Native Instruments Announces $399 Maschine Jam Production & Performance System

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Today Native Instruments announced Maschine Jam, a new $399 hardware production and performance system that brings Ableton Live-style grid sequence control to the Maschine workflow.

The Maschine Jam brings tactile step sequencing and touch-sensitive performance controls to Maschine 2 software. According to NI, Maschine Jam provides seamless hardware-software integration with existing Maschine hardware as well as with DAWs, NKS-ready plug-ins, and the (recently-updated) Komplete range of software and hardware.

Here’s the official intro video:

Maschine Jam offers a unique set of hardware features that, NI says, “reinforces the creative process.”

The Jam’s workflow centers around an 8×8 multicolor click-pad matrix where producers and performers can “experiment with arrangement possibilities,” using patterns and scenes:

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In Step Mode, the 8×8 matrix becomes a powerful multi-track step-sequencer for one, four, or eight sounds simultaneously. In Pad Mode, sounds are entered in real time, while Piano Roll Mode makes possible step-sequencing melodies in a wide variety of available scales.

When the Variation Engine is enabled, beats and melodies can be randomly generated, based on customizable values, and then modified on the matrix. A built-in humanizer adds natural rhythmic fluctuations to programmed sequences.

Maschine Jam’s eight dual-touch Smart Strips, located below the pad matrix, feature a broad set of functions unlocked with the free Maschine 2.5 software update:

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New Perform FX map one of several effects to Jam’s touch strips. Each strip responds to simultaneous finger gestures to alter the motion, space, and dynamics of sounds in real time. The Smart Strips each feature multi-color LED meters to monitor the level of the assigned function, and can be used to alter macros, key instrument parameters, and even play melodies and chords with the unique Notes function. A powerful Lock function stores parameter snapshots that can revert back to their original settings or morph between multiple lock states.

Maschine Jam also creates a workflow complementary to existing Maschine hardware. In addition to seamless browsing through the tag-based Maschine and Komplete sound libraries, full support for NKS-ready plug-ins makes native in-app browsing for third party software possible.

Maschine Jam works within any DAW as a plug-in, and also provides DAW control as a dedicated controller in MIDI mode. A template for Ableton Live is included. It can also be custom-mapped to control any other MIDI capable software.

Maschine Jam includes a library of sounds from Maschine 2 software and the Komplete 11 Select instruments and effects bundle, including NI’s soft synths Massive and Monark. Along with the Maschine Drum Synth modules, the updated version 2.5 of the Maschine software features a revised 9 GB library updated with new sounds and macro controls.

Here’s a look at using the Maschine Jam into Maschine workflows:

Pricing and Availability

Native Instruments’ Maschine Jam will be available September 29, 2016, retailing $399 / 399 € / ¥ 49,800 / £319 / AU$ 549 at the NI Online Shop and at local retailers. Preorder is also available.

Additional information on Maschine Jam is available at the Native Instruments site.

To mark the release of Maschine Jam, Native Instruments is also offering current Maschine 2 software owners the choice of two Maschine Expansions from an eligible group of 20 – free with registration of Maschine Jam. The introductory offer runs until December 31, 2016. More information on which Maschine Expansions are on offer is on the Native Instruments website.

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37 thoughts on “Native Instruments Announces $399 Maschine Jam Production & Performance System

  1. this one has several advantadges

    – It fixes all cumbersomeness in Maschine workflow (simply copying from Ableton) that could be fixed simply slightly re-thinking the one with the original controller
    – It allows to steal some money to all those that have already spent about 599$ but…
    – «Native Instruments is also offering current Maschine 2 software owners the choice of two Maschine Expansions» that’s sooooooooooooo tempting… °_°

  2. well that’s not a total and complete rip off at all is it..said nobody…

    If this was apple/samsung kit the lawyers would not doubt be rubbing their hands vigorously….

  3. Wait does this mean that it can double up as a USB mixer or obviate the need for one? This could be very timely as I am now holding off on the Soundcraft MTK12 USB studio mixer which has VST effects from the computer straight into the mixer and then back into the Master on the DAW. If this puppy is anywhere near all those capabilities then I am buying it on the first day indeed!

  4. I feel like they have to step up the Maschine environment to a full DAW for this level of integration to work. No matter how many controller interfaces you jave you still have to do half thw work in whatever DAW your hosting Maschine with.

  5. I don’t know. This is kind of a instabuy for me. The mixer control is fantastic. Wish it didn’t require two clicks like in Ableton. Seems like they’re moving towards making Maschine an actual DAW.

  6. Push is far away more advanced and flexible than this. Doesn’t look bad but c’mon I was expecting more orginality from NI here.

    1. That was my first thought.. I saw the pictures and was immediately sad at the touch ribbons. My clammy hands aren’t compatible either. Are there any gloves out there that help with this?

  7. can we get something like a push that is a standalone midi controller…there have been some things getting there but thats what i wants.

    1. Yeah, it’s close to APC40 but the faders are dynamic. If it had knobs and a mini-screen like Novation Zero SL, it would be perfect.

      1. Maybe true but is it really half the price if you need to buy another piece of hardware to even get started?

        Push 2 + Live standard: $1250 or $1400 with Live Suite (bundle)
        Maschine Standard and Maschine Jam: $1000 or $1400 with the Maschine Studio.

        Guess $750 with the Maschine Micro is an option though.

        1. Why would you need another piece of gear to get started?

          $399 and you can do sequencing AND Maschine beatmaking.

          The main advantage of more expensive solutions is pressure sensitive pads.

  8. ” A built-in humanizer adds natural rhythmic fluctuations to programmed sequences.” How many contradictions in this sentence ???

  9. Monome was before Maschine AND Push AND LaunchPad AND LIVID… Original APC40 started at $399 or more. Akai has also used the touch strips. Why do so many troll about technology? Don’t dig, DIY.

  10. You have to remember some people jumped ship when Push 2 came out. Then were probably sickened with the release of 2.4.6 –
    That enhanced the sampling capability of maschine AND NOW this ! Wow I am personally glad that I kept the faith. I’m no gear fanboy, I just kept the faith and have the wisdom to know that Manufactures will always, always play leapfrog. whether its Nikon or Canon , Xbox or PS4 just keep your cool and the features you want will come to your chosen manufacturer. Its called evolution – Well done NI !?

  11. A lot of people on here and elsewhere are saying that this is a rip off of Ableton Push, I don’t see why this is an issue for so many, if something is copied, it’s because it’s revered, and now NI owners get a slice of the pie…custom baked to their software of choice. Is this jealousy from Ableton Push owners or hard done by Maschine owners? I don’t get it.

    I disagree that this a Push rip off. IMO this is more like the APC40 mk3! Looks absolutely fantastic, this will be taking up residence right next to my Push 2! It even comes with Maschine software, which I don’t currently own, so that’s a right tickle 🙂 This product seems like a massive win for everyone.

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