Native Instruments Maschine Mk4 Release Date

[Jenifer Griffard]

MaschineGerman for machine) is a hardware/software digital audio workstation developed by Native Instruments. Maschine consists of a controller that connects to the included sequencing software, which can be installed on any compatible computer or laptop.

The Maschine controller is designed like a drum machine, similar to products like the Akai MPC.[1] The controller is powered and connected by USB, with each variation featuring 16 pressure sensitive pads and back-lit buttons. The hardware is not limited for sole use with the Maschine software, but is also compatible with Native Instruments' Traktor DJ software, and music production software such as Ableton Live and FL Studio.[2][3][4] There are currently 8 different hardware variations:

The Maschine software is designed to be used as a standalone production studio, or utilized as a plugin within a digital audio workstation. The software is primarily based on drum sequencing and designed for use with the Maschine line of hardware controllers. Users assign drum kits, instruments, and sounds from the included library to each of the controller's 16 pads, and can manipulate sounds further by applying effects and plugins. The software also includes tools to capture and manipulate audio samples in real-time. All functions can be performed without the use of a mouse, and instead directly from the hardware itself.[1] The 2.0 version of the software added multi-core CPU support, a new audio engine, the removal of plugin limits, and other upgrades to UI and audio effects.[14]

Maschine was also ported and simplified into an iOS app called iMaschine. Users use the touch screen to manipulate a virtual recreation of the 16 pads found on the Maschine controller. With the release of iMaschine 2, the app features many of the features found on the full production suite, such as step sequencing, arrangement, and the ability to record and manipulate samples. iMaschine 2 on the iPhone 6s line of phones also utilizes the phone's 3D touch capabilities.[15]

On October 1, 2011, Native Instruments released Maschine Mikro, a budget oriented version of the hardware controller, but with the updated Maschine 1.7 software. That same year iMaschine was also released, an iOS app which brought key features of both the software and hardware components to the mobile platform.[6]

A year later, on October 1, 2012, updated iterations of the controllers, Maschine Mk2 and Maschine Mikro Mk2, were both released alongside Maschine 1.8 software. The software came bundled with a copy of Native Instruments' Massive, a synthesizer plugin. [17]

Maschine MK3 was announced on September 7, 2017, and was released on October 5, 2017. [21] The updated Maschine includes two colour screens, a built-in audio interface, and larger drum pads than its predecessor. [22]

A selling point of Native Instruments' Maschine is the release of official expansions for the software's digital library on an ongoing basis.[23] Expansions are generally geared toward a specific genre of music, often containing several different virtual drum kits and instruments. The latest expansions also include presets for the Massive and Monark synthesizers, both of which are created and distributed by Native Instruments.[24] As well, many of the expansions have been released for the iMaschine and iMaschine 2 iOS apps, albeit streamlined for use on the mobile platform.[25][26]

Alongside Akai, other major companies created sampling machines with higher quality capabilities, larger memory capacities and higher polyphony. Some catered towards MIDI sequencing and sampling, others focussed purely on standalone sampling units with the user needing their own form of MIDI sequencer. These later hardware-based incarnations all have their own stories of success, but there was soon a major shift in music-making which happened towards the end of the 1990s that would alter the course the entire music production landscape forever.

Native Instruments, which had been at the forefront of virtual instrument advancement through the noughties, decided that the time was nigh to offer a fully integrated hardware control experience, but with a software heart.

Though the software rapidly matured after its version 1.0 release, the Maschine MK1 hardware immediately offered the essential layout required by hip-hop makers of the time. That is, the classic 44 drum pads, portability, USB power and MIDI 5-pin I/O for external sequencing and sync. The software itself could be run as a plug-in within a more fully-featured DAW or it could run in standalone mode meaning it could easily fit into a variety of workflows.

The standard Maschine hardware and Mikro have both developed through three eras of evolution, the MK2 era saw an improved feel for the pads which changed from the orange theme of the MK1 to RGB colour schemes which helped navigation of sounds in the darkest of club and studio environments. The software also matured into version 1.8 at this point and finally added an offline time-stretch function to complete the old-school sampler feature-set, and offline pitch transposition for samples too. Transient master and saturation were also added to the effects processing suite, letting the user get more bite and presence out of beatmaking.

