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Maschine has been expanding in all directions recently.

Native Instruments’ Maschine 3.0 software arrived late last year, added features including stem separation, new MIDI edit tools, custom tempos per scene and audio bounce in place.

The company is now back with another update – Maschine 3.1 – which is free for existing version 3 users and offers a much-requested user chords feature. This allows users to save banks of chord progressions for use across projects or to share with others.

Machine 3.1 also notably adds a new fullscreen mode in the standalone app version.

Here’s whats new in Maschine 3.1:

• User Chords: Create your own chord sets and share with other Maschine users.
• Improved accessibility when using User Chords
• Added Ableton Live DAW integration for Maschine+ in controller mode.
• Updated DAW integration scripts for Ableton Live versions 11 and 12
• Full-screen mode is available from the standalone application main menu and via keyboard shortcuts

Fixed

• Plug-in scanning could freeze
• Certain NKS third-party presets not appearing in the browser
• Plug-in UIs inside Maschine when hosted in Logic Pro not opening and closing as expected
• Pattern editor scrollbar not always visible
• Ableton Link issue with Traktor and other Ableton Link clients where tempo sync with Maschine would not work as expected
• Maschine in Logic Pro, plug-in windows sometimes can’t be closed by clicking on the red ‘x’
• Maschine in Logic Pro, closing the Maschine editor with a plug-in window open can leave a black floating window

The release is likely to satisfy some users more than others though. While the new update will be coming shortly to PC and Mac, users of the standalone Maschine+ will have to wait a little longer.

NI is promising that Maschine+ will receive the 3.1 update later this year.

Read full details of the Maschine 3.1 update at Native Instruments’ website.

Producer Tim Exile (Timothy Charles Shaw) lets us know that he has introduced PTNSHIFT, a generative music performance instrument for Ableton Push and Native Instruments Reaktor.

He says that it’s inspired by Autechre’s generative live performances, and combines the “deep sonic universe of modular synthesis” with DJ-style interactions, like pattern-launching, mixing, blending and FX.

The official intro video:

Here’s a deep dive into PTNSHIFT:

*Note: PTNSHIFT requires a full license of Native Instruments’ Reaktor to run without restrictions.

PTNSHIFT is available now for $59 + tax and includes a Reaktor file and a MacOS and Windows companion app for capturing the Reaktor interface and displaying it on Push 2’s screen. Additionally, PTNSHIFT and Scapeshift are now available as a bundle for $99 + tax.

Native Instruments let us know about some special deals that they are running this month, covering their Komplete virtual instrument bundle and iZotope mixing and mastering tools.

Here’s what they shared about the details:

Get 20% off Komplete 15 and unlock up to 3 special instruments for free.

For a limited time, you can get free plugins from NKS partners when you buy, update, or upgrade to a Komplete 15 bundle. From retro rhythms to tape-infused textures, expand your library with premium instruments from our friends Teletone Audio, e-Instruments, and Sonokinetic. Hurry, offer ends April 1.

iZotope has announced Mix & Master Month, celebrating the craft of mixing and mastering this March.

With a host of new deals available through the end of March, now’s the time to pick up some fresh tools. Whether you’re new to iZotope’s intelligent mixing and mastering plugins or a long-time fan, there are discounts and loyalty deals happening now.

Mix & Master Month Overview

• Ozone — up to 50% off
• Neutron — up to 50% off
• Music Production Suite 7 — 30% off
• Insight & Tonal Balance Control — 75% off

Visit the Native Instruments and iZotope sites for details.

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