Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Mk III: Why I'm Saying Goodbye
Hey there, welcome to today’s blog post. I've made up my mind to part ways with the Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Mk III, a decision that might come as a bit of a surprise. Initially, I was excited about this compact drum pad controller, but after some hands-on experience, I've decided it's not the right fit for my music production workflow. In this blog post, I want to share my journey with the Maschine Mikro Mk III, the reasons I bought it, the features I liked, and ultimately, the factors that led me to the decision to let it go.
If you're curious about my experience with this controller or are contemplating a similar purchase, then look no further. Also, feel free to check out my YouTube video talking about why I’m selling the it. Let's dive into the story of my journey with the Maschine Mikro Mk III.
Why I Chose the Maschine Mikro Mk III
Before we delve into why I've decided to part with this controller, let's explore why I initially purchased the Maschine Mikro Mk III. Here's what attracted me to it:
Affordable Find: I came across a fantastic deal on this controller at Guitar Center. It was a sale too good to pass up, and it piqued my interest.
Compact and Portable: I've wanted a Maschine since I began producing music. What appealed to me about the Mikro version was its compact and portable nature. It fits easily on my desk and can even be thrown into a backpack. A handy, compact solution for music production on the go, but also a fully featured beat machine for in the studio.
Fantastic Drum Pads: The controller's drum pads are an absolute delight to play. They offer an excellent feel and responsiveness, making them a joy to use. They even light up when struck, which adds a visually dynamic aspect to the controller.
Seamless Machine Workflow: After working with it for a few weeks, I was amazed by the capabilities of the Maschine software. The workflow was highly efficient, and I could accomplish a lot without needing to touch the computer's mouse and keyboard frequently. It's like having a drum machine and a stand-alone sequencer at your fingertips.
Audio Export and MIDI: The Maschine software offers a quick audio export feature, allowing you to drag and drop audio loops into your DAW. It's a time-saver that greatly enhances the workflow. Additionally, it includes a MIDI drag-and-drop feature for exporting MIDI directly into your DAW.
The Good: My Experience with the Maschine Mikro Mk III
Before I get into the reasons for selling the Maschine Mikro Mk III, I'd like to acknowledge the aspects of the controller that I enjoyed:
Drum Pad Perfection: The drum pads are top-notch, providing an excellent playing experience. They're highly responsive and a joy for beat making.
Seamless Workflow: The Maschine software integration is fantastic. It allows for a highly efficient and intuitive workflow, with many functions easily accessible from the controller.
Useful Audio Export and MIDI Features: The quick audio export and MIDI drag-and-drop features are great for streamlining the music production process.
The Decision to Part Ways
Now, let's dive into why I decided to part ways with the Maschine Mikro Mk III:
1. Learning Curve: I've been using Logic Pro for over a decade, and I'm incredibly well-versed in its workflow. Transitioning to the Maschine software felt like starting from scratch, and there was a steep learning curve. While the controller is quick and streamlined for getting a beat started, delving into more advanced features and functionality required significant time and effort.
2. Software Integration: My experience of using the Maschine software within Logic Pro was less than ideal. It felt clunky and cumbersome, like having a sequencer within a sequencer (probably because that’s exactly what it is). The integration didn't offer the smooth experience I was looking for.
3. Redundant Sound Libraries: After getting the Maschine Mikro Mk III, I realized that all, if not most, of the sounds included are also available in Native Instruments' Battery and various expansions. This made me question the value of the controller. If you already own Battery or other NI expansions, you might find that you're not getting anything new in terms of sounds.
4. Flexibility in Mixing: Comparing Battery to the Maschine software, I found that Battery provided greater flexibility in mixing. Each sound in Battery is equipped with its own EQ, compression, saturation, and transient designer, making it a more versatile choice for sound design and mixing. The same level of control wasn't readily available within the Maschine software.
5. MIDI and Keyboard Integration Issues: I faced challenges while trying to use my MIDI keyboard within the Maschine software. Additionally, I had trouble using the Maschine controller outside of the Maschine software (like playing sounds in Logic’s Drum Machine Designer). While I could map some functions to my liking, there were issues getting the drum pads to work as intended. Programming the controller also proved to be a time-consuming process.
6. Melodic Content Challenges: The Maschine Mikro Mk III offers various scale modes and chord features for creating melodic content on the drum pads. However, as someone accustomed to playing traditional keyboards, I found it challenging to translate my musical ideas effectively onto the 16 pads. The transition wasn't intuitive, and I often preferred using a regular MIDI keyboard for melodic content.
Conclusion: A Specialized Tool for Beat Makers
In summary, the Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Mk III is a fantastic tool for those who primarily create beats and want to explore various drum and rhythmic options. It offers a smooth and efficient workflow for this purpose. However, if you're already comfortable with a specific DAW and sound libraries or if you're looking for more flexibility in sound design and mixing, you may want to consider other options.
In my case, my extensive experience with Logic Pro, coupled with the challenges of integrating the Maschine Mikro Mk III into my workflow, led me to the conclusion that this controller isn't the right fit for me. If you're new to music production or have a different workflow that aligns well with Maschine, you might find this controller to be a valuable addition to your studio.
If you have any questions or want to share your own experiences with controllers, feel free to reach out either here or in the comments of the YouTube video. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to like and subscribe for more music gear insights.
