Native Instruments Maschine Mk3

close to hitting the Lock button immediately
below a few times. It felt safer with more empty
space around it.
Overall, though, the new layout is a triumph,
simplifying mode switching, editor access and
more. The only things missing in comparison to
the expansive Maschine Studio are the
dedicated Edit section (relieving the pads of
their Shift functions) and the jogwheel –
although the latter might actually be preferable
to Mk3’s most controversial new feature: the
four-directional push encoder.
Replacing Mk2’s multifunction knob and left/
right buttons, this seemingly forward-thinking
new controller merges a four-way joystick, a
knob and a button, for, primarily, navigating the
browser, operating the mixer, and adjusting
master Volume, Swing and Tempo. In Mixer
mode, nudging left and right steps through
channels, up and down switches between
Groups and Sounds, and pushing toggles the
knob between volume and pan control. It’s a
good idea in principle, but the joystick element
just isn’t as precise as good old-fashioned
buttons. Expect to ind yourself accidentally
changing channel when you mean to step back
a level occasionally – a bit annoying.
More successful is the enhancement of the
eight rotary encoders with touch-sensitivity,
again á la Maschine Studio. Simply touch a knob
to call up category lists in the browser and
plugin control submenus, and instantly assign
its parameter to a Macro Control.
The magic number
Maschine Mk3 represents the pinnacle of the
series thus far – efectively Maschine Studio
squeezed into a smaller case, with an audio
interface and touchstrip rolled in, and a layout
optimised for the software in its current form.
For Maschine Mk2 owners, it’s a fantastic if
not essential upgrade. The fabulous displays still
look like ‘the future’, the Smart Strip is well worth
having, and the iterative reinements
throughout feel like a substantial evolutionary
progression. You might not make better music
with it than you already do with Mk2, but the
process will be noticeably smoother and much
more eye-pleasing.
Ultimately, Maschine Mk3 is the best
controller for NI’s groove workstation yet.
Web www.native-instruments.com
Maschine includes
some very tasty
NI synths,
including the
legendary Massive
Mk3 adds a new physical control
interface to Maschine in the shape of
the horizontally positioned Smart Strip.
Lifted from Maschine Jam (which
boasts eight of them), this is a versatile
ribbon controller with a multi-segment
LED ladder for visual feedback, that
switches between four modes of
operation via the buttons above it.
In Pitch and Mod modes, the Smart
Strip simply emulates a pitch or mod
wheel, but with the advantage of being
able to jump instantly between values
by tapping. The lack of wheels on
Maschine has always been a minor
limitation, and the Smart Strip solves it
elegantly, although it would be even
better with a ‘snap back to zero’ option
for Mod mode.
Perform mode assigns the Smart
Strip to the Perform FX module for the
current Group – if there isn’t one
loaded, pressing Shift+Perform calls
one up. The parameter controlled by
the Strip depends on the Perform FX
Mode – cutof Frequency for the Filter,
Position for Tremolo, etc.
In Notes mode, the Strip is used to
‘strum’ sounds. With Maschine Mk3 in
Pad Mode, running a inger left and
right sweeps through the sounds of all
held pads, or the whole Group if no
pads are held. With Maschine in
Keyboard or Chord modes, it sweeps up
and down the keyboard, again only
playing the notes of held pads, or all of
them if none are held.
Notes and Perform modes are a lot
of fun, but its in Pitch and Mod modes
that the Smart Strip proves most useful.
Strip club
The Smart Strip brings pitch and mod wheel functionality to Maschine, and more besides
Verdict
For Maschine Studio’s colour screens!
Supremely playable pads
All-new audio interface and touchstrip
Stunning build quality and looks
New layout is a deinite improvement
Against No back legs for angling
4D push encoder isn’t mixer-friendly
Maschine Mk3 takes the essence of
Maschine Studio, adds an audio interface
and touchstrip, and packs it all into the
optimal form factor for stage and studio.
9 / 1 0
Alternatively
Akai MPC Touch
N/A » N/A » £499
Akai’s current closest competition
features a touchscreen
Ableton Push 2
226 » 10 /10 » £499
The second generation of Ableton’s
Live controller is a beauty
“Simply touch a knob
to call up category lists
in the browser and
plugin control menus,
and assign macros”
88 / COMPUTER MUSIC November 2017
> reviews / native instruments maschine mk3
CMU249.rev_maschinemk3.indd 88 18/09/2017 17:45