Here’s one for the tech-heads: Native Instruments have announced details of the next generation MASCHINE controller.

MASCHINE has found a niche as one of the most respected (and, increasingly, ubiquitous) pieces of production hardware. At once studio-ready and orientated towards live performance, the drum-machine-cum-controller has proved a diverse and popular device; a peep at the Native Instruments website shows Modeselektor, Underworld, Mike Huckaby and No I.D. flaunting their kit.

Resident Advisor report that music tech powerhouse Native Instruments has now announced details of the forthcoming MASCHINE MKII, and it looks as if a fair few changes are underway. There have been aesthetic tweaks (the design has been streamlined; touchpads can be colour coded), but the functional alterations are the most impressive. A new feature will allow instant and comprehensive time/pitch-shifting of samples, and an extra 47 click buttons will also appear on the new model. The box will also arrive preloaded with 6GB of samples, sound library Komplete Elements and synth plug-in Massive. One thing’s for sure – it’s probably more adaptable than this.

MASCHINE MKII will arrive on September 21, and will retail at $599.