maschine mk 2 or studio

I have a maschine mk2 on order, and have the option still of getting the studio instead for approx $550 AUD more, I am unsure how much I will use it, as have not had the opportunity to hands on try them.  The reason for purchase is decent set of drum pads, transport control, and the extra eight knobs to map as controls, I also are very tempted by the jog wheel on the studio.
 
The music I am making/composing is more New-age / Ambient Easy listening styles, so I dont need it for DJ purposes.  Lots of time soft synths like chromaphone creating my own sounds, few repeating loops.
 
From the reviews I have read they are all saying buy the studio, buy the studio, but I am get the use out of it if over half the tools I use are not NKS, and with me wanting to keep one instrument per track in Sonar
 
Is it worth it?
 
Thoughts please

I ended up getting the mk2, are thinking now I really should have got the studio, its a real pain in the rear end since u have to use two hands to use the shift function on some buttons.
 
I am also annoyed that I have to go buy the Maschine 2 software, as it only shipped with 1.8, and version 2.0+ gives better DAW integration.
 
If I was to do this over again, I think I would sit down and compare ableton push with maschine studio, work out which one gives the best overall worklfow improvements and go from there.
 
Not trashing the Mark 2, are very negative about having to get the extra software update, do like the drum pads, will persist further with it, but at this stage, even for casual use, are wishing I had spent the extra or not at all.  I think I think it would have been wiser to put the money aside for Ableton Live and a Push.

Mesh
That's really strange NI didn't include Maschine 2 software.......when I bought my Mikro a few years ago IIRC, it came with 1.8 and I got a free upgrade to 2.0 as well as everything after.
 
Have you tried contacting NI to see if they can do something?
 
Regarding Push: I heard that Ableton's Push is a lot of fun to use and was actually thinking about getting it, but I don't have Ableton (I think you need the full version) and I'm not sure I want to invest in all of that.

I have now logged a support ticket with NI, will post the response here when i get it.
 
I am in same position with regards to ableton, it looks like serious fun, but...

Something Dodgy is going on, sigh, I think I might be up for a long story, on the good side they are quick with replying
 
so far this is the correspondence..from newest to oldest..
 
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When I received the Maschine it was in a sealed box, as I did not wish to damage the box I had to get a knife to open it.

I registered the hardware online as per the advice on the sticker on the outside of the box, with an organisation called CMI music and audio through their online site @ www.cmi.com.au/support, obviously that information has not made it into your database, so I have now registered the hardware serial online at https://www.native-instruments.com/en/support/hardware-registration/ 
I do not understand how it could not come with it originally, it was in the box, and I do not have any other maschine install media here unless you count the Ulimate Crossgrade that came in same order.
 
Is this something I should discuss with CMI music since they do the local support?  Or should I be returning this the retailer (I had to buy online as the closest shop that stocks your products is about 280km from me, http://www.oxygenmusic.com.au/o2/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=native&x=0&y=0)?
 
Cheers
xxxxxx

------------------------
Hello xxxxxxme,
Your request (xxxxxxx) has been updated, please note our latest comment below.
To add additional comments, please reply to this email.
Best regards,
xxxx
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS Customer Service
 
XXXXXXX (Native Instruments)
Aug 4, 16:29 CEST
The hardware serial is not registered.

the Maschine software registered to your account was registered to somebody else before.

The product was registered befor the Update to Maschine 2 was released and so the maschione 2 does not come originally with it.



 
 
xxxxxxxme
Aug 3, 16:58 CEST
Purchased a new Maschine Mk2, but it seems my activation serial number for Maschine Software is limited to 1.8.7 version, I have checked on your site, and the Maschine Mk2 is supposed to ship with the Maschine 2 software?
The Service Centre software will not upgrade me to version 2+, I tried downloading version 2 from your site, but was not able to install the upgrade.
Am I expected to buy the mashine 2 software even though I have purchased a new boxed product from a retailer? or has there been some mix up?
My Maschine MK2 Hardware serial xxxxxxetc
Yours Sincerely
xxxxxxxme

This was purhased as a new product, came in sealed box, I could not find the software version mentioned on the box, so from what you are saying I am guessing its old stock, but that does not explain the serial number for the software being registered before to someone else.
 
I like to give people some benefit of doubt, so will see what happens with NI, and have now contacted the retailer also, will see what evolves, It was a store catalog special, so I did get it a little cheaper than normal, this might be why, maybe the suppliers had a heap of old units sitting in the back of the whare house and shipped them out cheap to make room for Komplete 11 when it comes in, and maybe in my ignorance I have just got stung.

Looks like a stuff up, I sent an email to the seller, will need to talk to them in person and go from there, unfortunately it is now 10.45 pm here, and tomorrow is Saturday, so might have to wait until Monday to do anything substancial like a return/deal.
-----------------------------------
Hi xxxxme,
 
I’m not sure how this could have happened, however I am able to help get you an activation code that can work. I will need you to please email through the serial number off the hardware as well as any activation codes that you may already have.
 
Sorry for the inconvenience but I will help resolve this as best as possible.
 
Regards,
 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Oxygen Music
261 Moorabool Street
Geelong, Vic, 3220
03 5223 1724
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and from NI
 

 xxxxxxxx@ NI (Native Instruments)
Aug 5, 12:06 CEST

it seems that they gave you a product that was registered before and was returned.

The product was registered the first time, before the Maschine 2 software was released so it came without it.

Maybe it is better to return it to the seller for one that has the Maschine 2 software, when this was the reason for you to buy it.

Should we delete the registration from your account?
 

That seller seems to have sold it on a shady bit of ground and caused unnecessary headaches for you. They should've been upfront with you or at least advertised it exactly for what it is.
 
If the hardware is new and the software is old, I'd definitely ask for a new software license from the seller while keeping Maschine. Even though it's Saturday, see if they can email you a new license. Sorry to hear you having to go through this nonsense. 

Good news!
I'm glad you've got it sorted out.
Have fun with the new toy!

I'm not 100% here but from memory, All Groups is where you find any sound packs you've purchased I think.  Since you've only just got the Maschine, I imagine you don't have any sound packs yet (I've yet to buy any at all, the library already has so much).
 
BTW I thoroughly recommend checking out the videos/tutorials done by Andrew Chellman on YouTube.  Playlists here:-
 
https://www.youtube.com/user/andrewchellmanmusic/playlists
 
Also just a note to say that I keep my Maschine and Sonar music making separate.  I personally don't see the benefit of using Maschine within Sonar.  I use Maschine to get ideas down quickly and easily, also to shape the song structure, then I export the tracks to refine, mix and master them in Sonar.
 
Stay in touch my friend!