Native Instruments Maschine MK3

Upon unboxing this beautiful beast of a Maschine, I was blown away! It comes in a smooth black kit, two crisp displays, touch-sensitive knobs, touch strip, and a jog wheel that can control and navigate smoothly within the software and plugins. I previously purchased a Komplete Kontrol S61 Mk2 along with Komplete Ultimate 11 last year and I love how my workflow has "Drum"atically improved when including the Maschine MK3 to my production station. I was super excited when I found out that they included Komplete 12 select when you register your MK3. I did further research on Komplete 12 Ultimate and I am definitely interested in updating my Komplete 11 Ultimate. It's so worth it! I'm saving up for it now, so in the meantime, check it out for yourself! To sum it up, the ... MoreUpon unboxing this beautiful beast of a Maschine, I was blown away! It comes in a smooth black kit, two crisp displays, touch-sensitive knobs, touch strip, and a jog wheel that can control and navigate smoothly within the software and plugins. I previously purchased a Komplete Kontrol S61 Mk2 along with Komplete Ultimate 11 last year and I love how my workflow has "Drum"atically improved when including the Maschine MK3 to my production station. I was super excited when I found out that they included Komplete 12 select when you register your MK3. I did further research on Komplete 12 Ultimate and I am definitely interested in updating my Komplete 11 Ultimate. It's so worth it! I'm saving up for it now, so in the meantime, check it out for yourself! To sum it up, the MK3 makes arranging your sounds, adding effects, and creating ideas super easy. I saved the best for last, It comes with a built-in Audio Interface so you can just plug in your headphones or studio monitors and start creating! Take my word for it, if you've gotten this far, buy this Maschine. You won't be disappointed. Native Instruments is top quality and has never disappointed.I hope this helps!Thanks for reading!

It comes with a huge library of sounds. Roughly 25bg. Last I looked I had imported around 50,000 different sounds. You can alter any sound, use your plug-ins to do so, and sample anything you want to boot. It serves as a hands on editor and comes with a sequencer ( software). You can create beats, sound effects, and make entire songs using all the virtual Instruments. Anything can be exported to your favorite daw, and it will print the finalized tracks without having to load all the used plug-ins Into your daw, which can save a ton of pc processing power on large sessions. Use it to trigger vst Instruments in a daw ( I use it for ez drummer triggering in pro tools) or create Individual Intros, outros, Interludes, ambient background noises, and even add background ... MoreIt comes with a huge library of sounds. Roughly 25bg. Last I looked I had imported around 50,000 different sounds. You can alter any sound, use your plug-ins to do so, and sample anything you want to boot. It serves as a hands on editor and comes with a sequencer ( software). You can create beats, sound effects, and make entire songs using all the virtual Instruments. Anything can be exported to your favorite daw, and it will print the finalized tracks without having to load all the used plug-ins Into your daw, which can save a ton of pc processing power on large sessions. Use it to trigger vst Instruments in a daw ( I use it for ez drummer triggering in pro tools) or create Individual Intros, outros, Interludes, ambient background noises, and even add background synths to your music. I am still learning all it can do. My only gripe is that it will not see or load ez drummer 1. So I have to use it as a trigger instead of making my drum beats in maschine standalone. I already purchased ez drummer 1 at full price, and don't feel I should not have to buy the program a second time just so maschine will recognize it. It's u fortanate as it is the main purpose I dropped all the money for it, but everything else it does makes up for it. It would be great if N.I. Would add support for ez1. Then it would be the single best purchase ever. But as I said, the unit has many uses besides what I want and is handy to have. It's a great Controller and I am Considering getting the matching 49 key keyboard for complete playability of its endless synths, though you can use the Controller to do that same thing, it would just be on pads and take longer. It has more sounds than I could ever have the time to listen to. If you record anything other than drums, guitar, and vocals, this is a great buy. Can also be used for live applications and has an Interface. I will still buy a high end interface, but if you don't have one, it's a nice touch. Can be used as the pc's sound card and the quality sounds good.

