Native Instruments Ltd Edition Maschine MK2, Gold

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Fusing the hands-on tactile advantages of traditional hardware grooveboxes with the immense flexibility and intuitive workflow of Native Instruments' premium software, MASCHINE opens up new horizons in groove production. The sleek yet rugged hardware controller is perfect for stage or studio, while the vast library of kits, instruments and effects are your inspiration for lively, dynamic grooves.

Perform in Colour

The new colour-coding lets you 'see' your sounds, and it will turbo-charge your workflow. Simply assign colours to the groups, sounds, patterns, and scenes, and see the pads and group buttons on the hardware light up in the same colors. Make your kick drums red, for example, and you'll always know which pads play your kicks. Add some color to your performances!

With the increased sensitivity of the new pads, you also have a new level of precision at your fingertips.

Fully Massive

With the Maschine MkII you'll get the full version of the modern legend MASSIVE - the Synth that gave birth to the earth-moving bass tones and speaker-troubling leads that have defined the bass music genre. This monster synth contains 1,300 ready-to-go sounds, all instantly browseable via the MASCHINE hardware.

MASCHINE's eight control knobs offer direct access to MASSIVE's eight Macro controls, for perfect synergy between hardware and synthesizer, and a lightning-fast workflow.

New Master Section

The Master section has also been revamped. Control volume, tempo and swing with the new multifunction master push encoder - select modes with the new toggle buttons and accurately click through values without having to look at the screen or display.

Navigating and scrubbing are much easier, and changing note pitch and detailed tweaking becomes extra-precise thanks to the encoder's superb physical response.

Now with 47 (normally white), backlit click-buttons and coloured transport controls, the Mk2 hardware provides a wealth of physical and visual excitement for intuitive beat making.

Time Stretch and Pitch Shift

The MASCHINE 1.8 software includes time stretch and pitch shift capability. Stretch smoothly from one BPM to another, aided by the automatic BPM detection. Or stretch your audio to a specific length - to fit one sample to the same length as another, for example.

What's more, make your beats match harmonically, by tuning your samples with the pitch shift function.

New Effects

The latest free software update includes new effects, specially selected for beat production. TRANSIENT MASTER, NI's hugely popular dynamics and mixing effect, has now been fully integrated in the MASCHINE 1.8 software.

Ideal for positioning drums and percussion, it lets you mix from front to back, giving each sample exactly the right amount of space. New Tube, Tape Saturator and Tube Saturator effects bring the secrets of analog warmth and natural, harmonic compression to MASCHINE, for even greater sound colouring potential.

New Stylish Look and Feeling

The new Maschine MkII is an aesthetically Pleasing leap forward in usability and reliability. The inverted displays provide higher contrast and a better viewing angle for performance or studio, and a sharper look in dark environments.

The unit itself is slightly heavier than before, the controller also works better in a studio setting and on stage due to the re-worked layout of the controller's USB-connector and MIDI I/O - less risk of accidental unplugging. Plus the new rubber feet means increased grip on the desktop, keeping the hardware firmly in place during even the most aggressive beat routines.

Customizable Hardware

The ability to match your hardware to your personal style or decor is now also available with the Maschine MkII - using exchangeable face plates.

Workflow Improvements:

Experienced and new MASCHINE producers alike will appreciate the big time savings from these workflow improvements in the free MASCHINE 1.8 software update:

Host transport control: Running the MASCHINE software as a plug-in in your DAW, use the transport buttons on the MASCHINE hardware to control transport in the host software. Important: Requires the latest version of the NI Controller Editor

New Browser sample preview mode: Easily scroll through the browser list and pre-hear samples without loading them

Revised select screen: Now includes individual note length and velocity editing

Auto-write pinning: Pin the Auto-Write button for improved automation recording - tweak with two hands!

New hardware shortcuts: Select and erase events quickly and easily

Panic button: Immediately cuts off all sound from MASCHINE

Improved missing sample handling: Now locates files per project - point the MASCHINE software to the location for one missing file, and it automatically resolves other related missing files

Sampler play position indicator: See the play marker in the sampler wave display - also shown in the hardware display

Save Group with samples: Now you have the option to save Group with samples

Reviews

Maschine MK2 was voted Best Live Performance Tool at the MIPA Awards 2013

"If you're looking for a product that is as useful in the studio as it is for live performance, the build quality, quality of its sample library, and its price definitely warrant that you take a second look." Engadget

"I still find myself going to Maschine as my default instrument and controller - it's addictive. Maschine is still the one to beat." Sound On Sound

"Maschine makes it very easy to get your groove on and should inspire a new generation of producers. The key to this product is intuitiveness - if only all production tools were this easy to use." IDJ

Features/Specifications

Interface

• Display: 2 displays with 64x256 pixels (inverted)
• Pads: 16 multi-colour, high-quality, illuminated pads with velocity and aftertouch
• Controls: 8 endless rotary potentiometers, 1 endless encoder (30 steps)
• Buttons: 47 backlit buttons
• Security: Kensington Lock

Connectivity

• MIDI: MIDI I/O
• USB: USB 2.0 Port, 11 GB free disk space for complete installation

Dimensions

• Width: 320 mm
• Length: 295 mm
• Height: 65 mm
• Weight: 1.8 kg

System Requirements

• Windows: Windows 7 (latest Service Pack, 32/64 Bit), Intel Core Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2 GB RAM
• Mac: Mac OS X 10.6 or 10.7 (latest update), Intel Core Duo, 2 GB RAM