A Guide to Native Instruments Maschine Series

With a longstanding presence at the forefront of music technology, Native Instruments continues to soar to new, unseen heights each year. Renowned for their cutting-edge products, the impact of Native Instruments' music production software resonates in artist studios worldwide, serving diverse purposes. 

With notable users such as electronic DJs and producers like Deadmau5, Noisia, and Kaytranda to acclaimed film composers such as Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL, Native Instruments remains a steadfast force shaping the sonic landscapes of contemporary music.

As pioneering as Native Instruments and their products can be, there can be a lot to take in when it comes to learning the ropes to some of their gear. So in this blog, we’ll look at the basics of one of their most popular pieces of equipment, the Native Instruments Maschine. We’ll be discussing what the purpose of the Maschine is, its functions, what are some of the key features of its newest incarnation and much more. So without further ado, let’s dive in!

The Native Instruments Maschine is a powerful music production system that integrates hardware and software seamlessly. Designed for intuitive and hands-on beat-making, sampling, and performance, Maschine combines a dedicated controller with advanced software, offering a tactile and dynamic approach to music creation. 

With its versatile drum pads, touch-sensitive encoders, and a vast library of sounds and effects, Maschine empowers musicians, producers, and DJs to unleash their creativity and craft professional-quality tracks with precision and flair.

The Native Instruments Maschine stands out not only for its robust capabilities but also for its remarkably user-intuitive functionality, making it a must-have for users who are completely new to beat-making. The hardware controller features tactile drum pads and touch-sensitive encoders, providing a hands-on experience that feels both natural and responsive. 

Navigating the software interface becomes an intuitive extension of your creative process, allowing for seamless interaction with a vast array of sounds, samples, and effects. Maschine's user-friendly design empowers both beginners and seasoned producers to delve into the world of music production effortlessly. 

The intuitive workflow facilitates quick idea generation, beat sequencing, and intricate sound shaping, making it an ideal tool for those looking to translate their musical vision into reality with ease. Whether you're crafting beats, experimenting with samples, or performing live, the user-friendly nature of the Maschine enhances the overall creative experience, turning every session into an exploration of musical possibilities.

Beginning your journey with the Native Instruments Maschine is made simple. Start by connecting the power and audio cables to your MASCHINE. Find the SD card on the left side, remove the protective strip, and then reinsert the SD card. Power on your MASCHINE and follow the onscreen instructions for a one-time setup process. 

This involves connecting to WiFi (remember your WiFi password), registering your MASCHINE with your Native ID log-in credentials, and linking to your Native Instruments account to download your plug-ins. Ensure you're running the latest software by connecting to Wi-Fi, navigating to SETTINGS, selecting Update, and hitting UPDATE for a smooth setup experience.

Revolutionising user workflow in music production with its sleek design and intuitive features,  the Native Instruments Maschine comes with a larger, ultra-sensitive pads offer expressive playing, while the high-res RGB colour displays and a four-directional push encoder enable a visually seamless workflow. 

The smart integration of hardware and software, combined with a 24-bit/96kHz audio interface, streamlines recording and sampling. The updated hardware layout with dedicated buttons for key functions ensures a focused and efficient creative process. The Maschine stands as a powerful platform for the latter day creative, redefining modern music production from beat creation to intricate sound design.

The Native Instruments Maschine is equipped with a suite of performance tools that enhance the creative capabilities of musicians and producers. The 16 ultra-responsive pads provide a dynamic interface for drumming, sampling, and playing melodies, with Pad mode allowing for intuitive beat creation. The versatile Keyboard mode transforms Maschine into a melodic instrument, while Step mode facilitates precise sound programming and parameter automation for intricate musical results. 

The innovative Smart Strip adds a tactile element, enabling users to manipulate pitch, modulate, and perform other dynamic gestures in real-time. The Lock button captures parameter snapshots, facilitating experimentation and transitions, while the Macro button simplifies parameter assignments for on-the-fly tweaking. These performance tools, combined with the intuitive hardware layout and seamless software integration, make the Native Instruments Maschine a comprehensive and expressive instrument for live performances and studio sessions alike.

Not only can you delve into the vast array of sounds and samples already available when you first purchase your Maschine, you can also expand your creative horizons with the artist expansions that are available to purchase from the Native Instruments website. From German Hip-Hop producer, Bazzazian, to the Grammy winning band, The Stereotypes, the available artist expansions offers an array of samples, loops, presets and much more for users to utlise and spark their creativity.

The Native Instruments Maschine is a serious powerhouse for music creators. Those 16 pads aren't just for show—they're your direct line to dynamic drumming and melodies. The Smart Strip adds a touch of finesse for expressive moves, and the responsive knobs keep things finely tuned to your touch. With an updated layout featuring handy buttons, it's all about staying in the zone without getting lost in menus. Maschine is more than just a controller; it's your partner in crime for crafting beats and melodies, making music production feel like a seamless and authentic experience.

The connectivity options of the Native Instruments Maschine are as versatile as its creative capabilities. With USB 2.0 powering the unit, Maschine seamlessly integrates with your setup, providing both data transfer and power through a single connection. 

The inclusion of 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs, a 1/4" dynamic microphone input, and a 1/4" jack stereo headphone output ensures compatibility with various audio devices, making it a versatile centerpiece in any studio. MIDI in/out ports allow for external device integration, while a footswitch input expands control possibilities. Whether you're plugging in instruments, mics, or headphones, Maschine's comprehensive connectivity options cater to the diverse needs of music producers and performers, providing a flexible and accessible hub for your creative endeavors.

When choosing between the Maschine and Maschine+, the decision hinges on your preferred workflow and setup. The Maschine is ideal for those who prefer a collaborative relationship between hardware and computer. It acts as a dedicated controller for the Maschine software, providing access to a diverse range of sounds and instruments. 

On the other hand, the Maschine+ is designed for those seeking a more autonomous and portable solution. Operating independently without requiring a computer, Maschine+ integrates both hardware and software components, boasting its own operating system and directly running the Maschine software on the device.  This standalone functionality offers musicians a self-contained platform for music production, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize flexibility and freedom from computer dependency.  

In the expansive world of Native Instruments' Maschine series, the Maschine Mikro MK3 shines as a compact yet powerful gem, perfect for intuitive beat-making. With its sleek design, responsive pads, and innovative features like the dual-touch Smart Strip, this unassuming controller transforms into a versatile tool for songwriting, production, and performance. Weighing just over 1 kg, it's a portable studio in your laptop case, powered via USB 2.0. Don't overlook the Mikro MK3—it redefines portable beatmaking, offering musicians unmatched capabilities to explore creativity on the go.

And there you have it, that’s our beginners guide to the Native Instruments Maschine Systems. Shop our full range of Native Instruments. If you have any questions or queries about any Native Instruments products, contact PMT Online or call your local PMT store to speak to one of our experts.