Respect earned for mentioning some 'complaints' instead of just making this an AD, honesty is appreciated. 11:58 yeah, all the extra mouse cursor pointers are broken, lol 13:45 you can toggle DrumKit Mode in the Group input via the Software.
Thanks for the review, I appreciate an honest evaluation of what's good and what's missing. My judgement: The price is trivial, but this is a pretty weak update. I feel like NI has really been phoning it in for several years now and I'm disinclined to send them any more of my money.
@@jefgibbons Sadly realistic. I don't know what the thinking is at NI at the moment. Its baffling, they certainly aren't focused on listening to their user base
Hi Jeff, great video as usual. You do a great job my friend. Like most people I wish NI would understand that the end user wants better DAW integration. Seems like they are just ignoring us. My unit just sets on my desk basically as a dust collector because it just doesn’t work like I hoped it would. Considering selling it and look for something more user friendly and integrates into Cubase. I’m not wasting the $$ for this update.
@@tengoodquestionsyeah if you're talented is cheap. If you're a kid pretending to make music it's not worth it. If you're making music then upgrade is an easy YES
Thanks for the great and honest review. Doesn’t look like NI decided to incorporate any of the features customers have been begging for…. Very disappointing
Right? They asked the community, we voted, they even categorized and prioritized our wishes and ideas on the NI forum and in the end they didn't implement any of it, instead we get stem separation 🤦🏾♂️
Apparently most of the few new features were community requests. But after 10 years I do think they could have done a lot more, there were a lot more really good ideas.
@@substance90 maybe part of the update to a new version...v3...might be to lay the foundation for some of those things to come in future updates, and maybe they just included a select few things for now that were easily implemented or something... just a guess as I am not tech savvy at all really. I've just recently gotten my Mikro Mk2 out that had been packed away for years, and doing some research on the new software...apparently I can't use this unless I get new hardware. Oh well, I'll use the version that I have for now and if I get to where I have learned it enough and use it enough to want something new later, I may look into new hardware then and a software update. I do know that Traktor got an update recently as well, and I believe stems was part of that, so maybe that is why it was included here, because the coding/development for stems in their DJ software allowed them to port it over easily and the work had been done already for Traktor...? Just a thought, not sure what all came in the new Traktor as I use Serato... cheers
@@isaiahfurrow7414 You don't need a midi Drum controller to use Mk3 software like you did with M2 down. They've finally added a few more Midi tools that always you to use your mouse now more efficiently for editing. I have all versions 1, 2, & just bought Mk3 last night but I don't have an Mk3 controller as of yet. That pissed me off when I found out that they are making me buy my 4th Maschine Midi drum controller bkz they fazed out MK2 on down like tf dude smh. To be honest I DO like the new MK3 Sequencer engine & Algorithm Bkz the first one MK1 was very organic & natural sounding. Then when they came with MK2 they change the sequencer to a more HEAVIER blocky DAW sound which made the sequencer very STIFF with little to no true natural "swing" like MK1 had. But Mk was also deficient of what MK2 boasted In appeal. With MK3 It seems that they found a balance between both sonically as all DAW's have a particular sonic tone to it. So I do like how the over all SOUND of the demi DAW sounds bkz It's louder in a good way, stronger analog tone but cleaner Thank God they finally went down on MK3 midi controller otherwise I wouldn't even be considering buying one. I pontificating on JUMPING SHIP wit Native Instruments & going AKAI MPC fro 2025 bkz you still can't really do nothing in Maschine!! Everyone else has those GOOD, BEST standard feature's in their software. But N.I leaves way to much to be desired & after 15 years of loyalty I've finally reached my tipping point I hope they, N.I goes totally out of business & Maschine plummets In sales & is remembered as an official failure as a piece of stable, reliable, useful music making software (semi) wannabe DAW
If you paid for upgrades you failed. If you paid for the actual product and you couldn't used it you failed. If you paid for the products and for value out of it then you have nothing to complain about because you got what you paid for.
Agree on DAW integration. Maschine workflow is fun, but I quickly hit a wall and wished I had started in Ableton right away. So that's what I do and Maschine is collecting dust. Would love to use M+ for groovebox-, guitar, and vocal live looping, but no audio quantizing and Sampler time stretching. After M+ started with a small Kontakt library and Raum, I thought Kontakt factory library 2 and Guitar Rig effects would come to M+ - how wrong I was 😢
Appreciate your honest evaluation of the update. The update itself seems very weak, where it feels like NI has a skeleton crew working on the software just to keep the lights on. I have the new S49 keyboard and while I love it, I agree with you that more integration is needed with the software to improve workflow. Not being able to play a kit on the keyboard is just idiotic IMO. So... Thank you for being awesome and legit, "the dude" in showing us an honest review review Jeff! Really appreciate your videos! Happy New Year!!
Just here showing appreciation for everything you do Jef! Don’t let internet people get you down ❤ I’ve kinda fallen out of love with native instruments. My komplete kontrol mk2 has some rattling / loose keys and when I compare most of their sounds to something like omnisphere, there’s just no comparison
Thanks for sharing this. As an aside, "flat design" is a movement in the user interface field. So, what it seemed you were improvising is literally spot on. Keep it up Jef!
Thanks Jef for a concise video of the pros/cons. I about fell out of my chair when I heard the screen size wasn’t resizable. It’s 2024 and many of us are on 4k monitors now and NI still doesn’t have resizable screens for Maschine and KK. I invested in Komplete Ultimate several years ago but find myself rarely using it just because I can’t adjust the view to be optimal. I also 100% agree that without better integration with a DAW it just feels like a toy. For the best mix down and mastering I really want to have all the tools I have in my DAW. They should really develop a better import to DAW function. But for $29 I may eventually upgrade. Just don’t feel the immediate need, but I’ll research further… Thanks again…
Well done again dear Jeff, I love your content so much Your ability to be precise and put the truth is really an object of admiration. Luckily I didn't purchase the new keyboard mk3 And so I still have the ability to control the machine, also from the keyboard for example the mixer and more.. After 11 years and still not having the ability to create a decent connection to logic pro x. The company's desire for exclusivity creates a lot of frustration and this is a bad sign of the desire for profit. Like you, I also like the creative way and the speed with which you can create, but I must say that in the end it is an inferior software that requires a lot of effort in the creation process, what a shame. You are an amazing person, thank you for all your good and unique giving and investment.
