Native Instruments today announced Maschine Mk3 and Komplete Kontrol Mk2 S49 / S61.
Here’s a video intro to Maschine Mk3, featuring NI’s Boris Mezga:
MASCHINE Mk3 adds two high-resolution color screens for easier sound browsing, editing, sample-slicing, and more. The new hardware also features more dedicated function buttons and larger, more responsive pads. The new Maschine also offers a built-in 96kHz / 24-bit audio interface.
Features:
- Integrated hardware/software system includes sampler, arranger, mixer, FX, and more
- 8 GB Maschine library with samples, one-shots, sliced loops, sampled instruments,
presets, patterns, drum kits, and songs - Includes 25 GB Komplete 11 SELECT library
- 25 pro-quality studio and creative FX including filter, EQ, delay, reverb, and compressor
- 2 high-resolution RGB color displays for precision sample slicing, sound tweaking, note
editing, mixing, browsing, and more - 16 large pads make two-handed drumming easy
- Pro-grade, 96kHz / 24-bit audio interface with 2 x 1/4” TRS line outputs, 2 x 1/4” TRS line
inputs, 1/4” dynamic mic input, stereo headphone output, 1 x MIDI In, 1 x MIDI out, and 1
x Footswitch - Touch sensitive knobs for parameter tweaking
- Smart Strip for strumming notes, pitch bending sounds, performing with FX, and more
- Four-directional push encoder for browsing, navigating, and adjusting levels and balance
- Powered via USB 2.0 or with the included power supply unit
- Seamless integration with Komplete
- Classic groovebox features i ncluding 16 velocity levels, swing, pad l ink, note repeat, step
sequencer, and vintage MPC 60/SP-1200 sampling emulation - Compatible with all major DAWs (including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio) as a
VST or Audio Units plug-in, with full multi-core support.
Komplete Kontrol Mk2 extends the original keyboard’s workflow with 17 additional function buttons and two high-resolution color screens for browsing, previewing sounds, and more.
Now it’s possible to mix, navigate, and edit projects directly from the hardware. The Fatar keybeds and unique Light Guide are joined by new pitch and mod wheels, plus a horizontal touch strip for additional expression.
Features:
- Smart keyboard controller for all your virtual instruments
- Pro-grade Fatar keybeds with aftertouch – 49 or 61 semi-weighted keys
- Ergonomic pitch and mod wheels, plus touch strip for expression control
- Pre-mapped control of Komplete instruments and hundreds of Native Kontrol
Standard ( NKS) instruments from leading manufacturers - Full VSTi support
- Tag-based preset browsing: Find sounds quickly and hear instant previews
- Two high-res color screens for browsing, tweaking, mixing, and more
- Light Guide: RGB lights above each key highlight drum cells, key switches, chords,
scales, and more - Smart Play: See scales and modes on t he Light Guide, play chord progressions and
arpeggios with single keys, or map any scale t o white keys only - Deep integration with Maschine software / hardware
- Intuitive control over Logic Pro X, Ableton Live, and GarageBand. Cubase and Nuendo
integration coming soon after initial release - 4-directional push encoder f or one-handed sound browsing and project navigation
- Two assignable pedal inputs
- MIDI in / out
- USB 2.0 bus powered
- Includes Komplete 11 Select
Pricing and Availability:
The new Maschine & Komplete Kontrol keyboards will be available Oct 5,2017, with these prices:
- MASCHINE EUR 599, USD 599, JPY 72800, GBP 479, AUD 899
- KOMPLETE KONTROL S49 EUR 599, USD 599, JPY 69800, GBP 479, AUD 899
- KOMPLETE KONTROL S61 EUR 699, USD 699, JPY 79800, GBP 559, AUD 1049
via aymat
I could use an audio/midi interface for iPad.
Imagining new Maschine as Beatmaker3 midi controller and iPad audio interface, that would be sweet.
Just got a Jam a few months ago and already have Komplete Kontrol 49 mk1 and Maschine mk2. So I’m good for now, but these are great updates. Keep those software improvements coming for previous gen though!
With plummeting Maschine Studio prices, NI made the right call.
Yes!!! That was just what I was imagining!
