Native Instruments Maschine is a leading software and hardware production suite that can also be used for performance as an instrument or MIDI controller. It’s very popular in hiphop and electronic music, and features onboard samples that you can use as well as creating your own sounds. It’s far more than a drum machine and combines a pattern-based sequencer, professional sampler, multi-effect unit and VST/AU plug-in host. Maschine’s latest incarnation, the 1.8 software introduces new features including a colour-coding system. Sounds, groups, patterns and projects can be assigned specific colour schemes, which are reflected in the colours of the pads and buttons on the new hardware, for fast visual feedback and improved workflow.