Native Instruments release iMaschine 2

iMASCHINE 2 expands on the original with a new set of features, including the Arranger, Step Mode, and Smart Play functionalities. It is also announced as the first music production app to include optimizations for the new 3D Touch features on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. The app is aimed at users of the original iMASCHINE, as well as iOS users who want to start making music at an affordable price. It is also meant as a complement to the full home studio setups of MASCHINE hardware owners. iMASCHINE 2 normally costs $9.99, but is available at the Apple App Store for a special introductory price of $4.99 until December 1, 2015.

iMASCHINE 2 adds new, powerful features to the simple workflow of the original. The Arranger allows producers to turn loops and scenes into full tracks by creating different patterns per group, and then adding, moving, and deleting song sections. Step Mode facilitates drum programming with no finger drumming skills required – users can use the 4×4 pad grid as a step sequencer to produce loops. The new Smart Play keyboard introduces Scale, Chord and arpeggiator functionality to iMaschine 2, allowing users to play chords, melodies, and basslines that are always in-key. Scale mode offers users to select from a variety of traditional and non-traditional scales, while Chord mode will turn a single key stroke into a full chord, which is especially useful when working on a mobile device. Within Chord Mode, the new Chord Sets present ready-to-play progressions to inspire and augment compositions. Furthermore, an arpeggiator allows to add dynamic motion to a track. Projects created with the original iMASCHINE open in iMASCHINE 2, allowing producers to use these new features on all their tracks.

iMASCHINE 2 introduces color coding for fast visual organization of projects. Users can now find sounds and groups by color and navigate through songs with ease. For users of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, iMASCHINE 2 makes creative use of 3D Touch – Apple’s latest interactive feature. For example, when using the Note Repeat feature, 3D Touch adjusts playing dynamics based on how hard users press a pad, mirroring the functionality of MASCHINE hardware. In the same mode, users can also adjust the rate – the harder a user presses a pad, the more rapid the rate is played. Producers can accelerate their workflow further with 3D Touch Quick Actions for entering Step Mode, muting pads, or erasing notes, and even to open up a new project or directly enter the field recording function from the home screen of their iPhone.

iMASCHINE 2 includes the Mixer page, effects, and sample editor from the original software. The Mixer page allows for level balancing of each of the four groups in iMASCHINE 2. The effects section lets users quickly and easily add space, motion, and additional sound shaping to a track. A sampling feature allows producers to import music directly from their iTunes music collection, or create their own sample library. Once finished, projects created in iMASCHINE can be exported and opened in the full MASCHINE software for further adjustments and finalization, or uploaded directly to Soundcloud.

Until December 1, 2015, Native Instruments are offering iMASCHINE 2 at a time-limited introductory price of $4.99. And for users who have created music with the sounds in iMASCHINE Expansions or those looking to expand their sound palette further, Native Instruments have created the “ULTIMATE COLLECTION” – a specially priced bundle of 36 iMASCHINE Expansions available for $0.99 until December 1, 2015 – the price of just one iMASCHINE Expansion.

A video featuring producer TK Kayembe creating a track over the course of one day in Los Angeles has been released to demonstrate the new features in iMASCHINE 2.

iMASCHINE 2 is available in the Apple App Store. Until December 1, 2015 it is available for a special introductory price of $4.99. The “ULTIMATE COLLECTION” is available at the Expansions Store for $0.99 until December 1, 2015.

Additional information on iMASCHINE 2 is available at www.native-instruments.com/imaschine