Native Instruments Maschine Getting Started Guide
GETTING STARTED
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software described by this document is
subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media. No part of this publication
may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior
written permission by Native Instruments GmbH, hereinafter referred to as Native Instruments. All
product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective owners.
Getting Started written by Benjamin Weiss; edited by Jens Hoffmann, Joshua Fielstra
Manual version: 1.0 (11/2008)
Software version: 1.0
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but in
making this a better product.
Germany
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH
Schlesische Str. 28
D-10997 Berlin
Germany
info@native-instruments.de
www.native-instruments.de
USA
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc.
5631 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
USA
sales@native-instruments.com
www.native-instruments.com
© Native Instruments GmbH, 2008. All rights reserved.
1. Welcome to MASCHINE!
Thank you for buying MASCHINE!
MASCHINE is essentially the synergy of the MASCHINE Controller hardware and the
MASCHINE software combining the advantages of both worlds for making music, live
as well as in the studio. The intuitive, hands-on qualities of a dedicated Instrument,
the MASCHINE Controller, with the advanced editing features and the versatility of the
MASCHINE software turn it into the creative center of your musical productions.
Creating beats is often not very intuitive with a computer, but using the MASCHINE
Controller to do it makes it easy and fun. You can tap in freely with the Pads or use Note
Repeat to jam along. Alternatively, build your beats utilizing the Step Sequencer just as
in classic drum machines.
Since you can integrate it in any DAW that supports VST, Audio Units or the RTAS – for-
mat with multiple instances, you can prot from its abilities in almost any software setup
or use it as a stand-alone application. You can sample your own material, slice Loops and
rearrange them easily.
However, MASCHINE is a lot more than an ordinary Groovebox or Sampler: It comes with
a large 5 gigabytes library, programmed and gathered by well known artists, and a sophisticated, yet easy to use tag-based Browser to give you instant access to the sounds
you are looking for.
You can also control your external MIDI Hardware and your Software with the MASCHINE
Controller and customize the functions of the Pads, Encoders and Buttons to your needs,
utilizing the Controller Editor Application. This is possible at the same time you are using
the stand-alone version or the plug-in.
We hope you enjoy the MASCHINE playground as much as we do. Now let´s get going!
The MASCHINE team at Native Instruments
MASCHINE Getting Started – 4
2. Installation and Setup
2.1 What´s in the box
After opening the MASCHINE package you will nd the following items:
The MASCHINE Controller
1.
The Installer DVDs
2.
This Getting Started Manual
3.
The Service Center Quick Start Guide
4.
USB cable
5.
The Serial Number Card
6.
2.2 The MASCHINE Documentation
2.2.1 About this Getting Started Manual
This section will introduce you to the signage and text highlighting used in this manual.
Marginal Notes
This manual uses marginal notes to point out special facts and to warn you of potential
dangers. The icons included in the marginal notes let you see what kind of information is
to be expected:
!Whenever this exclamation mark icon appears, you should read the corresponding mar-
ginal note carefully and follow the instructions and hints given there if applicable.
MASCHINE Getting Started – 5
%
This lightbulb icon indicates that a marginal note contains useful extra information. This
information may often help you to solve a task more efciently, but does not necessarily
apply to the setup or operating system you are using. However, it should be worth reading
for most users.
Special Formatting
This manual contains some elements that appear in a different font type. This distinctive
formatting has been applied in order to let you recognize certain elements in the text at
a glance:
►
Menu Item: Items from MASCHINE’s menus are printed in italics.
►
GUI E
in Small CapS. Consequently you will notice that this formatting has been applied to all
names of knobs, buttons and other elements that let you interact with the MASCHINE
software, but not to the names that relate to the MASCHINE Controller’s rotary encoders,
pads, etc.
lEmEnt
: Elements from MASCHINE’s graphical user interface (GUI) are printed
2.2.2 Other Documentation
What you are holding in your hands right now is the Getting Started Manual that will give
you a fast overview of MASCHINE’s main features and functions. For more in-depth information on all the topics not covered here, please refer to the MASCHINE Reference Manual
that is available via the Native Instruments Service Center application. Alternatively, you
can download the Reference Manual from the Update Manager on the Native Instruments
Website:
www.native-instruments.com
You can use the MASCHINE Controller for controlling other MIDI-enabled software or external MIDI hardware. For all information on these functions, please refer to the Controller
Editor Manual, located in the Documentation folder inside the Controller Editor installation
folder.
