Equipment advice for 2 performers. Looking at the S2 and Maschine, open to options. So a friend and I have been producing for a bit, and we're ready to start buying some gear
to begin performing live. We currently just use PCs on Ableton.
Currently, we're looking at picking up a S2 and a Maschine, but I'm wondering if there are better options out there for a duo to perform with. We're also looking at picking up a Mac.
We like the workflow of both the S2/Traktor and the Maschine, and we want to both be able to bring something to the performance and not have to take turns. He likes to make beats dynamically, so we were considering using the S2 for mixing and effects, and the Maschine for live beats and effects. I know the F1 could be used as well, but we want to have 2 stand alone instruments.
Doing some research, I'm still a little unclear if this setup will be the best. Any recommendations/advice?
Thanks |
Tobie Mittler
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by boarderbas
Do you NEED jogs?
A Xone 4D is THE way to go as a central mixer in a digital setup. True, it's a bit dated, doesnt have RGB shit, but what it HAS is 22 channels of external audio and a true HQ Allen & Heath standalone mixer.
I'm not too sure on how much it would relief your PC, but doing your mixing in the analog world gives you more flexibility and less CPU strain for running Maschine and Traktor both on one laptop....and ofcourse it has great ableton integration...
If you're in the US, it may be overbudget, but here in europe they are a bit over |
Tobie Mittler
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by boarderbas
Do you NEED jogs?
A Xone 4D is THE way to go as a central mixer in a digital setup. True, it's a bit dated, doesnt have RGB shit, but what it HAS is 22 channels of external audio and a true HQ Allen & Heath standalone mixer.
I'm not too sure on how much it would relief your PC, but doing your mixing in the analog world gives you more flexibility and less CPU strain for running Maschine and Traktor both on one laptop....and ofcourse it has great ableton integration...
If you're in the US, it may be overbudget, but here in europe they are a bit over |
Tobie Mittler
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by boarderbas
Do you NEED jogs?
A Xone 4D is THE way to go as a central mixer in a digital setup. True, it's a bit dated, doesnt have RGB shit, but what it HAS is 22 channels of external audio and a true HQ Allen & Heath standalone mixer.
I'm not too sure on how much it would relief your PC, but doing your mixing in the analog world gives you more flexibility and less CPU strain for running Maschine and Traktor both on one laptop....and ofcourse it has great ableton integration...
If you're in the US, it may be overbudget, but here in europe they are a bit over |
Sau Fassl
18.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by Otacon
@Humanafterall not to go off topic but how do you guys have maschine running into just a single deck in traktor?
I have a second audio card (which I assume you might not have), an Audio 6, which is connected to the laptop running Maschine. We route audio from the Audio 6 into an input on the S4 and set Deck C in Traktor to live input - so we get easy level control, Traktor's effects etc on the Maschine channel. If you don't have a second audio card and you're running one laptop you should be able to aggregate your S4 sound card with a virtual audio output/input. I've used Asio4All on windows for this but I found it led to latency and glitches.
Originally Posted by Otacon
But i feel like an MPC would be perfect for what you guys need because before the newest ones you didn't need a comp. You could use the laptop to DJ and he could use the MPC and sync them up some how, just an opinion
Good point, he would need more than an s2 though because he'd need inputs to plug the MPC into (can you use the mic input for this stuff?) |
Tobie Mittler
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by boarderbas
Do you NEED jogs?
A Xone 4D is THE way to go as a central mixer in a digital setup. True, it's a bit dated, doesnt have RGB shit, but what it HAS is 22 channels of external audio and a true HQ Allen & Heath standalone mixer.
I'm not too sure on how much it would relief your PC, but doing your mixing in the analog world gives you more flexibility and less CPU strain for running Maschine and Traktor both on one laptop....and ofcourse it has great ableton integration...
If you're in the US, it may be overbudget, but here in europe they are a bit over |
Tobie Mittler
18.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by humanafterall
If you're mixing internally on one laptop you should be able to set the Maschine's audio to just output on the master channel of the S2 so that both programs use the S2's soundcard - that way you don't need external inputs on your S2 or another soundcard for Maschine. I'm not sure if that's possible or desirable though, maybe someone else on the community
knows?