Highly unlikely..
speaking from past experiences – starting with traktor 1.0 – I agree with this statement. NI will abandon you if you have old hardware.
Substantial drop in price from the Maschine studio that started at 999.99. Then dropped to 799.99. Now this is 599.00. Good move. The layout is a lot better too. Maybe they will introduce audio tracks with all those interface inputs.
Looks nice, but the standalone MPC’s have leapfrogged Maschine.
My income can’t compete with NI’s update frequency.
Agreed. NI’s ‘get it right second time’ policy has become tiresome. No, we’re not compelled to upgrade, but nevertheless, it leaves a bad taste.
So they should never release anything because they could always improve it? This makes zero sense.
Am I right in understanding that the mk3 can now be used either standalone, or with a DAW? If so, very interesting, and especially since it is much cheaper than the new Akai standalone.
I don’t think that’s the case – it’s still relying on a connected Mac or PC running Maschine; the difference is that now you don’t need a separate audio interface since it’s built into the controller.
What would be really cool is if NI were to port the full version of Maschine (not just iMaschine) to iPad or even iPhone. That really would put Maschine into the same ballpark as MPC… And since audio is now onboard, they could do it all with the MK3 hardware.
That is what I suspected, although it was not totally clear from the NI site, which says “Sample, slice, play -in the studio or on the go” . I was hoping that “on the go” meant that it was standalone. Well, back to saving pennies for an Akai box.
So glad I got a Surface Pro and not an iPad!!! Happy slicing windows brothers xD
You mean you can’t slice on OS X? Oh wait I just remembered the dozens of songs I started on Machine on my iphone and ipad (Along with Animoog, BM3, etc) while on public transportation, etc. that I finished on my MBP. Your windows brothers comment made me feel really left out there for a minute. Going to to also go out on a limb and say you’ve never tried BM3.
Have fun slicing.
As far as I’m aware, there is no internal storage, so… don’t think it can be used by itself as a standalone.
Pretty sure this is still just a controller, and requires a computer to function as designed.
….and still no touchscreen editing ;/
No Pro Tools?
Yawn
when will it get timestretching in realtime?
Maschine mk3: fine, whatever…
Komplete Kontrol mk2: sucks!
Seriously, do we really have to wait for the mk3 version of Komplete Kontrol to get a keyboard control with some faders (even touch strips if they want).
And where are the S76 and S88 versions?? Don’t they get that you need them for most people working on studio or stage?!
Is that so hard to look what people use with their workstation keyboards and stage keyboards such Nord Stage, Korg Kronos, Yamaha Montage and other… to make a keyboard controller that would be similar to control software?!
Do we have to wait the KK mk3 to have a 7″-ish touchscreen display? Even basic keyboards such Korg Krome have it…
I dont care much about it on a drum machine, I could live without it (I know some people would argue different and point to the fact that the Akai MPC Live has one), but on a master keyboard that is supposed to replace those workstation/stage keyboards… c’mon!!!
I guess I’m gonna have to wait for the Komplete Kontrol S76/S88 mk3 then… at least, NI makes me save some money now!!
The new Maschine looks really nice, and the price point is right. I love “groove box” style production (probably because I started out with an MC505). Nice work NI, looks like y’all nailed it this time. I’ll probably give this to myself for Christmast.
Now is time to upgrade my aging mk1 Maschine controller. Nice to see classic mod/pitch wheels on the KKS. Still waiting for audio tracks…
I would get this if it worked standalone on an iPad…
I’m pretty excited about both new machines. I have an S25 MK1 and I love it big time.
now that native instruments have 5 maschine controllers and a gang of keyboard controllers and the jam, can you record mutes yet…. its only been almost 10 years or do I still need to use an mpc 500 for that?
When I first saw the MK3 announcement I wasn’t too impressed. I don’t play live, and 2 inputs on an interface is at least 6 short of what I need. I don’t even do percussion stuff anymore, I just still use Maschine because I’m used to it and the workflow is quick.
The video gives me a better impression. It still seems like some solid improvements, even though many of them are for live use. But the lack of an upgrade path or discount for current owners makes me say no.
I was so so so so excited. Best day ever. WAIT, NO 88 KEYS???????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!