Waiting for Maschine MK4, Maschine Studio MK2, or Komplete Kontrol MK3

BIF Member May 8 :

"NI has always been tight with information about upcoming products. I don't think it benefits them in this post-covid era, and in fact I think it hurts NI and its customers more than having an actual published roadmap for their products. Combined with NI's "take our sweet time coming out with new versions" methodology, it may cause some customers like myself to just give up waiting and go to a competitor."

It smells like if they will, they will have to admit that their roadmap is to produce bling-bling looping toys based on their outdated, once innovative, catalog. I think no serious creator can rely on such undefined and slow moving target for long term work.

This is basically what I've been saying for a few years now...

I have been reading through all these pages of discussion looking to see if anyone mentions some specific things that real hard core MPC users are disappointed with, with the release of new MPC X SE. I was wondering why these guys were so unhappy about the new MPC until I thought about what they were saying.......The SOUND. I thought about my MV 8800, and the SOUND...... MPC users are tired of the bling and want the internal components that make the standalone hardware sound good. We chase plug-ins to immulate analog. According to most users the MPC 3k/4k were the last real MPC's. I think if NI is going to come out with a new standalone, it should be able to accommodate something that has a sound that is associated with the circuitry inside. I can relate as I said from my Roland MV8800. I would personally pay 2-3k for a standalone that has a better work flow, better circuitry, more hard drive space and memory. In addition I should be able to make music with Kontakt and Maschine expansions in standalone. All NI Kontakt instruments at a minimum. I would buy this before a orange, purple, gray maschine....... Just my thoughts. I understand this is a business, but it is clear consumers are starting to look for Pro level gear. I would think companies would be more willing to listen to the customer after the whole Waves meltdown. I don't mean that as a threat, but I can tell you other companies changed their business model to avoid issues......

I’m finally happy with my workflow so I’m not updating anything for a while. But I’m happy to see new hardware if it brings them more sales and keeps developing going on their Maschine/KK ecosystem.

My #1 would be S88 MK3, but a more entry level version, without the screens. Just the controls, and the great keybed - which would save a fair bit on COGs.

I got the maschine studio and jam along with a s49 and I think its a pity they stopped making the studio and jam, so much more flexibility and they all talk to each other with basically zero lag. To have something that equates to the entirety of maschine in hardware form is a great time