No scalable UI and absence of improvements for DAW integration? That was so surprising to find out. I'm finding it really hard to upgrade from Maschine 2, even if the upgrade price is $29.
I do think the price is fair at least, I've seen much more money for much less in other program updates, so I'm glad about that! (integrated stem separation for $29 is pretty good alone)
I think the price is probably easily worth it for a lot of people but I also think many people would have preferred something twice the price with a really compelling set of improvements. The disappointment isn't so much the cost as just the small scope of changes after such a long time.
I think Stem Separation might be a nice thing for me to have, but not for using in the way I think most others would use it. There’s a ton of tracks from my youth in the late 70s and early 80s that I’d love to put myself into the band. Removing their keyboardist and me playing along instead is something I dreamt of for decades, looks like my dream might finally come true
I saw the announcement of the new version 3 and I was very excited, after seeing the new version features, I am very disappointed. So much waiting for this?
Another great one Jef! Just an idea for a video - vocals sampling / chopping and creative uses of vocal chops in the tracks (following stems separation) in Maschine. Just tthrowing it out there... :)
Thanks Jeff to Be honest and straightforward about the lack of work from Ni . So much stuff are missing! In this update that doesn’t deserve the name maschine 3 but a update version of the 2 Your earn my total respect Jeff
I was expecting automation, midi fx, advanced sampler...this is not Maschine 3, this is just a proper update. Thanks anyway NI. Jef i appreciate your honesty, keep up the good work
for 9 years of no updates, they could have added "MIDI to audio and keep the MIDI notes", "Audio to MIDI, and keep the audio", scalable view, "default to scenes mode / bypass ideas mode", snap to musical modes in MIDI, etc... Maybe there is just like one bro at NI doing all the development, and he's been doing other things for the past 8 years...
Thank you, Jeff. I was thinking about upgrading to this, but now I can save my money. You were trying your best to make this software sound good, but they just need to abandon it. It's so outdated it not even funny. I will just keep my Maschine 2, which works very well in Studio One 7. Great demo, ask always 😊
Hey Jeff - another great honest video thanks. I love my Maschine but feel it is getting left behind, by others Electron / Abelton etc but…. I’m sticking with my Maschine ( and with you) cause I love it even with its short comings and have used it for jamming and starting ideas for years. Like u say at the end, the sample workflow and basic functionality is great. The update seems to not add much, Central isn’t for me. Thanks again, hope you’re keeping well 👍
I'm impressed by your ability to not completely dismantle NI for this absolute joke of a full version update. The gall to call note split and merge features in 2024, they should be mentioned in the footnotes, and barely that. But I see the disappointment on your face. Sadly I think the Maschine is dead. Everything points to that and it's really sad because like you say there's nothing like it out there. I WISH there was an open source alternative with Linux compatibility because damn this hurts.
the little keyboard button is for using qwerty keyboard to play notes etc, keep the videos coming, im tempted as its a cheap update, cool to use stems for dj edist to old songs etc, i might bite bullet but keep version 2 in case i want to go back to it, great video
Thanks for the video. You made good points + I want multitrack recording, and be able to record entire session automation, including mutes, volume changes etc. When I said this to music producers, they always said that the machine is not a daw. But who cares, it is a music making software. I should be able to record all my devices at the same time and record my jamming session and turn back and polish it after. We are in 2024 come on NI.
I appreciate the video. Very honest review. I also use Cubase, and it can be a pain to use with Maschine software. I saw some videos where a guy put Maschine in Cubase and gets a riff or something in Maschine and drags audio from Maschine into Cubase. That’s not too bad. But I usually just use Battery 4 because I can use expansions with it and less routing issues. Thanks for the info.
Great mk 3 update Jeff and yea lots of goodies missing especially on the new keys. I’ve got the S88mk2 and WONT be selling it.hopefully also we can get updates on the new keys regularly!! 😮 mixer etc I can run easily in Studio One and can change the physical size from the corners . Hope you get Cubase sorted soon 🏴
A thing I would love to see in future updates is a function (no idea how) for comp recording, I love recording my bass guitar using the sampling function but it's kinda a pain comping the best takes and making a single sound/pattern with it.
Love your videos. I use Maschine and Akai MPC software inside of Reason 13 with no issues. It’s actually an amazing combination with the Komplete Kontrol MK2 keyboard.
Thanks Jef as you are my go to for all things NI, so thanks for the honest review. Ideas maybe for other videos maybe 1 - With the Maschine Jam (I still use Studio and Jam together) NI says with regards compatability "Maschine Jam is supported by Maschine 3 but without an update to the browser interface". Not sure whether that is a big limitation or not for using the Jam purely on it's own (and not teamed up with another NI controller) 2 - Comparison of vocal stem separation quality compared to the one in Cubase which I think is good. Seeing that vocal separation is the big one and is provided in Cubase Pro (and now many DAWS) as standard 3 - Review of Maschine Central content that's not ported in from other products that appear (or will appear) within Komplete. Biggest disappointment for me is that there's no improvement to using Maschine within others DAWs (and the scalability of couirse) NI obvously think their user base hasn't moved on in the past 10 years in the way they use it. Surprising too it's still not possible to view the Mixer on a separate monitor.
I just got back from Thailand and am completely broke . I might just buy the upgrade for the aesthetic change … but wow , this really isn’t much ! I’m faithful when they do the update to the plus they will give us more features .
Thank you .I do not have a machine yet . There is a new version of Cubase .I wonder if machine integration will be simplified .One new feature of Cubase is for projects from other DAW's to be imported to Cubase .What if native instruments made a DAW would smoothly integrate all their hardware ? Opening a project from the machine DAW in Cubase ?
It feels like they have made this update in the last 6 months with one programmer for 2 hours a week. I mean the stem separation was already programmed sadly nothing really special here
we need a feature to switch banks inside pad mode, so that I can access my samples that I load into a group with more than 16 slices faster. Right now this is only possbile by loading the slices into a sound or by using the shift options inside the sampling menu.
While I'm going to get the update (cheap, midi editing & bounce feature)... because of the minimal integration, my S61 MK2 kb isn't going anywhere no time soon. Nor is my Maschine Studio. Plus, my Jam still will function without a huge 'features lost' hit. Great honest breakdown.
