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MOTU MachFive 3 Sampler Plug-in

Sampler Plug-in with 45GB Sound Library, Universal Sample Support, 47 Built-in Effects, IRCAM Time and Pitch Technology, and Scripting - macOS/Windows Standalone, AAX, RTAS, VST, AU
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Item ID: MachFive3
MOTU MachFive 3 Sampler Plug-in
Price:$459 and 00 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $13/month with 36 month financing*

Special Order

Special-ordered from MOTU and usually ships to you within a few weeks. Please note: special orders cannot be canceled or returned.

Note: While most of the items we sell ship for free, this item does not qualify for free shipping due to special circumstances.
Software Is Not Returnable
Sorry, Software cannot be returned once it has been delivered. Contact your Sales Engineer or give us a call at (800) 222-4700 if you need any help with ensuring compatibility or finding the right version.
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Compatible with:
macOS
Windows
Standalone
AAX
AU
VST
iLok Required
Software Compatibility

You'll need an iLok copy protection device in order to use this software. If you already have one, you're good to go. If you don't, you can buy one here. An iLok is a small USB gadget (about the size of a thumb drive) that plugs into your computer. It "unlocks" the software, allowing you to use it.

Most software is compatible with both macOS and Windows, but check to make sure.

If you're using Pro Tools, AAX plug-ins are what you need. Most other DAWs on macOS support Audio Units (AU) plug-ins, while VST is compatible with many DAWs on oth macOS and Windows. Be sure you choose plug-ins that work with your DAW!

To learn more about software compatibility, check out our buying guide.

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MOTU MachFive 3 Sampler Plug-in
Special Order
Price:$459 and 00 cents
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This article was Written By

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This Cutting-edge Sampler Does it All!

NOTE: This product requires an iLok (not included) for authorization. Please call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer if you have questions.

MOTU's MachFive 3 sampling software is any music maker's dream come true. Are you ready for the next generation of MOTU sampling and synthesis technology? MachFive 3 covers all of the bases, from looping and sampling to synthesis and effects. Whether you're tapping into the massive library of included content, the countless MachFive-compatible sound libraries out there, or the powerful engines that let you craft your own original instruments, MachFive 3 has the tools you need. Whether you're running it as a plug-in in your favorite DAW or using it in standalone mode at the heart of your virtual instrument rig, you're going to love MOTU MachFive 3's rock-solid stability!

MOTU MachFive 3 Software Sampler at a Glance:
  • 45GB of incredible content
  • 11 sound engines, powerful tools, infinite possibilities
  • 47 real-time effects to spice up your sounds
45GB of incredible content

When you get MOTU's MachFive 3, you don't just get an amazing sampler, you get seven DVDs' worth of fantastic sample content. From acoustic instruments, including Star Drums, J-Bass, and the staggeringly realistic F Grand 278 Fazioli concert grand piano, to the collection of synth sounds in Universal Instruments & Loops and Biosphere, MachFive 3's included content covers all genres of music. And with the third-generation UVI Engine behind it, playing sounds with MachFive 3 couldn't be easier.

11 sound engines, powerful tools, infinite possibilities

Under the hood, MachFive 3 gets even more sophisticated. Modular synthesis architecture with 11 different sound engines form the core of MachFive 3's sound generation, with sound-shaping tools such as unlimited multi point envelopes and tempo sync allowing sounds to interact, with clockwork precision. There's even a time-stretching and pitch-shifting tool (licensed by MOTU from the IRCAM research institute), capable of producing extreme time-bending effects.

47 real-time effects to spice up your sounds

Speaking of effects, MOTU gave MachFive 3 a massive selection of 47 real-time effects, including convolution reverb. These effects tie into the fully functional graphic mixer, giving you easy access to amazing sound-creation possibilities. Also within the core of MachFive 3 is the amazing LoopLab engine for beat slicing, as well as a scripting engine with unlimited layers, so there's no limit to the sounds you can create.

