So I've been doing this electronic music production thing for 1.5 years. Sticking to free stuff, and demos. I want to finally settle into something. I've been bouncing around between DAWS mostly FL Studio and Ableton so I am comfortable in both. I also own a launchpad pro.
The thing with me is that I love all forms of production, and if I'm going to spend money on something, I want it to allow me to do all forms of different music with little limitations.
I love IDM, Synthwave, Hip Hop, Trap production. I recently got in to the Boom Bap sampling stuff, which caused me to look into the Maschine and/or MPC. I watch tons of videos of people flipping samples on the devices. It looks like so much fun, but then I hear that there is issues with integrating with the daw, and you have to bounce out, etc.
Here is my current thinking:
FL Studio:
Pros:
I love the pricing model, pay once and get forever free updates. I can come up with stuff quickly, and really like the Pattern workflow. I love the step sequencer, and coming up with drum patterns is very quick and easy. I love the piano roll, and it's very easy to click stuff in. Comes with some cool synths. Good for all styles of music. Cheapest option at $300 ( I'd go for signature edition)
Cons:
Still mostly and keyboard/mouse workflow. I'd like to try something more hands on. Doesn't have some features that a DAW like Ableton has in regards to warping, etc. Although with the new FL 20 coming, they will be adding all of that soon. Will still require me to buy my own sample packs, etc. The sampling workflow with SliceX and/or FPC is kind of clunky compared to machine. Could potentially be fixed by buying the Serato Sample plugin.
Maschine:
Pros:
Seems to be a very fast workflow for sampling/Boom Bap. Can quickly chop up a sample, visually see the wave forms on the device, use the knobs to set start and end points. Seems very fun. Comes with a great set of VST's and really good sample packs. I love how you just choose and kit and it's already mapped out so you can start adding drums immediately. Other options require you to search each drum sound individually or spend a lot of time creating your own kits with FPC or Drum rack.
Cons:
Seems to be limited in terms of production. Seems to only be good if you just plan on doing loop based beats/production. Doing things like complex automations, etc seems to be clunky. Doesn't play well with other daws. Requires bouncing out audio which I think might become tedious. Useless without the software. NI has a reputation of abandoning their products, will this be a useless purchase in 5-10 years?
MPC Live/X
Pros:
Same as above. Added advantage of being standalone. Know that if you buy this, it will always work because it is standalone.
Cons:
Same as above. Seems like the Akai software is buggy.
Ableton/Push
Pros:
Probably the most comprehensive in terms of features. Seems like you can make all types of music with it. Great audio manipulation. Good sampling workflow, although probably not as fast as Maschine. Can use the Session View similar to FL Studio patterns. Push gives option for step sequencer, plus scales.
Cons:
Push is only useful with Ableton. Take that out of the equation and it's almost useless. Don't like the pricing structure, $300 for every major update, that adds up over the years. Doesn't really come with much even with Suite. Stock synths are lacking. Most expensive out of all the options. Not sure if I'd go with Suite or Standard. Might have to go with a used Push.
Submitted April 19, 2018 at 12:22PM by RetroByte https://www.reddit.com/r/edmproduction/comments/8dfg4v/cant_decide_between_fl_studio_maschine_mk3_mpc_or/?utm_source=ifttt