Maschine Mikro - Introduction to Expansion Packs

Introduction:

Here we're looking at Native Instruments expansion packs on the Maschine Mikro MkII hardware and Maschine 2.4.0 (R4769). More specifically, we're taking a listen to the Crystal Daggers expansion pack.NI have really come up with a winner here. Some of the kits sound truly excellent and provide some great samples or entire sequences (patterns) to work with.

Crystal Daggers Expansion Pack:

The video takes a listen to a few of my favourite kits (sounding very much like Purity Ring in many cases) and I also listen to some patterns and look at the basics of how the parts hang together. I make a few minor edits to the patterns, sounds and fx but this is mainly just taking having a play and giving you a chance to see how great these packs are. I'm interested to know whether you're tempted to go for one of these after you hear the audio. I suggest you listen on a good pair of headphones. None of this iPhone in-ear rubbish! Just kidding. Whatever works and is available.

Is It Cheating?

I don't really want to go here but I'll mention it quickly. Whenever I look at loops, samples or expansion packs of this kind, it always opens the question of whether these types of packs enhance or actually stifle creativity. Is it a bad thing that the sound is already created for you to work with? Shouldn't you be doing that bit by recording or programming a synth? I'm not sure of the answer but they are great fun to play with. It's like having a Yamaha keyboard as a kid except it sounds perfect! A good song is a good song. Who cares how you get there.Let me know if you have any comments or questions. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel if you like what we do. It means a lot when we know there are others who like and appreciate this kind of stuff.

NOTE: This is a completely independent look at this software. I am not affiliated with NI. I just like their products.