I really don't understand why they keep trying to make the interface standalone. Like who in their right mind is recording professional songs in Maschines interface. Focus on bringing in fast and automated editing to the hardware. I'd love nothing more than to never look at the computer screen to make incredible beats. You said it best in the outro Jef... integrate better with DAWS! As tiny and limited Ableton Move is... it's actually become more of a daily driver for me. The "quick capture" on the Move is just incredible.
This is exactly what pisses me off? I mean reason rack works fine in plugin format why cant they do this in plugin format for friggin maschine! Thats literally the only update i wanted for 3.0
I needed to hear how inconvenient it is to use Maschine in Cubase as that would be how I used it most often. Every time I'm ready to pull the trigger on Maschine, I'm turned off by the most basic exclusions and inconveniences. This and KK3 have been quite disappointing. Thanks for an honest review! And ehh well for me. Maybe things will improve whenever they get around to an MK4.
Wishlist: Granular sampling directly in Maschine (not via Kontakt, but the ability to record live ala Tasty Chips GR-1, Waldorf Iridium, Max for Live, etc. Then I would use my Maschine much more.
Good review, Jeff. Considering purchase of Maschine mk3 but am concerned about limited integration with my S88 mk2 keyboard and, like you, am disappointed with lack of abilities/compatability with Cubase (my DAW). Since Machine 3 is very new I am "holding fire" on a purchase pending software uprgrdes to improve these things. The S88 mk3 was good when it first arrived but is now MUCH better with the firmware updates that followed soon therafter. Fingers crossed.....
As a now 10+ years maschine user, i am still baffled why I am using Sampling oriented Groovebox that still doesn't have a pinpong-loop mode ir something like a basic granular Engine. Even devices with a fraction of the power like the Polyend Tracker have this... and still no changes to automation & modulation...
Great video Jef! I agree, I would love Maschine to integrate with Cubase and Pro Tools. This seems like a regular update, not a 3 update. I Can't complain because the last update 2 was over a decade ago. Looks like a ui update with a couple new features. kind of meh. but i heard the upgrade is cheap so. i dont know. meh.
For sure, I do think the $30 is the right pricing for the small amount of features. Hopefully they can channel the funds and get more going on Maschine ASAP!
Can you please make a video to integrate Maschine mk3 with Logic Pro specifically to be able to use it as a midi controller with the control surface editor in Oder to back and forth from midi controller to Apple logic Instance Template? Is it Mackie control the best setting or is it something you MUST do one by one to learn assignments ?
I wonder how much new stuff is in Maschine central if you already have Komplete Ultimate. Sad it's not scalable. I don't know what is with NI and non scalable interfaces. You're my favorite music reviewer btw, because you do a great job talking about limitations too. And yeah, I wish Maschine integrated better with DAWs
Yeah, the scalability thing is annoying, as is the information they give on what you will actually get with any given expansion (which is what Maschine Central is, I think??). I find it quite confusing. They did a Factory Library upgrade before, but now it's presented as an expansion? This makes me concerned about fragmentation and navigability of the content.
My favorite part about this video is the "No Daw", they need to give us a option to get a "no daw mode" with Maschine, to be able to use it inside Cubase. Something like the Komplete Kontrol vst but for Maschine to not get that bored windows of Maschine DAW inside Cubse. So many people just want to use Maschine with the NKS for editing inside Logic Cubase etc...just to use the hardware to control virtual instruments and get the window of the vst on the second monitor while you editing. But I feel like NI don't care ^^
funny you say this. I started with Maschine in 2009 and at the demo in SF they featured how the pads would rec ord directly into a daw as far as midi. It worked great until the 2.0 update. I constantly called for NI to make a daw mode, so you could just tap the pads and record the midi. Even with templates this has never worked and now Mascine 1 is abandoned.
@@ronleak1968 Yep I hear that, they said Maschine 1 & 2 will not be compatible. Honestly, the maschine hardware can be a great game changer for producer if they start to implement things like we want. As you said there is many way to record the midi of your pads in your DAW, but doesn't work so much, and worst than that, when you go on "template" mode, you can not use the NKS anymore and all the other button are completely useless until you spend 10 000 hours to do your own template. They just need to make Maschine hardware compatible with the Komplete Kontrol VST (same button, same two screen, same controllers etc..) but they don't want to make that, they want to make you buy a komplete kontrol and then it will be fine 😂
I always strugggled with machine as it never was very useful with cuebase and I had to use the software when I wanted to use my saw only cuebase. I think they also should have made the screens touch screen which was a big opportunity missed.
I agree with making Maschine software more compatible with users Daw. Like quick exporting functions or routing functions. I'm FL gang but love using the maschine pads. I was hoping for advanced chord mode.
Poly, at the very least from their own existing hardware should have been a free upgrade to M2 and now there's a paid upgrade and it's still not there! I just... as someone who loves improvising ambient and likes what the Maschine hardware/software approach brings to the table, NI is doing their best to convince me to move to hardware synths instead of buying further upgrades. I appreciate your videos though Jef, they're always helpful, one of the few I trust to present things I'm interested in cleanly.
Always enjoy your videos Jeff. Sadly, judging from these latest Kontakt 8 and Maschine 3 releases, it seems to me that NI cares far more for its shareholders than it does for its users nowadays. I'd love to see some videos on Maschine and Kontakt alternatives. Cheers
I like Maschine for what it is, however I think I'd like it both ways...improve the integration with DAWS and make it its on stand alone DAW in the future...when I first started using Maschine, 3 years ago...I kind of had to leave my DAW for almost a year to get the workflow down and also figured out that it is very close to a DAW. I can do 90% of the things I need done in Macshine and export but I the DAW is still the last place songs touch before the final version. Seems like as of now, 11--08-24 the new Kontrol S series MK3 controllers have some sort of bugs or shortcomings. I hope they address these things fast. I have a S88 MK2 I want to upgrade but for now I might just hold off and see if updates help in the near future. Great video though, I always learn from your content, thanks Jeff!
