Does it make sense buying M+ in Feb 2026?

Hello! :)

I'm considering getting the Maschine+ to work - away from computer - on my trance / techno / d&b music. I know it supports standalone instruments like Monark, Massive, FM8, Prism, Reaktor6 and FX like Raum or Replika, plus obviously all the native Maschine stuff like drum synths, performance FX.

Should I get one in Feb 2026, considering:
1) NI financial troubles?
2) expected future support?
3) risk of Mk2 being released soon(ish)?

Do I get Maschine Software v3 with the purchase of M+? Do I get the licenses for all the plugins (Massive, Monark, Raum, Replika, etc.)?

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Accepted answers

PK The DJ

I'd also say get one, because it's just a nice device to use. Excellent hardware design, easy to use OS and plenty of content.

Far too many people these days expect a constant stream of updates or regular new models - but IMO if the product does what you want when you buy it, that should be good enough. 😎

(However I am disappointed to see that the recent Marco Polo release has no M+ version)

PK The DJ

It does what it says on the box (and in the product description). That's what matters. Not whether it's got a CPU as powerful as your phone or laptop. Not whether it has RAM for days. It does the job it's designed for.

You buy a hammer to bang in nails. Yes you could buy a nail gun, but it's more expensive and overkill for simple construction. The hammer does what it needs to do.

All comments

antic604

Sorry, I was to quick to write the question - most of them with regards to software & plugins is answered here: Production Systems : Maschine Plus : Compare | Maschine

So, should I get one? :)

Vocalpoint

Respectfully - no one but you can know if you should get one.

Everyone has different needs and wants.

raphaël_

i say get one! also, they are pretty cheap now.

scored a mint conditioned one for 500 usd, but even if you buy a new one (700 usd in my country), its a really great deal.

+ it's stable now, so im not worried about any future updates, although i wish for an mk2, as its long overdue imo. …but, nobody knows when or if a mk2 comes along, and i think it wont be till autumn/winter, because they are about to release new traktor hardware in spring/summer.

antic604

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257324#Comment_257324

I went ahead and ordered it :)

However, the User Manual doesn't seem up to date, no? E.g. it mentions nothing about bouncing which was added recently?

raphaël_

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257334#Comment_257334

NI (boris) made a lot of really helpful youtube tutorial videos for maschine mk3, that cover almost everything you need to know, even for maschine+. make sure to check that out, its the easiest and best way of learning the device.

PK The DJ

I'd also say get one, because it's just a nice device to use. Excellent hardware design, easy to use OS and plenty of content.

Far too many people these days expect a constant stream of updates or regular new models - but IMO if the product does what you want when you buy it, that should be good enough. 😎

(However I am disappointed to see that the recent Marco Polo release has no M+ version)

antic604

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257350#Comment_257350

On that last point - is there a way to browse NI instruments, FX and packs to see what's compatible with M+?

PK The DJ

There's not. People have given feedback to NI but I don't think any of the web pages for those products with a M+ version actually mention it.

Oh it is briefly covered on the Maschine+ product page, and there's a list in the support area.

6xes

im not suprised by people who already own a Maschine+ and advocate for others to purchase it

personally i've always been critical of the Maschine plus

and looking forward, tech has moved forward in many areas(displays, configurablemidi, cpu's, ipads etc) that leaves the maschine plus in the dust playing catch-up

but as the Maschine plus has a quadcore atom based intel cpu chip… and a measley 4gb…

why would anyone recommend such a weak base model to build upon??

heck even a base model… ipad air 5 has double the memory with a efficient m1-CPU chip that would run rings around the maschine+

you really need to weigh matters up

add to the picture the news of NI's prelim insolvency matter… is just the icing on the cake

having a good foundation… to integrate music applications or hardware, is the difference between, practically expanding a setup….. or being constrained by a device that is not built to be expanded or integrated with other Hware&Sware

Dubalab

I'm seen second hand market listing M+ 500-700€ and Mk3 250-350€.

A side effect of M+ going cheaper is Mk3 going peanuts…

antic604

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257383#Comment_257383

The one I ordered is ~EUR750 new, so I think it's a good price compared to e.g.
* Ableton Push 3 Tethered (i.e. the controller version, no internal CPU) for EUR999,
* Ableton Move for EUR499,

Dubalab

My only concern is how underpowered seems nowadays…

antic604

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257397#Comment_257397

Sure, I get that. But what if it's powerful enough for what it offers? Sound-wise I believe a lot can be still squeezed out of samples, Massive, FM8, Monark, Prism, etc. and they don't use a lot of RAM or CPU, do they?

Dubalab

I hope using it for “what was designed for” gets stable performing. I don’t think it was designed for live performing so crashes or whatever inside the studio environment isn’t a big problem neither… but I’m not sure if it will be better investment an M1 (around 450€ at second hand market) or above mac and mk3 (let’s say 300€) combo.

I know it’s not the same but almost is Maschine environment and you can use that mac as dedicated unit for Maschine to avoid regular issues related to computers (updates, distractions, etc)

Anyways I’m not trying to discourage you, just surprised about the price drop on Mk3. It’s a good controller for that price.

antic604

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257402#Comment_257402

Agreed!

But two of the reasons I'm looking into M+ is:

To get away from the computer (I work all day on computer) & its distractions (e.g. social media)
To impose creative limitations on myself - in a DAW (Live & Reason) I've unlimited tracks, sounds, plugins, FX and even power (I've M2 Pro Macbook), so I can never finish anything because I tweak and "perfect" stuff endlessly, instead of progressing.

I'm looking for "good is good enough" alternative :)

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