#NATIVE INSTRUMENTS MASCHINE MK3 REVIEW UPGRADE#
#NATIVE INSTRUMENTS MASCHINE MK3 REVIEW SOFTWARE#
#NATIVE INSTRUMENTS MASCHINE MK3 REVIEW PC#

Themed expansion packs, costing between £25 and £44, are also continuously being released by NI. Amongst other things, this adds over 300 additional Kits, 3200 One Shots and 4700 Loops.

#NATIVE INSTRUMENTS MASCHINE MK3 REVIEW UPGRADE#

The Mikro only comes with the Maschine Factory Selection library (1.6 GB), with an upgrade to the full Maschine Factory Library (included with all other units in the current line-up) available for £89. This single window GUI approach is also employed for the comprehensive set of 8 ‘Perform FX’ and 24 ‘Studio’ effects processors. Additionally, ’Bass Synth’ makes it incredibly easy to add basslines to your tracks, and is designed to be as simple to use as possible. Each one (such as Kick, Snare etc.) has a specific set of DSP engines that form the core building block of its sound – taking-in analogue ‘classics’ to more conventional acoustic drum tones. This includes the six ‘Drumsynth’ plug-ins, that provide a simple but effective way to create your own percussion oriented sounds.

#NATIVE INSTRUMENTS MASCHINE MK3 REVIEW SOFTWARE#

Well-regarded NI synths such as Massive, Monark and Reaktor Prism are included with the Mikro’s software package, but Maschine also has it’s own set of sound generators and effects. The Maschine software integrates well with the whole NI universe and as such the line is blurred to the extent that you don’t really need to know how a particular sound is created. It’s worth mentioning that although there is plenty of sample-based material here, it is not restricted to this means of sound creation. This aspect of the Maschine is straightforward, and there is plenty of included content to get you going. Finally it touches on sound tweaking, effects, and exporting the finished result as audio. This introduces you to making a simple beat pattern in both real-time and step modes as well as using the pads to play melodies and chords. After following the instructions on the enclosed license-code card, NI hold your hand most of the way via helpful web links and a very-useful Quickstart Tutorial. Setting-up the Maschine Mikro is pretty straightforward. Although they remain backlit when engaged, it can be tricky to see the writing on these new black buttons when compared to those on previous units. Overall, the Mk3 has a sleeker, more refined appearance, with most legending now placed on the buttons themselves. The NI spin on the Mikro’s smaller display and additional buttons is that ‘less is more’, with an intent on making the hardware element the primary, or even sole, focus.

#NATIVE INSTRUMENTS MASCHINE MK3 REVIEW PC#

However, whilst PC or Mac hosted DSP remains at the core of their products, they have increasingly embraced hardware controller integration concepts.

This ongoing reliance on off-the-shelf computer DSP is only to be expected given that Native Instruments sprung from the development of a PC-based modular synthesis system (that eventually morphed into Reaktor).

In other words, despite its plentiful supply of knobs and colourful display capabilities, Maschine makes no sound itself and relies on the audio output of your computer or external sound card to deliver the sonic goods. Unlike these earlier units and other self-contained sound generation boxes, where software and hardware communicate internally, and all that is required is a power source, Maschine is very much a marriage of software, computer and controller technology. The latter in particular has a lasting legacy in its 4 x 4 matrix of drum pads. The lineage of Native Instruments’ Maschine range can therefore be traced back to the original EMU SP and Akai MPC boxes. At the core of this was the ability of users to record, save and reload their own samples, though this also went hand-in-hand with greater sophistication in the sequencing and post-record, note manipulation department. As sampling became more affordable to implement, and alongside the rise of standalone specialist hardware, manufacturers explored ways of expanding the functionality of their beatboxes. Of course, this was supremely limited by the standards of any modern DAW. There once was a time (barring a few extremely expensive exceptions) when hardware sequencing was the only game in town and with drum machines leading the charge. The Maschine Mikro Mk3 offers a huge amount of fun and creativity at an attractive price.

Native instruments maschine mk3 review