NCM File

What are NCM files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a NCM file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your NCM files.

What is a NCM file?

A .NCM file is a NI MASCHINE Template file.

NI MASCHINE Template (.ncm) is a file format used by Native Instruments' Controller Editor for MASCHINE controllers. It stores custom MIDI mapping templates, allowing users to define how buttons, knobs, pads, and other control elements on the hardware behave toward both internal software and external MIDI devices. Templates saved in .ncm format can be applied to tailor workflow across different applications or hardware instruments.

These files are created and saved by the Controller Editor software. They include all Page definitions (often multiple "pages" of control assignments), retain which Page was last selected, and preserve every control's last state - knobs, buttons, velocity curves, page names, etc. Users load .ncm templates to switch between different mappings without remapping manually each time, and templates can be stored, named, and shared.

Files begin with an XML header (offset zero) including tags such as <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?> followed by a root tag like <ni-controller-midi-map>. Inside are fields such as GROUP NAME, BUTTON ID, PRESSURE1…16, KNOB1…8, PAD1…16, PAGE NAME, PAGES, CHANNEL, VELOCITYCURVE, CURRENT_INDEX, and MIDI-MAP NAME. Certain strings like STANDALONE, INTERNAL, ENCODING, and KNOB ID also recur throughout the file.

Known to be used by Native Instruments' Controller Editor application.

How to open NCM files

We have identified one NCM opener that is compatible with this specific type of NCM file.

Programs that open NI MASCHINE Template files

Last updated: August 10, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of NCM files. Remember, different programs may use NCM files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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