Controller keyboard recommendations for Maschine+

superd · 2025-04-03T09:51:10+00:00

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I've just picked up a Maschine+ and want to build a dawless setup. Does anyone have any recommendations for small-mid size controller keyboards that work well with the Maschine+ as I'm not vibing on playing pads for melodies?

The Kontrol A49 looks good but does it integrate well with the record button etc?

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ALDREAD

The A series is pretty integrated with maschine , second to the S series mk2 which is the best keyboard for maschine imo

superd

Thanks Aldread, that's good to hear. There's a barely used A49 on sale just around the corner from me so I think i'll go pick it up. S series looks great but i've got a long list of synths I want to buy first 😄

Super Audio Bros

I can also recommend the Kontrol S MK II for its seamless integration with my Maschine+ in standalone mode. The additional screen real estate and control are incredible, but I’m confident that the A series will also meet your needs and provide a lot of functionality as well. I'm in the same boat as you i did not enjoy the pads for writing melodies. At first i started with a portable xkey 25 controller that i still keep in my bag for making stuff on the go, but i wanted more keys and landed on the KKS49 MK2 for my desk set up.

Also good luck with your synths, they're addictive. what are you planning on getting? I've found the Maschine is an awesome brain for controlling and sequencing external synths as I have a small growing collection of compact synthesizers.

Some key things I learned in this dawless setup:

The inputs on the Maschine record very low, so anything you sample into it will probably need to be normalized, or get a preamp.
If you get multiple synths, you may also want to invest in an active mixer to help with issue 1 and to avoid plugging and unplugging. (I tried a passive mixer before and it only lowered the output levels even more)
If you're going for compact synths with trs MIDI make sure you get the right kind of cable. There's a Type A and B. Check the synths manual they usual say what type it is.
Lastly, you may want to program Macros to control some parameters on your external synths using the Maschine. There are some presets under SOUNDS > MIDI Ext. but it's not a complete list. To program your own macros, you have to use the Maschine software on the computer then save and transfer the file to your maschine sd card for them to work in standalone mode. There's plenty of tutorials for this on youtube. Unfortunately, macros don't seem to work on external keyboards (even the komplete kontrol series, which is a missed opportunity, imo) only the maschine's macro knobs.

Getting the midi and external synths up and running with maschine can be a little tedious, but once it's all set up it works great. I started going dawless about a year and a half ago and for me it's been a way better experience and way faster to create and get ideas down. If you have any more questions later I'd be happy to help!

PK The DJ

Another note about TRS to 5 pin DIN cables - There are also DIN to mini jack audio cables, which are wired differently, so won't work for MIDI.

I've seen examples of audio cables being offered for sale describing the connector as "MIDI" simply because it's 5 pin DIN.

superd

Thanks guys this is really helpful. I thought I'd probably end up going down the route of having a mixer alongside and it makes a lot of sense with managing the levels/inputs as you say. I'm thinking the Roland S1 would be a great starting point that I'd probably find a lot of use for. Seems really versatile and great value.

Funnily enough I did wonder about getting a small keyboard to keep things compact but I'd probably end up getting frustrated with the lack of freedom. 49 keys feels like a sweet spot for sure. I've got a decent digital piano if I need anything larger but don't want to haul that around.

tetsuneko

The inputs on the Maschine record very low, so anything you sample into it will probably need to be normalized, or get a preamp."

Maschine+ line inputs expect a signal of up to +18dBU IIRC. This is close to "professional audio" tier in amplitude. You need a device with enough dBUs, or you need to use something between em in order to boost the gain. OTOH recording low into M+ should be fine unless your output is also noisy, the inputs themselves should be low self-noise

PK The DJ

Poster has probably only ever recorded from a phone… 😂

djadidai

the S-1 is a lot of fun to play around with. It’s not very playable tbh, and the menu diving is not inspiring, but most important parameters are tweakable instantly and most fun functions are accessible by holding shift. You just have to learn the unit, so it’s a bit of a hassle until you know it. It’s definitely more suitable for programming/sequencing than actually playing it live. The fun is in the tweaking! Especially if you sample your sequences to M+, you could create loads of loops ready to launch. It’s a deep little plastic box.

I have an mc707 and an mc101, and because you have an M+ I can strongly recommend the mc101, same thing as the mc707, but half the amount of channels and a third of the size, but same v12 under the hood:). I find myself using the 101 more than the 707, together with M+. Also a little bit of a hassle to tweak, but if you know synthesis you’ll find whatever you need, very versatile little unit, one of the best for its size imho. It also has the ”scene” function which of course is perfect for live performances and quick to copy/paste to keep evolving the loops. It’s awesome tbh!!

