Recreating the nuance and subtly of stringed and acoustic instruments with multisample engines can be so complex a task, at some point you begin to wonder whether just learning to play Trombone might be easier than programming its digital simulacrum. The new MOTU MachFive 3, however, makes a strong case for sticking with your MIDI programming skills.

MachFive 3 is the newest rev of their well-regarded multisample playback engine, and features some of the most sophisticated sample organizing and expressive control yet in a virtual workstation. Just check out the performance and tracking options available in the provided "Telemaster," acoustic drum kit, and upright bass patches — each of which GB-intensive instruments ships with MachFive 3.