Review: MPC STUDIO MK2 // vs Maschine Mikro MK3 // Tutorial
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ค. 2024
- A CORRECTION TO THE VIDEO: You can slice samples with the Maschine Mikro MK3 hardware since firmware update 2.8
Get the ideas, tips and insights from this video and all my others in my ever-expanding book of electronic music ideas, tips and tricks here:
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Check prices - may not be in stock on launch day... (affiliate links):
► Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/kjW1kL
► Perfect Circuit: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
► Thomann: www.thomann.de/gb/akai_profes...
► Amazon: amzn.to/3EvWaXQ
Check Maschine MK3 Mikro prices (affiliate links)
► Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/kjWP6N
► Perfect Circuit: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
► Thomann: www.thomann.de/gb/native_inst...
► Amazon: www.thomann.de/gb/native_inst...
TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:10 Overview
2:40 MIDI IO
3:15 Workflow
4:05 Pad modes
7:00 Touch strip
8:05 Q-link controls
9:20 Touch FX
9:50 Note repeat
10:10 Buttons!
12:25 MPC software
13:20 Project scope
14:30 Audio tracks
14:50 MIDI tracks
15:10 Drums
15:30 Keygroups
16:10 Plugins
17:20 MIDI gear
17:40 Clip tracks
19:35 vs Mikro MK3
23:05 Pros & cons
25:15 Outro
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NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.
CORRECTION TO THE VIDEO: You can slice samples with the Maschine Mikro MK3 hardware since firmware update 2.8
Your ability to quickly understand all these very different systems in such a comprehensive way way blows my mind
I think he's kind of gifted in that way...... It's not easy. One of the best producers on YT.
Yes he really is amazing at it.
@@damelos4039 It's really not that hard really. And these devices all tend to work in pretty much the same way. Especially whenever it is literally using the same software. The hard part is making some halfway decent music to put these devices to the test.
It's awesome! Everytime I get a new piece of gear for the studio I rather play around hours to figure out how it works, instead of just RTFM...... :-))
Sat in my van with a fresh coffee waiting to get into a job...
There could not be a better way to wait around watching your latest vid....
BRILLIANT DEMO! Once again your sonic lessons on gear, techniques, theory, technology, are top notch. Keep up the great work! Cheers!
Thanks once again! Your reviews are just without any competition. Just great!
AKAI: Deck this out with some inputs and puts and turn it into a new MPC 500! The market is dying for this!
Touch strip for pad level is a really nice addition for speeding up an already nice workflow. I have a ONE, but if I ever felt like using a computer as my primary music making device, I'd definitely consider this little guy.
It's nice, I have a Maschine Mikro and I've made a small deck to use it over my laptop keyboard, it's cheap (Mikro can be found used for ~150) and portable.
Best of the best review hands down. Thanks, helped me alot in taking a buying decision.
Excellent Demo! Thank you Loopop! Amazing groovebox/controller and software, considering the price.
Top notch review. You're really good at this.
Fantastic walkthrough/review/tutorial. Much appreciated.
mpc one is still $1200 in canada, I had a touch screen monitor lying around so I hooked it up and bought an mpc studio mk2, now i have. a custom made mpc touch with a huge screen, waiting for the mpc studio to arrive, hope i made the right decision
Excellent video! I need something to replace my archaic MPK Mini MK2 and I think this will definitely do the job.
"No need to buy a midi chord pack for this" 😁
But Unison has PRO LEVEL CHORDS!
No need to buy MIDI chord packs.....EVER! 😄
@@ThizOne but if I had this 20 years ago I'd probably be a billionair
Made my day 🤣👍
@@maikhock2847 yeah, it’s too bad originality and putting work into stuff doesn’t make money/isn’t a thing people appreciate anymore
This video was very informative!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!!💯
i will never understand why u actually need big screen or what ever when u actually have a pc or mac right next to the controller with a big screen.
