Develop with encoders
Adjust exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, color, tone curve, HSL, detail and more without dragging sliders.
Maschine MK3 + Lightroom Classic + MIDI2LR
Turn Maschine MK3 into a Lightroom controller.
A ready-made Maschine MK3 Lightroom controller mapping for MIDI2LR. Use the encoders, pads and master encoder you already own to edit photos with a tactile workflow instead of constantly hunting sliders with the mouse.
For Native Instruments Maschine MK3 · Adobe Lightroom Classic v14+ · Windows & macOS
Built manually over ~3 years of real use
No coding required
Free Lite version
13 encoder pages in Pro
Full workflow demo · Plays directly from YouTube
A Lightroom MIDI controller using hardware you already own
Maschine MK3 is surprisingly good at photo editing.
Maschine MK3 has eight endless encoders, sixteen pads, page switching, transport-style controls and a large master encoder. In MIDI mode, those controls can be mapped through MIDI2LR to useful Lightroom Classic actions. The result feels closer to a mixing console than a traditional mouse-and-keyboard edit.
Cull with pads
Use tactile pad layouts for ratings, workflow shortcuts and fast decisions while moving through a shoot.
Navigate from hardware
Switch Library ↔ Develop, move between photos and use the master encoder for navigation and zoom.
How the Maschine MK3 + MIDI2LR workflow works
A simple MIDI-based setup.
The system uses MIDI2LR, the free open-source bridge for Lightroom Classic, plus Native Instruments Controller Editor.
You load the supplied Controller Editor mapping, load the included MIDI2LR XML mapping, then start Lightroom Classic. No custom USB driver replacement and no coding are required.
Already use Maschine for music?
You can switch mappings when you want to edit photos, then return to your normal Maschine workflow.
You can switch mappings when you want to edit photos, then return to your normal Maschine workflow.
Connect Maschine MK3Connect the controller to your computer and switch to the supplied MIDI mapping.
Load the Controller Editor mappingOpen the provided mapping file in Native Instruments Controller Editor.
Load the MIDI2LR mappingStart MIDI2LR and load the included XML mapping.
Launch Lightroom ClassicWith MIDI2LR running, open Lightroom Classic and start editing from the hardware.
Maschine MK3 Lightroom mapping — Lite vs Pro
Try the workflow free. Upgrade only if it fits.
Lite is the low-friction entry point: enough controls to feel the tactile workflow on your own Maschine MK3. Pro expands it into a complete Lightroom Classic control system.
| Feature | Lite — Free | Pro — $25 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder pages | 1 essential page | 13 pages |
| Pad layouts | Main + Culling | Main + Culling + Masking |
| Library ↔ Develop | Included | Included |
| Photo navigation + zoom | Included | Included |
| Hardware parameter reset | Included | Included |
| Guide | Quick Guide | Full visual guide |
| Best for | Testing the workflow | Regular / higher-volume editing |
Why use Maschine MK3 for Lightroom?
Less mouse. More muscle memory.
I built this mapping for my own editing workflow and kept refining it manually over roughly three years of actual use. The goal was never to make every Lightroom function live on the controller. It was to put the repetitive controls under your hands so common edits become physical and predictable.
That matters most when you work through many images: exposure and color corrections, culling, ratings, moving between photos, zooming and switching between Library and Develop.
Why MIDI2LR?
Cross-platform and easy to understand.
This is intentionally a MIDI2LR-based workflow. It works on Windows and macOS, uses Native Instruments' own Controller Editor for the Maschine mapping, and relies on an established open-source Lightroom MIDI bridge.
If you want a ready-made tactile setup without building your own mapping from scratch, Lite lets you test the exact idea for free before deciding whether the full Pro workflow is useful to you.
Compatibility & FAQ
Before you download.
What do I need?
Native Instruments Maschine MK3, Adobe Lightroom Classic v14 or newer, MIDI2LR and Native Instruments Controller Editor. A Full HD display or higher is recommended.
Does this work with Lightroom (cloud), or only Lightroom Classic?
The mapping is designed for Adobe Lightroom Classic.
Windows or macOS?
Both Windows and macOS are supported with the MIDI2LR + Controller Editor workflow.
Does it support Maschine MK2, Maschine+, Studio or Mikro?
This product is specifically made for Maschine MK3. Other Maschine models are not currently supported.
Do I need to code or configure every control myself?
No. The Controller Editor and MIDI2LR mapping files are provided. Load the mappings, follow the setup guide and start with the supplied layout.
Can I still use my MK3 for music?
Yes. The Lightroom workflow is a Controller Editor mapping, so you can switch back to your normal Maschine setup when you are done editing.
Start with the free version
See whether tactile Lightroom editing clicks for you.
Lite includes one encoder page, Main and Culling pad layouts, navigation, zoom and the setup guide.