To me, as the eternal music student, the stem separation would be mostly for analysing and transcribing. And then do my own take on the ideas. Recycling things already recorded isn't my thing. And it's a long way to go before we get true, glitch free, separation of the "other" instruments. Thank you for alleviating my GAS. My only reason to upgrade would be if they enabled the Maschine + to use third party Kontakt libraries natively without all the hassle. I use Maschine+, with a few external modules, as a sketch pad and a jam station. If I do serious in the box producing I prefer to use Logic. But different strokes for different folks. Thank you for sharing. ✌✌
haha keep abiding dude! and you reminded how silly it is that one can't start/stop the sequencer from the HW while is loaded into a DAW as a VST, wish NI would change that (along with myriad other things sigh)
It's just sad that Native Instruments has so much potential but they keep on getting the software wrong. Comments in this video (and in the community) are certainly a testament to that. Great video
Wanting the Keyboard Controller to have tons of features like the Mk3 & Maschine + (such as "Keyboard Mode") is asking them to kill the sales of those other hardware items.. they will keep certain things separate so they can maintain different lanes of sales.. & i think that Maschine doesn't go 100% all the way, but it is a DAW in the way Native Instruments will allow it to be. NI is never going to give up everything.. If we could get the Beans to act like Rice, then they could not still sell Bean & Rice as separate entities.. at the end of the day, they are still trying to get paid as much as they can
Thank you for this honest feedback. Personally, I would love Maschine to be more like a DAW. I also find it the most frictionless music platform on the planet, but I really need it to be easier to integrate audio tracks (vocals, guitar etc) in the arrangement. Your videos have helped me a lot to get more out Maschine, but at this point I am starting to lose faith in NI. I was particularly shocked by the removal of Maschine support in the the Mk3 keyboards and the “basic” integration NI have now added seems to confirm my suspicion that NI is slowly abandoning the platform. A real shame.
@ Tried that, but I just don’t like using a DAW while I am creating. For me a DAW is OK when the composition and recording are done, to do the mixing and mastering. While I am developing ideas for melodies, rhythms, chords I don’t want to use a computer. It just kills the flow bog time for me…
@@hvhvgitaar Fair enough, so is it that you want to be able to record pure audio tracks as part of that initial composition process via Maschine? I'm surprised the Audio module or perhaps the Sampler aren't suitable, but I suppose they're not exactly designed with that purpose in mind.
@ yeah that’s what i want to do. The Audio module kind of allows it, but it’s very clunky. It’s also impossible to multi-track record (vocals and guitar a the same time on different tracks), which is a real nuisance. I guess Maschine wasn’t really designed for that. I love the workflow but I think I need to move on at this point…
Hey Jef Why not implement step recording ( per note input ) at the very least I would be able to create some mad arps : or chord sequences : why not? such a simple tool ....... Cheers 🥂
Hey @jefgibbons , did anything improve for the VST version, ie Maschine 3 inside Cubase? Resizing I believe. Anything else? Nobody made a Maschine VST video and there is no demo software 😢
I appreciate your honest review. What a shame NI could've have made a serious upgrade with the software like they did over a decade ago with 2.0 I know many of us loyal users will be very disappointed with this. I definitely wont update until i see more features that make it a worthwhile paid update. Yeah its cheap but if you dont need pf use stem separation then its pointless. So many other features that have been requested and not added, at least yet
I with you Jeff. I don't need it to be a standalone DAW. The ability to use the Maschine plug-in within Logic without requiring me to step down to Rosetta mode to use all features and the ability to scale the windows plus not have pixelated graphics would be worth the $30 upgrade cost. This update is a big let down.
Respect earned for mentioning some 'complaints' instead of just making this an AD, honesty is appreciated.
11:58 yeah, all the extra mouse cursor pointers are broken, lol
13:45 you can toggle DrumKit Mode in the Group input via the Software.
Really!! I'll pin this, trust you to come to the rescue on that, you're the best D-One!
@@jefgibbons haha you're too kind Sir! If you ever have questions while filming, just shoot me a message.
@@D-One Really appreciate that!
Jeff you’re the coolest, wish NI made something better for you to present
Thanks for the review, I appreciate an honest evaluation of what's good and what's missing.
My judgement: The price is trivial, but this is a pretty weak update. I feel like NI has really been phoning it in for several years now and I'm disinclined to send them any more of my money.
Thank you for a very honest video review. I hope NI will take in these considerations in future updates.
Same here!
@@jefgibbons in 2035
@@HaveAnother775 That's a scary thought!
@@jefgibbons Sadly realistic. I don't know what the thinking is at NI at the moment. Its baffling, they certainly aren't focused on listening to their user base
Hopefully sooner than later! 🤞
You can hear The disappointment in your voice. And if you listen very carefully You can almost hear the celebrations at Akai.
@@wul01 bro I’m dead!! 😂😂😂
@ a bit like NI and their software then! 😂
It's just $30, it is almost a donation for what I call a decent upgrade
Hi Jeff, great video as usual. You do a great job my friend. Like most people I wish NI would understand that the end user wants better DAW integration. Seems like they are just ignoring us. My unit just sets on my desk basically as a dust collector because it just doesn’t work like I hoped it would. Considering selling it and look for something more user friendly and integrates into Cubase. I’m not wasting the $$ for this update.
I just wish they had finally included latency compensation. The lack of one holds back the software so much.
Agree
Big facts!!!
$30 for stem separation. $49 for more sounds… well, machine at one time you were King
That's cheap
@@tengoodquestions Not cheap. You get it as a free upgrade in Logic Pro. NI is just raking people.
@@tengoodquestionsyeah if you're talented is cheap. If you're a kid pretending to make music it's not worth it. If you're making music then upgrade is an easy YES
This is a pretty weak update. Cheap and weak. Still these cools sounds with an ugly UI.
Thanks for the great and honest review. Doesn’t look like NI decided to incorporate any of the features customers have been begging for…. Very disappointing
Right? They asked the community, we voted, they even categorized and prioritized our wishes and ideas on the NI forum and in the end they didn't implement any of it, instead we get stem separation 🤦🏾♂️
Apparently most of the few new features were community requests. But after 10 years I do think they could have done a lot more, there were a lot more really good ideas.