Alongside this hardware advancement, the software reached 2.0 which, among many user-requested features being implemented, offered the excellent acoustically modelled drum synth instruments. These are a combination of easy to use and modify drum sounds that have a knack of constantly sitting in a sweet-spot wherever users tweaked them to, offering plenty of weight alongside a range of engaging timbres.

Another feature to be handed down this time from the Maschine JAM (as detailed in the boxout) was a touch-sensitive Smart Strip to control MIDI- pitch, -modulation, the newer Performance FX and even achieve guitar-like note strumming by sliding across the strip. The Mikro received a similar specs update too but stayed true to its roots as a hardware controller only by only having USB I/O.

Native Instruments has announced the next generation of their Maschine and Komplete Kontrol production hardware: Maschine Mk3 and Komplete Kontrol Mk2 S49 / S61. Both units have been re-engineered to inspire nonstop creativity with more intuitive workflows, optimized layouts, vivid visual feedback, and deeper studio integration.

With features like an integrated sampler and two high-resolution color screens, the Maschine Mk3 has cutting-edge software and intuitive hardware for an ultra-smooth workflow. With easier sound browsing, editing and sample-slicing, you can effortlessly produce beats, melodies, and harmonies. This latest generation has 16 large, ultra-sensitive pads make two-handed drumming easy. It comes with Komplete 11 select, a 25 GB library of powerful drum synths and premium sounds.

Also announced is the latest generation of Komplete Kontrol hardware, the MK2 S49 / S61. It has a smart keyboard controller for all your virtual instruments with 17 additional function buttons and two high-resolution color screens for browsing and previewing sounds. An enhanced DAW and Maschine integration allows you to mix, navigate and edit projects directly from the hardware. The professional-grade Fatar keybeds and unique Light Guide are joined by new pitch and mod wheels, plus a horizontal touch strip for additional expression.

The official release date for the new Maschine Mk3, Komplete Kontrol S49 and Komplete Kontrol S61 is October 5, but you can pre-order now on the Native Instruments online shop. Prices for the new hardware remain the same as previous versions:

I know Machine+ has had a broadly lukewarm response, Maschine and their key controllers are well liked from what I hear but the range is in the 4-8 year old bracket. And the software underpinning it comes with some jank baked in, compared to most other mainstream manufacturers out there. Kontakt, Komplete Kontrol and Native Access have all had evolutionary updates but without addressing some concerns about basic functionality.

Out of all of their hardware (Komplete Kontrol, Maschine, and Traktor), only the Maschine+ is standalone. The logical direction would be to make all of these three devices standalone, but I think the issue that that have run into is cost effectiveness for manufacturing these devices.

Over the past 10 years we have seen a shift in both the DJ and music Production markets to standalone devices. For example, Pioneer and Denon both released the XDJ standalone series and Prime standalone series, respectively. In 2017, we saw the release of the Akai MPC Live and X, the companies first standalone devices in almost 10 years. Pioneer and InMusic, (And even Elektron, obviously) while not large companies, found ways to manufacture standalone music production and DJ devices that are relatively reasonably priced, yet are still able to turn a profit for the company.

I hope they update maschine software more than anything else. I really liked the form factor of the mk3 and glad they stayed with it for the plus. In terms of new hw, maybe a kk standalone would make sense, if anything. Something that makes the M+ obsolete would be the the wrong move I feel like.

Hello all,

As it states in the title, SubLab is showing in the Komplete Kontol library but not loading. Both software is up-to-date. In the past, I have rescanned and reinstalled my entire library but no luck. Here are a couple of images. Any help would be appreciated.

Reading other threads, I think this is a windows issue with native instruments. Here is a workaround until they come up with a solution.

"You need to install Sublab, inside the Native Instruments VST folder, in my case it was ;

C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\VSTPlugins 64 bit

MY GOSH! THIS IS EPIC! Thanks for your time in compiling this historical info. I was wondering about how Komplete has evolved over years, and then stumbled onto your blog from another post... then found this!

Great work. :D

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