Downsides of using Maschine as a browser for komplete instruments inside Logic?

[iaici]

Hi!

I am used to using a Komplete Kontrol 49 for browsing the Komplete instruments inside Logic. A typical project can have a ton of instances of Komplete Kontrol software on different tracks.

I am downsizing my studio space and need to go smaller on equipment. Was wondering if anyone has opinions on downsides of buying a Maschine controller and use the Maschine software instead inside of Logic the same way I use KK software? In other words have a bunch of Maschine instances with different instruments loaded on different tracks inside Logic. Is there limits to how Maschine integrate with Logic regarding automation etc and also would there be any concerns that Maschine would take up more processing power used in several instances than what KK software does?

So in short the plan would be to just skip Komplete kontrol software and use a maschine controller as a browser together with my digital piano instead. Not planning on using Maschine as a DAW itself.

All the best,
Jake

[MachineClaw]

Well your talking about NI, which brings up a lot for a lot of people, myself included.

I have a Kontrol mk2 61 keyboard, Machine mk2 and Machine Jam. the Machine v2 software runs all my setup for the Machine stuff fine, I have not upgraded to Machine v3 and do not plan to. My Machine Jam is nearing the end of life by NI.

Komplete Kontrol is what runs NI now, they invest in that a lot. the Machine software runs standalone or as a vst.

one of the issues is that NI continually end of life their hardware by putting out new hardware and sticking it to the people who have the old hardware, due to software which is annoying.

ya gotta have a midi controller of some kind, practically speaking. having midi controller, machine square box on desk takes up space and honestly I use Machine software and not the hardware most of the time in Logic. the Machine hardware just gets in my way.

I love the Kontrol midi controller, when I am using my NI products and Machine software and Komplete (Kontact) is great - but will have to eventually ditch the mk2 keyboard and upgrade to a mk3 keyboard which just annoys me to be compatible with the NI software.

I use Logic 11.1 and FL Studio v whatever on a macbook pro i9 - getting long in the tooth. I do not play live shows so having the Machine hardware doesn't really do anything for me other than what I can use it for. I bought Machine when the software and hardware were tied together and now I find that I just dont use the hardware for anything, the Machine software is just enough. Quite honestly I am trying to get away from my NI products as I can. I find I am using the machine software less and less and use other alternatives or just Logic itself.

if you have a 49 keyboard having the Machine on your desk will take space do you really need the Machine pads for anything? I found I rarely used them in practical sense, the integral Logic functionality works just fine for me and simplifies my workflow since it's just Logic and can be used with any of my VST instruments or plugins, where as the NI hardware software is really tied together - Kontact 8 really wants Kontrol mk3, Machine software v3 really wants Machine hardware mk3. it gets frustrating.

you can get a novation pad controller for way cheaper than NI Machine. you can get a Akai MPC and that would probably be more fun than the NI stuff .I have a Akai mini 25 keyboard and Akai MPC software, play with that more than Machine hardware/software.

really boils down to how much space do you have. how much money do you have to spend on hardware/software solutions. what do you need rather than want.

for me a macbook on a side stand or small end table off the desk, long cables, a 61 midi controller, mouse and keyboard to type and do keyboard commands. that's all I really need. best hardware I have is 43" 4k Monitor, prety functional, adustable and now I can see what it is I am trying to do. I got rid of Roland Fantom , my 88 keyboards, my rack mount stuff. software in the box and les clutter. I dunno my 2 cents. I feel my NI hardware investments have been a waste, many love and stand by them, I don't.

[iaici]

Thank you for your reply MachineClaw! Many valid points you brought up. Since writing my post I think I have reconsidered a bit indeed. The thing is I live extremely small now and don't really have a dedicated studio space, I will have to have everything very portable so I can easily tuck it away and bring it out whenever Im gonna do music, hence why I was thinking of ideas to go as small as possible with everything. I do have a 88 keys digital piano though and I was planning to use that as my main keyboard and then use the maschine controller on top of it as the browser for all the instruments because I do love to be able to browse everything in the hardware. However I think I'm going to keep the 49 mk2 and tuck it away under the sofa when not in use and maybe start sitting in the living room floor, I am a bit of a floor person anyway haha, so I'll try it that way for a while and see how that goes Thanks again!

[apoclypse]

I do want to point out that Maschine is not exactly light on CPU usage. Seems like a waste of resources (imo) to just use it a glorified patch loader.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

I do want to point out that Maschine is not exactly light on CPU usage. Seems like a waste of resources (imo) to just use it a glorified patch loader.

This is true. However, it's perhaps not too much of an inconveniene to ether bounce to audio or end up replacing the final choices with the 'un-wrapped' sounds. Whether either of these approaches is suitable will depend on the user's CPU, how many tracks involved and how much the inconvenience is offset by the convenience of the excellent browsing experience.

[MachineClaw]

You may also want to consider the NI Machine Micro if space is limited, think NI have a new Machine Micro. I have an old one but it no longer works with Machine v3 software, still works with Machine v2.0 software, only the new Micro does. Just a thought if you have NI products and Machine packs.

Also want to mention that you can often find older Machine hardware at pawn stores. the Machine software is no longer tied to the hardware so that might be a cheaper option if you can find a Machine model hardware you like. but only the v3 software is sold now by NI and that has limits on the hardware that can be used with v3 software. you might be able to find an older Machine v2 software license from someone. anyway more options for ya if your still thinking about it.

[aMUSEd]

Hi!

I am used to using a Komplete Kontrol 49 for browsing the Komplete instruments inside Logic. A typical project can have a ton of instances of Komplete Kontrol software on different tracks.

I am downsizing my studio space and need to go smaller on equipment. Was wondering if anyone has opinions on downsides of buying a Maschine controller and use the Maschine software instead inside of Logic the same way I use KK software? In other words have a bunch of Maschine instances with different instruments loaded on different tracks inside Logic. Is there limits to how Maschine integrate with Logic regarding automation etc and also would there be any concerns that Maschine would take up more processing power used in several instances than what KK software does?

So in short the plan would be to just skip Komplete kontrol software and use a maschine controller as a browser together with my digital piano instead. Not planning on using Maschine as a DAW itself.

All the best,
Jake

Depends on what gen Kontrol 49 keyboard, if it’s a MkIII you need Maschine 3 but that doesn’t yet support browsing NKS instruments - only controlling them.

Also whatever the version of Maschine you’d be sacrificing aftertouch support for your keyboard