MASCHINE Getting Started – 6
2.3 Installing MASCHINE
This chapter will guide you through the MASCHINE installation procedure step by step.
The installation includes all components of MASCHINE: the MASCHINE application, the
sound library and the Controller Editor application.
2.3.1 Installing MASCHINE on Windows XP and Windows Vista
Place the installation Windows-specic DVD in your computer’s DVD-ROM drive.
1.
Use Windows Explorer to browse the content of the DVD-ROM.
2.
Double-click the installer le named “MASCHINE Setup.exe.”
3.
Click “Next.”
4.
To continue, you need to rst accept the license agreement. After you have read the
5.
license agreement, check the corresponding checkbox and click “Next.”
To perform a complete installation, leave the Complete option checked and click “Next”
6.
to install all components to their default location. To deselect components or to install
the MASCHINE application or sound library to an alternative location, choose Custom.
Then click “Next.”
The Setup Program will lead you through the installation procedure. Please follow the
7.
onscreen instructions.
After the installation has been performed successfully, click “Finish.”
8.
To install the MASCHINE Controller hardware driver, you need to connect the
9.
MASCHINE Controller to your computer now. On Windows Vista, the driver setup will
nish automatically. On Windows XP, the following screen should appear:
Select “No, not this time” and click “Next.”
10.
On the following screen select “Install software automatically” and click “Next.”
11.
Now the MASCHINE Controller hardware driver installation will nish. After that you
12.
need to go through the same procedure in order to install the MASCHINE Controller
USB driver.
If a warning message concer-
If a warning message concer-
!
!
appears during installation, there is no
appears during installation, there is no
need to worry – just click “Continue” to
need to worry – just click “Continue” to
proceed.
proceed.
ning the Windows Logo test
ning the Windows Logo test
MASCHINE Getting Started – 7
2.3.2 Installing the MASCHINE Software on Mac OS X
Place the installation DVD-ROM in your computer’s DVD-ROM drive. Its icon will ap-
1.
pear in the Mac OS X Finder.
Double-click the MASCHINE DVD icon to display the content of the DVD.
2.
Double-click the installer le named “MASCHINE Installer.mpkg.”
3.
Click “Continue” to proceed.
4.
To continue, you need to rst accept the license agreement. After you have read the
5.
license agreement, check the corresponding checkbox and click “Agree.” Then click
“Continue” to proceed.
Select the hard disk onto which you would like to install MASCHINE. Please note that
6.
you can only install MASCHINE onto hard disks which contain a Mac OS X version
that matches the system requirements. Hard disks without a suitable Mac OS X version on them will be agged with a red Stop sign, and you cannot select them in the
Installation Destination dialog. From Mac OS X 10.5 on, this screen will be skipped
automatically.
Click “Continue.”
7.
Select the elements you want to install (we recommend installing all elements, however
8.
if you know that you don´t need a certain element like a plug-in format, uncheck the
checkbox next to it). If you want to install the Maschine Library contents to a custom
location, e.g. to an external hard disk, click the folder icon in the “Location” column
to open a dialog in which you can specify a destination for the installation.
Click “Install” to continue. The Setup Program will lead you through the installation
9.
procedure. Please follow the onscreen instructions.
To nish the MASCHINE Controller hardware driver installation you need to restart
10.
your computer now.
You cannot deselect the Service
You cannot deselect the Service
!
!
required for activating the MASCHINE
required for activating the MASCHINE
software.
software.
Center application because it is
Center application because it is
MASCHINE Getting Started – 8
2.4 Activating MASCHINE
When you start the MASCHINE software for the rst time, you will be asked to activate
MASCHINE using the Service Center. Please refer to the Service Center Quick Start Guide
for all information on that matter.
2.5 Connecting the MASCHINE Controller
Connecting the MASCHINE Controller to your computer is easy: plug the USB cable (included in delivery) into the USB port on the back of the MASCHINE Controller, then connect
the cable’s other end to one of the USB-ports of your computer.
If you have any MIDI equipment such as synthesizers, keyboards, drum machines or sam-
plers, you may connect them to MASCHINEs MIDI In and MIDI Out ports.
If you want to connect the
If you want to connect the
!
!
