Native Instruments updates Maschine to v2.7

Native Instruments has updated its Maschine software to v2.7, featuring the major addition of an "Audio" plug-in.

This new plug-in is used for synchronized playback of an audio loop in a Pattern. It will apply time-stretching in real-time to ensure that the loop plays in sync with your Project, even if you change the Project Tempo while playing. Each Audio plug-in can play only one audio loop at a time, but multiple Audio plug-ins can be loaded in order to layer multiple loops together.

Attempting to load a sample into an empty Sound Slot will result in that sample being loaded into an Audio plug-in if that sample has been tagged with "Loops". You can also select the Audio plug-in directly, then load any sample file into it. It is also possible to change the Sampler to an Audio plug-in and vice versa -- the audio sample will remain in the Sound Slot even as you change the plug-in type.

Upon loading into the Audio plug-in, Maschine will attempt to determine the length and tempo of the audio loop by assuming that the loop is cut to a proper length (like 4 bars long). If needed, the detected length and tempo can be edited so the audio loop plays properly in sync.

The Audio plug-in has two modes:

1. LOOP is the default setting where the loaded loop will play continuously whenever there is an active Pattern in the Group. You can see the audio waveform in the Pattern Editor to understand how the loop aligns with the Pattern.
2. GATE is similar to the LOOP mode where the loaded loop will play continuously. However, the loop will only be audible in locations where you place Notes in the Pattern. Furthermore, the pitch of the loop will be transposed based on the Note's pitch (e.g. Note C3 will play the sample at its original pitch, while C4 plays the sample one octave higher than normal).

Maschine MK3 Improvements (Requires FW 1.4.1):

• Route the Line Outputs to the Headphones from within the software or from the hardware.
• Increased pad sensitivity.
• Adjust screen, button and pad brightness directly from the hardware.
• Adjust audio interface and MIDI settings directly from the hardware.
• Adjust pad sensitivity control directly from the hardware.
• Fixed a velocity issue that could occur when hitting multiple pads at a time (Requires FW 1.4.1).
• Fixed an issue where multiple events would be generated for one hit on the pads (Requires FW 1.4.1).

Additional improvements and fixes:

• The File > Export menu option now allows exporting Scenes from the Ideas View.
• You can now perform a "vertical zoom" on the contents of the Pattern editor, essentially doubling the height of the lanes for each Sound Slot or Note, by double-clicking on the vertical scroll bar in the Pattern Editor or by turning knob 7 when viewing the Pattern Editor on Maschine Studio and MK3 controllers. The zoom is independent between software and hardware. You can also set the default Sound Lane Height in the preferences.
• Fixed an issue where the Flanger did not save/restore Source setting.