@@substance90 maybe part of the update to a new version...v3...might be to lay the foundation for some of those things to come in future updates, and maybe they just included a select few things for now that were easily implemented or something... just a guess as I am not tech savvy at all really. I've just recently gotten my Mikro Mk2 out that had been packed away for years, and doing some research on the new software...apparently I can't use this unless I get new hardware. Oh well, I'll use the version that I have for now and if I get to where I have learned it enough and use it enough to want something new later, I may look into new hardware then and a software update. I do know that Traktor got an update recently as well, and I believe stems was part of that, so maybe that is why it was included here, because the coding/development for stems in their DJ software allowed them to port it over easily and the work had been done already for Traktor...? Just a thought, not sure what all came in the new Traktor as I use Serato... cheers
@@isaiahfurrow7414 You don't need a midi Drum controller to use Mk3 software like you did with M2 down. They've finally added a few more Midi tools that always you to use your mouse now more efficiently for editing.
I have all versions 1, 2, & just bought Mk3 last night but I don't have an Mk3 controller as of yet. That pissed me off when I found out that they are making me buy my 4th Maschine Midi drum controller bkz they fazed out MK2 on down like tf dude smh.
To be honest I DO like the new MK3 Sequencer engine & Algorithm Bkz the first one MK1 was very organic & natural sounding. Then when they came with MK2 they change the sequencer to a more HEAVIER blocky DAW sound which made the sequencer very STIFF with little to no true natural "swing" like MK1 had. But Mk was also deficient of what MK2 boasted In appeal.
With MK3 It seems that they found a balance between both sonically as all DAW's have a particular sonic tone to it. So I do like how the over all SOUND of the demi DAW sounds bkz It's louder in a good way, stronger analog tone but cleaner
Thank God they finally went down on MK3 midi controller otherwise I wouldn't even be considering buying one. I pontificating on JUMPING SHIP wit Native Instruments & going AKAI MPC fro 2025 bkz you still can't really do nothing in Maschine!!
Everyone else has those GOOD, BEST standard feature's in their software. But N.I leaves way to much to be desired & after 15 years of loyalty I've finally reached my tipping point
I hope they, N.I goes totally out of business & Maschine plummets In sales & is remembered as an official failure as a piece of stable, reliable, useful music making software (semi) wannabe DAW
great video Jef, i totally agree with you on the integration with your daw. Cheers
extremely disappointed, at this point I have invested thousands of dollars into NI products, it's like they take us for granted... or suckers idk
If you paid for upgrades you failed. If you paid for the actual product and you couldn't used it you failed. If you paid for the products and for value out of it then you have nothing to complain about because you got what you paid for.
Cubase 14, Maschine 3. Sounds like a sports result! :)
Great review and honest opinions, brother!
Agree on DAW integration. Maschine workflow is fun, but I quickly hit a wall and wished I had started in Ableton right away. So that's what I do and Maschine is collecting dust.
Would love to use M+ for groovebox-, guitar, and vocal live looping, but no audio quantizing and Sampler time stretching.
After M+ started with a small Kontakt library and Raum, I thought Kontakt factory library 2 and Guitar Rig effects would come to M+ - how wrong I was 😢
Facts!!! When I hit a wall and have to transfer everything into a real DAW… Makes me wish I never started in Maschine in the first place
Appreciate your honest evaluation of the update. The update itself seems very weak, where it feels like NI has a skeleton crew working on the software just to keep the lights on. I have the new S49 keyboard and while I love it, I agree with you that more integration is needed with the software to improve workflow. Not being able to play a kit on the keyboard is just idiotic IMO. So... Thank you for being awesome and legit, "the dude" in showing us an honest review review Jeff! Really appreciate your videos! Happy New Year!!
Just here showing appreciation for everything you do Jef! Don’t let internet people get you down ❤ I’ve kinda fallen out of love with native instruments. My komplete kontrol mk2 has some rattling / loose keys and when I compare most of their sounds to something like omnisphere, there’s just no comparison
I just want maschine to integrate nicely within Logic.
& a standalone mk4 with many more ins and outs, including midi, 1/4inch and cv/gate
4 days older and wiser but always looking great Jef! Thanks for this videofrom Uk
Thanks for sharing this. As an aside, "flat design" is a movement in the user interface field. So, what it seemed you were improvising is literally spot on. Keep it up Jef!
Thanks Jef for a concise video of the pros/cons. I about fell out of my chair when I heard the screen size wasn’t resizable. It’s 2024 and many of us are on 4k monitors now and NI still doesn’t have resizable screens for Maschine and KK. I invested in Komplete Ultimate several years ago but find myself rarely using it just because I can’t adjust the view to be optimal. I also 100% agree that without better integration with a DAW it just feels like a toy. For the best mix down and mastering I really want to have all the tools I have in my DAW. They should really develop a better import to DAW function. But for $29 I may eventually upgrade. Just don’t feel the immediate need, but I’ll research further… Thanks again…
Even if you upgrade, you still won't be able to use it because the view is too small and very inconvenient.
Jef, Thanks so much for taking your time to making these videos. You don’t have to, so thanks.
Appreciate it Jim!
Well done again dear Jeff, I love your content so much Your ability to be precise and put the truth is really an object of admiration. Luckily I didn't purchase the new keyboard mk3 And so I still have the ability to control the machine, also from the keyboard for example the mixer and more.. After 11 years and still not having the ability to create a decent connection to logic pro x. The company's desire for exclusivity creates a lot of frustration and this is a bad sign of the desire for profit. Like you, I also like the creative way and the speed with which you can create, but I must say that in the end it is an inferior software that requires a lot of effort in the creation process, what a shame. You are an amazing person, thank you for all your good and unique giving and investment.
Great video Jef, I agree with you, it would be better to more fully integrate maschine with other DAWs.
No scalable UI and absence of improvements for DAW integration? That was so surprising to find out. I'm finding it really hard to upgrade from Maschine 2, even if the upgrade price is $29.
I do think the price is fair at least, I've seen much more money for much less in other program updates, so I'm glad about that! (integrated stem separation for $29 is pretty good alone)
I think the price is probably easily worth it for a lot of people but I also think many people would have preferred something twice the price with a really compelling set of improvements. The disappointment isn't so much the cost as just the small scope of changes after such a long time.
As far as I know, you could increase or decrease the tempo using the 4D encoder on the hardware.
Definitely, but not have actual tempo changes at specific points in the project.