USB-hub instead, make sure that the
USB-hub instead, make sure that the
hub has its own power supply – the
hub has its own power supply – the
MASCHINE Controller will not work on a
MASCHINE Controller will not work on a
passive (bus-powered) USB hub.
passive (bus-powered) USB hub.
MASCHINE Controller to a
MASCHINE Controller to a
On its rear panel, the MASCHINE Controller features a MIDI In and a MIDI Out port as well as a USB port that
connects it to your computer. Use the Kensington Lock slot to lock your MASCHINE controller to something
immobile and thus save it from being stolen.
MASCHINE Getting Started – 9
3. Overview
This chapter will introduce you to the MASCHINE Controller’s hardware elements and the
MASCHINE Software’s user interface. Nearly all functions are available on both interfaces.
If you need to look up a certain user interface element’s name, you can return to this
chapter at any time for a refresher!
3.1 Hardware
1 Step Mode Button
Step Mode Button
1
Control Mode Button
2 Control Mode Button
2
Sampling Button
3 Sampling Button
3
Browse Button
4 Browse Button
4
Page Buttons
5 Page Buttons
5
Function Buttons
6 Function Buttons
6
Note Repeat Button
7 Note Repeat Button
7
Master Encoders
8 Master Encoders
8
Group Buttons
9 Group Buttons
9
10 Grid Button
10 Grid Button
11 Transport Buttons
11 Transport Buttons
12 Buttons 1-8
12 Buttons 1-8
The MASCHINE Controller
13 Left and Right Display
13 Left and Right Display
14 Rotary Encoders 1-8
14 Rotary Encoders 1-8
15 Pads
15 Pads
(secondary function is
(secondary function is
reached by pressing Shift)
reached by pressing Shift)
16 Shift Button
16 Shift Button
17 Modier Buttons
17 Modier Buttons
MASCHINE Getting Started – 10
3.2 Software
1 Header
Header
1
Browser
2 Browser
2
Arranger
3 Arranger
3
Control Area
4 Control Area
4
Pattern Editor
5 Pattern Editor
5
The Header
1
1 Menu Button
Menu Button
Browser Button
2 Browser Button
2
Display Area
3 Display Area
3
Transport Controls
4 Transport Controls
4
Connect Button
5 Connect Button
5
Audio Engine Button
6 Audio Engine Button
6
CPU Meter
7 CPU Meter
7
Volume Control
8 Volume Control
8
NI Logo
9 NI Logo
9
MASCHINE Getting Started – 11
The Arranger
The Browser
1
1 Arranger Timeline
Arranger Timeline
Group Slots
2 Group Slots
2
Scene Column
3 Scene Column
3
Clip Area
4 Clip Area
4
1 File Type Selector
File Type Selector
1
Tag Filter
2 Tag Filter
2
Text Search Field
3 Text Search Field
3
Search Result List
4 Search Result List
4
Tag Editor
5 Tag Editor
5
Audition Control
6 Audition Control
6
MASCHINE Getting Started – 12
The Control Area
1 Master Tab
Master Tab
1
Group Tab
2 Group Tab
2
Sound Tab
3 Sound Tab
3
Source Tab
4 Source Tab
4
FX1 Tab
5 FX1 Tab
5
FX2 Tab
6 FX2 Tab
6
Output Tab
7 Output Tab
7
Quick Browse Area
8 Quick Browse Area
8
9 Parameter pages, depending on
9 Parameter pages, depending on
the selected Tab
the selected Tab
10 Page Selector
10 Page Selector
The Pattern Editor
1 Step Editor View Switch
1 Step Editor View Switch
Pattern Bank Menu
2 Pattern Bank Menu
2
Step Editor
3 Step Editor
3
Piano Roll /
4 Piano Roll /
4
Keyboard View Switch
Keyboard View Switch
Sampling View Switch
5 Sampling View Switch
5
Sound Slots
6 Sound Slots
6
Automation Lane
7 Automation Lane
7
Automation View Switch
8 Automation View Switch
8
MASCHINE Getting Started – 13
The Sampling Area
1
1 Record Tab
Record Tab
Edit Tab
2 Edit Tab
2
Slice Tab
3 Slice Tab
3
Mapping Tab
4 Mapping Tab
4
MASCHINE Getting Started – 14
4. Creating a Pattern
In order to get you started with MASCHINE, let´s lay out a basic Pattern with some drums,
a bassline and a melody. On the way, you will learn how to create Sounds and Groups and
how to add Effects (FX) to them.
