NI Introduce Machine Jam

Native Instruments has announced Maschine Jam – a modern production and performance system created for fluid, intuitive track sketching and the latest member of the Maschine family.
Maschine Jam offers versatile workflow designed to swiftly capture and develop creative ideas using tactile step sequencing and touch-sensitive performance controls for the latest Maschine 2 software. Advancing the same seamless hardware-software integration found throughout the world of Maschine, Maschine Jam not only enhances music production with existing Maschine hardware, but also with DAWs, NKS-ready plug-ins, and the Komplete range of software and hardware.
Maschine Jam will be available at the NI Online Shop and at retailers worldwide starting September 29, 2016.
"Inspiration has always been the most energizing, yet transient moment in the creative process," says Mate Galic, CTO of Native Instruments. "Maschine Jam narrows the gap between idea and execution and introduces an innovative piece of hardware that draws from the power of software in a deeply integrated way. It will stimulate more creative experimentation, drive quick results and deliver the flow of a truly tactile digital instrument for advanced track building and performance".
Maschine Jam offers a unique set of hardware features that reinforces the creative process. Its workflow centers on an 8x8 multicolor click-pad matrix where producers and performers can experiment with arrangement possibilities using patterns and scenes. In Step Mode, the matrix becomes a powerful multi-track step-sequencer for one, four, or eight sounds simultaneously. In Pad Mode, sounds are entered in real time, while Piano Roll Mode makes step-sequencing melodies in a wide variety of available scales possible. When the Variation Engine is enabled, inspirational beats and melodies are randomly generated based on customizable values and then modified on the matrix. A built-in humanizer adds natural rhythmic fluctuations to programmed sequences.
Maschine Jam's eight dual-touch Smart Strips feature an impressive set of functions unlocked with the free Maschine 2.5 software update. All-new Perform FX map one of several effects to Jam's touch strips. Each strip responds to simultaneous finger gestures to alter the motion, space, and dynamics of sounds in real time. The Smart Strips each feature multi-color LED meters to monitor the level of the assigned function, and can be used to alter macros, key instrument parameters, and even play melodies and chords with the unique Notes function. A powerful Lock function stores parameter snapshots that can revert back to their original settings or morph between multiple lock states.
Maschine Jam includes a substantial repertoire of sound from Maschine 2 software and the Komplete 11 Select instruments and effects bundle - including NI's synths Massive and Monark - so producers can start creating right out of the box. Along with the powerful Maschine Drum Synth modules, version 2.5 of the Maschine software features a revised 9 GB library updated with all-new sounds and macro controls.
Maschine Jam not only boasts united workflow across included sounds and instruments, but also creates a workflow complementary to existing Maschine hardware. In addition to seamless browsing through the advanced tag-based Maschine and Komplete sound libraries, full support for NKS-ready plug-ins makes native in-app browsing for third party software possible. Maschine Jam integrates seamlessly within any DAWs as a plug-in, and provides extensive DAW control as a dedicated controller in MIDI mode. A template for Ableton Live is included. It can also be custom-mapped to control any other MIDI capable software.
To mark the release of Maschine Jam, Native Instruments is offering Maschine 2 software owners the choice of two Maschine Expansions from an eligible 20 – free with registration of Maschine Jam. The introductory offer runs until December 31, 2016.
Maschine Jam will be available for $399 / 399 € / ¥ 49,800 / £319 / AU$ 549 at the NI Online Shop and at local retailers on September 29, 2016. Preorder is also available.
The free Maschine Expansions introductory offer is only available at the NI Online Shop until December 31, 2016 for existing Maschine 2 software owners after registration of Maschine Jam hardware.
Additional information on Maschine Jam is available at: www.native-instruments.com/maschinejam
A dynamic overview video introducing Maschine Jam is available at: youtu.be/1_YyACZrj6E

Didn't seem that interesting at first sight but when I saw the step sequencer.. Wow. If that can be configured to a seamless integration with Sonar I'd be very interested. I'll probably wait and let the time tell. :) I already own Maschine Mikro MK2 and it's an awesome piece of hardware for such a small unit.