I got my mikro for $225 in the US. Which was much easier for me to give up compared to $499 the other was. This helped me make up my mind-  http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/maschine-mikro/?page=2919  Not much difference in the two. But if you need a midi interface get the big one. Bigger screen (not an issue because hooked up to the computer I use my monitor most of the time, Able to tweak multiple parameters I felt like I could live without those options for the money. I am very happy with it.

@synkrotron.. you know this is not just a controller right?.. that is like saying Sonar is a VST host.  :)

@jwh : those were prices on guitarcenter.com 
Maschine is currently on sale for ~$200 discount pending the arrival of a new controller with colored pads (a disco i dont need) but all else is the same.  a quick post in the NI forums may locate a cheap source in the UK or Eur for you... the price will bounce back to $599 once old stock has gone i suspect.
 
As Laney points out, as an add on to Sonar, Mikro is certainly adequate, for standalone beatmaking, full size is betterer...the Mikro has the basics and of course all the content too, but the larger unit is easier to use and also has the 8 knobs.. particularly handy for fx adjustments, kit/sample selection and vst control..
 
 

Mystic38


@synkrotron.. you know this is not just a controller right?.. that is like saying Sonar is a VST host.  :)

@jwh : those were prices on guitarcenter.com 
Maschine is currently on sale for ~$200 discount pending the arrival of a new controller with colored pads (a disco i dont need) but all else is the same.  a quick post in the NI forums may locate a cheap source in the UK or Eur for you... the price will bounce back to $599 once old stock has gone i suspect.
 
As Laney points out, as an add on to Sonar, Mikro is certainly adequate, for standalone beatmaking, full size is betterer...the Mikro has the basics and of course all the content too, but the larger unit is easier to use and also has the 8 knobs.. particularly handy for fx adjustments, kit/sample selection and vst control..
 
 

          If I decide to buy this, it will be the full size one, and I'm close to buying it, very close !!!!!!!


          John 

its worth it i have a maschine i got mine about 3 mo. ago and i love it.. if u are in2 sampling like i am its pretty cool also it loads as a vst comes with a ton of sounds constant upgrades. if u really wanna see it in action checkout a guy on youtube called knocksquared or there website maschinetutourial.com  

Mystic38


@synkrotron.. you know this is not just a controller right?.. that is like saying Sonar is a VST host.  :)
 
 

Oh, yeah, I know it comes with Massive and a pile of samples and stuff, so you do get a lot of bang for your bucks. It's whether you need all the bangs is what I'm trying to say, so it has to be considered carefully or else you could be paying a lot of dosh for some things you do not need.

You may want to look into the Akai MPC Renaissance as well. It's basically Akai's answer to Maschine. It's a bit more pricey but supposedly it has some strengths that Maschine doesn't like time-stretching and so forth. There are vids on Youtube.

bladetragic


You may want to look into the Akai MPC Renaissance as well. It's basically Akai's answer to Maschine. It's a bit more pricey but supposedly it has some strengths that Maschine doesn't like time-stretching and so forth. There are vids on Youtube.

fyi ..Timestretching comes to Maschine along with Massive in the upcoming 1.8 release.. Ren looks nice and solid build quality but at $1299 it needs to also make tea, tell jokes and provide dancing girls..:)

It was Billy Arnell that convinced me to get Maschine. Which I did a few months ago when it went in special worldwide. Much more than a beat maker, controller and matrix player.
1.8 update coming out in October.