This long–awaited efficiency boost is impossible to overlook and is probably worth the upgrade price by itself. Maschine has been rewritten from the ground up and can now exploit processors with multiple cores. However, the greatest advance has occurred out of direct sight. Not exactly under–resourced previously, the updated software includes more bundled instruments this time, most notably an excellent modelling drum synth. New In 2.0Īlthough compatible with all models, version 2.0 of the Maschine software is carefully aligned to the Studio controller. The legs feel sturdy enough (for plastic) but I personally preferred the steeper angle of the older stand. Instead two plastic legs fold out to lift the whole surface to a reasonable working angle. ![]() Sadly it doesn’t slot into NI’s existing metal stand. The Maschine Studio measures 432 x 350 x 59 cm and, at 3.2kg, could be stretching the limits of hand luggage if you’re an international DJ type regularly straddling continents. The pads, incidentally, are as welcoming as ever solid–feeling, responsive and a near–perfect way to lay down drums. Surprisingly, it took a while to adapt to these.The additional hand movements required to reach them was one of the very few penalties imposed by the larger panel. There are several new, illuminated buttons not found on previous models, plus buttons for functions formerly tied to drum pads and the Shift key. While the Maschine Studio is still content to leave audio interfacing to your dedicated devices, it still offers generous MIDI I/O and a pair of footswitch sockets on quarter-inch jacks. It has to be said, however, that the software integration of these is still in its infancy. The Maschine Studio features three separately addressable MIDI outputs, encouraging greater interaction with external synths. There is, perhaps, a slight nod towards Akai’s MPC Renaissance though. At the price you might reasonably have expected some kind of integrated audio interface, but in this, Native Instruments have not deviated from the design principles of the earliest controller and the assumption you’re already primed for sound. Everything is strokably top-notch quality and you feel it in the positivity of the buttons, the plushness of the encoders and the smooth action of the illuminated jog–wheel. The Studio is therefore shipped with an external (multi–country) adapter.Ĭarefully exploring the spacious, friendly panel, it’s clear that workflow was been given priority over budget. The displays resemble those of a smart phone and it’s an example of how quickly such technology has become ubiquitous that, at first, I couldn’t help touching the on–screen icons expecting a response.ĭue, no doubt, to the demands of these twin beauties, it’s no longer possible to get by on power from the USB 2 connection. Thanks to uncompromising hardware, in particular the two high–resolution (480 x 272) colour displays, it also requires a more serious commitment from your credit card. ![]() Slotting in as pack leader and instantly attention–grabbing, the Maschine Studio is a larger, more colourful beast than any beforehand. ![]() Anyone who bought a Maschine or Maschine Mikro during October 2013 is eligible for a free upgrade and version 2.0 is provided with any model of controller purchased after that. Rather than spend too long setting the scene here, I recommend checking out the previous reviews, working backwards from January 2013 and version 1.8, the last update existing Maschine users got for free.Īssuming we accept the necessity of continuing updates and support, it’s hard to object to an occasional fee, which in this case is £89 $99. We’ve charted the progress of Maschine since 2009 and in that time it has grown significantly but without ever compromising the vision of operational simplicity. Without further ado, let’s see if all our prayers have been answered, leaving only world peace left to long for. The controller is the Maschine Studio and its software is available to users old and new, fully rewritten with a new audio engine and an affinity for multicore processors. Early 2013 saw this hardware/software hybrid embrace colour in a big way and now, before the glow has had a chance to dim on those multicoloured pads, a new top–of–the–range controller joins the flock. In its four year lifespan, Native Instruments’ Maschine has bulked–up in gradual stages to become a powerful and mature beat–oriented sequencer. Native Instruments take their hybrid groove machine to another level with new hardware and a big software update.
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