NI Maschine MkII

[core]

The multicolour pads on the MKII make it look like a bit of a toy now.

The blurb at Guitar Center says:
... each one of the 16 touch-pads can be assigned a different color to easily separate and identify sounds, patterns, groups, and scenes ...

Seems to me like you could easily assign all of them back to your favorite orange color if you'd want, or am I missing something

[gamecat666]

yeah it'll probably default to orange, but let you change if you want.

i do agree though that the promo 'look at this RGB spectrum!!' shot looks a bit naff though.

[riley4reason]

Dang. Still no mention of better internal midi handling, as well as import or drag n drop.

Riley

[jensa]

I notice the separate volume, tempo and pitch knobs are replaced with some buttons and a bigger wheel. Might like that since I always accidentally touch the tempo knob when turning the volume knob, they're a tiny bit too close for my clumsy fingers. :-/

[topaz]

Quite unreal, NI are not even supporting their own products like session drummer, kontakt midi drag etc.

The vst hosting in maschine is primitive, sad but true.

Dang. Still no mention of better internal midi handling, as well as import or drag n drop.

Riley

[core]

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... e/?type=99

[Echoes in the Attic]

The transport control thingy ONLY is appealing if:

-the damn thing works in reaper now (cubase was one of the only hosts it worked in previously regardless of this feature) and
-multi outs are easier to use inside a host.

If not, it's just a meh JUST to be able to use the transport. I mean, it's not bad but ffs, sonar and reaper were just TERRIBLE integration currently.

The host transport control is purely to do with the software update. The new hardware is not needed.

GC are using the 1.8 update list to make it seem like these are new things in the MKII. As far as I can see it's just better screens and the buttons can have colors. Not really much point for current maschine users to upgrade, unless color means that much to you. It won't be functionaly any different between the two. This is a good thing I think because if they put out a new maschine controller and then the software started to be developed with things in mind that only the second one could do, it would become a pain for everyone having the two versions. But this mkII seems only some minor aesthetic improvements.

[gamecat666]

interesting new additions:


aiming at the 'bling' crowd (but only fits mk2.. boooo)
http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... s/?type=99

and a new stand that fits both
http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... d/?type=99

(60 eur?! i'll stick with my £5 laptop stand i think!)

[cyphersuit]

i find the announcement disappointing.

[cryophonik]

The host transport control is purely to do with the software update. The new hardware is not needed.

Well, that would be good news and probably keep me from upgrading.

GC are using the 1.8 update list to make it seem like these are new things in the MKII. As far as I can see it's just better screens and the buttons can have colors. Not really much point for current maschine users to upgrade, unless color means that much to you.

To be honest, the colors don't mean much to me and I really don't care for the rainbow look, but having the different colors could be useful and that's far more important to me than the appearance. I'd be more interested in the new screens and the layout of the buttons/knobs, which I think would be pretty nice improvements, as jensa pointed out:

I notice the separate volume, tempo and pitch knobs are replaced with some buttons and a bigger wheel. Might like that since I always accidentally touch the tempo knob when turning the volume knob, they're a tiny bit too close for my clumsy fingers. :-/

Me too.

BTW, I noticed on the NI pre-order page that there is no option to upgrade (yet) and they're now stating that it's available October 1.

[4ppleseed]

and a new stand that fits both
http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... d/?type=99

Says it doesn't fit Mikro at the bottom of the screen.

[gamecat666]

oh yeah sorry by both i meant Mk1 and mk2 of the 'phat' version.

[cryophonik]

I'm glad that NI finally introduced a stand, but $79 for something that is fixed at a pretty low angle and not even adjustable is pretty expensive IMO. I bought a laptop stand for my Maschine years ago for about $30 and I keep it tilted at about a 60-degree angle so I see all the lettering on the unit without having to arch my neck over my desk.

[hibidy]

i find the announcement disappointing.

I'm inclined to agree. Geez, with all the needs/wants/desires out there it's as bland as water.

[awol9000]

I think it's exciting. Just think they're laying the foundation for 2.0.

Thing that no one has mentioned- 1.8 is compatible, but will future versions be and for how long till NI has to break compatibity?

1 more reason to buy MKII. Plus "toys" are fun.