• SONAR
  • Maschine and Sonar X3C
2013/11/30 16:12:02
Splat
So I'm thinking about buying one. So I'm eager for thoughts...
 
Those who have one of these, has it really changed your workflow or is it gathering dust? Could you not do without it?
Do you use it to control your DAW?
I notice there have been issues Sonar and the Maschine software in the past, is it now the past with X3C and current maschine software?
Do you think it has it been type casted as just for techno and dance music?
I have never used one and wonder if I should.
 
Cheers
 
Alex
2013/11/30 16:33:22
gswitz
why not a touch screen to use with matrix?
2013/11/30 16:40:59
mondaydave
I'm in the same situation as you so I'll be watching here to see who chimes in. I'd also be interested to to hear any thoughts on the mikro vs full maschine as I'm really tempted by the price of the new mikro which includes the 2.0 software.
2013/11/30 16:42:03
dubdisciple
Maschine is a dance music and hip-hop beast.  I think kev99 (or something like that) used maschine with sonar.  I think he even posted a video on youtube. Not sure if it would work well with heavy metal or zyedeco.
2013/11/30 16:43:50
dubdisciple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DylihYvYuUI
 
 
maschine with sonar videoi
2013/11/30 16:44:43
dubdisciple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GswPuruTW4
 
good comparison of full to micro.  the nerw studio version is amazing but expensive
 
2013/11/30 17:56:26
Sanderxpander
I don't have the Studio version yet but I've owned and used the regular version (original hardware) with Sonar for two years and for the purpose of the question I don't think it makes a difference. Maschine is great for anything requiring good electronic drums. The sounds are excellent. Its own internal engine is great for compiling kits and loop based recording. Its integration into a DAW is not ideal, because all the workflow ingenuities are built around the idea that you'll sequence inside Maschine itself. That said, if you set it up right, you can make it work linearly inside your DAW too and it's certainly a better drum computer with better sounds than anything else I've ever had. I have never regretted my purchase.

 As a controller, I don't think it's excellent, but perhaps the Mk2 hardware, being color based, is better. I have never used Matrix View in Sonar and use my APC40 with Ableton so that's why I never dove in. When I tried to use Maschine as a general Sonar controller through ACT with the Mackie protocol, it failed miserably. The best results are had with the VS700 protocol, but even that is far from ideal as some functions don't respond correctly, something which was implied by Cake officials to be a failure on Sonar's part. Additionally, Maschine is built to be a great controller for Maschine, not for anything else. I suppose the Matrix View might work considering the 4x4 pad arrangement, but for most stuff that's just not a very useful layout. 

Just my experiences, hope it helps.

EDIT
Oh yeah and I really like compiling my kits, adjusting sounds and editing samples from the hardware. Gives you much more of a feeling of working with an instrument.
2013/11/30 18:13:45
mettelus
What application are you planning/wanting to use it for?
2013/11/30 18:21:43
Splat
Going to use with X3C Pro, maybe using battery as a plugin, assuming it will behave.
 
BTW @mondaydave the Micro version won't work as a crossgrade to Komplete in case you are interested in that (one of the reasons I've become interested in Maschine).
2013/11/30 18:58:43
mondaydave
Thanks for the tip off CakeAlexS. I have no immediate plans to buy Komplete but was just looking up the spec there and it reads like serious vst porn! It would make me think twice as what is saved now might not be the best option in the long term. So much stuff out there. Problem is I think I would need a few lifetimes to learn to use it all.
© 2026 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1

Use My Existing Forum Account

Use My Social Media Account