Native Instruments Maschine Controller is a MIDI based device for use with the beat making program Maschine. They sell this as a pack with the software, but I think you can buy each individually as well if I'm not mistaken, as you can also use the Maschine Controller with other software since it's a general MIDI device. I've used it only with the Maschine software itself, as of course since it's designed for use with it, everything matches up in terms of the interface of the software and the controls on this MIDI device. The controller is quite in depth and really a great thing to have if you're using Maschine. It's got MIDI connections for input and output, but it also has a USB port which is going to be the best way to use it if you're using it with the Maschine software. On the controller itself you'll find a ton of different controls for the software, including a transport section, trigger pads a la an MPC, sound parameter controls, and a whole lot more. Pretty much everything you'll find in the software will be paralleled in some way or another on the controller. I can't speak much to using this outside of Maschine, but I probably wouldn't recommend it even though it is possible, as it's really well designed for use with Maschine. I don't know what the differences in price would be for this with and without the software, but I'd really only check it out thoroughly if you're using Maschine or are looking to get the combo of this MIDI controller and the software together. For those who choose to go this route, you're getting one of the best pieces of software out there for making grooves. For those who already have Maschine, I'd highly recommend checking out the controller as it can save you a lot of time and makes using the software all that much easier.