I think that, although Maschine as a DAW has many flaws and lacks many essential functions of "classic DAWS" like Cubase, Pro Tools, logic, Ableton.... it is still way more powerful in many areas like song building, external plugs and hardware instruments integration, NKS stuff helps too... so I would say that NI software has been tested and improved for a long time (I remember how bad it was when I got Maschine MK1 comparing to what it is now, and that's like 10 years almost). I do love MPC workflow, but overall MPC software is way better. I was asking for so many things they ended up updating and implementing, like clips for example, it was a nightmare creating a pattern every time you want a slight difference in clip content.
Now, It also seems to me that Maschine as software is better optimised and uses less CPU and RAM than it used to - I can run many instances of it within Cubase and still have no problem at all.
Mpc sounds and grooves better
I have an older laptop, 7th Gen i7 with 12g’s of Ram and although rather large in size.., a standard HD. Will the MPC software choke my system? I currently run Studio One 5 and several other DAW’s on it (along with a slew of VST’s). I had the MPC Beats software a while back (it was a special bundle addition I got with hardware), but I found it to be extremely CPU heavy. Is that the same issue with this new controller and software?
I think akai studio wins at every stage. It's easy to use and has everything you need
Always look forward to your reviews man! Not quite my workflow, however, interesting. When will you be getting hold of a Dreadbox Nymphes for review? 🙏
Thanks! Hopefully soon...
Great review and instruction how to use this great little device - Thanks a lot!!!!!!! :-)
Thx loopop. I've been relying on your videos rather than manual diving. Saved so much time! Quick question, how do I change the hi-hat to a pad different from the sample pack default?
Great video, I like it.
Can i hook this up to my MPC live as a MIDI controller?
Does the MPC Studio mk II have the multi-midi functionality (like its bigger brothers One, Live and X)?
do you know if it's possible to use this controller with another daw, or better yet, with an ipad with say beatmaker3? I really like the pads and controls, but wasn't sure if it would have any kind of midi learn for my ipad. thank you for the sweet content!
Nice review. The MPC Desktop software has the ability to display the simplified screens (as would be seen on One/Live) on the MPC Touch. It would be nice if this could be turned on with a secondary external screen located close/in-front of the MPC Studio mk2. Anyone know how to enable this??
Seems that it is possible. Using a 2nd monitor on a USB dock, I was able to use 'CRU Utility' to change product ID of external monitor to "THI1211" and then (after a reboot) the MPC Desktop rendered the MPC like screen to the 2nd monitor. Still needs the Touch connected, so wondering whether this would work with the Studio Mk2.
Can you use it to control the live or one in standalone. That touch strip might be worth it
Can it connect to and be used to control akai force ? Seems bigger pads along side would be nice thx.
Hello @loopop : do you know if MPC STUDIO MK2 sends note repeat on the MID out ? Thanks !
Hello . I wonder if is possible to use this new MPC studio 2 as just a Pad controller for Hardware drum machines Only with no pc connected. Can it work just like a midi device in Dawless environment, or it is just a waste ????
Everyone misses this comparison between Maschine and MPC, Maschine is a one time signature DAW. You literally cannot use more than one time signature in its song arrangement. This alone, for those of us not married to four on the floor, makes the MPC Studio miles better. In fact I sold my MPC Live because the workflow to change time signatures in the MPC is better in the software than the hardware. So the MPC Studio is a better fit, plus I often use the MPC software in VSTi in a DAW.
Can chords be strummed using the touch strip??
What about the (step sequencer) in the MPC Studio and software 2.0, what can it do (or not do; ex., probability per step?).... Can you tell us more about this aspect of the MPC Studio and software. FYI, thanks for all your amazing videos, loving it ! Peace
Can this be used as a MIDI controller for a DAW like Logic or ProTools.
I’d like to control my VI’s like Battery, Kontakt, or Maschine. I’m not really interested in the Akai software
You will only have basic midi controller functionality. The best way to get what you want is to run the mpc software as a VST inside your daw of choice, which you can do and get all the functionality as shown here.
