Yea all that's fair. I typically think of machine work as more of an "end of workout" type thing when you're tired, or supplementary in super sets. Definitely have their place and lower risk of injury. The thing I knock on them for though is machine work typically takes out the element of core/back stability that you would get by doing free weight work (squats, rdl's, Bulgarians, etc.). "Keeping it tight" helps to improve you all around vs just one muscle, and helps to improve your overall fitness level and greatly decreases risk of injury in the future. I do a mix of both but try to make free weight work the center of the workout, where in my mind the machines purpose is there to tire you out the rest of the way, work ancillary muscles, and frankly just to help you improve your squats and other compound exercises.