Native Instruments Maschine+ Standalone Review: Freedom From the Laptop

TL;DR

Maschine+ is a capable standalone groovebox with NI's legendary sound library, but software limitations and a steep learning curve hold it back. Best for beat makers who want to produce on the move without a laptop. Not a full DAW replacement.

The Promise of Standalone Production

The idea behind Maschine+ is seductive: take everything that makes Maschine great — the pads, the workflow, the massive sound library — and free it from the laptop entirely. Produce on the sofa, on the train, in the park. No screen, no mouse, no distractions.

In practice, it's more nuanced than that. Maschine+ runs a stripped-down version of the Maschine software on internal hardware, with a built-in hard drive for your sound library. You get the same pad layout, same sampling workflow, same effects — but without access to third-party plugins or some of the more advanced features of the desktop version.

What Works Brilliantly

The pads are still the best in the business. Responsive, velocity-sensitive, and satisfying to play — they make finger drumming feel like an instrument rather than a compromise. The built-in sound library is vast: thousands of kits, one-shots, loops, and instruments covering every genre from trap to techno.

The standalone workflow is genuinely liberating for beat making. Sketch an idea, chop a sample, layer drums, add effects — all without opening a laptop. The screen is small but readable, and after a learning curve, the hardware-only workflow becomes second nature.

For live performance, Maschine+ is excellent. No worrying about laptop crashes, WiFi interference, or software updates mid-set. Just plug in and play. Several touring artists we know have switched to Maschine+ for live shows specifically for this reliability.

Where It Falls Short

The limitations become apparent when you try to do anything beyond beat making. No third-party plugin support means no favourite synths or effects. The mixer is basic. Arrangement view is limited. And the internal processor, while capable, can struggle with complex projects — we experienced audio glitches on sessions with more than 8-10 loaded instruments.

File management is also clunky. Loading sounds from a USB drive works but isn't elegant. And the WiFi-based library loading from NI's servers is painfully slow. You'll want to front-load your library before taking it anywhere.

The software updates have been slower than we'd like. Two years in, some features that desktop Maschine users take for granted still haven't made it to the standalone version.

Who Should Buy Maschine+

Maschine+ is perfect for a specific type of producer: someone who primarily makes beats, values the hands-on workflow, and wants to produce away from a computer. If that's you, it's the best option on the market.

If you need full DAW capabilities, third-party plugins, or complex arrangements, look at the Akai MPC Live II instead — it runs a more complete standalone OS. Or just use Maschine (regular version) connected to your laptop, which gives you the same pads with full software access.

At around £1,200, it's a significant investment. But for the right producer, the freedom of standalone production is worth every penny.