Mpc owner and just bought this. I would say if you use maschine already there's no need to switch. Stay with what you know. Maschine's workflow didn't really work for me but mpc and beats software did. Whatever it takes to get your creative juices flowing!
Thank God someone with actual brain. I don't understand why people keep complaining about every single product, just get what works best for you. Enjoy your beats 🎶
Nice, can you use this machine like a step sequencer for example beatstep pro, for external drum machine via midi ? Thank you
Idk but it sounds like they are making mrk 2 versions of all the mpcs so I will wait for the standalone mrks 2 version of the mpc
can this control a standalone mpc or akai force via usb
So we will likely be getting an MPCX mk2 with 4 touch strips then? :)
Does anyone know how recording vocals is in either of these softwares, I am looking at both of these plus the Akai Fire with FL studio and I know I can do vocals in FL studio but I can't find anyone talking about recording vocals in these two programs. I like I like the hardware side of the studio and the mikro better than the fire but I need software that I can lay down vocal tracks in. Right now I am using Akia Force and Roland mc 101 for making beats but want to get back into a daw and would like to get a hardware/software combo for $300 or so which puts ableton and the push a little out of my price range right now.
could this controller be an addition to the MPC LIVE that doesn't have all the buttons id like to have and this covers....but without the computer, or does it HAVE to have the computer plugged in.... I own the LIVE and need more button functions like on my previous MPCs, instead of buying ONE or a X! all I would need is this but I have the LIVE (1) in standalone (no computer)...if this connected to MPC would be great solution👌🏽🤷🏽♂️
Does this have Ableton Control Mode as well? Haven't found any info on it.
9:19 Loopop Future Garage Burial style 😎 yes
Hi! I enjoy your videos and learn from them. As a newbie, a lot of it is over my head. Is the table of contents to your book posted anywhere so I can get an idea of whether I would understand it.
Thanks! It’s not posted but I flip through it at the end of the video. Anyway, you can join patreon and leave before the end of the month and pay nothing
Do you prefer pads on the right or left side of the controller?
I prefer mine on the right
Stp sequencer is only 4BARS ? I have 8 bars loop but the stp sequencer is operative only for 4bars
Does this work on Big Surr, I have intel not M1 2017 macbook book pro
Is it usable also as an midi controller (programmable) ? Like for ableton or ios ? Or is it still binded to the software to use it as an midi controller.
yes but I didn't test it extensively...
@@loopop if you test it is it programmable and can it used seamlessly in daw or ios ? Or is it programmable directly on the moc like on the mpd ?
On the mpc is allways one or more things that is missing in comparisson to the other model 😅 not one is really "perfect"
@@kombad it’s not programmable in the device itself but it is in the MPC software and that seems to live on when the software is off but like I mentioned I didn’t test throughly yet
@@loopop np 😁 im just throwing some questions in which im asking always when akai brings an non standalone controller out. I like the mpc products but i dont want to be binded in the mpc eco system. The controller would be niice if it had integration for daw‘s (like ableton) and if the plugin had multiple vst instance mode. I had the old mpc srudio and was dissapointed that it didnt had a good midi controller mode. They have allready on the bigger hardware ableton controller support. But what i know in the mpc one not and now on the new mpc studio also not :(
I mean as it is its a great product but for daw power user probably not.
This is super interesting. How is the DAW for drawing envelopes? Are there fleible curves and automation? I like to program filter sweeps and such, and this really looks like a fun and intuitive way to add a hardware vibe to a DAW setup.
yes you can use the touch strip to play in automation
@@loopop Oh mb I more meant can you draw in a filter sweep or automate a knob turning is all :D
Can u use it to control the mpc one or live in stand alone
So which one is better ? New Akai or maschine ?
Warning, First, pad shortcuts on this device are completely different than EVERY other MPC hardware device. If you are coming from another MPC device, or if you move from this starter device to one of the other MPC products, you will have to relearn both button layout and pad shortcuts. This defeatws one of the strongest pros to having hardware, muscle memory. Second, software updates from Akai are agonizingly slow. More than a year since M1 chips came out as an example. Thanks Loopop.
