MASCHINE+ Walkthrough | Native Instruments

Boris Mezga takes you through the brand-new standalone MASCHINE+. Take a look at the best bits of our stage and studio superpower, from setting up, to the basic workflow, using external gear, recording audio, using Ableton Link, and more.

Chapter:
Intro: 0:00
Hardware Overview: 0:45
Getting Set Up: 02:10
Basic Workflow: 02:48
Lock States: 5:08
Using External Gear: 05:44
Recording External Audio: 07:30
Using Ableton Link: 08:39
Connecting To A Computer: 09:07
Expandability & Updates: 10:05

MASCHINE+ is a standalone production and performance instrument that inherits the iconic and immersive MASCHINE workflow for creating beats and melodies, sampling, and arranging tracks with a wealth of instruments, effects, and sounds from Native Instruments.

#NativeInstruments #MaschinePlus #Maschine #Musicproduction #MIDIController

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Based in the heart of Berlin’s creative hub, the company employs around 600 people in its seven offices globally.

[jwes]

NI: Ok everybody what do you want improved on Maschine?

Us: PLEASE JUST GIVE US A DAMN TIMELINE TO WORK ON!! WE’VE BEEN ASKING FOR A DECADE!!

NI: ...A stand-alone version? Ok if you say so :))

[DopamineOverload]

I'm as big an NI fanboy as anyone can get... but there are a few things that aren't sitting well with me, regarding these first impressions of Maschine+:

1. The price. No way will people drop $1400 for a standalone Maschine (especially with millions of artists going broke because of this year and the pandemic), when you can buy a MK3 and a used quad-core Dell laptop with an SSD, 16gb of ram, and full HD display (Precision M4700) for a total of only $900. People have made videos of how they do a quasi-standalone MK3 with a custom stand and a hidden laptop with the lid closed (disabling "sleep" mode), underneath it. This is a great option, especially if...

2. There's no battery? None? Not even a port for a future installed battery of some sort? See number 1, above. A Dell laptop and the original MK3 can work without power for 3-4 hours easily. Just take your MK3, laptop, headphones and a short USB cable to the park, connect cable, close lid, and you're golden.

3. If there's no battery, people will go to the MPC Live 2, or stick with the highly-affordable MPC One... which is KILLING it these days. I used to not be an Akai person, but when they released MPC Beats, I got hooked on the workflow. I still think Maschine is better, across the board, but the MPC workflow is appealing. I think it was a wise move for them... and that immediately followed the release of MPC One... it didn't receive a ton of love at first, but people came around to it and now love the thing. Additionally, it can work with a battery bank and adapter.

4. I don't need a touchscreen, but a lot of people asked for one. What makes the MPC One appealing is the large amount of dedicated buttons (which the Live/Live2 does not have) as well as a touchscreen. Pads may be slightly smaller, but that's not a deal-breaker.

5. Lastly, people complained about MK3 not having a phantom power switch for condenser mics. This doesn't, either, so it seems....

I really dig all the Maschines I own (Studio, MK2, MK3, Mikro MK2, and JAM). But I don't think this is going to fly with a lot of people. Just reading through these comments, and the posts at the official Maschine forum... and seeing the amount of dislikes, already... I don't know. I just don't know.

What I like--- the (hopefully) improved encoders... the MK3 suffers from smooth to "too loose" encoders right out of the box (I returned two MK3s before hanging onto my main one-- which still has 3 loose encoders, and 5 good ones (been like that since day one)....

The main thing people want is the song mode, the arrangement improvements (the stuff that's coming, probably with the release of Maschine+). That's what we need most.

Just some food for thought! Still love the whole Maschine thing.

[ScottSatchfield]

Bought a MK3 two months ago, knowing deep down another device would launch shortly thereafter. And here we are...

[theofuqua]

2 days ago I went to guitar center and Sam Ashe and they were sold out of MK3.

Thank God I decided to just wait. Now look... lol

Awesome

[charlesrudd]

I have both Mk3 and MPC Live. For my $1000+ I spent on the MPC, I have gotten all I needed and expected. Can't count how many times I've had to reinvest in NI because they dole out features with new hardware. I've already bought a Studio, upgraded to Mk3, invested in Jam and Komplete Ultimate. Now they drop a $1000+ new piece of gear that I of course I want, but can't justify buying for just standalone functionality. My MPC has been standalone forever and never once have I felt like I needed to throw another $1000+ at Akai. I love Maschine, but if there's no crossgrade/upgrade I'm more likely to divest.

[Talib]

Does this video say the song clips feature has been recently released (10:43)? Is this a mistake or should I keep refreshing Native Access?

[somtamthai]

Bought the AKAI MPC Live II three weeks ago and I love it.

[IkanDakai]

Ok cool. Now update the software like we all been crying about.

[Strepite]

Great to see NI expanding to standalone universe for some good competition which will result in better products overall. However the price seems totally ridiculous. I paid $1700 for Akai MPC X new, and for $400 extra, feature wise it is incomparable. 8 CV outs / 2 XLR mic preamps with +48V (+ 2 switchable HI-Z line front inputs) + 2 line inputs or switchable Phono inputs / 4 MIDI outs & 2 MIDI in / huge touchscreen / 16 Q-link pots with LED screens and so on....

[LAKonfidential]

Its amazing they keep ignoring the real problem which is the Software functionality itself! The Piano Roll Screen is so tiny you need Glasses to see during extended studio hours.

[issiewizzie]

What's funny is I used to fantasise on how to redesign the MK3 for a standalone. I used to always come back to the original design of the MK3 with new internals and that's exactly what you guys have done a great job. The MK3 was quite good looking anyway.

[GMGOmusic]

Its like reconnecting with your first love who left for college and came back several years later looking better than ever.

[patientzero]

This looks like it has some hug potential as a live performance tool, which frankly the electronic music world is screaming out for. I'm into it.

[TokarTK]

Amazing update, stylish and modern. Really in time with the release during everyone is trying to produce own stuff.

[DJNSO]

When I connect my Maschine Plus to my Mac, neither Maschine VST or Maschine 2 can "see" my Plus even though I have MIDI set to on the Plus to USB mode. What I am doing wrong?

[Judo_Jones]

I just lost my mind🤯 I've invested so much into my, Maschine setup....I thought N.I. was dying off. I'm extremely excited to see this, Native Instruments! NOW if you'd like to send me a unit for testing, I'm more than willing to accept your offer😉😂😅

[acqua_exp]

HELL YEAH!! For people traveling and for live setups - this is GOLD. Props to the engineering team !! :)

[ChristopherJenkins]

I think $899.99 would be fair... $1399.99 is just to much, for what it is. I can dig NI really did step up and give us a STAND ALONE!

[KnockSquared]

BORIS is dope AF Congrats Native...Love yall !!

[bardofrings]

Ignore all the naysayers here. Maschine definitely has a number of flaws, and the software is surely in need of improvement. But if you take the effort to learn to use the system, the workflow is amazing once you get into it, as it is! This new Maschine looks like exactly the right next step.

If only NI would offer a special upgrade price for existing users of Machine and Komplete!