I think Stem Separation might be a nice thing for me to have, but not for using in the way I think most others would use it. There’s a ton of tracks from my youth in the late 70s and early 80s that I’d love to put myself into the band. Removing their keyboardist and me playing along instead is something I dreamt of for decades, looks like my dream might finally come true
I saw the announcement of the new version 3 and I was very excited, after seeing the new version features, I am very disappointed. So much waiting for this?
Another great one Jef! Just an idea for a video - vocals sampling / chopping and creative uses of vocal chops in the tracks (following stems separation) in Maschine. Just tthrowing it out there... :)
Man 10 years for a priced upgrade that doesn't do much, has no pad mode, just barely touches visuals and adds stems separation. What a ripoff lmao.
For some the stem separation will be worth it, I'm just glad they didn't price it at $100 and force people to get the Maschine Central thing.
Is it out
@@XBASS247yes but not standalone support for Plus. 30 for 3.0, 50 for Central, or 70 for both in a bundle
It’s $30 dude! That’s nothing lol
@@mjissowrong$30 for what? Akai didn’t charge a dime. Stems was $10 and it sounds way better. Can’t stand you simps.
Thanks Jeff to
Be honest and straightforward about the lack of work from Ni .
So much stuff are missing! In this update that doesn’t deserve the name maschine 3 but a update version of the 2
Your earn my total respect Jeff
I’ve gotten the machine mk3 to work well with logic there are some workarounds but for the most part it’s really good I might make a video about it
I was expecting automation, midi fx, advanced sampler...this is not Maschine 3, this is just a proper update. Thanks anyway NI. Jef i appreciate your honesty, keep up the good work
Love your review and knowledge of NI software.
I have only had Maschine for four years now so this is nice. Apparently we can pin any plugin now!
What a weird update.
for 9 years of no updates, they could have added "MIDI to audio and keep the MIDI notes", "Audio to MIDI, and keep the audio", scalable view, "default to scenes mode / bypass ideas mode", snap to musical modes in MIDI, etc... Maybe there is just like one bro at NI doing all the development, and he's been doing other things for the past 8 years...
Thank you, Jeff. I was thinking about upgrading to this, but now I can save my money. You were trying your best to make this software sound good, but they just need to abandon it. It's so outdated it not even funny. I will just keep my Maschine 2, which works very well in Studio One 7.
Great demo, ask always 😊
Hey Jeff - another great honest video thanks. I love my Maschine but feel it is getting left behind, by others Electron / Abelton etc but…. I’m sticking with my Maschine ( and with you) cause I love it even with its short comings and have used it for jamming and starting ideas for years. Like u say at the end, the sample workflow and basic functionality is great. The update seems to not add much, Central isn’t for me.
Thanks again, hope you’re keeping well 👍
I'm eagerly awaiting your Cubase 14 review!
It's up! th-cam.com/video/cUmC_8a1qHo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=FKXASyLHP5i1gQdX
@@jefgibbons Shame on me! I'll check it out now, my friend.
Thanks I like NI quality sounds but as I’ve bought the Micro MK3 I’m gettting ready to selling it.
I'm impressed by your ability to not completely dismantle NI for this absolute joke of a full version update. The gall to call note split and merge features in 2024, they should be mentioned in the footnotes, and barely that. But I see the disappointment on your face. Sadly I think the Maschine is dead. Everything points to that and it's really sad because like you say there's nothing like it out there. I WISH there was an open source alternative with Linux compatibility because damn this hurts.
Thanks for the video. It's funny that my DJ software had stem separation for a few years now. I used it for live remixing.
the little keyboard button is for using qwerty keyboard to play notes etc, keep the videos coming, im tempted as its a cheap update, cool to use stems for dj edist to old songs etc, i might bite bullet but keep version 2 in case i want to go back to it, great video
Thanks for the video. You made good points + I want multitrack recording, and be able to record entire session automation, including mutes, volume changes etc. When I said this to music producers, they always said that the machine is not a daw. But who cares, it is a music making software. I should be able to record all my devices at the same time and record my jamming session and turn back and polish it after. We are in 2024 come on NI.
I appreciate the video. Very honest review. I also use Cubase, and it can be a pain to use with Maschine software. I saw some videos where a guy put Maschine in Cubase and gets a riff or something in Maschine and drags audio from Maschine into Cubase. That’s not too bad. But I usually just use Battery 4 because I can use expansions with it and less routing issues. Thanks for the info.
Great mk 3 update Jeff and yea lots of goodies missing especially on the new keys. I’ve got the S88mk2 and WONT be selling it.hopefully also we can get updates on the new keys regularly!! 😮 mixer etc
I can run easily in Studio One and can change the physical size from the corners . Hope you get Cubase sorted soon 🏴
Great Job 👏👏👏
As always Jef, thank you very much for the video and your thoughts.
There are some nice improvements, but overall is very underwhelming for mine.
A thing I would love to see in future updates is a function (no idea how) for comp recording, I love recording my bass guitar using the sampling function but it's kinda a pain comping the best takes and making a single sound/pattern with it.
Love your videos. I use Maschine and Akai MPC software inside of Reason 13 with no issues.
It’s actually an amazing combination with the Komplete Kontrol MK2 keyboard.
That's great to hear! Glad you have a nice workflow, I should try it!
It’s been that long??? dang how long has been since the MK2 came out… I still love the old software
Thanks Jef as you are my go to for all things NI, so thanks for the honest review. Ideas maybe for other videos maybe
1 - With the Maschine Jam (I still use Studio and Jam together) NI says with regards compatability "Maschine Jam is supported by Maschine 3 but without an update to the browser interface". Not sure whether that is a big limitation or not for using the Jam purely on it's own (and not teamed up with another NI controller)
2 - Comparison of vocal stem separation quality compared to the one in Cubase which I think is good. Seeing that vocal separation is the big one and is provided in Cubase Pro (and now many DAWS) as standard
3 - Review of Maschine Central content that's not ported in from other products that appear (or will appear) within Komplete.
Biggest disappointment for me is that there's no improvement to using Maschine within others DAWs (and the scalability of couirse) NI obvously think their user base hasn't moved on in the past 10 years in the way they use it. Surprising too it's still not possible to view the Mixer on a separate monitor.
Thank you. I share your concerns. I value your research,
Agreed on better DAW integration. They’re currently half-assing integration and making Maschine a DAW.
