Author:** ![tyfurious](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/tyfurious/32/14852_2.png) [@tyfurious](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/tyfurious)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/3 "2011-08-03T17:41:48Z")
Maschine is closer to the MPC, whereas the MPD is something in an entirely different class (mostly because there is no right way to use it). Maschine is great if you want bundled software and samples, whereas the MPD is better if you already know what you’re going to do with it. The MPD seems to have more potential, but require more effort. ---
**Author:** ![ksandvik](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/ksandvik/32/16294_2.png) [@ksandvik](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/ksandvik)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/4 "2011-08-03T17:54:46Z")
Yep, self-contained (Maschine) versus open-ended (MPD). Both are fine. ---
**Author:** ![mostapha](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/mostapha/32/14134_2.png) [@mostapha](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/mostapha)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/5 "2011-08-03T18:35:43Z")
> [@tyfurious](#): > > Maschine is great if you want bundled software and samples, whereas the MPD is better if you already know what you’re going to do with it. The MPD seems to have more potential, but require more effort. I disagree wholeheartedly. Maschine is just as open ended with the sole caveat that it isn’t _ideal_ to record, mixdown, and master a track using only Maschine. Everything that the MPD + Live can do, Maschine can do as well. With Live, you get Max4Live patches and a DAW that _is_ capable of finishing (as opposed to just composing) a song. With Maschine you get an interface that makes the computer all but disappear and a _huge_ sample library. But, I’m not sure what the OP actually wants. Beat juggling and mashups don’t really have much to do with each other in the studio context, and he mentioned playing stuff on CDJs. So, I think that Live might be the better choice for him because the way that Maschine works with long audio samples (i.e., full verses) is less intuitive than the way that Live does it…but Simpler/Sampler aren’t the right choice for that either if I’m understanding his purpose correctly. They’re also completely different instruments. Live is a DAW. An MPD is a controller that sorta-kinda tries to emulate some of the features that the MPCs had (note repeat, banks, i think an arpegiator, etc.). Maschine is a controller/software that’s a Groove Box that will host plugins and comes with the equivalent of a 32-channel audio interface. They’re all very different animals. ---
**Author:** ![tyfurious](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/tyfurious/32/14852_2.png) [@tyfurious](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/tyfurious)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/6 "2011-08-03T18:47:33Z")
> [@mostapha](#): > > I disagree wholeheartedly. Maschine is just as open ended with the sole caveat that it isn’t _ideal_ to record, mixdown, and master a track using only Maschine. Everything that the MPD + Live can do, Maschine can do as well. You’re totally right 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![photojojo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/photojojo/32/14618_2.png) [@photojojo](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/photojojo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/7 "2011-08-04T02:06:24Z")
I think the OP wants a Maschine. And FYI, 1.7 comes out next month. [http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/maschine/?page=2146](http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/maschine/?page=2146) > [@](#): > > With the upcoming 1.7 update\*, a new level of integration and intuitive workflow is achieved thanks to MASCHINE’s support of NATIVE INSTRUMENT’s new ‘NIS" sound format. With version 1.6 you could already use your VST/AU plug-ins inside MASCHINE, but now with 1.7, you can even browse and load the plug-in presets from all KOMPLETE 8 versions - KOMPLETE ELEMENTS, KOMPLETE 8, and KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE – directly inside the MASCHINE hardware browser. This means you can operate MASCHINE fully without ever having to touch your mouse or keyboard – keeping your focus on the creative flow. ---
**Author:** ![nuke5](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/nuke5/32/10345_2.png) [@nuke5](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/nuke5)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 2:00pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/8 "2011-08-04T14:00:07Z")
I think I’m gonna do some trading in at guitar center when 1.7 comes out 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mostapha](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/mostapha/32/14134_2.png) [@mostapha](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/mostapha)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/9 "2011-08-04T14:21:46Z")
Nice. But, > [@NI qtd by photojojo](#): > > now with 1.7, you can even browse and load the plug-in presets from all KOMPLETE 8 versions - KOMPLETE ELEMENTS, KOMPLETE 8, and KOMPLETE 8 ULTIMATE – directly inside the MASCHINE hardware browser. isn’t a new feature. You could already do that with 3rd party plugins. You just couldn’t load stored presets/programs like that. So, it’s not a huge difference…just a sight evolution. Still kinda cool, though…or, it would be if I owned any NI synths. I wonder what else is in store. Meaningful level meters would be kinda cool, as well as a send bus that actually allowed for simple side-chaining. But it’s probably not going to do much new except browse NI plugin presets and bring the 64-bit version into compatibility with Lion. ---
**Author:** ![photojojo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/photojojo/32/14618_2.png) [@photojojo](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/photojojo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 2:31pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/10 "2011-08-04T14:31:48Z")
> [@mostapha](#): > > Nice. > > But, > > isn’t a new feature. You could already do that with 3rd party plugins. You just couldn’t load stored presets/programs like that. So, it’s not a huge difference…just a sight evolution. Still kinda cool, though…or, it would be if I owned any NI synths. > > I wonder what else is in store. > > Meaningful level meters would be kinda cool, as well as a send bus that actually allowed for simple side-chaining. But it’s probably not going to do much new except browse NI plugin presets and bring the 64-bit version into compatibility with Lion. Probably right. 1.6 was a decent update. I bet they go from 1.7 to 2.0 and bring in the big stuff then. ---
**Author:** ![LmnLm3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LmnLm3](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/LmnLm3)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 6:38am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/11 "2011-08-20T06:38:12Z")
Wow, I never subscribed to this thread (apparently!) so thanks for fleshing it out without me! When I said mashup/beat juggling, I meant like cue points or a fully mapped simpler (from a full song, with different chords, words, or hits on different notes) I suppose the reason I was looking at Maschine was because I saw it featured on NI’s youtube with (I forget who) doing some cool live application stuff with it in Traktor. And the reason I was looking at MPDs was because it would have that same physical feel, but I could do my Ableton thing and not have spent as much money on the hardware. I’m getting into controllerism in general, MPK mini, having fun with that, it’s not for me though (mapping it is a bitch). Basically I want to be a DJ without the platters 🙂 Is this only do-able in the studio for mixtapes? Or is this possible to do live as well? (or would I need a proper mixer for doing that?) ---
**Author:** ![nuke5](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/nuke5/32/10345_2.png) [@nuke5](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/nuke5)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/12 "2011-08-20T16:27:08Z")
> [@LmnLm3](#): > > Basically I want to be a DJ without the platters 🙂 thats what im all about!! i hate turntables lol ---
**Author:** ![FascistDonut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@FascistDonut](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/FascistDonut)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/13 "2011-08-20T18:53:50Z")
I really enjoy using both Maschine+Live together. It sits as a plugin vst so you can do whatever you want in the maschine software (like step sequence etc) and then you can add additional fx, instruments, and editing with Live. Although for DJing without platters, I prefer to use the APC40 to control Live. ---
**Author:** ![LmnLm3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LmnLm3](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/LmnLm3)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 7:44pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/maschine-vs-live-mpd/27706/14 "2011-08-20T19:44:40Z")
I guess the APC40 has the advantage of having an xfade… Other than that, are they all just coke/pepsi?