I find the ”little bit simpler” tools are more fun when jamming live. M+ is so advanced that it’s easy to get picky and you start diving into details way too early, it’s not far from a daw, while the 101/707 who are deep instruments in themselves don’t really invite to the nitty gritty picky stuff, so it’s more jam-friendly pushing forwards for progress. I have loads of fun with the M+, 101, S-1 and the Volca Bass lol. As long as the M+ is there, there are no real limitations, but having certain gear that does ONE thing really well is nice, easier to spread out and not get stuck in one unit, which happens when I use the M+ with the 707, they compete for the attention, wanna be the Alfa.

I use the M32, works perfectly, but might be too simple for you. I love pads, can’t play melodies or chords on piano, but setting scales/chords on pads and I’m good to go!!

superd

Thanks djadidai, I think you've hit the nail on the head when it comes to aiming for simplicity/jam vibes than full on production. I have a background of using purely a DAW with a few controllers and did that for 10+ years when I was younger. I had some success with it and enjoyed the flexibility but by the end I was just so caught up in the production element that I lost sight of the fact it was meant to be a fun and creative hobby.

I thought it would be fun to re-ignite the hobby by going dawless but in a way, the Maschine+ is so advanced that it provides a lot of the same tools I had at my disposal previously. I initially found myself getting into some of those old habits but now I'm learning how to use it and leaning into my piano for reference, i'm getting back to the jam vibe a bit more. I ordered an A49 so that should make things much easier for playing and I'll feel a bit more competent than with the pads.

I always loved using virtual moogs so I'm going to explore the behringer options to see how I get on with twiddling knobs in the real world! That's probably more in-line with where I'm headed but the S1 still seems very tempting because of the range of sounds.

djadidai

I am really interested in the Grind and the Edge, all knobs upfront no menu diving. The S-1 I believe is very underrated, since you can do so much with it, save sample in the sound slots and move on. Use the M+ as a loop trigger and build whole tracks with the S-1 as the sound module. You do have the poly synth in the M+ which is designed to be tweaked and easy to play around with. You will get extremely far by loading a few instances of Maschines own bass synth and poly synth, if you know how to synthesize. Outboard gear though is tempting and fun so you don’t get stuck in one unit only. It just feels good having different machines collaborating :) a little bit och spice from a few of them and you have a different sound than just doing it all with one box even if it’s capable of it and so much more.

superd

Yeah I think that's a good shout. Model D is on my list to try too and that's the same approach. I've had a little play with the onboard synths on the m+ and there's some handy bits on there. Had a go with the poly, bass and the range of drum synths etc. I came into it with fairly low expectations of the onboard instruments but actually they're very usable on the whole. I'm getting used to the workflow and beginning to gel with it too. The more I use it, the more I'm enjoying it.

Andy Wt

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/220048#Comment_220048

Thanks for sharing! Btw, since you are using several outboard devices what is your opinion about M+ MIDI timing/jitter? I personally had quite bad experience with external MIDI from M+ in case of 8+ groups sending to external devices at the same time, each on its own MIDI-channel. With nothing else playing inside M+, no controller data sent, only note On/Off to external MIDI.

PS: Sorry for leading slightly away from threads main theme

djadidai

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/221378#Comment_221378

Tbh I use the tr8s as the master, and I did have to adjust the sync offset in the M+ settings. I’ve got all my units connected to a midi thru hub, and all units’ sound to a separate mixer channel, so I really just need the midi to start/stop. However when I have used the M+ as master I didn’t have an issue with it since last update. When M+ was new it became a bit unstable after running as master for 2-3 hrs, it’s like it lost its breath. However I haven’t experienced that since the update.

What I do is that I load a project, and before pressing play I go to audio settings, fiddle with the macro of the audio source (yes I still do that) then I push once on every pad that has anything loaded into it, so every sound gets touched once, then I push play. No hiccups or anything. I do not use the M+ to control or play other devices tho.

Psyearth5

i have Behringer Grind and with the Maschine Plus Standalone it's working as I expected. GRIND rby itself is a Beast that almost fill all of the gaps between other Models. I have no doubt that 4 different types in Poly Chain are working amazing but just with Grind I am more than happy.

on the first day I created ta track just by learning and looping, because it's the Maschine Plus Standalone.

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