This mk3 is beyond amazing!! It will enhance your sound to a much higher level even if you have a really good sound already. I've used many DAW's and many midi controllers and this is hands down the best to me. The number 1 thing that stood out the most to me is the quality. Everything is so crisp and on point. The manufacturing of the mk3 is out this world! Shout out to Germany! Everything is at your finger tips and 1-2 clicks away. I'm at the point where I don't even touch much mouse or keyword when operating through the computer and not even looking at the computer screen. The display on it is crystal clear, the pads are extremely strong and can take a hard beating without any glitches and any other problems you can think of. The response time on it is so on ... MoreThis mk3 is beyond amazing!! It will enhance your sound to a much higher level even if you have a really good sound already. I've used many DAW's and many midi controllers and this is hands down the best to me. The number 1 thing that stood out the most to me is the quality. Everything is so crisp and on point. The manufacturing of the mk3 is out this world! Shout out to Germany! Everything is at your finger tips and 1-2 clicks away. I'm at the point where I don't even touch much mouse or keyword when operating through the computer and not even looking at the computer screen. The display on it is crystal clear, the pads are extremely strong and can take a hard beating without any glitches and any other problems you can think of. The response time on it is so on point, it's scary. During each session using it, I find myself on it for 5-6 hours at the minimum. I'm a die hard FL studio user, but this maschine has changed my sound drastically! The stock so ds and plug ins are so dope and the quality in them are just wow! The work flow alone is a great experience. After using the maschine, my work process has been cut in more than half the time and that's key. It literally took me 2 days to get really comfortable with it and I've never owned a native instruments product. Before the mk3 and using maschine, I was using FL studio and a akia mpk 61. Now I barely look at it. Anyone can use this, even kids and will catch on in no time. I highly recommend everyone to use it or at least give it a try.

It’s easy to underestimate how much of a difference tweaking encoders instead of clicking a mouse can make during the production process. That said, this beast of a controller gives you a generous amount of pads, buttons, encoders, and 2 high resolution color screens to keep you away from the mouse and whatever DAW you’re into. The build quality is superlative, every point of interaction with the Mk3 feels right and responsive. NI’s software is seamlessly integrated, allowing you to summon its vast capabilities with a few twists and button presses. As a bonus you also get a touch strip to bend pitches or modulate as you wish.The back panel is impressive - USB, optional power supply, audio in/out, MIDI in/out, headphone, mic in, pedal. The Mk3 includes an audio ... MoreIt’s easy to underestimate how much of a difference tweaking encoders instead of clicking a mouse can make during the production process. That said, this beast of a controller gives you a generous amount of pads, buttons, encoders, and 2 high resolution color screens to keep you away from the mouse and whatever DAW you’re into. The build quality is superlative, every point of interaction with the Mk3 feels right and responsive. NI’s software is seamlessly integrated, allowing you to summon its vast capabilities with a few twists and button presses. As a bonus you also get a touch strip to bend pitches or modulate as you wish.The back panel is impressive - USB, optional power supply, audio in/out, MIDI in/out, headphone, mic in, pedal. The Mk3 includes an audio interface enabling you to sample directly into it and keep everything wired to one central hub. It’s highly convenient although it probably won’t replace a standalone audio interface.The real appeal of this controller (aside from being rock solid) is removing some of the more tedious aspects of production. That allows ideas to flow faster, and the Mk3 gives you an arsenal of tools to grow them without ever opening an external DAW. If you’re a fan of Komplete, itching for a new (better) way to get sounds out of your head, or just want to dive into a world outside of the DAW, you can’t go wrong with this.

I've owned the Maschine MK2, the MPC Live and a few other controllers and this easily beats them for best of its kind. The split screen is extremely helpful when arranging songs or editing patterns. I love that I can use the new FX perform mode with just a single button and a glide of the finger. Sampling is easier than all other controllers I've used before. The interface is easy to learn for beginners and Komplete Now gives you new sounds to play on a regular basis. The only thing I don't like is that neither of the displays are touchscreen, which is really just more for aesthetics than operability. Maschine MK3 is 10/10 when it comes to controllers. I highly recommend it to anyone no matter what their level of experience is.

Fantastic quality piece of gear and included Maschine 2 software! I opted for the vapor gray 25th year anniversary to go with my Komplete mk2 61 keyboard. I have never owned anything like this before and have always been intrigued but honestly a bit intimidated. I received the unit and watched a couple of tutorials and was flying around the unit in no time. Native instruments has some fantastic sounding expansions that really allow you to be creative in the moment. I can’t recommend this product enough. Any producer or musician should add one of these to their gear immediately!

Helping to bring music to more music makers

Maschine has been around for a while now and with this MK3 version its even better than before. You can find countless articles and videos on Youtube showing how easy and productive Maschine can be when expressing your self. Yoyu can effortlessly take advantage of the inspiration that comes in the Machine content. However, many software and hardware groove boxes are not accessible to those who are totally blind or those who use screen readers. With Native Instruments dropping the latest Machine MK3, I have a new accessible tool in my toolbox. This offers the feel of a groove box with the added power and speech output of my computer. I love this thing and my Sweetwater sales engineer Aaron helped me with my purchase and offers stellar service. I like that Sweetwater ... MoreMaschine has been around for a while now and with this MK3 version its even better than before. You can find countless articles and videos on Youtube showing how easy and productive Maschine can be when expressing your self. Yoyu can effortlessly take advantage of the inspiration that comes in the Machine content. However, many software and hardware groove boxes are not accessible to those who are totally blind or those who use screen readers. With Native Instruments dropping the latest Machine MK3, I have a new accessible tool in my toolbox. This offers the feel of a groove box with the added power and speech output of my computer. I love this thing and my Sweetwater sales engineer Aaron helped me with my purchase and offers stellar service. I like that Sweetwater followed up my purchase with an email with helpful articles to help me get started.

