New Machine MK4 controller along with Maschine 3.0 software later this year?

The word is out that the Maschine 3.0 software update will be released later this year and I'm guessing there will be a new Maschine MK4 controller to go along with the 3.0 software.

What form factor do you guys think the new Maschine MK4 controller will have?

1. They'll stick to something square and similar to the current Maschine MK3 controller?

2. Something more rectangle in shape like the Akai MPC Live controller?

3. Maybe they'll go big with something similar to the MPC X form factor?

4. Do you guys think they'll also release a new Maschine Mikro version but with a bigger screen. (I personally think a Maschine Mikro with new software and a bigger screen would be a big seller for Native Instruments)

5. Does anybody think NI will surprise everyone and add a speaker to a new standalone controller to compete with the Akai Live 2?

6. Maybe Native Instruments will throw a curve ball and release a Maschine controller with 64 pads instead of 16 pads, basically a new updated Maschine Jam 2 controller?

7. Does anybody think that the new Maschine MK4 controller will have a touch screen?

So... what form factor do you guys think the next Maschine MK4 controller will have?

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Comments

skolarr

While NI hasn't explicitly stated that there will NOT be MK4 hardware released this year, they have been careful to only announce version 3.0 for Maschine software. Honestly, I would be very surprised if MK4 hardware gets released this year. I noticed on the Maschine sub-Reddit that people were sent surveys around February/March requesting opinions for the current version of Maschine hardware. To go from those surveys to actual hardware by the end of this year would be a remarkable turnaround, IMHO. It sounds to me like at the moment NI's focus is getting the software up to speed.

That being said, I'd be surprised if they aren't working on a hardware update. I like the layout of the current version of Maschine, so I hope that MK4 isn't too far a departure. This seems to be the consensus in the forums I've visited. The feature I'm most confident that they will add is MPE. This was probably once considered an exotic feature, but now it's mainstream. I want the 16 pads to stay as is. Not crazy about the idea of 64.

As for features I'd like to see in MK4 (besides MPE), I hope it has a single large screen similar to what NI did with the KK MK3 keyboards. I'm not a big fan of the split screen. I'm also hoping that standalone will at the very least be able to load Play and Kontakt instruments without being tethered to a computer. Even though the Akai MPC devices are seen as its closest competitors, I'd really like to see NI make Maschine a rival of Ableton Push 3 (which I also own). I'm impressed with Ableton's updates for Live 12.1, the next firmware update for Push 3, and the vision they have for their ecosystem. I'm hoping that NI mirrors some of that going forward with Maschine.

BezowinZ

I've been wanting a Maschine MK3 or + for a while but have been a bit worried about some inefficiencies in the workflow. And improvements have been slow. The prices are right but probably because a new model is on the way.

I'd be happy for an MK4 if not for the problems and "missing" features in the new Komplete Kontrol keyboards. I anticipate a step forward and 2 steps back.

MorrisEd

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/164235#Comment_164235

I would honestly be surprised if NI achieved their stated release of Maschine 3.0 this year. They are >6 months behind on promised upgrades last year on the Kontrol MK3 and seem to be spiraling imo. I know these are all different teams, but the result of everything they have done has consistently been very poor. I would cite the recent Native Access update as an example. My opinion is they don’t have enough or the right people anymore to satisfy user requests or overhaul products very well.

olafmol

Maschine MK4? LOL, i think we should be happy if Maschine 3.0 will be released somewhere around this time next year without all to much bugs and issues. All based on historical performance.

Kymeia

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/164517#Comment_164517

Maschine MK4 would be the hardware Maschine, since it is currently MK3. Since the software is on version 2, the next major version of that would be Maschine 3

OhulahanBass

I hope M3 has an aftertouch, I don't think we will see it in 2024 though. I also hope the M+ update that makes it compatible with most interfaces happens ASAP, like this summer.

Other than that, it would be cool if they made stuff a bit more efficient, improved the basic functionality of the sampler, and crushed all bugs. For Maschine MK4, I think they will move to one screen like the Kontrol mk3, hopefully that means they will use the screen better. Not sure how they can fit that without changing the footprint of Maschine hardware, it will be interesting to see what they decide. I like the size of M+, and layout, as is, I hope it doesn't change much.

b-righteous

Hopping they focus on the software for now.

Down the road, I hope they bring a MK2 of the Studio so we have a flagship controller that does not need all the shift+pad. I like the jog wheel positioned closer so you don't need to reach to navigate. The dedicated volume knob with meters too. They could probably give it the screen of the KK MK3 and still shrink the size a little compared to the current Studio. Of course, add NKS2 compatibility.

I would only be interested in a standalone version if it has a much better processor like Push3 (but i5 and not i3). Also would want ADAT/AES out for standalone.

spocken81

I want a battery powered maschine+ mikro 🙏🏻

Couch_King

I certainly hope they don't go to the 64 pad route. I think they'd have a hard time competing with Ableton's Push with a 64 pad controller. IMO that's why the Jam didn't do well, it's hard to compete with the Push and Ableton integration. I think those of us that have stuck with Maschine prefer the bigger 16 pad layout and the Maschine workflow.

Andels

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/164460#Comment_164460

Would you mind sharing the NI statement of Maschine 3.0 release? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Hit-Man

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/164705#Comment_164705

This is from Mattew_NI

"Since I was tagged here - I'm happy to comment.
We have a generational software update (Maschine 3) in the works, due out later this year, which will of course be compatible with Maschine Plus.
Meanwhile, there are some smaller interim updates coming (a Maschine Plus update is in test right now, and we hope to have it out in the next few weeks, for instance).
If there's any doubt as to why we run surveys, I'd hope the motivation is clear: to inform next steps (which heavily implies there are some)."

D-One

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/164705#Comment_164705

This is what you're looking for:

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/163509#Comment_163509

Click the date above and it will take you to the post/thread.

Matthew_NI (on leave until November)

It's also been mentioned in Simon's quarterly updates

Kubrak

My guess is that Maschine MK4 will not come sooner than Maschine 3.0 (SW). Maybe about the same time, maybe later. It will not be usable with Maschine 2 (SW), so it would be strange to release it before Maschine 3.

And most probably it will have the same size as MK1, MK2, MK3. Not too small, not too big. Probably one screen like MK3 keyboards.

I strongly doubt 64 pad thing is in pipeline. At least, NI has replied many times on this forum, no, no, no… No Jam MK2. :-(

tetsuneko

I like the two-screened UI layout of Maschine MK3 but think the layout is not used to its max potential. We should be able to "lock" the contents of each screen individually to the UI, this would open up convenient, customizable views (think back to the file browsers and the likes on the Amiga as an example)

That changing to another form factor feels a bit bummed but eh. As long as the screens are even used (ATM they are barely used in some modes). Basic graphical feedback such as GR on comps should at least be present. In theory, one could program lightguide sequences and tie them to specific readouts in a patch etc (assuming you had a lightguide compatible controller), but cmon.. why not support more graphic events directly on the display(s)?

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