I predicted it, and here it is – the latest iteration of NI’s stupidly addictive groovebox aka Maschine is with us. Not just one, but 2 new lumps of hardware as well as a heap of customisation options to pretty up the normally reserved stylings into an explosion of colour. Say hello to the all new Maschine.

I’m not going to spend much time on this, because this is much more up the street of our good friend Chris Cartledge, who has covered it much more knowledgeably than I can. Check out his ohdratdigital post right here.

Another reason why I’m not dwelling on this is because in real terms, it’s old news. NI do a sterling job of providing a carpet bombing of ridiculously high quality marketing materials. They work long hours to carefully create and orchestrate a plethora of words, images, video and all manner of webby goodness – only to have it leaked by a big retailer who should know better, and then have it almost immediately recycled unabated through the usual social media channels. As I write this, you’ve all seen it, which is why I’m only giving it a cursory mention now.

What I will do however is direct you to watch another sterling performance from Jeremy Ellis, who is clearly channel Kraftwerk for this less frenzied set. I also recommend that you visit NI’s Maschine site to pour over the mountain of material, and then come back for some of my own thoughts.

So to new Maschine – in light of the F1, t’was but a matter of time before Maschine got the RGB pad treatment. Obviously it’s pretty, but does begin to cross-pollenate with Traktor’s workflows too. It’s quite common to see DJs with a Maschine sat next to them, but right now they’re only sort of working together, but not quite in the super slick way that they really should.

And NI’s usually teutonic  industrial minimalism appears to have been cast aside  with this release too. Not only are Pioneer going all Day-Glo with their new WeGO controller, but NI are also putting out White versions of the 2 Maschine models, and also providing some multi-coloured faceplates. But the big question is this: WHERE ARE THE WOODEN TRIMS?

The Future

There’s no doubt that this new hardware and v1.8 of the software (free to registered users) are wonderful, and I crave them badly even though my somewhat rusty and ancient beatmaking skills couldn’t possibly do them justice. But given the glaring cosmetic similarity to the Kontrol F1, where is this all going?

I cast my mind back to NAMM, specifically an image being projected on the wall at NI’s LA office. Daniel Haver was talking about integration, and on screen was NI’s holy trinity of products – Komplete, Traktor and Maschine all linked together. And with this release, I feel that we’re beginning to see that happening. The Remix Deck workflow is clip launching with knobs on – a workflow ideally suited to Maschine as well. Just how this will work out is uncertain, but I’d put good money on the yet to be announced or even discussed Traktor Pro 3 bringing them together, especially as NI seem to be holding back at v1.8.

So seeing as the RGB buttons are working their way through the NI hardware roster, I wonder what will be next? And when? I’m pretty sure I’m bang on in my guesswork, but I’ll let you all thrash it out in the comments. That is if this isn’t too old a story to comment on of course.