LOVE IT BUT DISAPPOINTED

So I wish I didn't have to write this review but I feel I need to warn people. When I first got it I thought this thing is amazing. Great sounds. Great features. Great for using other soft synths on. One of the reasons I got it is because it bridges hardware and software. I liked how I could use the outputs out of the machine like any other hardware instead of using the computer speakers. I could go back and forth in the preference and it was great. However after only having it a few months it no longer works in that way. So basically its like a hardware controller but I really liked the fact that I could use it back and forth between having the sound come out of the machine and the computer but it only comes out of the computer for me now. I am really upset about ... MoreSo I wish I didn't have to write this review but I feel I need to warn people. When I first got it I thought this thing is amazing. Great sounds. Great features. Great for using other soft synths on. One of the reasons I got it is because it bridges hardware and software. I liked how I could use the outputs out of the machine like any other hardware instead of using the computer speakers. I could go back and forth in the preference and it was great. However after only having it a few months it no longer works in that way. So basically its like a hardware controller but I really liked the fact that I could use it back and forth between having the sound come out of the machine and the computer but it only comes out of the computer for me now. I am really upset about this because I love the software and I would actually give the machine a perfect score if it wasn't for this but it seems expensive for this to happen. In addition to that my headphones never worked once with it. I know there are ways around this but Im kind of upset and I don't want to return it but i want one that works perfect where I can have the sound come out of the machine. Other than that its amazing but I really need to get around that. It can do sampling, the sounds are great, its a pretty good drum machine and to be honest i love it but I am disappointed and would not recommend this product unless you want to use it just as a controller and use the computer speakers. I really didn't even want to write this review because there are so many things I love about it but be warned.

Native Instruments makes a mean Maschine!

I want to point out that the majority of low star reviews are based on user end problems, not the device itself (which I feel is a lousy way to rate something). As a computer tech junkie, I had no problems installing the software. Of course, I don't try to organize my clips into any special hidden folders or anything like that, so everything goes to the stock folders and works as intended. Even then, Maschine 2 software has the ability to manually import musics, which these people struggled to learn (YouTube is phenomenal for step by step instructions btw).As a novice, I'm struggling with using my Maschine to its fullest extent for 2 reasons: A) It's a music instrument, expecting to plug and play with zero experience is like expecting to pick up a guitar and play ... MoreI want to point out that the majority of low star reviews are based on user end problems, not the device itself (which I feel is a lousy way to rate something). As a computer tech junkie, I had no problems installing the software. Of course, I don't try to organize my clips into any special hidden folders or anything like that, so everything goes to the stock folders and works as intended. Even then, Maschine 2 software has the ability to manually import musics, which these people struggled to learn (YouTube is phenomenal for step by step instructions btw).As a novice, I'm struggling with using my Maschine to its fullest extent for 2 reasons: A) It's a music instrument, expecting to plug and play with zero experience is like expecting to pick up a guitar and play like a pro with zero experience - only, Maschine will actually let you play like a pro with minimal difficulty - and B) I'm now ordering a keyboard because I want to learn how to both play piano (to aid in my music making) and read music. All in all, I'm not actually struggling with this device, because I don't have unreal expectations!The device itself is extremely intuitive! The pads are amazing, with both pressure sensitivity (velocity - to finger drum and get the similar response you would with a real drum), and the ability to run a fixed velocity!The touch-responsive knobs feel amazing, good resistance (they don't spin like a cheap knob would). The device is built around working from the device instead of staring at your computer (my laptop screen shuts off because I never touch it!), and has an incredible range of control.Maschine has all the bells and whistles I'd dreamed up when I first wanted to get into music as a teen (20 years ago). Now that I can afford music as a hobby, I have zero regrets buying this device. It's worth every penny (not to mention the $75 worth of discounts you get from NI for your first expansion purchases).

Yes yes yes

I had a mikro 2 before and went to guitar center for the newest one and realized it doesn't sample from the device anymore the way that I used to for slices. So I needed that and didn't want to get into that price range but after deciding to go ahead. Guitar center claimed to have a new one but it wasn't but Sam ash to the rescue. New in box. And the sales person went above and beyond. He was super awesome. I worked at gc and I'll be purchasing from SA from now on. As far as the device. Perfect. Especially since the screens get brighter when plugged in to ac power.