I guess alternatively you could route Maschine's output into a Traktor deck internally using a program like Virtual Audio Cable but that might overcomplicate things...
Either way let us know what gear you decide on.
Good Idea! We're more than likely going with the S2 and Maschine, I just have to decide whether or not the drop the cash on an S4 or not. |
Sau Fassl
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by mor4sso
Hmm, it seems like the lack of inputs on the S2 is going to hold us back a bit. I've been debating just simply getting an S4, but as this is my first controller, I don't know if the extra cost is worth the features that the S4 provides.
Or maybe I'm over believeing everything. :P
If you're mixing internally on one laptop you should be able to set the Maschine's audio to just output on the master channel of the S2 so that both programs use the S2's soundcard - that way you don't need external inputs on your S2 or another soundcard for Maschine. I'm not sure if that's possible or desirable though, maybe someone else on the community
knows?
I guess alternatively you could route Maschine's output into a Traktor deck internally using a program like Virtual Audio Cable but that might overcomplicate things...
Either way let us know what gear you decide on. |
Tobie Mittler
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by humanafterall
We route Maschine to deck C in Traktor so we can EQ it easily in the mix. We also run midi cables between Maschine and the S4 which allows for sync and to control some of the functions in Traktor on the Maschine (by switching Maschine into midi mode).
The setups gone great for us - I love the flexibility of Maschine and the ability to host synths and instruments as well as make beats, but I haven't had enough time to go through the sample library and to figure out how to best use it in our sets. As a result we haven't used it much in our sets (more just for effects control) but I've had a bit more time now to use it and we're starting to use it our setup more.
I believe Maschine is a great way to get live beats in your sets for cheap! You can do effects on it too - I mapped mine to control Traktor effects with the pads using aftertouch so I can vary the effect with the pressure on the pad. I'd definitely recommend it if an MPC etc is too expensive. As you're producing you'd get a bit more flexibility when you perform if you used Maschine rather than just an S2.
Hmm, it seems like the lack of inputs on the S2 is going to hold us back a bit. I've been debating just simply getting an S4, but as this is my first controller, I don't know if the extra cost is worth the features that the S4 provides.
Or maybe I'm over believeing everything. :P |
Sau Fassl
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by mor4sso
It sounds like you're running a similar setup to what we plan on doing. How has it worked out for you guys? Any recommendations/advice?
We route Maschine to deck C in Traktor so we can EQ it easily in the mix. We also run midi cables between Maschine and the S4 which allows for sync and to control some of the functions in Traktor on the Maschine (by switching Maschine into midi mode).
The setups gone great for us - I love the flexibility of Maschine and the ability to host synths and instruments as well as make beats, but I haven't had enough time to go through the sample library and to figure out how to best use it in our sets. As a result we haven't used it much in our sets (more just for effects control) but I've had a bit more time now to use it and we're starting to use it our setup more.
I believe Maschine is a great way to get live beats in your sets for cheap! You can do effects on it too - I mapped mine to control Traktor effects with the pads using aftertouch so I can vary the effect with the pressure on the pad. I'd definitely recommend it if an MPC etc is too expensive. As you're producing you'd get a bit more flexibility when you perform if you used Maschine rather than just an S2. |
Tobie Mittler
16.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by boarderbas
Why not run Maschine as a VST in ableton on a second laptop. You can hook up an Akai APC40 too.
We can't afford a second laptop unfortunately. Running the Maschine through Ableton will be done for production, but my partner likes the abilities and pads on the Maschine over the APC40
Originally Posted by humanafterall
IMO Maschine should be fine to run in the background of one laptop if its powerful enough - when I play with my partner who has an S4 I close my laptop and read everything I need off the Maschine screens.
