mpc or maschine

We all know the akai mpc is like every legendary hiphop producers favorite production too. Now with that being said most people that get into urban production end up mimicking their idols production setup. Which just so happens to be the following

1. Akai Mpc 2000XL/Mpc 3000/Mpc 60

2. Triton/Motif or some other workstation

3. Vinyl Records

4. Sound modules

Hits can be made in anything but its hard to believe that when people such as

• Dr dre (mpc 3000)

• Just Blaze (mpc4000)

• DJ Premier (mpc 60)

• Battlecat (mpc3000)

• Pete Rock (mpc2000XL)

• Marley Marl (slips my mind right now)

• J Dilla (mpc 3000)

All use the akai mpc (they use different models but still) one is inclined to think “hey you know what I need a mpc to get the same pro sound these guys are getting” So guess what? They end up getting the akai mpc and learning it and they stand by it. Most of the Mpc users are stubborn and wont use anything else and I don't blame them. Once you learn something in and out there really isn't much that you can't accomplish with it. One thing I do hate is most mpc users swear up and down by it, they make others believe that it is a must have if you want to create quality music and this just isn't true. Another bogus story mpc users will tell you is “the mpc has a swing that can only be obtained on the akai mpc” this is utter bull. The akai mpc is a computer it runs on an OS (operating system) granted versions of the mpc such as the 60/3000 (these are the older ones I've used) do have a timing issues which does give your swing and quantize a unique feel because its not perfect. What these users don't understand is that you can get the same swing on anything that you are using the problem is they don't know how so they claim it can't be done.

See production software and hardware is a lot like clothing. Every brand makes the same sizes much like all production tools have the same swing and quantize settings but like clothing companies every brands size 9 isn't going to the same. So you might where a 34/34 in south pole pants but when you shop for the same size in levi that 34/34 might not fit the same so you have to adjust. It's the same with the mpcs swing. Their 66% swing isn't going to be the same as Reason's 66% you might have to push Reason to 68% to make it swing like the mpc is at 66% and vise versa. Regardless of the slight adjustments they may need to be made the point is the same results can be obtained you just have to not be a closed minded f!@#tard.

Native Instrument's Maschine is much like the akai mpc except better. Not only can it do the same thing the akai mpcs do it does them faster! It's the 1^st of it's kind complete software and hardware integration that works seamlessly. A lot of companies have been trying to make something similar to the mpc to give users that hands of feel. Most companies have created 16 pad midi controllers that musicians can use with software applications. These pad controllers have features that the mpc has such as 16 level and note repeat oh oh and the 4 banks but none of them truly allowed you to create music without having to look at the computer screen. You can work on theMaschine the same way you would work on the akai mpc. Meaning you can do everything from the Maschine unit itself this means the following

• Sampling

• Chopping Samples

• Sample Editing

• Tempo change

• Note Repeat

• Play/Stop/Record etc

• Sequencing

• FX

• 16 Level

• Pad Layering

I mean everything! You don't need to look at your computer screen ever. The Maschine can be used as a stand alone beat production unit or it can be used as a plugin, heck it can even be used as a host to host plugins. See as the akai mpc can use rack instruments via midi the Maschine can do the same and it can host vst plugins!Maschine can also load akai mpc project files and it contains more than 4 banks. Chopping samples onMaschine is 100 times faster (not I'm not exaggerating) on compared to chopping samples on the mpc (even the newer models). Ok let me be fair its 100 times faster than the older models and about 10 times faster than the newer models.

Another great thing about the Maschine is it's a lot cheaper than the akai mpc(s) it runs around $550-$600 even cheaper if you get the academic version. You typical akai mpc ranges between $800 & $3000. Granted you can get them cheaper from eBay but can you really trust other owners? I don't know about you but I would hate to get a piece of gear that was owned by a smoker or a dirty mother f***er. The Maschine is even making some legendary producers put their mpcs on the back burner but they just can't keep up with the Maschine's speed and work flow.

Which producer's you may ask? Well here is a small list of hit making producers that have crossed over

• Ski Beatz

• Nottz

• Needlez

• IllMind

• Ea Ski

• Danja Handz

Just to name of few there are others out there using it but will let you do the research. Another great thing is you will no longer need floppy/zip disks to store your sounds. I don't know about you but I hate disks they are being phased out most companies are stopping the production of both floppies and zips. Not to mention disks don't have a very long shelf life.

Enough of me yacking away bottom line is.... Maschine is your best bang for the buck when it comes to music production especially if you are considering going the mpc route. If you need that hands on feel when producing music then the Maschine is for you hands down.