The same workflow from that desktop app is carried over to the standalone groovebox, so you should be able to seamlessly bounce back and forth between the two depending on your mood. When in standalone mode the Maschine+ will be able to run a whole bunch of plugins from the Komplete library, including softsynths like EDM stalwart Massive, FM8, Monark and Prism. Plus a sampler, 8GB of preloaded sounds (plus expansion packs) and 35 built in effects including the excellent Raum reverb plugin.

Between this and the upcoming launch of Komplete 13 and Guitar Rig 6, Native Instruments is roaring into fall with a pretty exciting lineup.

Unsurprisingly, all of this doesn’t come cheap. When it hits store shelves on October 1st it’s expected to cost $1,399 / €1,299. We’ll obviously have to wait to get our hands on one to see if Native Instruments has successfully captured the power and allure of its software instruments in a hardware device. But, regardless, I wholly endorse this trend towards unplugged music making.