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Average Price: $312
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$399
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Description
Redefining groove production with its unique hybrid approach, the Native Instruments Maschine mkI is a testament to versatility and innovation in music creation. This genre-defying powerhouse is your go-to tool for everything from hip-hop beats to EDM track creation. With the combination of a dedicated Maschine controller and the robust Native Instruments software, the Maschine mkI offers an expansive sonic landscape for producers to explore and create. It boasts 16 velocity-sensitive pads and 8 dedicated encoders for precise parameter control. Despite being succeeded by the Maschine mkII, the mkI model remains a cost-effective choice, compatible with the latest version of the software.
Key Features:
- Unique hybrid design incorporating a dedicated controller and Native Instruments software
- 16 velocity-sensitive pads for dynamic beat production
- 8 dedicated encoders for precise parameter control
- LCD displays and controls for comprehensive function management
- Transport, editing, and mixing capabilities
- Compatible with the latest version of the software, offering a cost-effective alternative to the Maschine mkII
- Ideal for a wide range of music genres, from hip-hop to EDM.
Product specs
| Brand | Native Instruments |
| Model | Maschine |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2000s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Drum Machines, Samplers |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, USB MIDI |
| Number of Pads | 16 Pads |
| Polyphony | 64 Voices |
FAQs
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Can Native Instruments Maschine be used as a standalone device?
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No, the Native Instruments Maschine requires connection to a computer and the Maschine software to function. It is not a standalone device, unlike the Maschine+ model which offers standalone capabilities.
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What are the main connectivity options for Native Instruments Maschine?
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The Native Instruments Maschine features MIDI input and output, USB MIDI, and can connect to your computer via USB for integration with the Maschine software.
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Is Native Instruments Maschine suitable for live performances?
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Yes, Native Instruments Maschine is designed for both studio production and live performance, offering responsive pads and an intuitive workflow for real-time beat making and sound manipulation.
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How many pads does the Native Instruments Maschine have?
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The Native Instruments Maschine features 16 velocity-sensitive pads, allowing for dynamic drumming and sample triggering.
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Does Native Instruments Maschine support polyphony?
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Yes, the Native Instruments Maschine supports up to 64 voices of polyphony, enabling complex layering and intricate compositions.
Videos
Native Instruments
How to Use Everything in MASCHINE MK3, Beat Making Masterclass (Part 1) | Native Instruments
Reviews
PROS
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Intuitive workflow speeds up creative processes
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Versatile in creating MIDI phrases and audio loops
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Seamlessly integrates with NKI-compatible VSTs
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Responsive pads enhance beat creation
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Hardware and software integration is seamless
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Offers a near DAW-like experience for a sampler
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Provides a powerful combination of synth, sampler, and drum machine
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Excellent for producing drum loops and rhythms
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Effortless transition from idea to nearly complete song
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Comprehensive control with buttons and knobs
CONS
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Difficult to integrate into other DAWs
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May feel outdated compared to newer models
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Software can be less intuitive compared to competitors
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Not suitable as a standalone DAW
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Older models lack newer features found in MK2 and later versions
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Native Instruments Maschine.
Features and functionality
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Maschine's non-linear workflow, using patterns and scenes, offers a fresh approach but requires adjustment for those used to traditional DAWs.
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Maschine Mk3 functions as both a MIDI controller and a full production system, with customizable MIDI layouts via the Controller Editor.
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Maschine excels in finger drumming due to its responsive pads, making it a standout choice for those focused on rhythm and percussion.
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Software and compatibility
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Users found success by contacting Native Instruments support with proof of purchase to resolve licensing issues, highlighting the need for persistence in communication.
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Without a software license, some owners report the Maschine hardware is limited, often requiring a license transfer to unlock full features and MIDI mode.
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Maschine hardware can be sold without its software; however, for full functionality, users may need to purchase or transfer the software license separately from Native Instruments.
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Users note that integrating Maschine with Logic can be cumbersome, as it often requires exporting stems for detailed mixing and arrangement.
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Maschine can control hardware synthesizers through its software, with numerous templates available, or users can create custom setups easily.
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Maschine excels with NKS-compliant instruments, integrating seamlessly with Native Instruments' Komplete collection for a vast array of sounds and effects.
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Value and pricing
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Purchasing Maschine software separately costs around $70, which is a consideration for those buying used units without included software.