It sounds like you're running a similar setup to what we plan on doing. How has it worked out for you guys? Any recommendations/advice? |
Tobie Mittler
15.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by Shishdisma
It depends on if you can handle a laptop for the drum machine or not.
Running off one laptop for two people, doing two completely different things? Even with Maschine's inbuilt screens, you're pushing it. You're really going to have to ask yourself what you're going to be doing with it, and if that hardware layout is even really necessary in a coherent setup.
I was believeing have all the sets drum beats set into groups on the maschine, so that my buddy won't even need to look at the computer. Then we run Maschine in the background, and keep Traktor on the screen the whole time while I run the S2.
We're buying a brand new laptop, so hopefully it'll have the power to run everything. We're considering a PC because for the same price we can get a lot more power under the hood.
All this is up in the air, we're just trying to figure out exactly what to get. |
Nancey Inderlied
15.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by mor4sso
Why would you recommend the MPC over the Maschine?
Also, do you guys believe this is a viable setup while running off of 1 computer?
It depends on if you can handle a laptop for the drum machine or not.
Running off one laptop for two people, doing two completely different things? Even with Maschine's inbuilt screens, you're pushing it. You're really going to have to ask yourself what you're going to be doing with it, and if that hardware layout is even really necessary in a coherent setup. |
Tobie Mittler
15.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by Otacon
If its gonna be two separate setups I'd prob go with an MPC for the live beats. I use maschine in my sets and its fun but if you both wanna bring something different to the table id do that. But the S2/Maschine setup is amazing, so either way you can achieve your goal.
Why would you recommend the MPC over the Maschine?
Also, do you guys believe this is a viable setup while running off of 1 computer? |
Tobie Mittler
15.10.2012 | So a friend and I have been producing for a bit, and we're ready to start buying some gear
to begin performing live. We currently just use PCs on Ableton.
Currently, we're looking at picking up a S2 and a Maschine, but I'm wondering if there are better options out there for a duo to perform with. We're also looking at picking up a Mac.
We like the workflow of both the S2/Traktor and the Maschine, and we want to both be able to bring something to the performance and not have to take turns. He likes to make beats dynamically, so we were considering using the S2 for mixing and effects, and the Maschine for live beats and effects. I know the F1 could be used as well, but we want to have 2 stand alone instruments.
Doing some research, I'm still a little unclear if this setup will be the best. Any recommendations/advice?
Thanks |
Estrella Rozzo
19.10.2012 | Wouldn't a second soundcard be a solution in that case? Just don't use the built-in one from the S2.
I also run an S2 and a Maschine, but mostly in Midi-mode since I play by myself. I still have to figure out how the syncing & such works, though. Would be interesting to 'jam' a little on the pads with a friend mixing. But as humanafterall said, a deck for easy volume in Traktor is useful. I just like faders for volume over the knobs on the Maschine. I have to be way more careful. Especially cause they're endless rotaries. And there's many solution, budget just is a problem for many of us. |
Sau Fassl
18.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by Otacon
@Humanafterall not to go off topic but how do you guys have maschine running into just a single deck in traktor?
I have a second audio card (which I assume you might not have), an Audio 6, which is connected to the laptop running Maschine. We route audio from the Audio 6 into an input on the S4 and set Deck C in Traktor to live input - so we get easy level control, Traktor's effects etc on the Maschine channel. If you don't have a second audio card and you're running one laptop you should be able to aggregate your S4 sound card with a virtual audio output/input. I've used Asio4All on windows for this but I found it led to latency and glitches.
Originally Posted by Otacon
But i feel like an MPC would be perfect for what you guys need because before the newest ones you didn't need a comp. You could use the laptop to DJ and he could use the MPC and sync them up some how, just an opinion
Good point, he would need more than an s2 though because he'd need inputs to plug the MPC into (can you use the mic input for this stuff?) |
Erich Vallabhaneni
17.10.2012 | @Humanafterall not to go off topic but how do you guys have maschine running into just a single deck in traktor? I use and S4 and Machine but its just added to the Master and I can't cue in headphones without running maschine out of the laptop running into channel C but I feel like it loses some sound quality. But to the OP, something that might be useful is grabbing a small monitor that you can attach to the laptop so your friend on the maschine can see what he's doing if he needs to. But i feel like an MPC would be perfect for what you guys need because before the newest ones you didn't need a comp. You could use the laptop to DJ and he could use the MPC and sync them up some how, just an opinion. |
Tobie Mittler
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by boarderbas
Do you NEED jogs?
