Native Instruments has upgraded their iMaschine iOS app to version 2.0, incorporating several crucial features, which will allow true music-making on the move. iMaschine 2 completely revamps the original concept with a new set of powerful features, including the Arranger, Step Mode, and Smart Play functionality.
It is also the first music production app to include optimizations for the new 3D Touch features on iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, although we know of several new entries which are set to debut any day now that take advantage of Apple’s 3D Touch (unfortunately Apple’s new iPad Pro does not, a major misstep for the brand —Ed). Most importantly, iMaschine 2 allows for full export of your app creation to your desktop. Thus, you can continue to work on your composition in the full-blown Maschine desktop version.
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iMaschine 2’s 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, a powerful arpeggiator makes it easy to add dynamic motion to a track. Projects created with the original iMaschine app open effortlessly 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, such as 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 with professional effects. A convenient 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.
NI’s iMaschine 2 is available now in the Apple App Store for a special introductory price of $4.99. The Ultimate Collection is available at the Expansions Store for $0.99 until December 1, 2015.
The Future: $6 for iMaschine 2 and the Ultimate Collection?? For Maschine users (and even non-Maschiners) this could be the steal of the year!
Native Instruments
