NI MASCHINE+
The software you love, away from your computer
Of the four units we have in this hardware-focussed roundup, we spent rather less time than we would have liked with Maschine+, simply as there weren’t enough units available for NI to get us one in time. That said, we have had enough time with the unit to get a good feel, and certainly enough to discover that Maschine+ is actually a very good piece of equipment.
Maschine+ is unique amongst our ‘DAW killers’ because it was originally a software product-plus-controller that worked with a Mac or PC – it’s migrated out of the computer and into the controller itself, you might say, although even this standalone example can still be used as a controller and audio interface for the computer/software version as well. As well as being a sampler, Maschine+ comes ready loaded with preset sounds from NI products such as Kontakt, Massive, and Reaktor, to name a few.
Once unpacked, the Maschine+ is heavier than it looks, which is probably down to the aluminium case, giving it a feel of solidity and durability. It’s very quick to get started – attach the curious locking power supply connector, press the power button, then follow the on-screen steps that use QR codes to get you online, registered, and learning fast. That WiFi connection can also get you hooked up with Ableton Link, for wireless sync between the Maschine+ and any compatible software or hardware, including the Akai Force that’s
reviewed elsewhere. We can certainly praise the Maschine+ for the included sounds and slick workflow, and at the same time comment on it lacking I/O, while also observing that this incarnation of the Maschine platform isn’t so much a ‘radical departure’ as it is an enhancement to what already exists.
We enjoyed using the Maschine+ and wish we’d had more time to explore it. It makes a great impression physically, and the control layout is superb, with even the smallest buttons being a decent size, the pads doing their thing, and the macros and twin 480x272 displays working together. This thing is very fast to get around on and tells you everything you need to know. Those displays are easily colourful enough and clear enough to view patterns or entire song timelines. The Maschine+ is very capable, whether it’s being used to knock out a few beats, or it’s laying out a full arrangement, or performing live. We’d like to see more I/O included, but be aware this can be dealt with by connecting an NI USB audio interface to one of the rear posts, and equally if 16 pads aren’t enough for you, connect a USB MIDI keyboard to the other port and you’re pretty much covered. That’s a good trade-off for keeping the core unit at a compact size. If you’ve come up using NI software, and you want to get into something more independent from the computer, this is the proverbial no-brainer.