How Pioneer’s TORAIZ SP-16 Sampler/Sequencer Works

I think by “stand-alone” you mean “It doesn’t need a computer hooked up to it during it’s performance”, which is true, but to say this device doesn’t need a computer would be a misleading. The Toraiz still needs to interface with a computer for sounds, and to access most of it’s advanced features. The argument that “stand-alone” is really necessary (or even desired) anymore is up for debate, as notebook and project computers get smaller (form factor-wise), and people seek more integration in their gear (which is why companies like Native Instruments sells a family of products).

When you add Maschine to a (Traktor and) Notebook setup, you’re probably also going to have a controller (that has a sound card) as well, which minimizes the proposed price differential-gap (especially when considering the Maschine Mikro). Maschine ends up being one more piece of gear integrated into your set, rather than some labyrinthine add-on. It’s worth noting that Native Instruments tends to build their interfaces with a similar look and feel, so you don’t have to change your thinking paradigm when moving from one software application to another… and you can literally drag and drop loops from Maschine to Traktor’s remix decks.

There is no doubt that the Toriaz will attract people interested in the Dave Smith filters, the touch screen, and the “no computer required” attributes, most-notably the CDJ and Vinyl DJs who don’t want to use a computer during their sets. Comparatively, the Maschine software suite is (arguably) more advanced partly due to the extensive integration with all other Native Instruments software, a monstrous library of sounds, and the NKS interface. Maschine makes no bones about the fact you have to plug it in to a computer, but it does not compromise at all for that concession. You get the full production suite right there at your DJ gig.

How do you load your music then? I would not assume you have all the songs you ever wanted in a device and streaming cannot be trusted right now… getting the actual tracks in is kinda’ important.

iDevices typically end up being consumer interfaces with some capabilities, but they’re really not intended to be worked hard, for hours. I’m sure Native Instruments has plans for adding more capabilities to their mobile devices, but I think it would be silly for them to do that instead of working on their (laptop/notebook) computer applications.

Are you suggesting we go back to CDs or Vinyl? I think many of us have seen what computers have given us (in abilities and limitations) and are unwilling to go back.

Your style seems cool enough for what you do, but it’s not for a lot of people. My argument is for the average DJ here. Most DJs will still mix A-to-B (the best they know how) so their friends will have a great time at whatever party they’re at.

I think you’re trying to minimize the importance of a computer for file management as “using a friend’s computer.” At some point, a computer becomes necessary for file tags… that’s non-trivial. No tablet or smartphone handles data management of files very well. Most of the time, tablets and smart phones like to lock you out of control of your files, and that’s a real let down for people who just want to do something with their own data. That is a strong point for computers (still). It’s something most of us are unwilling to part with because we care about how our files are tagged.

Most of this new generation of DJs think about music files as the samples they are, complete with hot cues, and beat grids. They’re not doing it the old school way because they don’t have to… this way makes sense to them, so turntables are something that’s basically a big ol’ clunky controller that works with their computer and keeps “old school style, enforcer-types” off their backs.

** Side note to all you hecklers out there for DJs that aren’t playing on Turntables: Really?! Do we really need to hear how much we suck while we’re literally watching a room full of people dancing to our tunes? Maybe we should come to your work and tell you how much you suck and point out to your co-workers that you’re doing something all messed up, and publicly humiliate you for not doing it some other way.
**

I agree that small form-factor computers are getting better, and they’ll go through growing pains as they’re installed in devices too (hopefully they’l stop trying to dominate everything with proprietary connections, or locked out features). Here’s the thing: most people just don’t care about computer monitors in the DJ booth anymore, we’ve fought that battle and won it. Until a small form-factor computer can do what my (not much larger form-factor) notebook can do, I’m going to use it. I expect that many others think this way too.

Oh, I was on the forefront of DJing with computers. People used to try and shout me down for “bringing on the death of DJing” and “Not really doing it myself, I just let the computer DJ for me.” That hasn’t happened, and it took a long time to bring these people around… but they’re finally here… with a very small amount of hold-outs.

I believe the Maschine controllers are class compliant, but drivers certainly enhance user experience. It’s very easy to misunderstand that Maschine is both the controller and software, they’re intended to be used together, but if you’re already using your laptop for Traktor, there’s no additional need for hardware. Would I suggest whipping out Maschine on the bus? No, but that’s what iMaschine is for, it’s not as fully featured, but it does have a bunch of “sketch pad” features. All projects can be moved into Maschine (from iMaschine) pretty quick and easy.