Maschine Full Daw that's the best update.
Nah that’s what we got daws for
@@tylerhill6706thank you for saying this. Maschine is a groove box software not a daw ! Lol
lol, but if so, the flaw is that they will still force you into "ideas mode" rather than let you build directly in the DAW timeline...
Thanks, Jef. I appreciate you.
...So far, I wouldn't take Maschine 3 unless they paid me to.
Back to back to back Jeff I'm sure you having a ball 🎉😂
Meh... it was a long weekend! First time I've ever done back to back vids, I don't think it will go well, TH-cam doesn't reward such behaviour!
I just got back from Thailand and am completely broke . I might just buy the upgrade for the aesthetic change … but wow , this really isn’t much ! I’m faithful when they do the update to the plus they will give us more features .
Thanks Jeff, appreciate the info!
Thank you .I do not have a machine yet . There is a new version of Cubase .I wonder if machine integration will be simplified .One new feature of Cubase is for projects from other DAW's to be imported to Cubase .What if native instruments made a DAW would smoothly integrate all their hardware ? Opening a project from the machine DAW in Cubase ?
It feels like they have made this update in the last 6 months with one programmer for 2 hours a week. I mean the stem separation was already programmed sadly nothing really special here
we need a feature to switch banks inside pad mode, so that I can access my samples that I load into a group with more than 16 slices faster.
Right now this is only possbile by loading the slices into a sound or by using the shift options inside the sampling menu.
While I'm going to get the update (cheap, midi editing & bounce feature)... because of the minimal integration, my S61 MK2 kb isn't going anywhere no time soon. Nor is my Maschine Studio. Plus, my Jam still will function without a huge 'features lost' hit. Great honest breakdown.
I really don't understand why they keep trying to make the interface standalone. Like who in their right mind is recording professional songs in Maschines interface. Focus on bringing in fast and automated editing to the hardware. I'd love nothing more than to never look at the computer screen to make incredible beats. You said it best in the outro Jef... integrate better with DAWS! As tiny and limited Ableton Move is... it's actually become more of a daily driver for me. The "quick capture" on the Move is just incredible.
This is exactly what pisses me off? I mean reason rack works fine in plugin format why cant they do this in plugin format for friggin maschine! Thats literally the only update i wanted for 3.0
The full integration with the mk3 keyboard
I needed to hear how inconvenient it is to use Maschine in Cubase as that would be how I used it most often. Every time I'm ready to pull the trigger on Maschine, I'm turned off by the most basic exclusions and inconveniences. This and KK3 have been quite disappointing.
Thanks for an honest review! And ehh well for me. Maybe things will improve whenever they get around to an MK4.
Yeah just wait. You'll figure it out in a few years
Wishlist: Granular sampling directly in Maschine (not via Kontakt, but the ability to record live ala Tasty Chips GR-1, Waldorf Iridium, Max for Live, etc. Then I would use my Maschine much more.
Great vox and lyrics Dan!
Solid words, solid video! 🤘
JEFF YOU ROCK! GREETZ FROM AMSTERDAM
Good review, Jeff. Considering purchase of Maschine mk3 but am concerned about limited integration with my S88 mk2 keyboard and, like you, am disappointed with lack of abilities/compatability with Cubase (my DAW). Since Machine 3 is very new I am "holding fire" on a purchase pending software uprgrdes to improve these things. The S88 mk3 was good when it first arrived but is now MUCH better with the firmware updates that followed soon therafter. Fingers crossed.....
Great review, pretty so so product.
Feels like it's very unfinished still! Thx for the review Jeff!
Most welcome!
I agree about the look, and with C14. We’ve got crazy GPUs and CPU and they want the darkest, most minimal, GPU light interface possible
As a now 10+ years maschine user, i am still baffled why I am using Sampling oriented Groovebox that still doesn't have a pinpong-loop mode ir something like a basic granular Engine. Even devices with a fraction of the power like the Polyend Tracker have this... and still no changes to automation & modulation...
Great video Jef! I agree, I would love Maschine to integrate with Cubase and Pro Tools. This seems like a regular update, not a 3 update. I Can't complain because the last update 2 was over a decade ago. Looks like a ui update with a couple new features. kind of meh. but i heard the upgrade is cheap so. i dont know. meh.
Must say, that you can actually decide on what update you want to do is really appreciated by NI, just bought the 30$ update for stem, worth it
For sure, I do think the $30 is the right pricing for the small amount of features. Hopefully they can channel the funds and get more going on Maschine ASAP!
Can you please make a video to integrate Maschine mk3 with Logic Pro specifically to be able to use it as a midi controller with the control surface editor in Oder to back and forth from midi controller to Apple logic Instance Template? Is it Mackie control the best setting or is it something you MUST do one by one to learn assignments ?
I wonder how much new stuff is in Maschine central if you already have Komplete Ultimate. Sad it's not scalable. I don't know what is with NI and non scalable interfaces. You're my favorite music reviewer btw, because you do a great job talking about limitations too. And yeah, I wish Maschine integrated better with DAWs
Yeah, the scalability thing is annoying, as is the information they give on what you will actually get with any given expansion (which is what Maschine Central is, I think??). I find it quite confusing. They did a Factory Library upgrade before, but now it's presented as an expansion? This makes me concerned about fragmentation and navigability of the content.
💯 on DAW integration that's why it mostly collects dust now a days 🤷🏽♂
My favorite part about this video is the "No Daw", they need to give us a option to get a "no daw mode" with Maschine, to be able to use it inside Cubase. Something like the Komplete Kontrol vst but for Maschine to not get that bored windows of Maschine DAW inside Cubse. So many people just want to use Maschine with the NKS for editing inside Logic Cubase etc...just to use the hardware to control virtual instruments and get the window of the vst on the second monitor while you editing. But I feel like NI don't care ^^
funny you say this. I started with Maschine in 2009 and at the demo in SF they featured how the pads would rec ord directly into a daw as far as midi. It worked great until the 2.0 update. I constantly called for NI to make a daw mode, so you could just tap the pads and record the midi. Even with templates this has never worked and now Mascine 1 is abandoned.
