Native Instruments unveils Maschine

Native Instruments unveils Maschine

15 January, 2009 | 4.38PM

• Written by: Christen Reutens
• Filed under: Music News: namm 2009, native instruments

Today at NAMM 2009, Native Instruments unveiled its new Maschine, “a next-generation groove production studio that makes beat creation and arrangement more immediate and tactile than ever before.”

The system is a combination of software and an outboard controller, which is seamlessly integrated.

The idea is that the groove production process is as easy as the days of analogue drum machines, but the power, stability and flexibility of software is available too.

Yes, when we saw it a little bit of wee came out too.

Maschine is kind of like a simple jam box that you can use to write beats in a step-sequenced way which makes writing tracks faster and simpler. NI is even daring to call the process “fun”.

“Maschine was designed to accommodate and facilitate inspiration at any point in the creative process, from spontaneous beat creation to sophisticated multi-timbral arranging,” they said.

Based on a powerful high res sample engine, Maschine offers hundreds of drum kits, percussion hits, synthesizer sounds, loops and multi-sampled polyphonic instruments that can be mapped, sliced, sculpted and transformed by any external or internal signal “without ever breaking the flow of the music” (that’s the fun part).

The controller is able to take command of 20 high-quality conventional and experimental algorithms that are optimized for real-time sound shaping.

“The advanced Maschine controller was designed as a natural extension of the software, and makes the system feel and respond as a true instrument,” claimed NI.

There are 16 pressure-sensitive drum pads, eight rotary encoders and dual high-resolution displays that give immediate access to all Maschine functions.

The performers amongst you are probably already dreaming up the possibilities of real-time sound control via the controller that was originally used to program the beats in the studio, especially considering the Maschine doubles up as a MIDI controller capable of controlling any MIDI enabled device.

Price and availability

Maschine will be available from March 2009 for approx. $669 / 599 EUR.

Get more info at: www.native-instruments.com/maschine.info

Press release: Native Instruments Announces MASCHINE

Berlin, January 15th, 2009 - Native Instruments today announced MASCHINE, a
next-generation groove production studio that makes beat creation and
arrangement more immediate and tactile than ever before. The system combines
an advanced software sequencer and sampler with a seamlessly integrated,
highly functional performance controller. Finally merging a fast and
intuitive groove-box workflow with the power and versatility of software,
MASCHINE enables an inspiring and spontaneous creative approach for today’s
computer-based music production setups.

MASCHINE is built on an intelligent combination of timeless groove box and
drum machine workflows, systematically refined and expanded to take
advantage of the best aspects of computer technology. It brings together
flexible step sequencing and real-time polyphonic recording in a
forward-thinking pattern-based arrangement concept that makes it easy to jam
out ideas, and turn them into full-blown songs in a way that is efficient,
effortless and fun. MASCHINE was designed to accommodate and facilitate
inspiration at any point in the creative process, from spontaneous beat
creation to sophisticated multi-timbral arranging.

The advanced MASCHINE controller was designed as a natural extension of the
software, and makes the system feel and respond as a true instrument. The 16
pressure-sensitive drum pads have been carefully engineered for the best
possible response and durability, and they illuminate to visualize sequence
patterns and other crucial information. Eight rotary encoders, a concise
layout of dedicated buttons and dual high-resolution displays give immediate
access to all functions of MASCHINE without touching the computer mouse or
keyboard. By design, all features are quickly accessible “on the surface”
rather than hidden away in hierarchical sub menus. The MASCHINE hardware
also doubles as a powerful universal controller for any MIDI compatible
music gear, thanks to an included MIDI mapping application and support of
the MCU protocol for sophisticated DAW control.

Based on a powerful high-resolution sample engine, MASCHINE is a versatile
instrument that renders intricate drum kits and percussion, loops and
multi-sampled polyphonic instruments with uncompromising sonic accuracy,
assisted by automatic sample mapping, beat slicing, note repeat and more.
The advanced real-time audio recording and resampling features in MASCHINE
also allow producers and performers to capture, map, sculpt and transform
any external or internal signal immediately, and seamlessly integrate the
result into a running track without ever breaking the flow of the music.
Multiple performance effects sections on the sample, group and master level
provide a versatile arsenal of 20 high-quality algorithms ranging from
conventional to experimental, all optimized for profound sound shaping and
creative real-time control through the MASCHINE hardware.

MASCHINE lets everyone get into making music right away through its massive
library of drum and instrument sounds for contemporary urban and electronic
music styles, created in collaboration with international cutting-edge
producers and sound designers. Based on several GByte of studio-quality
samples, the arsenal of MASCHINE provides hundreds of drum kits, synthesizer
sounds and acoustic instruments, with around ten thousand individual sounds
overall. All kits, instruments, samples and effects can be efficiently
managed and located through a highly convenient browser that uses categories
and concise metadata.

With MASCHINE, all crucial functions including parameter automation, sample
mapping and sound editing are always immediately accessible through the
controller and within the concise single-window user interface of the
software. Usable both as a self-contained standalone instrument and within
any DAW or music sequencer, MASCHINE utilizes all the benefits of computer
integration like total recall, superior processing power, memory and file
handling, project transfer and more, while retaining the inspirational
handling and tactile appeal of a hardware instrument.

MASCHINE will be available in March 2009 for a suggested retail price of
$669 / 599 EUR.

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