A Xone 4D is THE way to go as a central mixer in a digital setup. True, it's a bit dated, doesnt have RGB shit, but what it HAS is 22 channels of external audio and a true HQ Allen & Heath standalone mixer.
I'm not too sure on how much it would relief your PC, but doing your mixing in the analog world gives you more flexibility and less CPU strain for running Maschine and Traktor both on one laptop....and ofcourse it has great ableton integration...
If you're in the US, it may be overbudget, but here in europe they are a bit over |
Evia Nitch
17.10.2012 | Do you NEED jogs?
A Xone 4D is THE way to go as a central mixer in a digital setup. True, it's a bit dated, doesnt have RGB shit, but what it HAS is 22 channels of external audio and a true HQ Allen & Heath standalone mixer.
I'm not too sure on how much it would relief your PC, but doing your mixing in the analog world gives you more flexibility and less CPU strain for running Maschine and Traktor both on one laptop....and ofcourse it has great ableton integration...
If you're in the US, it may be overbudget, but here in europe they are a bit over €1000,- and even cheaper second hand...
If you'd ever get a second laptop, you can use Maschine's effects through the mixer's send and return!
A lot of bias here, but I just love to use mine that way... |
Tobie Mittler
18.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by humanafterall
If you're mixing internally on one laptop you should be able to set the Maschine's audio to just output on the master channel of the S2 so that both programs use the S2's soundcard - that way you don't need external inputs on your S2 or another soundcard for Maschine. I'm not sure if that's possible or desirable though, maybe someone else on the community
knows?
I guess alternatively you could route Maschine's output into a Traktor deck internally using a program like Virtual Audio Cable but that might overcomplicate things...
Either way let us know what gear you decide on.
Good Idea! We're more than likely going with the S2 and Maschine, I just have to decide whether or not the drop the cash on an S4 or not. |
Sau Fassl
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by mor4sso
Hmm, it seems like the lack of inputs on the S2 is going to hold us back a bit. I've been debating just simply getting an S4, but as this is my first controller, I don't know if the extra cost is worth the features that the S4 provides.
Or maybe I'm over believeing everything. :P
If you're mixing internally on one laptop you should be able to set the Maschine's audio to just output on the master channel of the S2 so that both programs use the S2's soundcard - that way you don't need external inputs on your S2 or another soundcard for Maschine. I'm not sure if that's possible or desirable though, maybe someone else on the community
knows?
I guess alternatively you could route Maschine's output into a Traktor deck internally using a program like Virtual Audio Cable but that might overcomplicate things...
Either way let us know what gear you decide on. |
Tobie Mittler
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by humanafterall
We route Maschine to deck C in Traktor so we can EQ it easily in the mix. We also run midi cables between Maschine and the S4 which allows for sync and to control some of the functions in Traktor on the Maschine (by switching Maschine into midi mode).
The setups gone great for us - I love the flexibility of Maschine and the ability to host synths and instruments as well as make beats, but I haven't had enough time to go through the sample library and to figure out how to best use it in our sets. As a result we haven't used it much in our sets (more just for effects control) but I've had a bit more time now to use it and we're starting to use it our setup more.
I believe Maschine is a great way to get live beats in your sets for cheap! You can do effects on it too - I mapped mine to control Traktor effects with the pads using aftertouch so I can vary the effect with the pressure on the pad. I'd definitely recommend it if an MPC etc is too expensive. As you're producing you'd get a bit more flexibility when you perform if you used Maschine rather than just an S2.
