Native Instruments has announced the release of version 1.6 of Maschine, a major free update for the groove production studio. With the addition of plug-in hosting for instruments and effects, the new version significantly expands the scope and functionality of the system. Maschine 1.6 also includes a free download of the new Komplete Elements bundle, and adds a multitude of other new features for studio production and live performance.

With added support for VST and AU plug-ins, Maschine 1.6 profoundly widens its creative possibilities, turning the system into a full-featured instrument host. Both the whole range of Komplete Instruments as well as all third-party instruments and effects can now be used directly in Maschine, complementing its integrated sampler and FX features. Due to an "Auto-Mapping" function, plug-in parameters are conveniently pre-assigned to the high-resolution knobs on the Maschine controller, allowing for intuitive sound tweaking directly from the hardware.

To give producers an even more comprehensive sound arsenal on top of the sample-based factory library of Maschine, the 1.6 update also includes a free download of the new Komplete Elements instruments and effects collection. Based on the powerful engines of Kontakt, Reaktor and Guitar Rig, it contains over 1,000 production-ready sounds selected from the studio-standard Komplete 7 bundle, including Abbey Road vintage drums, Vienna Symphonic Library orchestral sounds, an assortment of sampled band instruments, various Reaktor-based synthesizers, a versatile assortment of amp emulations and effect pedals from Guitar Rig and more.

Further enhancements in Maschine 1.6 include an increased number of effect slots, a new "Pad Link" feature, individual swing per sound, clip and sample renaming, expanded Drag & Drop functionality, support for up to 32 audio I/O channels, full Mac OS X 64bit support, and a wide range of detail optimizations.

The 1.6 update and the Komplete Elements bundle are available as free download for all owners of Maschine.

Two Maschine 1.6 demonstration videos featuring techno masterminds Underworld and hip-hop producer Ski-Beatz are available on YouTube here and here.

Additional information on Maschine is available at www.native-instruments.com/maschine