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Secondhand Maschine MK3 units can be found for around $200, but ensure the Maschine license is transferred properly.
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Some buyers find better value purchasing new from retailers like Thomann due to the potential wear on used units.
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User experience
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Buyers emphasize the importance of ensuring a proper license transfer when purchasing secondhand to avoid operational issues and ensure the hardware isn't "bricked."
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Maschine's pads are praised for capturing velocity and gating naturally, enhancing percussion and MIDI input without requiring post-editing.
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Use cases and applications
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Maschine is highly regarded for live performance, with its tactile interface allowing for spontaneous creativity and quick idea generation.
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Maschine is versatile across genres, with expansions like Electric Touch and Soul Magic broadening its application beyond hip-hop into pop, reggae, and more.
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Maschine's pad mode and scale mode allow for intuitive melody creation, ensuring users play in the correct key with a limited pad range.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 37 Reviews and 200 Ratings
619
Controller is A1. Software is getting there.
Before I got a Maschine, I used: M-Audio Trigger Finger, Akai MPD-24, Korg PadKontrol and many other drum pad controllers.
Maschine puts them all to shame. Korg PadKontrol pads feel reaaaally great, but it lacks all the buttons and knobs Maschine has.
It took me time to acclimate to its workflow, but in the end it quickly became organic and I didn't have to use the mouse at all.
There have been many great reviews over the software and how it evolved into something that is now very near DAW-like experience, and that's awesome for a sampler, which people tend to forget. It plays super well with all nki-compatible VSTs.
The more recent iterations are even better, but I am confident to say that just using the MK1 you will get very satisfying usage.
382
Solid
Solid piece of gear. Doesn't give you the complete intuitive workflow like the push, but there are many options to incorporate the Maschine in your productions. That is either stand alone, or as a VST in your DAW. I prefer to use the latter and it does the trick each and every time. Great piece of gear, but not sure which one to choose if you have to pick between Push and Maschine. Luckily I have both and don't have to choose ;)
Has what you need for that AIO solutution to get started right OTB
Coming from FL Studio, to Reason and trying to incorporate usb pads via Akai MPD13 then moving to the all beloved MPC 2000XL....Maschine easily merges most of the features I love from other products and venders into one solid unit. The software took a few hits but recent updates have slowing caught up to the fans request and we are now finally seeing options such as dedicated MIDI keys for Kontakt player that allows the Maschine to expand your creative horizon. MK1 has been my go to piece since its release and bundled with Komplete Ultimate, what more could be ask???
56
Use on every project.
Maschine is more than a drum machine. It is more than a sampler or performance controller. I use it not only for creating rhythm sections for my sings, but many times almost as a DAW with the capability the software included has come to. The workflow is very streamline and intuititve. I find myself starting with it as a drum machine and ending with almost a complete song before I move over to my main DAW. Fantastic unit.
96
Great Tool / Bad user
I bought an MK2 on labor day over a year ago thinking I could pick it up and learn to produce my own loops and maybe even songs. sigh Yeah I still can't work anything out on that front. However, the device itself is solid and has been a great addition to my DJ rig. Can't wait to fully integrate it.
38
I love it but Native Instruments have been very slow at updating their system
The summary says it all. I came from the MPC 2000XL and have always loved using outboard gear. When Maschine came out, it was the first of it's kind to merge the best of both worlds. I would love the same 16-Levels system like the MPC (multiple samples without changing tempo of the sample) but...that's for a perfect world.
150
Unbelievable
In my opinion one of the coolest new instruments full stop, capable of very wonderfull things and can be highly creative in production scenarios.
Awesome kit - Highly recomended
Artist usage
Add artist
In a Kreativsound article, Tom Rowlands of The Chemical Brothers discusses their creative process, mentioning the use of the Native Instruments Maschine to explore more instinctive music-making.