Hmm, it seems like the lack of inputs on the S2 is going to hold us back a bit. I've been debating just simply getting an S4, but as this is my first controller, I don't know if the extra cost is worth the features that the S4 provides.
Or maybe I'm over believeing everything. :P |
Sau Fassl
17.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by mor4sso
It sounds like you're running a similar setup to what we plan on doing. How has it worked out for you guys? Any recommendations/advice?
We route Maschine to deck C in Traktor so we can EQ it easily in the mix. We also run midi cables between Maschine and the S4 which allows for sync and to control some of the functions in Traktor on the Maschine (by switching Maschine into midi mode).
The setups gone great for us - I love the flexibility of Maschine and the ability to host synths and instruments as well as make beats, but I haven't had enough time to go through the sample library and to figure out how to best use it in our sets. As a result we haven't used it much in our sets (more just for effects control) but I've had a bit more time now to use it and we're starting to use it our setup more.
I believe Maschine is a great way to get live beats in your sets for cheap! You can do effects on it too - I mapped mine to control Traktor effects with the pads using aftertouch so I can vary the effect with the pressure on the pad. I'd definitely recommend it if an MPC etc is too expensive. As you're producing you'd get a bit more flexibility when you perform if you used Maschine rather than just an S2. |
Tobie Mittler
16.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by boarderbas
Why not run Maschine as a VST in ableton on a second laptop. You can hook up an Akai APC40 too.
We can't afford a second laptop unfortunately. Running the Maschine through Ableton will be done for production, but my partner likes the abilities and pads on the Maschine over the APC40
Originally Posted by humanafterall
IMO Maschine should be fine to run in the background of one laptop if its powerful enough - when I play with my partner who has an S4 I close my laptop and read everything I need off the Maschine screens.
It sounds like you're running a similar setup to what we plan on doing. How has it worked out for you guys? Any recommendations/advice? |
Sau Fassl
16.10.2012 | IMO Maschine should be fine to run in the background of one laptop if its powerful enough - when I play with my partner who has an S4 I close my laptop and read everything I need off the Maschine screens. |
Evia Nitch
16.10.2012 | Why not run Maschine as a VST in ableton on a second laptop. You can hook up an Akai APC40 too. |
Tobie Mittler
15.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by Shishdisma
It depends on if you can handle a laptop for the drum machine or not.
Running off one laptop for two people, doing two completely different things? Even with Maschine's inbuilt screens, you're pushing it. You're really going to have to ask yourself what you're going to be doing with it, and if that hardware layout is even really necessary in a coherent setup.
I was believeing have all the sets drum beats set into groups on the maschine, so that my buddy won't even need to look at the computer. Then we run Maschine in the background, and keep Traktor on the screen the whole time while I run the S2.
We're buying a brand new laptop, so hopefully it'll have the power to run everything. We're considering a PC because for the same price we can get a lot more power under the hood.
All this is up in the air, we're just trying to figure out exactly what to get. |
Nancey Inderlied
15.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by mor4sso
Why would you recommend the MPC over the Maschine?
Also, do you guys believe this is a viable setup while running off of 1 computer?
It depends on if you can handle a laptop for the drum machine or not.
Running off one laptop for two people, doing two completely different things? Even with Maschine's inbuilt screens, you're pushing it. You're really going to have to ask yourself what you're going to be doing with it, and if that hardware layout is even really necessary in a coherent setup. |
Tobie Mittler
15.10.2012 |
Originally Posted by Otacon
If its gonna be two separate setups I'd prob go with an MPC for the live beats. I use maschine in my sets and its fun but if you both wanna bring something different to the table id do that. But the S2/Maschine setup is amazing, so either way you can achieve your goal.
Why would you recommend the MPC over the Maschine?
Also, do you guys believe this is a viable setup while running off of 1 computer? |
Erich Vallabhaneni
15.10.2012 | If its gonna be two separate setups I'd prob go with an MPC for the live beats. I use maschine in my sets and its fun but if you both wanna bring something different to the table id do that. But the S2/Maschine setup is amazing, so either way you can achieve your goal. |