@Nathaniel Walker The warping features on standalones are really abysmal. I stopped using it at all. I actually think of selling my One and buying this. I’m always at the computer anyway.
@@LukezyM i have maschine mk3 and MPC studio mk2. In terms of features and functionality MK3 wins by a big margin. But i find myself making much cooler beats very fast on MPC i don't know if its the plug ins and drums of MPC that inspire me but i love this thing. The only thing i hate is that sometimes the workflow is interrupted by a mouse for example i can't turn on/off loop or increase sequence length on MPC studio, i can't choose filters when browsing, Step sequence shows 1 bar only to go to the next bar you have to use the mouse, Qlink via touch strip takes time to get used to it, also the FX can't be recorded as far as I know it's only for live performance. Minor gripes but overall its very damn good for the price.
Firmware 2.10.1 has touch fader on the touchscreen for the MPC One
Just picked up a maschine mk3 used for about £30 more than this retails new, and you can get the maschine studio for LESS than the MPC studio 2 retails for. With all the benefits the screens on maschine offer (well, not the mikro) and for how cheap you can get the hardware if you are willing to buy used, its a difficult sell for akai, at least in my opinion. However, i guess if you want to use the MPC ecosystem, this is the cheapest way of entering it.
Akai could make the studio 2 a very appealing choice however by building a mobile app to use the displaylink protocol and connect to the MPC software, giving the user the same interface as on the live and one, but on a mobile touchscreen as an optional extra to go along with the studio 2.
That's a crazy good price on the mk3
Someone got to pay for it new! All these devices on the market were bought new so this argument is not relevant. Used market is completely different from New Market. New's money goes to companies/Used money goes to normal people. Newly released devices are not likely to be found cheap used.
I bought MPC studio mk2 for 200$ brand new and 320$ for a used Maschine Mk3. They are both good but MK3 is 700$ brand new. The used market is big but the brand new is waaaaaaaay bigger. Not every used device is for sale but every new one is.
P. S. I don't think akai is even worried about studio sales because its already dominating the market for 30+ years. They sell ton of other products not only MPCs and MPKs, also MPC studio users will likely to think of getting real MPC in the future. I agree on the second part it should work with mobile and other software.
Are the pads on the studio, larger than the One's pads?
Yes, the look to be the same as on Live & X.
Can you use the MPC Live as a controller in the exact same way as you would use this MPC Studio on the MPC software on computer?
Yeah with better and easier intergration
@@KonWickGaming yep
Love the video! Q; what about the integration w/ MPC One ? Can it be used in the setup [ MPC One + computer running MPC software ] ? Will the MPC One ‘follow’ everything you do on the studio? And can the MPC Studio be used to control MPC One without computer, vice versa, do they ‘follow’ eachother?
Thanks! I don't think there's an integration - you'll likely be able to use MPC studio as a "dumb" MIDI controller for One but to my knowledge they don't sync in the sense that everything work in parallel with the software and each other
Great video, the software control work with Android tablet?
Are you sure the maschine mikro can not chop samples without using keyboard and mouse? I read this online:
> Another useful feature in the Maschine 2.8 update is the ability to adjust your start and end points for audio samples directly from the Maschine Mikro MK3. This was one of my gripes with the MK3 initially, I thought at least there should be a way to quickly adjust the start and end of your samples. Now that you can do this, it is possible to actually use the manual sample chopping method to chop up your audio directly from the Mikro MK3.
Would be great if you could confirm because I am thinking of getting it but it is not very useful to me without proper chopping functionality.
Can I sample stuff from TH-cam or Spotify with the MPC Studio MK2 ?
“Gives you hardware access to features of the MPC software”
Would those features work within other DAWS like Logic? Or strictly MPC software?
you can use it as a MIDI controller, but really the integration with the MPC software is the main thing that's interesting here
@@loopop but do things like note repeat or 16 velocities work without the MPC software? Chords and stuff I guess is just with the MPC software?
