There’s also two USB A ports – which you can use to connect USB MIDI controllers and devices (in addition to the MIDI in and out) or external hard drives – so yeah, you can actually access your project drives from this box without having to use a computer for that, either. For connecting to a computer, there’s a hefty USB B port.

SD card slot with included 64 GB SD card (for your own samples). Maschine software (for both desktop/standalone).ģ2 GB internal flash storage (for OS and factory content.)

(More on that when I get my hands on it soon.) But that’s great – the velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads on the MK3 are superb – and here it’s inside an aluminum housing. This box has the same pads and color displays and only a slightly-modified layout to the Maschine MK3. Maschine hardware/workflow, controls, display, and pads. US$ 1399 / EUR 1299 is the suggested retail on this hardware (and the first US street price that leaked was just below that.) That is roughly the same price range (street) as an Akai MPC Live or an Elektron Octatrack, though both those companies offer lower-priced items, too. Suffice to say there’s been talk of Native Instruments making standalone hardware that runs their instruments and effects – but we are finally here, in the second half of 2020.įirst, let’s get straight to the specs and price.

But most users still remain with computer+software or hardware combinations. Akai has gotten into MPC products that allow standalone operation of their computer software – no laptop required. First leaked early in 2019, then evidently canceled, then leaked again this week – now here’s the official word on Maschine+ and what standalone NI hardware means for music-making.įor all the talk, the landscape for music gear really hasn’t changed much.

Maschine mk3 battery