When asked what his favorite piece of studio gear is, Adam Beyer replied "Maschine by Native instruments really impressed me"
Underworld's Darren Price talks about Maschine by Native Instruments: "We've had bits of equipment over the last years coming into the studio - it's blown us away - but Maschine is one that's stood out over them all. So this is what we normally do in a live situation. Say we probably write some beats in Maschine in a hotel room somewhere in the world and think 'Oh, I want to play that tonight.' So I'm upping Maschine, I'm on top of the DJ kit, and then I'm ready to rumble. I can either jam it straight from Maschine or put some parts into the main desk. From hotel room mode to live gig on the spur of the moment we normally just run Maschine in sync and... rocking. Since 1.6 I've been running it standalone because of all of the new features. Floating external instruments, plugins, all of my core audio units, whether they're Native Instruments, third party, whatever, I can kind of do the whole track in Maschine and it's great. That's why we've kind of being using it, trying to reinvent some of the old Underworld records to perform live in 2011. They sound a little bit old drum-wise and you put Maschine on and it kind of gives it a new edge, it gives it this new kind of sound. So that's how we've been finding it and it's been very successful. Over the last few weeks us trying different things Everybody Jack...I wrote that in one day. And now it's going to be in the Underworld live set so it's like, you now, [I've] not written a track in one day, on the computer, in any program, in quite a long time. You've got so hands on with each note, holding pads down, tuning, length, position. Don't even touch a mouse - there's no mouse involved. If I'm looking at arranging a track on the screen I'd probably let the section go for probably less time... but if I'm in front of a console or Maschine, you go with your feeling. If your feeling isn't to go 16 bars an hour then you leave it for 32 or 64. it's just a different way to arrange and mix the track. If I spent three weeks in the studio I could translate all the Underworld stuff into Maschine and I could turn up like that and we could do an Underworld gig out of it. We could do it without taking all of that backline and all of the live stuff. It's just a great, great piece of kit, and I love it."
Nicolas Jaar has an NI Maschine in this live performance, evidenced by the Native Instruments logo on the back.
In the Point Blank Music School's "A State of Bliss Track Masterclass" video, Cazzette mentions the Native Instruments Maschine, highlighting its quality. This suggests they incorporate it into their music production.
During Kraftwerk's 2015 encore performance of "Autobahn" at the Amsterdam Paradiso, a Native Instruments Maschine is visible on their second rig, as shown in the YouTube video by Willy Billiams.
Mentioned in this October 2017 Sound on Sound interview.
Davis’ trusty old MPC60, though, is sadly long gone from his setup. Over successive DJ Shadow albums, however, he has progressed through variations on it: upgrading to an MPC2000 for his production of Unkle’s 1998 album Psyence Fiction, then MIDI’ing two of them together for the second DJ Shadow album The Private Press, released in 2002.
“I basically had nearly unlimited sample power and chop power,” he says. “But after The Private Press, I felt like it was important to switch things up. I had purchased Pro Tools so I was fully up and running on that. There’s probably two or three songs on [2006’s] The Outsider where the initial ideas or sketches were done on an MPC. It’s been I’d say 13, 14 years since I used one.
“I will say though that in I think about 2008, I got whatever was new at that time [the MPC5000], thinking, ‘Oh I kinda miss it, let me see what the new version’s like.’ But I just couldn’t go back. It seemed a bit silly to me, knowing what was possible within stuff like Maschine. Once you go into the software synth world, it’s really hard to legitimise going back into the box.”
It is also mentioned in this October 17, 2016 Music Radar interview.
"After that, I went to Pro Tools. I always feel like it's important to break out of your comfort zone a little bit, but I'll say that Ableton Live is the most intuitive music-making program I've used since the MPC - much more so than Pro Tools or Maschine, but that might just be the way my brain works.
"Another box of fun arrived from our sponsors, Native Instruments!! Thanks Guys! @NI_News"
"I can work with the Maschine, control the volumes with the Maschine" - Chris Liebing at :20s in this video.
”We mix together three things; Maschine, Logic and Abelton and we use each one interchangeably. A lot of the initial stages of production will be done in Maschine, Logic for the overall mixing, matching and layout of the song and then our live performances are all done in Abelton.”
Album Usage
The Native Instruments Maschine has been featured on the following albums:
Falling
Eminence (2023)
Look Right Through (MK Vocal Edit)
Storm Queen & Marc Kinchen (2013)
Defiant Order
Birdy Nam Nam (2013)
Hesitation Marks (Deluxe Version)
Nine Inch Nails (2013)
The 2nd Law
Muse (2012)
The Outsider
DJ Shadow (2006)
Deadringer: Deluxe
RJD2 (2002)
The Private Press
DJ Shadow (2002)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Native Instruments Maschine, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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