Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Mk3 Drum Controller, 25707

I was looking for a new way to approach tune making. This device shines with its Machine DAW software and the ability to customize it with the configuration software. You can view many Youtube videos demonstrating its capabilities, so I will summarize here: The Maschine software is a DAW that can use existing VSTs and any of the NI expansion packs to create songs. Maschine software is based on the concept of building blocks for your composition...build a beat or phrase, chain beats and/or phrases and link them together. This is not how I create music but it's very useful, nonetheless. I love the key and chord modes that allow great experimentation. You configure your scale and base key and pretty much can't go wrong with the pad strikes. There's many different chord types and scales to choose from which really opens up the experimental aspect. I use Cubase and Reason and it integrates perfectly as a VST instrument in both cases. Many instances can be opened, so you can create a song using your favorite DAW and using the Maschine as an instrument for each track. This is what works best for me. Additionally, it is easily set up in MIDI mode by pressing (SHIFT + project) and using the configuration software, the pads can be adjusted to match your favorite drum machine. The config software allows you to adjust pad colors in MIDI mode. Maschine works really well if you have another NI keyboard. I have a Kontrol S61 and it can be used to browse and play harmonic notes right alongside the pads. Lastly, Maschine hardware seems really well built and has fantastic tactile response. Everything is downloaded from NI. The software, owners' manual and all the other documentation is well written, straightforward and do a good job explaining all the concepts they dicuss.

I'm no producer but I enjoy making songs for myself if no one else. I've sold a few beats but mostly I do this for fun. I was starting to get frustrated using Ableton Live, I couldn't take advantage of all the features and versatility because the workflow was so cumbersome, it was hard to keep that creative feel, I realized I needed something to take my workflow to the next level. I was on the fence between Nascinr and Ableton Push. I decided on the Maschine Mikro because the workflow was so clean, oh and the price was nice. I didn't want to invest in another piece of equipment that was going to collect dust. This is just what I needed, out of the box it integrates perfectly with Maschine. I want happy about having to learn a new DAW but it made song arrangements very easy and intuitive instead of recording bars you work on stages of the music. Build your intro, you're done, then build your Verse. For the repetitive parts you don't have to copy or play them again you simply turn them on in the scene. You spend more time creating and less time clicking which hurts creativity. I already regret not buying the Maschine MK3. My advice is if you're wanting to be more creative and your workflow is suffering go ahead and pay the extra for the MK3 but if budget won't allow this is more than enough. You can watch videos on YouTube for all the bells and whistles. The other benefit are the expansion packs you get a ton of free packs and instruments so you can start making music right away. They are structured and mixed well so you can hear potential songs clearly

Truly an expressive instrument for tapping out beats. The pads are god-tier in my book. Let me know if there are better pads out there please. I use mine as a midi controller for Ableton on Windows 10. Workflow there is to first start the included pad programming application which can put it into midi mode. Then starting Ableton. Another thing you will experience is this device is an octave or so up from where Ableton usually has drum triggers. You can add an Ableton midi effect to lower the notes that are input from the Mikro, or in the programming app, you can edit each "group" of pads use a lower octave. You have to edit each note individually. This was tedious but it worked best for me. Now I don't need to add midi effects in Ableton. I used the Mikro's Groups feature to have 4 sets of pads, each on a different midi channel. That way, I enable all 4 of drum instrument tracks in Ableton for recording (ctrl-click) and then I can switch tracks that I am triggering by chaging groups on the Mikro. It's super cool. You'll want to order a Decksaver poly-carbonate cover too. I bought mine direct, shipped from UK with no issues to USA and much cheaper than on Amazon. Feedback for NI: If I could ask for one major thing, I would want a firmware upgrade to allow using the hardware buttons to set to midi mode. Or, just boot to midi mode if that was the last operational state. Next... in my own utopia, a Mikro Mk4 would come eventually out with hardware midi ports :) You guys built an incredible instrument. Make a version that is more optimized for use with generic midi so it may be used with a wider array of studio setups.

Great product, but they should include a usb-c cable and/or adapter. What's included is just USB-A. So you can't plug it into a newer MacBook without ordering another item and waiting. UPDATE: I finally got the adapter for a MacBook. As mentioned above, what you get will not connect to a MacBook without a USB-A to USB-C adapter. So, finally ready to roll. Opened the box, and no setup instructions, but you go to the web. Once there, Had to hunt around for setup instructions (which should be front and center). This is because plugging into the computer does not send MIDI to Ableton by default. So, apparently, that will require downloading their software. And THAT requires downloading their bloatware installer software. Drumming my fingers on the table trying to decide if I want to do all that just to connect to Ableton.

A Mikro3 é a forma mais acessível para quem quiser entrar no mundo Maschine da Native Instruments. Os pads são os melhores que já experimentei. Atenção: ela precisa ser acoplada a um notebook.

I LOVE THAT MASCHINE

USB eingesteckt und dann ein kurzes Aufflackern und das war es. Ging leider wieder zurück.

I love maschine... maschine is one of best product from. Native Instruments company.

Excelente en todos los aspectos. El único problema que yo le encontré es que al ponerlo en modo midi para controlar otros instrumentos dentro del DAW, no es posible cambiar la octava, estás atorado en la octava del C4. Una súper regada de Native Instruments y si estás pensando en comprarlo como único controlador no te va a funcionar; sin embargo, si ya tienes un controlador general y lo quieres usar como drum pad y sacarle todo el jugo al software de Maschine, pff, te va a encantar.