@@Aktenordner right you need the MPC software for those things, but you can use it as a plugin in your daw
Waiting for the MPC Key 61
Can you use this with other midi instruments, for example NI Kontakt?
It works as a MIDI controller
Are you going to do review for Sequential Take 5? I’m waiting for your review, because I couldn’t find anything serious about it, except Sweetwater. All other reviews are some kids, holding one key and listing presets and they don’t touch even filter. You have no idea how much I’m waiting for your review about Take 5. Partially because of you I’ve bought MODX, Wavestate and Jupiter XM.
Thanks! No short term plans unfortunately
I always felt that the MPC live 2 where missing buttons (mainly arrow keys, function keys, and the 5 locator buttons). Please tell me that this controller works with live 2. That would be awesome.
Yea that will work with mpc stand-alone as they share the same software inside..(corresponding to the same cc’s)..
it’s just as connecting mpk 😉
will you actually buy that just for adding couple of buttons?
I feel you but,for real?
@@omerliberman2028 yes really. I have an element, force, apc mini, and a live 2. Last thing i need is more pads. But the MPC live 2 lacks proper button arrangement for my workflow. In fact, if they came out with a slim down button/remote MIDI controller (no pads just usb bus powered) that I can plug and play, my live 2 workflow will be complete.😇
Very good video. I do think Maschine software is a lot better. Missing the Maschine JAM, Sad NI stopped making the JAM.
is there a way to connect the mpc studio mk2 to a mpc one as a slave?
Thanks!
NOW CAN WE GET A GUI MAKEOVER
ITS SOFTWARE IS BLURRY
@@vjfxtheory thought I was the only one thanks for your input
Posted this on Marlow's channel vid-- huge step down from MPC Studio, the original (black version). Tiny screen, and only one encoder (4 q-link knobs aren't enough-- 1 is ridiculous). The NI Mikro MK3 model is not something designers should be following. We need more knobs, not less. Bigger screen, not smaller. Another thnig-- 6:24 MIDI CTRL mode--- did they (predictably) make that main encoder (and the transport!) not assignable? But most of the other buttons and the touchstrip is assignable? Would be great to have that encoder and its push-button assignable... as well as transport.
That's basically an MPC Touch
@@loopop Absolutely agree. I just don't feel this was a good design choice. Same with NI and the Mikro MK3. There are better ways to make a smaller-screen/smaller-form factor midi controller/drum pad... this ain't really it! :)
@@loopop And of course, the MPC Touch is no longer in production, just like the original MPC Studio.
Have you tried adjusting the pad sensitivity? Gabe Miller's video on this showed him making the pads more sensitive.
Yes I did - I put them on the most sensitive setting - haven’t seen his but apparently we feel the same ;) still, it’s not unusable by any means
@@loopop I noticed when you play the chords at 4:57 the attack as you go from one chord to another doesn't sound human. Can adjustments be made to humanize it?
I'd maybe use my MPC Studio if Akai ever answered an email!!
Does this work as a basic MIDI controller without using the MPC Software
yes but I didn't test it extensively...
I would love to see how it works with Logic
Do you know if it can be used with Ableton by itself, without the MPC plugin, as a MIDI controller?
yes it can
Could you please in detail explain how? I’ve tried the mode + 11 pad but pads fire off in random order. Can you specifically tell us how to setup to use with drum rack in ableton please!
"No need to buy a chord pack for this ;)"
Tantacrul watcher detected 😊
Another competitor and/or comparable to the MPC Studio in my view also should include the Novation Launchpad series (X, Pro ...); don’t you think?
Sure for certain things, but not for a complete production workflow (even both Mikro and MPC Studio don't do everything though)
@@loopop Thanks for your response, I truly appreciate it! This said, and with all due respect, I am not sure that I understand the meaning of your response. Could you clarify or elaborate a little more!?
