Native Instruments MASCHINE MK3 Groove Production Studio (Black)

Musicians looking for a professional production and performance system for Mac or Windows will be thrilled by the Native Instruments MASCHINE MK3 Groove Production Studio, a combination hardware controller and integrated software that offers a classic groove-box workflow, with a fast and intuitive interface that is designed to boost your speed and increase your focus.

With the ability to act as a sequencer, sampler, VST/AU plug-in host, and multi-effects unit, the MASCHINE MK3 supports beat-making, live performance, and moreall with the benefit of collaborative computer software. The software is stocked with an 8GB sample library that includes drum kits, synth sounds, loops, and more. The touch-sensitive pads make it easy to sequence drum patterns, bass lines, loops, etc. Plus, with color-coding, you can assign certain colors to certain instruments so you ll always know what s what without having to test it.

The hardware interface features a professional-quality, 24-bit/96 kHz USB audio interface with stereo line inputs and outputs, as well as a microphone input and separate headphone output. The controller also features 16 extra-large, multi-colored, illuminated pads with velocity and aftertouch, 2 high-resolution full color displays, 8 touch-sensitive endless rotary potentiometers, 50 backlit buttons, 1 four-directional push encoder, 1 dual-touch Smart Strip, and 8 multi-colored group buttons. There are MIDI input and output ports (5-pin DIN) for connecting additional keyboards and controllers.

The MASCHINE MK3 provides the flexibility of computer-based music production with straightforward, two-handed control for composing, performing, browsing, sampling, slicing, sound-shaping, and tweaking effects. You can easily load your samples, effects, and plug-ins through the software, and then control them with the pads and knobsthere s no need to touch the computer s mouse or keyboard. And, you can always expand your sound with optional MASCHINE Expansions. The Native Instruments MASCHINE MK3 ships with a USB cable.

What s New in MK3

Bigger Pads

Big, bold, and in your face, the larger pads create more room for complex moves like flams and rolls. New technological updates make the pads more sensitive to lighter touches, for more expressive playing. Also, since the center-to-center distance is the same, your muscle memory and workflow don t have to change

More Pads and Buttons

The 47 white, backlit click-buttons provide direct physical response and with the colored transport controls, the MK3 hardware provides a wealth of physical and visual excitement for intuitive beat making

Studio-Grade Audio Interface

MASCHINE now comes with a studio-grade, 24-bit / 96 kHz audio interface for precision sound. Simply patch in a synth or add a dynamic mic for quick recording and sampling. Stereo line and MIDI ports make it an ideal centerpiece for any studio. Plus, it s USB-powered, so you can record anywhere with your laptop, or plug in the included power supply unit for brighter pads

Faster Workflow

The new hardware layout cuts through the clutter to help you stay focused and get your ideas out fast. Instead of being hidden behind a shift-function button, some of the most-used features and functions can now be accessed directly with one touch

• Pad Input Mode Buttons: Play drum rhythms, program patterns, or play melodies and chords, switching easily with the click of a button
• Lock Button: Take parameter snapshots, tweak settings, and return to the original settings to discover new transitions
• Macro Button: Simply touch a knob to assign your favorite parameters to macros and start tweaking
• Note Repeat Button: Play fills and arps during a performance with a larger, easier-to-find button
• Updated Transport Section: Transport buttons now include deeper integration with most DAWs and direct access to Follow and Tempo Tap
• Fixed Velocity Button: Program accents and ghost notes quickly with 16 fixed velocity levels, or get a smooth, constant volume when triggering samples
• Updated File Management: Open a recent project, make changes, and save it as a new file without ever touching the mouse via new Save and Open buttons
• Expanded Control Section: Quickly jump between views with one-touch access to the Arranger, Mixer, Sound Browser, or Sampler

Eight Touch-Sensitive Knobs

Go beyond tweaking with eight touch-sensitive knobs. Touch once to activate special contextual menus, such as tag clouds, sound settings, and FX parameters. You can also map your most frequently used FX, instruments, or plug-in parameters to macros with the touch of a button

Smart Strip for New Ways to Play

The Smart Strip opens MASCHINE up to whole new ways of playing. Use it like a keyboard wheel to pitch-bend and modulate sounds. Add new sonic textures, builds, or transitions with advanced performance FX like stutter and scratch. Or strum samples, synths, and drums like a guitar

MASCHINE Software Updates

• Ideas View: With MASCHINE 2.6.5, Ideas view was added to make sketching and arranging tracks more intuitive. Record alternate musical phrases or play different beats nonstop. Then mix and match until you find a groove you like
• Parameter Snapshot Morphing: Lock lets you freeze your current settings, tweak a sound, change an envelope, and return to your initial settings at the press of a button. Combine it with the new Morph function to discover new transitions or add improvisation during a performance
• Variation Engine: The new Variation Engine is perfect for adding texture to a track or sparking new ideas. Use Randomize to create new patterns and melodies on the fly. Or add a little swing to your drums with Humanize

MASCHINE Sound Details

The Library

The included MASCHINE software comes loaded with an 8GB sound library, created by renowned sound designers and artists. 8627 samples, 445 full drum kits, 388 multi-sampled instruments, 403 sliced loops, 1200 patterns, and 38 projects, plus five powerful drum synthsa sonic palette as vast as your imagination

Drum Synth Plug-Ins

Create your own perfectly tuned electronic and acoustic drum sounds in truly professional quality. Six monophonic drum plug-ins built exclusively for MASCHINE 2 give you any percussive sound you need. All fully tweakable, automatable from the hardware, and built with NIs DSP expertise

• Kick: Nine engines deliver powerful low end. Four are based on classic analog machinesfat, punchy, deep, dusty, and everything in between. The other five deliver some of the most realistic acoustic-sounding kicks youve ever heard. And a broad sweet spot means you get pro sound no matter what you dial in
• Snare: Thick, harsh, bold, deep, filteredcreate any electronic snare imaginable. Or create realistic acoustic snare sounds and tweak with the total control that a real snare cant give you. Nine engines to choose from, plus a dedicated clap engine for both electronic and acoustic claps
• Hi-Hats: No samples here. Three different engines produce the full range of hi-hat sounds, from classic analog hi-hats, digital, robotic sounds, or thick, crunchy sounds from a new, grain-based oscillator. And a few quick tweaks take you beyond simple hi-hat sounds, deep into creative territory
• Toms: Three engines let you craft a full set of toms fast. Digital sounds from percussive to bell-like to completely alien, and acoustic sounds so warm and fat you wont believe theyre not samples. Added control over pitch bend and advanced parameters give you total flexibility. All on the hardware, and super intuitive
• Percussion: Three engines, no limits. The fractal engine delivers electronic percussion, from bell-like and metallic to sub-heavy and twisted. The shaker engine