Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Mk3 – USB MIDI Controller Drum Pad with 16 Pads and Massive, Monark and Reaktor Prism Softwares. Includes 1.6 GB Keyboard Factory Selection Samples

Product Information

In DAW control mode the encoders map to the mixer. There's no way to take control of the macro or parameters on Logic or Live's native devices, other than switching to MIDI mode and directly mapping the knobs. Instead the M32 is primarily designed to integrate with instruments and plug-in devices hosted inside NI's Komplete Kontrol. The M32 is the most affordable door into the NI world, so is an easy recommendation for anyone starting out in electronic music production. The Komplete Kontrol Plug-in GB MASCHINE Factory Selection with samples, one-shots, loops, sample instruments, presets, patterns, drum kits, and songs

GB Maschine Factory Selection with samples, one-shots, loops, sample instruments, presets, patterns, drum kits, and songs That said, Ableton Link is by far the best ‘hard sync’ option, but it suffers from rigidity when used with DJ software like Traktor. Essentially, when Link is started, it has its own quantised 4-beat loop that any app will snap to. This is offset quite a bit by a very hidden function in Traktor, which lets you map a ‘reset downbeat’ command to a MIDI or keyboard button. When pressed, it forces Traktor to restart Link which restarts Maschine to follow Traktor’s sync. This sort of contradicts Ableton Link’s core principle of decentralised tempo sync, but it’s necessary for DJs. Once you've selected some sounds, real-time recording via the Mikro pads is the next step, and it's just as fast and logical as you'd hope. There's a metronome to play along to, and the Patterns you create are self-adjusting in terms of length. You are free to edit this afterwards as well as apply quantisation either during or after recording, but it's all refreshingly uncluttered. Our earlier review's hoped-for enhancements to quantisation haven't shown up yet, but at least the 50 percent quantise option remains: it moves notes halfway towards their intended destination, and can be applied several times if necessary. The swing implementation is jolly decent though, and is applicable at Group, instrument or global level. You’ll end up using the laptop screen and mouse much more with the Mikro MK3 than with Maschine MK3 or Ableton Push, due to the obvious reduced number controls. That, and the smaller screens makes setting up and knowing your project more important than ever. An example of this is setting up macros for GROUPS and individual SOUNDS: you can only access and change the ones you have selected on the laptop screen.. you’ll have to change the tab on the laptop to switch. If you’re wanting to play with the pitch of a single sample, and then alter the GROUP reverb, for example, you’ll have to resort to the good ol’ mouse cursor. The Maschine team at Native expect to be able to implement this functionality in a future update, which should be super useful for us DJs. Smart Play is a set of features that I tend to associate with NI's high-end keyboards, forgetting that they are actually part of the Komplete Kontrol plug-in and available to all. This suite of tools includes a Scale mode that can restrict notes to your chosen scale and key, with an excellent 'Easy' option that maps your scale to the white keys. Smart Play also encompasses a couple of Chord modes, and a comprehensive Arpeggiator. Host In The Maschine

Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK3 Overview

Push encoder and screen for browsing, navigating, adjusting volume levels and panning, and controlling parameters Most importantly, you get the full version of the Maschine 2 groovebox software with the Mikro, but it has a smaller supplementary sample collection… “only” 1.8GB, rather than the whopping 5GB we got with the Maschine Studio, for example. This also includes the rather popular aforementioned Massive synth, which is known for it’s awesome bass possibilities and low processing overhead. You also get access to apps and plugins with the Native Kontrol Standard, which essentially guarantees it works with the Maschine system. There’s quite an extensive list of products for you to explore. Owner’s experience

Originally pitched as a software-powered take on the classic Akai MPC beatmakers, the Maschine ecosystem has now grown to encompass far more than sample-centric beat-building, with synthesizers, effects, arrangement and even hardware sequencing all covered by the current iteration of the Maschine software. New Plate Reverb is a versatile reverb capable of sounds ranging from bright to dark with a light metallic quality. Great for snares and vocals and the perfect complement MASCHINE’s Classic Reverb. Now it’s time to configure the MIDI messages (Notes and Control Changes) sent by each control. Obviously, it’s vital that every control sends the intended message – assignment mistakes, like having two Pads sending the same MIDI note, can cause all kinds of confusion.now displays pattern lengths in the Scene Arranger. Ghost patterns are automatically displayed so you see which patterns in each scene are repeating.• Cue Channel lets you audition sounds when browsing and sampling, and create and pre-listen to entire patterns before sending them to the master bus – an ultra-powerful feature when using MASCHINE live.

Elements comprises 3GB of sounds taken from across the bundle, hosted within the Reaktor 5 Player, Guitar Rig 5 Player and Kontakt 5 Player engines. There are some incredible sounds to be found in there, and if it inspires you to buy the epic Komplete 8, then so much the better. Little wonder Komplete Kontrol also lets you add effects after your instrument, within the one top-level plug-in instance, and this chain can be navigated from the hardware. KK also has its own sampler module that automatically steps in if you load a loop or a one-hit audio file rather than a plug-in patch. The flagship of Novation’s distinctive ‘Launch’ range of grid-based Ableton Live controllers, the Launchpad Pro Mk3 is focussed around a grid of 64-velocity sensitive pads. These can be used for triggering Live’s Clips and Scenes, creating drum beats, adjusting mixer functions using ‘virtual’ faders and playing melodic lines using the controller’s Scale and Chord modes. Excellent mobility capabilities. It is really easy to transport and works perfectly with a Surface Pro 4 Computer with a Core I5 and 8GB of ram. I found my self now continuing music production in airplanes, train and outdoors. In typical Native Instruments fashion, the Maschine Mikro Mk3 is a thing of beauty. A simple selection of buttons and controls offer total control over your project, allowing you to get on with the important stuff. 16 velocity-sensitive rubber pads allow intuitive, responsive input (drum, melody, chord progressions and step-sequencer) and the dual-touch smart strip allows in-depth interaction with instruments. Strum a chord, bend a note, tweak a paramter - your choice. Versatility RedefinedEssentially, Maschine is a (standalone and VST/AU/RTAS plug-in) groove workstation that can be operated entirely from the Maschine hardware (well, 99% entirely in the case of Maschine Mikro) or via the software's GUI, for those who prefer to miss the point. For example, assigning a kit to a group in Maschine involves turning one knob to select a Bank, another to select a Type, another to select a Sub Type, and then a final knob to select your sound. It really couldn't be easier - every stage of the process is visible and operable at the same time.

Although not a thing of paper, the manual is a rare treat, its clear instructions given from two perspectives: hardware and software. There are a few options exclusive to each that you'll find as you go, but the symbiosis works as well as anything I've handled.

Specifications

Voucher for Sounds.com – access to thousands of samples and loops from hundreds of suppliers, for a monthly subscription The new pads are bigger in size, providing an ultra-responsive way to interact with your sounds. The revamped look now includes a smaller more concise screen, providing all the information on your settings and sounds you will require.