What The Heck Is MONAD?
No we’re not talking esoteric theologoy here.
MONAD is a personal project by an independent artists and Youtuber “Shift" Sync” that turns the NAtive instrumens Maschine MK3 MIDI controller into an 8 part sampler groovebox.
Heres what we know,
and what we’re looking forward to
What It Can Do
8 individual modules/ parts that can be any engine, Drum machine kits, kick designer, bassline, synths, percussion syths and polyvoice synths. MIDI to sequence external synths and a sampler to use your own sounds.
theres also reverb, delay, and granular fx processing per part, in addition to filter, drive EQ, crunch and a dedicated LFO.
MONAD also boasts a full sequencer, step sequencing with per step volicity and paramter locks (huge) probabliity , euclidiean rhythms pattern tools, arpeggiator and scales.
The OS also enables pairing a second controller and takes advantage of Push 2’s native Audio Interface capabilities.
8 parts, each with its own engine; engines include Mutable Instruments Plaits and Clouds.
The Catch: No Download Yet
Biggest catch is that the firmware has not been released for download yet
MONAD remains a personal project safely stored on the ‘teensy’ device its owner and developer posesses.
While signaling a future release, Shift Sync has not indicated a timeframe .. Only stating “when I feel its ready” to its release.
no current status on if it will be an open source project or a directly published commercial release.
Sorry, Native Instruments Did Not Open-Source Maschine
So sorry to burst your bubble, there is no current open source endorsement from Native Instruments, just the regular stated Patches and updates.
While there are some open source projecs like mo0kid Maschine MD-MM (GPL-3.0)
They arent run locally on Maschine or flash the firmware;
Projects like RE-Animator ,which enables Maschine 3 to run on MK1 devices, still require Apple Silicon .
Neither makes the Maschine MK3 a standalone groovebox.
So how is MONAD doing it?
The Standalone Question — Answered
MONAD runs on a Teensy microcontroller that is physically installed inside the MK3 case and connected via USB host, not a computer app, not a flashed rom, or Raspberry pi.
And as its writtern in C/Arduino IDE and a little prompting help, it doesnt work on Linux either.
And the mod is permanent.
While the MK3 keeps its stock firmware , opting not to touch it at all, the tradeoff is that MK3 is no longer functional with Maschine software.
The external Teensy device handles this,
luckily it can do both.
but only on the controller versions.
Why It Matters
This is the first mod in the latest wave of open source mods that turn a pure MIDI controller into a full instrument/groovebox. Most of the other modificaitons were on hardware that already had those capabilities.
If ever released, this could breathe a second life into used MK3 devices , futureproofing them and even opening doors for new integrations and software.
NI has been quite mum on the deal ,quite different than Behringers approach
What Are We Looking Out For Next
Obviously a SHift Sync release fo the Teensy firmwaer would be welcome, and even more welcom is an open source SDK.
And of course we’ll need the variant that can do both the MONAD os and Maschine OS.
And it would also be nice to hear from native instruments as well, though their owned by inmusic, their teams are still independent and its their company choice to either embrace the open source community OR carry on as usual.
either way, we’re still waiting.
https://www.practicalaudiolab.com/p/mpc-sandbox-modular-future
https://www.practicalaudiolab.com/p/mpc-underground-community-plugins
https://www.practicalaudiolab.com/p/akai-sample-key-behringer-kick-hakai-open-source