Native Instruments Maschine Mk3

impact on the workflow; on the
previous version these functions were
scattered around the interface, with
some hidden behind shift presses,
whereas the new layout places every
method of using the pads in one
easily accessible, logical place.
The same goes for the rejigged
page/browsing buttons to the top left
of the interface. Here, along with
browser access, we now get buttons
for jumping to the mixer and
arrangement windows, along with
buttons simplifying navigation
between each sound’s plugin and
channel pages. It makes navigating
around the Maschine software’s (by
now fairly complex) architecture
considerably more intuitive.
Mk3 is about more than minor
adjustments though. Along with a
layout reshuffle and sleek, industrial
new look, the hardware has had
several significant new features, as
well as gaining a built-in audio
interface [see Onboard I/O].
The most instantly noticeable of
into what NI call a ‘four-directional
push encoder’. This essentially acts
as a one-stop shop for menu
scrolling, browsing and selection.
Another change likely to catch
the eye of seasoned users is the
overhaul to the central pads
themselves. The 16 pads are now
larger with improved sensitivity,
particularly towards their outer
edges. Despite the beefed-up size,
the pad grid maintains the same
centre-to-centre positioning as the
previous version, meaning that
seasoned finger-drummers can still
rely on their muscle memory. I’m
more of a sequencer person than a
pad drummer personally, and
probably lack the beat-bashing
dexterity to give these new pads a
definitive test, but they feel certainly
feel nicer to play and are noticeably
more responsive to velocity changes.
The other major front panel
addition is the new touchstrip, which
sits just above the transport controls.
This is essentially a single, horizontal
these additions are the revamped
screens, which are now considerably
larger, higher definition and full
colour. These are very similar to
those already found on Maschine
Studio, and function in much the
same way, making the process of
browsing, editing sounds and
sequencing far more visually
engaging. As was the case with
Studio, this additional visual
feedback does a lot to draw attention
away from the computer screen.
Also brought across from Studio
are the eight touch-sensitive rotaries
that sit beneath the screens. Among
the applications of these, most
interesting is the ability to assign
Macros by simply hitting the
assignment button and then
touching the appropriate rotary. This
makes the previously somewhat
convoluted process of setting up
Macros considerably simpler.
Along with these eight smaller
rotaries, the hardware’s main
browsing rotary has been upgraded
ONBOARD I/O
Possibly the most significant change for the Mk3 is the addition of a built-in 96kHz/24-bit
audio interface. This adds a pair of line outs, pair of line ins, a mic input and headphone
output onto the rear panel, alongside the previously existing MIDI in and out ports, and an
expression pedal input. The interface is a sensible addition. Seeing as Maschine has
always been touted as a self-contained platform for sampling and sequencing, it felt a
touch odd to need an extra periphery to get the most out of it.
One thing worth noting is that the mic and line ins can’t both be used simultaneously
– plugging into the mic input overrides the line-in. Because of this it would have been
more convenient to have
the mic input along the
front edge of the hardware,
since it’s not possible to
leave something in it
constantly plugged in.
Similarly, you’ll find you
can’t output the same
thing from the line
outs and headphones
simultaneously (although
the phones can be set up
as a cue output). This is
a bit of a pain if you want
to switch quickly between
monitors and phones
when A/Bing sounds,
for instance.
THE ALTERNATIVES
Akai MPC Live
£999
The latest gen MPC
can do sampling and
sequencing like
Maschine, plus full
audio tracks. It’s fully
standalone too, with
a built in CPU and
rechargeable battery.
www.akaipro.com
Ableton Push
£599
Ableton’s DAW
controller is probably
the closest direct
rival to Maschine.
The Mk2 Push is
excellent, although it
is more expensive
and you’ll need to
shell out more on
top for a full version
of Live 9.
www.ableton.com
NI Maschine
Jam £299
If the Mk3’s
performance
touchstrip sounds
appealing, check
out NI’s alternative
sequencing/
performance focused
Maschine controller.
www.native-
instruments.com
Reviews | NI Maschine Mk3
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FMU324.rev_ni_maschine.indd 80 04/10/2017 14:42