Maschine

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Maschine (German for machine) is a hardware/software digital audio workstation developed by Native Instruments. Maschine consists of a controller that connects to the included sequencing software, which can be installed on any compatible computer or laptop.

Contents

Hardware

The Maschine controller is designed like a drum machine, similar to products like the Akai MPC. [1] The controller is powered and connected by USB, with each variation featuring 16 pressure sensitive pads and back-lit buttons. The hardware is not limited for sole use with the Maschine software, but is also compatible with Native Instruments' Traktor DJ software, and music production software such as Ableton Live and FL Studio. [2] [3] [4] There are currently 8 different hardware variations:

Software

The Maschine software is designed to be used as a standalone production studio, or utilized as a plugin within a digital audio workstation. The software is primarily based on drum sequencing and designed for use with the Maschine line of hardware controllers. Users assign drum kits, instruments, and sounds from the included library to each of the controller's 16 pads, and can manipulate sounds further by applying effects and plugins. The software also includes tools to capture and manipulate audio samples in real-time. All functions can be performed without the use of a mouse, and instead directly from the hardware itself. [1] The 2.0 version of the software added multi-core CPU support, a new audio engine, the removal of plugin limits, and other upgrades to UI and audio effects. [14]

Maschine was also ported and simplified into an iOS app called iMaschine. Users use the touch screen to manipulate a virtual recreation of the 16 pads found on the Maschine controller. With the release of iMaschine 2, the app features many of the features found on the full production suite, such as step sequencing, arrangement, and the ability to record and manipulate samples. iMaschine 2 on the iPhone 6s line of phones also utilizes the phone's 3D touch capabilities. [15]

History

Maschine was first released on April 1, 2009, in a package that contained the original iteration of the hardware controller and Maschine software 1.0. [16]

On October 1, 2011, Native Instruments released Maschine Mikro, a budget oriented version of the hardware controller, but with the updated Maschine 1.7 software. That same year iMaschine was also released, an iOS app which brought key features of both the software and hardware components to the mobile platform. [6]

A year later, on October 1, 2012, updated iterations of the controllers, Maschine Mk2 and Maschine Mikro Mk2, were both released alongside Maschine 1.8 software. The software came bundled with a copy of Native Instruments' Massive, a synthesizer plugin. [17]

On November 1, 2013, Native Instruments released Maschine Studio, a premium version of the hardware controller, bundled with Maschine 2.0 software. [9]

On November 12, 2015, iMaschine 2 was released for iOS, designed as the successor to the original app. [18]

Maschine Jam was released on September 29, 2016, bringing grid based sequencing to the Maschine workflow much like the Ableton Push controller. [19] [20]

Maschine MK3 was announced on September 7, 2017, and was released on October 5, 2017. [21] The updated Maschine includes two colour screens, a built-in audio interface, and larger drum pads than its predecessor. [22]

Expansions

A selling point of Native Instruments' Maschine is the release of official expansions for the software's digital library on an ongoing basis. [23] Expansions are generally geared toward a specific genre of music, often containing several different virtual drum kits and instruments. The latest expansions also include presets for the Massive and Monark synthesizers, both of which are created and distributed by Native Instruments. [24] As well, many of the expansions have been released for the iMaschine and iMaschine 2 iOS apps, albeit streamlined for use on the mobile platform. [25] [26]

List of Maschine Expansions [27]

  1. Acoustic Drums
  2. Amplified Funk
  3. Anima Ascent
  4. Aquarius Earth
  5. Arcane Attic
  6. Astral Flutter
  7. Backyard Jams
  8. Basement Era
  9. Bazzazian
  10. Black Arc
  11. Body Mechanik
  12. Borough Chops
  13. Brass N Bounce
  14. Bumpin Flava
  15. Burnt Hues
  16. Byte Riot
  17. Carbon Decay
  18. Cavern Floor
  19. Certified Gold
  20. Circuit Halo
  21. Conant Gardens
  22. Concrete Sun
  23. Crate Cuts
  24. Crystal Daggers
  25. Dark Pressure
  26. Decoded Forms
  27. Deep Matter
  28. District Xeo
  29. Dj Khalil
  30. Drift Theory
  31. Drop Squad
  32. Drum State
  33. Echo Versions
  34. Elastic Thump
  35. Electric Touch
  36. Electric Vice
  37. Faded Reels
  38. Free Form
  39. Global Shake
  40. Golden Kingdom
  41. Grey Forge
  42. Halcyon Sky
  43. Hazy Days
  44. Headland Flow
  45. Helios Ray
  46. Hexagon Highway
  47. Higher Place
  48. Hot List
  49. Ignition Code
  50. Indigo Dust
  51. Infamous Flow
  52. Infinite Escape
  53. Jersey Ride
  54. Lazer Dice
  55. Liquid Energy
  56. Lo-Fi Vibes
  57. Lockdown Grind
  58. London Grit
  59. Lone Forest
  60. Lucid Mission
  61. Lunar Echoes
  62. Magnate Hustle
  63. Magnetic Coast
  64. Marble Rims
  65. Maschine Central
  66. Meteoric Rise
  67. Midnight Sunset
  68. Molten Veil
  69. Mother Board
  70. Motor Impact
  71. Neo Boogie
  72. Neon Drive
  73. Nocturnal State
  74. Opaline Drift
  75. Paradise Rinse
  76. Platinum Bounce
  77. Polar Flare
  78. Prismatic Bliss
  79. Prospect Haze
  80. Pulswerk
  81. Pure Drip
  82. Queensbridge Story
  83. Radiant Horizon
  84. Rare Vibrations
  85. Raw Voltage
  86. Resonant Blaze
  87. Rhythm Source
  88. Rising Crescent
  89. Rolling Tides
  90. Sacred Futures
  91. Sasha
  92. Satin Looks
  93. Sierra Grove
  94. Solar Breeze
  95. Soul Magic
  96. Spectrum Quake
  97. Stadium Flex
  98. Static Friction
  99. Street Swarm
  100. System Clash
  101. The Stereotypes
  102. Timeless Glow
  103. Transistor Punch
  104. Trill Rays
  105. True School
  106. Velvet Bloom
  107. Velvet Lounge
  108. Vintage Heat
  109. Void Eclipse
  110. Warped Symmetry
  111. Young Phantom

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References

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  20. "Time Maschine: 2009 - 2019". native-instruments.com.
  21. "Native Instruments unveils brand new Maschine and Komplete Kontrol hardware". 2017-09-07.
  22. "What to know about NI's new Maschine, Komplete Kontrol hardware". 2017-09-07.
  23. "Maschine : Maschine Expansions - Products". native-instruments.com.
  24. "Native Instruments Intros Crystal Daggers Maschine Expansion". emusician.com.
  25. "Native Instruments introduces iMASCHINE Artist Expansions". ask.audio.
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  27. https://www.native-instruments.com/en/catalog/software/expansions/