MOTU MachFive 3 Software Sampler Features:
  • Powerful sampling software/plug-in that's perfect for any kind of music creation and sound design
  • Massive 45GB sound library (7 DVDs) features loops, phrases, sounds, and advanced multi-sample instruments with dynamic performance powered by state-of-the-art scripting technology
  • Unique, unified design provides instruments, loops, phrases, synthesis, and FX in one easy-to-use window
  • Scripting engine with unlimited layers delivers ultra-realistic multi-sample instruments, dynamic performance, and unlimited possibilities for programmers and sound designers
  • Cutting-edge time stretching, pitch shifting, and granular synthesis licensed from the IRCAM research institute
  • Universal support for all major third-party hardware/software sample formats allows for consolidated sound library management
  • Internal graphic mixer with faders, FX inserts, and unlimited channels
  • Flexible effects architecture with 47 different effects, including convolution reverb, applied at any level you determine
  • Advanced, yet accessible modular synthesis architecture with 11 sound engines and a flexible modulation matrix
  • Full-screen editing lets you dive into a rich sound-design environment with comprehensive automation and modulation
  • Combine instruments and tempo-synced loops
  • Layer synths and sample-based parts
  • Third-generation UVI Engine interface
  • Submix to 17 stereo output pairs
  • Disk streaming conserves RAM and shortens load times
  • Unlimited polyphony with ultra-low software latency
Unlock the full potential of your sounds with MOTU's MachFive 3 software sampler!
What Does "Special Order" Mean?

A special-order product is one that we don't normally keep in stock. We order it from the manufacturer as soon as you order from us. We have great relationships with all the manufacturers we carry, so we can get your special order to you as fast as or faster than anyone else. Remember that special orders are non-returnable and non-cancelable, so make sure the item is right for you. A Sweetwater Sales Engineer can help you decide — call (800) 222-4700 for assistance!

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Tech Specs

  • Software Type: Synthesis and Sampling
  • Platform: Mac, PC
  • Upgrade/Full: Full
  • Download/Boxed: Boxed
  • Bit Depth: 64-bit
  • Plug-in Formats: Standalone, AAX, AU, VST
  • Authorization Type: iLok Required
  • Hardware Requirements - Mac: Intel Core 2 Duo or higher, 4GB RAM or more recommended, 45GB drive space
  • Hardware Requirements - PC: Multi-core 1.83GHz Processor or higher, 4GB RAM or more recommended, 45GB drive space
  • OS Requirements - Mac: macOS 10.9 to 10.15
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 SP1 or later
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 5960

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Reviews

Pretty interesting.
In all fairness, the updates have made the CPU quite a bit happier. This product has a great upright bass, a great Fender Telecaster model, a great Fender bass model, a great electric piano model, a great acoustic piano model, and a straight forward control section. The updates (3.2) seem to be aimed at vastly improving each of these models. The synth sounds are very crisp.
The time stretch (that is visible on the graphic yellow) is awesome quality, so you can
change pitch (like Alvin and the Chipmunks) while maintaining speed or otherwise. Being able to drag and drop a hit classic song into the window and then play bits and pieces of it at different pitch or speed is great for DJ people. I am completely enjoying going to Youtube and watching Machfive 3 tutorials recently. I hope MOTU lives long and flies high because their product support is REALLY good.
Music background: Las Vegas style duo pro for five years.
Sampling + Sound Library + Loops = Cool Sounding Tools!
Been doing a lot of Sound design and Scoring for a feature documentary and MachFive 3 is my new go-to. Using DP as the host, MachFive 3 effortlessly integrates into my existing workflows. The sounds from the library are stellar, the sound bite manipulation is high quality and the interface is top notch MOTU!
Music background: Soundscapist and Composer
Best on the market
After years of being frustrated with multi-featured soft samplers & synths that are impossible to use beyond just loading and playing sounds, along comes one that is full featured and fairly easy to use. This is NOT an upgrade from MachFive2... this is a suite of tools that blows me away. Just the analog stacks & unlimited oscillators alone are worth the price of admission. Granular synthesis makes you view a samples differently. I LOVE THIS PACKAGE!!!!
Music background: Recording engineer & Artist
MF3
Machfive 3 delivers big time!
Music background: Live, writer/arranger
Great product, but...
All in all MachFive 3 is a great product and I am happy the quality and the features. The only thing that keeps this from getting 5 stars is this: MachFive 3 is built on the UVI Engine so my expectation was full compatibility with my UVI libraries; not so. For example, I own UVI's Orchestral Suite and was disappointed when I received the error message in M5 informing me that the library was developed with a later version of the UVI scripting engine. As such, many of the samples do not play correctly in MachFive and are unusable (e.g. release samples cut out early). What this means is that I must now load an instance of UVI Workstation along with MachFive rather than have an all-in-one solution.

I contacted MOTU to inquire about any expected updates and was told there were no plans to do so. I guess this means they're planning to sell me MachFive 4 instead. To me this is unacceptable and as such I will probably look elsewhere if/when the time come to update my sampling software.

Still, if this does not concern you, then there is plenty to like about MachFive 3. Just take the "universal sample support" with a grain of salt.