Native Instruments has introduced an all-in-one standalone production unit called Maschine Plus. Operating without a computer, it’s the first standalone Maschine product since it was launched in 2011. Maschine Plus features the usual Maschine MK3 form factor, with 16 pads, two screens, macro knobs, but now features instruments and effects onboard the hardware rather than controlling the software.
Native Instruments have updated their ultimate bundle collection Komplete to version 13, adding their recent plugins and sample instruments released since the last version of Komplete in 2018. Prices start at £169 for Komplete Select, which features 12 instruments, four effects and five expansions all the way up to Komplete Ultimate, which costs £1,349 and features 96 instruments, 26 effects and 73 expansion packs.
Native Instruments CEO and co-founder Daniel Haver and NI President Mate Galic are stepping down from their roles at the German music-making software and hardware company in October this year. Haver, who co-founded NI in 1997, has been part of the team leading the company for nearly 25 years, while Galic joined in 1999 and was the Chief Innovation Officer, overseeing the development and conceptions of products like Traktor, Maschine, Massive and Reaktor.
Native Instruments have released a new Community Drive sound pack with over 200 loops and one-shots from artists including Just Blaze, Take a Day Trip's No Idle Crew, Richard Devine, SIA, Junkie XL, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Laurel Halo and more. The pack is designed to both inspire artists in quarantine and raise money for COVID-19 charities with an optional donation.
Native Instruments have issued an apology following claims of racism, discrimination and gaslighting from former staff members. The statement comes after multiple former employees criticised the German company for inaction over concerns raised by staff members over a promotional campaign that used a racial slur as part of an artists’ moniker.
Native Instruments have made their Kontakt instrument Analog Dreams free until March 31st. In a move of solidarity with those in isolation during the coronavirus pandemic, Native Instruments said the instrument was "a gift from the at-home crew". The instrument is a 3.4GB bundle of retro synths, with a tilt towards ’70s and ’80s tones and sounds.
Native Instruments have announced they are discontinuing a long list of legacy products that will no longer be supported or available to buy directly. The list includes older versions of popular software like Absynth, Battery, Guitar Rig, Kontakt, Reaktor and Traktor. NI have also discontinued a series of collaborative products from the likes of East West and Zero G. The older app activation and management software Service Centre – which was replaced by Native Access – is also to be discontinued after May 31, 2020.
Native Instruments have updated Maschine to add some new features around jamming and pattern building. Auto-Growing Patterns means you no longer have to set the length of a pattern in advance – though you can if you want. Just keep recording, once you stop, any silence will be quantised to the nearest bar. After you record you can then set a start and end point within the pattern, to set the loop to the take you liked best, for example.
Native Instruments is launching a new four-deck DJ controller, called Traktor Kontrol S3.
A development from the two-channel S2 mode, NI is marketing the product as a device for those who are looking to "break into the world of four-deck DJing".
It will retail at $649 or £499, and maintains features from the company's S2 and S4 models such as large jog wheels that produce light rings to warn DJs when a track is close to ending, much like various models of Pioneer's CDJs, and extended pitch and channel faders.