Ha aside from the typo which I fixed … only MPC touch or other MPCs / Maschine MK3 let you finish a track without touching the computer. Maschine Mikro and MPC Studio get you far but not all the way, and launchpads do even less from a “start to finish” production workflow perspective
@@loopop I get your point now. Thanks for the super prompt response! All the best, J
Bring back the touch. As a maschine user I’d still get this if it was more like the touch with the screen.
Does the MPC software run natively on M1 Macs?
Oh, their FAQ says: ", all Akai Pro software and hardware will additional testing, separate from Big Sur qualification. At this time, all Akai Pro hardware and software should be considered for use with these new M1 processors. Please look for additional announcements to be released here for M1 compatibility once testing is completed. "
I owned the MPC Touch. I vowed to never but anything by Akai again.
So you add a screen and q links and you got a live 3
Oh gawd, now I'm going to want a new MPC.
Before I begin to watch, is this standalone??
Not standalone
@@poppybrosjunior Ahh, so it's like the Studio black was then, just a controller for the MPC software. I sent mine back after a week, next to my MPC2000xl the timing sounded awful, especially the swing.
I've heard the MPC One standalone though, that thing is rock solid.
Nice review, as always. But WOW, did Akai send an MPC Studio 2 to EVERYONE that has ever touched an MPC on TH-cam?
Thanks and indeed to quite a few… for relatively inexpensive products I would I do the same if I was them…
I didn’t get one
Great video as always.
QQ, Do you sell T-shirts? I would love to rep this channel with a cool T-shirt
Thanks! Not yet but cool merch on the way :)
This connects to my MPC one this mini one
Did he say that Maschine only lets you chop samples with the mouse on the screen? I have the Maschine Mikro and I never use the mouse to chop samples, do everything straight from the controller, always have done.
You're right! I added a correction to the description. Slicing samples with the hardware wasn't possible when I had originally reviewed the MK3, but it is since version 2.8
@@loopop I was just confused, thought I'd missed something. Thanks for the reply and clarification.
anyone have any idea what the price for this is gonna be?
price check links in the description - I think they're going for $269
When does he compare it to the MPC One?
throughout the video in a few cases
i used the mk1 mikro for ages until ni killed it with the service center replacement. all the stuff is active, but i cant activate it in maschine because it says "activate on service center". the price on the mpc is nice.
Is it worth as a MIDI controller?
They can not beat maschine in this. They should stick to standalone. Despite all the glitches loving the Akai Force. Mpc live 2 is also awesome.
I don’t think they’re tryna beat maschine on this. It’s like if maschine was trying to beat the mpc with their standalone.. not the goal. It’s an option for people who prefer the workflow
@Nathaniel Walker sure, if they actually do release all this. It sounds like you’re praising hypotheticals, because this device you’re praising doesn’t exist. Maschine doesn’t have a stand-alone under 1000… akai does. And maschine is cool.. but when they have an affordable standalone is when it matters, and right now is not that time.
Would be great for iPad, if it was compatible
sure it would be nice but the problem in iOS is there is no app that can support those controllers (mpc studio, mikro , push etc) , pretty useless and overpriced for using them as a sterile generic midi controller (with no feedback & integration) . An mpd would be much better choice for iOS
Would be a smart ipad controller..
can you sample into it with your phone?
it's just a controller
The machine pads are pressure sensitive aren’t they where as the mpc pads are not .. or am I wrong ?
& don’t they both need an “audio interface if you want to sample?”
Mpc pads are velocity sensitive with configurable velocity curves
If you have an MPC one there’s no reason to get this right?
Right, unless you really really want something more portable to carry along with a laptop. But basically, no reason
Dammit, add at least a primitive audio interface, even with no inputs but with ASIO support... just because of windoze users! I'am sure Mac users don't care, and using a Bitwig with Linux me too - i have a perfect latency of no more than 5ms with a cheap USB headphones, but hey...
Buy a cheap Scarlet interface which is better than all those inbuilt ones.
Does it work with an iPad?
How bout AKAI fixes the bugs on the FORCE before releasing new products. I'm tired of companies that release gear and abandon them half-assed.
best of electribe.