@@ronleak1968 Yep I hear that, they said Maschine 1 & 2 will not be compatible. Honestly, the maschine hardware can be a great game changer for producer if they start to implement things like we want. As you said there is many way to record the midi of your pads in your DAW, but doesn't work so much, and worst than that, when you go on "template" mode, you can not use the NKS anymore and all the other button are completely useless until you spend 10 000 hours to do your own template. They just need to make Maschine hardware compatible with the Komplete Kontrol VST (same button, same two screen, same controllers etc..) but they don't want to make that, they want to make you buy a komplete kontrol and then it will be fine 😂
I always strugggled with machine as it never was very useful with cuebase and I had to use the software when I wanted to use my saw only cuebase. I think they also should have made the screens touch screen which was a big opportunity missed.
I agree with making Maschine software more compatible with users Daw. Like quick exporting functions or routing functions. I'm FL gang but love using the maschine pads. I was hoping for advanced chord mode.
Poly, at the very least from their own existing hardware should have been a free upgrade to M2 and now there's a paid upgrade and it's still not there! I just... as someone who loves improvising ambient and likes what the Maschine hardware/software approach brings to the table, NI is doing their best to convince me to move to hardware synths instead of buying further upgrades. I appreciate your videos though Jef, they're always helpful, one of the few I trust to present things I'm interested in cleanly.
Appreciate it!
Always enjoy your videos Jeff. Sadly, judging from these latest Kontakt 8 and Maschine 3 releases, it seems to me that NI cares far more for its shareholders than it does for its users nowadays. I'd love to see some videos on Maschine and Kontakt alternatives. Cheers
I like Maschine for what it is, however I think I'd like it both ways...improve the integration with DAWS and make it its on stand alone DAW in the future...when I first started using Maschine, 3 years ago...I kind of had to leave my DAW for almost a year to get the workflow down and also figured out that it is very close to a DAW. I can do 90% of the things I need done in Macshine and export but I the DAW is still the last place songs touch before the final version. Seems like as of now, 11--08-24 the new Kontrol S series MK3 controllers have some sort of bugs or shortcomings. I hope they address these things fast. I have a S88 MK2 I want to upgrade but for now I might just hold off and see if updates help in the near future. Great video though, I always learn from your content, thanks Jeff!
You can use maschine in FL as a plug-in
To me, as the eternal music student,
the stem separation would be mostly for
analysing and transcribing.
And then do my own take on the ideas.
Recycling things already recorded isn't my thing.
And it's a long way to go before we get
true, glitch free, separation of the "other" instruments.
Thank you for alleviating my GAS.
My only reason to upgrade
would be if they enabled the Maschine + to use
third party Kontakt libraries natively
without all the hassle.
I use Maschine+, with a few external modules,
as a sketch pad and a jam station.
If I do serious in the box producing
I prefer to use Logic.
But different strokes for different folks.
Thank you for sharing.
✌✌
haha keep abiding dude! and you reminded how silly it is that one can't start/stop the sequencer from the HW while is loaded into a DAW as a VST, wish NI would change that (along with myriad other things sigh)
oh this dude abides... always! ;)
Jef, does maschine 3 work with the MK2 keyboard?
Yes
It's just sad that Native Instruments has so much potential but they keep on getting the software wrong. Comments in this video (and in the community) are certainly a testament to that. Great video
Back to the old Jef… 😂 I feel your frustration.
Wanting the Keyboard Controller to have tons of features like the Mk3 & Maschine + (such as "Keyboard Mode") is asking them to kill the sales of those other hardware items.. they will keep certain things separate so they can maintain different lanes of sales.. & i think that Maschine doesn't go 100% all the way, but it is a DAW in the way Native Instruments will allow it to be. NI is never going to give up everything.. If we could get the Beans to act like Rice, then they could not still sell Bean & Rice as separate entities.. at the end of the day, they are still trying to get paid as much as they can
Thank you for this honest feedback. Personally, I would love Maschine to be more like a DAW. I also find it the most frictionless music platform on the planet, but I really need it to be easier to integrate audio tracks (vocals, guitar etc) in the arrangement. Your videos have helped me a lot to get more out Maschine, but at this point I am starting to lose faith in NI. I was particularly shocked by the removal of Maschine support in the the Mk3 keyboards and the “basic” integration NI have now added seems to confirm my suspicion that NI is slowly abandoning the platform. A real shame.
Your use case sounds like it calls for using Maschine as a plug in inside an proper DAW to get the best of both worlds.
@ Tried that, but I just don’t like using a DAW while I am creating. For me a DAW is OK when the composition and recording are done, to do the mixing and mastering. While I am developing ideas for melodies, rhythms, chords I don’t want to use a computer. It just kills the flow bog time for me…
@@hvhvgitaar Fair enough, so is it that you want to be able to record pure audio tracks as part of that initial composition process via Maschine? I'm surprised the Audio module or perhaps the Sampler aren't suitable, but I suppose they're not exactly designed with that purpose in mind.
@ yeah that’s what i want to do. The Audio module kind of allows it, but it’s very clunky. It’s also impossible to multi-track record (vocals and guitar a the same time on different tracks), which is a real nuisance. I guess Maschine wasn’t really designed for that. I love the workflow but I think I need to move on at this point…
Hey Jef
Why not implement step recording ( per note input ) at the very least I would be able to
create some mad arps : or chord sequences : why not?
such a simple tool .......
Cheers 🥂
Hey @jefgibbons , did anything improve for the VST version, ie Maschine 3 inside Cubase?
Resizing I believe. Anything else?
Nobody made a Maschine VST video and there is no demo software 😢
Thanks Jef. Plenty of DAWs. I'd rather have integration with those DAWS though using Maschine without jumping through a lot of hoops.
I appreciate your honest review. What a shame NI could've have made a serious upgrade with the software like they did over a decade ago with 2.0 I know many of us loyal users will be very disappointed with this. I definitely wont update until i see more features that make it a worthwhile paid update. Yeah its cheap but if you dont need pf use stem separation then its pointless. So many other features that have been requested and not added, at least yet
I with you Jeff. I don't need it to be a standalone DAW. The ability to use the Maschine plug-in within Logic without requiring me to step down to Rosetta mode to use all features and the ability to scale the windows plus not have pixelated graphics would be worth the $30 upgrade cost. This update is a big let down.
Nice video Dude
Jo Jef! We need more Cowbell and Adidas! LOL!