11/20/2023 0 Comments Native instruments kontakt mpeI expect Behringer to release something before Native Instruments.MPE and Midi 2.0 are really dear to me, but I have somehow given up on it. I waited YEARS for NI to update the Z2 mixer, or release standalone DJ hardware, only to be disappointed by the newest lineup of Traktor Controllers. Release new and updated software packages at different price tiers periodically, then release a bunch of gimmick hardware to go along with it that requires you to have a powerful custom PC just to run it, then they update the software 2 months later and it’s incompatible with your OS or audio card, or who knows what. NI, even with a new logo, will do what they always do. The Maschine Plus has already proven to be a niche market device that still has a ton of flaws and lacks the frequent updates that many other standalone production devices have gotten. Akai is a hardware company that happens to sell software. NI is a software company that also happens to sell hardware. Pioneer and InMusic, (And even Elektron, obviously) while not large companies, found ways to manufacture standalone music production and DJ devices that are relatively reasonably priced, yet are still able to turn a profit for the company.Īll that being said, I don’t think that NI has the proper business model to sustain standalone hardware long term. In 2017, we saw the release of the Akai MPC Live and X, the companies first standalone devices in almost 10 years. For example, Pioneer and Denon both released the XDJ standalone series and Prime standalone series, respectively. Over the past 10 years we have seen a shift in both the DJ and music Production markets to standalone devices. The logical direction would be to make all of these three devices standalone, but I think the issue that that have run into is cost effectiveness for manufacturing these devices. Out of all of their hardware (Komplete Kontrol, Maschine, and Traktor), only the Maschine+ is standalone. I’ve had my eyes and ears on Native Instruments for a long time (Since 2015 when I bought a Traktor Kontrol S2). I think overall, with NI their sounds are often better if not the best of the bunch, it’s just that if it worked a little more simply and had a more modern UI it would be top class. While new hardware could be interesting, it feels like the underlying software would be the biggest move, and would make existing hardware more interesting to existing owners. But if KK worked well, it would have positive knock on effects towards other aspects of the system. There are other things that could be worked on. If KK was as sleek and modern as Massive X that would make the experience very good, along with a revamped Native Access. This leads me to think that somewhere at NI, there is a version of KK that has a very similar streamlined and modern UI. What I find really interesting is that Massive X has a very similar navigational ui (not the synth itself) as Arturia’s synth browser. Re: the software one thing that I’d like them to address is Komplete Kontrol. There aren’t many folks putting out sampled instruments as well as NI do, and personally I really like Playbox and the Play series of instruments. If want more modern sounds you might go for Pigments or Serum over Massive. If you want retro synths you have Arturia. I think the reason they focus on samples and packs is because that is a niche they occupy that few others do. But I do think they are doing it for a reason. I can understand why folks might not like that direction. I will say that I actually like the expansion packs they’ve just done one with AlexKidd for house and it’s definitely a nice addition. What do you either think or hope is coming from NI and in what capacity (eg: SW or HW?) And what do you think is actually likely to happen if that differs from what you’re hoping for? (I’ve just gotten into the ecosystem so I’m hearing and seeing a few of these things either firsthand or secondhand. I wonder if this has had a mixed reception given the value that Komplete brings to the table. There’s also Komplete Now which has also felt a little quiet since release. Kontakt, Komplete Kontrol and Native Access have all had evolutionary updates but without addressing some concerns about basic functionality. And the software underpinning it comes with some jank baked in, compared to most other mainstream manufacturers out there. I know Machine+ has had a broadly lukewarm response, Maschine and their key controllers are well liked from what I hear but the range is in the 4-8 year old bracket. The announcement this week of the new Native Instruments branding is also a positive because you would never rebrand at this scale without launching with some form of new product or offering (not successfully anyway) and especially in this market. I like the fact that this release forces healthy competition. New PUSH 3 MPE, Standalone option.out now! Other Gear
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