KVR Audio

Ollieflo · Post by **Ollieflo** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:30 am

So I'm wanting to go predominantly DAWless . I've been reading reviews. There's so many pros/cons. I've just got back into production after a long lay off. There's also so much out there! Help!

Melodic, progressive, minimal trance/techo is what I'm into. Previously I'd use a lot of reaktor instruments and Monomaschine. Workflow is really important. Song mode, Beat making/chaining, sample manipulation, chord mode, song mode, scale lock. Vst intergration? I prefer not to hook up a midi keyboard and just wing it using the pads or grid.

I've used Maschine in the past too, Mk1. It was really clunky back then. Now it seems it's still limited? The standalone is seriously underpowered it seems? Is Mk3 worth it? Can I use Kore within maschine as a midi fx workaround?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Cheers

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:53 am

Ollieflo wrote: Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:30 am Melodic, progressive, minimal trance/techo is what I'm into. Previously I'd use a lot of reaktor instruments and Monomaschine. Workflow is really important. Song mode, Beat making/chaining, sample manipulation, chord mode, song mode, scale lock. Vst intergration? I prefer not to hook up a midi keyboard and just wing it using the pads or grid.

Maschine+ or Octatrack are pretty obvious fits, since you liked Reaktor and the Monomachine. Polyend Tracker doesn't do plugins but the sound is super punchy, definitely worth checking out. MPC is great when you pair it with hardware synths but it won't load the plugins you're looking for in standalone mode.

I've used Maschine in the past too, Mk1. It was really clunky back then. Now it seems it's still limited? The standalone is seriously underpowered it seems? Is Mk3 worth it? Can I use Kore within maschine as a midi fx workaround?

Current Maschine isn't much different. Maschine+ is underpowered but you can make it work by resampling. You can resample live, while the sequencer is playing. It's pretty slick. Maschine+ was released October 1, 2020, and I wouldn't be surprised if a MK2 is around the corner.

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 4:06 am

I’ve owned Maschine mk1 through mk3 (but not “+”) and I wouldn’t call it limited, but I would call it clunky. Personally, I don’t find it to be an elegant solution for going DAWless, but some people do amazing things with it, so I think it really comes down to how well you jive with the workflow. I second Eric’s suggestion for the Elektron gear. I’m a late convert myself, but for the type of music you want to make, an Octatrack, or any combination of that with RYTM mk2, Digitakt, Analog Four mk2, Syntakt, and/or Digitone makes a killer combo.

Oh and welcome to KVR!

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 4:18 am

Novation Circuit Tracks is great for that style of music, too. Not the same caliber as Maschine but much less clunky. Circuit Tracks + Octatrack or Polyend would be excellent. Circuit Tracks + Circuit Rhythm + SP-404MK2 would the the most DAWless of all DAWless setups.

Roland MC-707 or MC-101 are also worth checking out. MC-707 if you want one piece to do everything, MC-101 if you want it to be part of a larger system. I've heard high praises for MC-707 + TR-8S.

Ollieflo · Post by **Ollieflo** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 5:00 am

It's rather frustrating that there's limitations with Maschine. I've been holding off as I expect an update/new release soon. But with the large amount of staff lay-offs and the issues with VST3 and the new Mac OS. I'm guessing it's a long way off? I've checked out the Akai force/live. A lot of the negative feedback is the menu diving and the synths/effects. It's also a rather steep learning curve.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 5:37 am

MPC One has more controls and less menu diving.

vitocorleone123 · Post by **vitocorleone123** » Wed Jul 20, 2022 3:46 pm

If you already have an iPad (even one a few years old), I’d put it out there as part of the solution. No DAW required.