4.1 Finding Samples in the Browser
The Browser is your tool for managing, nding, tagging and categorizing Projects, Groups,
Patterns, Sounds, FX and Samples. If you want to know more about the Browser’s capabilities, read the “Browser” chapter in the MASCHINE Reference Manual.
Hardware
On the MASCHINE Controller, press the Browse Button. In the Left Display, you will
1.
now be presented with a selection of choices.
Turn Rotary Encoder 1 until the Filter on the Left Display turns to “Sample.” This
2.
indicates that only Samples will be displayed now in the right display.
Since we are looking for a bass drum, rst turn Rotary Encoder 2 until the Factory
3.
Bank entry is set to “DRUM.” Turn Rotary Encoder 3 to select Type entry “KICK”, then
turn Rotary Encoder 4 until the Subtype is set to “SUB.” Using the Right Display and
Rotary Encoder 5 you can browse through all the bass drums now. With Button 8 you
can now load the selected bass drum into your Sound Slot.
The Browser on the Hardware
MASCHINE Getting Started – 15
Software
Click the B
1.
rowSEr BUtton
in the top row to show the Browser within the MASCHINE
window:
Click the Browser Button to open the Browser.
2. We will start by nding a bass drum for our Pattern: In the top row of the Browser, click
on lIB to select your library, then click the SamplE ICon to get a list of all the available
samples in the library. Now activate Prelisten by clicking the a
UdItIon BUtton
(with the
loudspeaker symbol on it) underneath the list:
A List of Samples in the Browser. Click the Audition Button to listen to the samples as you select them.
3. You can listen to the Samples by clicking on their names.
4. Since we want to nd a bass drum rst, type “kick” into the empty eld above the
list of Samples. As soon as you start typing, you will see the list below being updated
to display Samples matching your query.
MASCHINE Getting Started – 16
The Browser, displaying a list of Samples that belong to the Search result “kick.”
5. Now you can listen to the available bass drums by clicking on their names in the list
and choose one you like.
Searching Samples by their names is not the only way to access the MASCHINE Library:
you can also use the Browser’s Tag Filter to narrow down your search using Tags.
4.2 Selecting Sounds and Creating a Group
Now that you know how to nd a Sample, we will create a Group which contains up to 16
Sounds and up to 64 Patterns associated with it.
Hardware
On the MASCHINE Controller, you were just browsing through the Samples using Rotary
Encoder 5. Found a bass drum that matches your taste? Okay, then load it by pressing
Button 8 on your MASCHINE Controller. It will be loaded into the focussed Sound and
thus be playable by hitting the respective Pad.
MASCHINE Getting Started – 17
Software
In the Pattern Editor, select Sound 1 by clicking on it:
1.
A Group with Sound 1 selected
2. Double-click on the Sample you want to use, in this case the bass drum. The display will
now show the name of the Sample instead of “Sound 1.” If you do not like the Sample’s
name that is being displayed, you can always change it by double-clicking on the Sound
Slot and typing in a new name. After you have loaded a Sample into Sound Slot 1, you
will recognize that Pad 1 on your hardware is lit. This indicates that there is a sample
assigned to Pad 1, so if you hit the pad, the bass drum sample will play.
In the same way you have just selected your bass drum, try to nd some other drum sounds
that make a good match: e.g. a clap, a snare drum, a hi-hat and maybe a rimshot, and
put together your drumset by assigning Sound after Sound.
MASCHINE Getting Started – 18
4.3 Creating Patterns
Now that you have assembled a nice drum kit, let’s record a Pattern with it.
4.3.1 Adjusting Quantization using the Grid
The Step Grid property affects all Pattern editing actions, including quantization (“note
snap”). The default setting is 1/16th, however you may use another one or disable the
Step Grid completely.
Hardware
1.
To change the Step Grid’s quantization settings, press and hold the Grid Button on the
MASCHINE Controller; the Right Display will show you which Pad represents which Grid.
The Right Display showing the available Grids
2. Select a Step Grid resolution by hitting the corresponding Pad.
If you want to adjust the Pattern Grid (see section 4.3.2 “Adjusting Pattern Length”), press
Button 3; then select a Pattern Grid resolution by hitting the corresponding Pad.
Software
The area to the right of the Sound Slots is called Step Editor. To change the Grid of the
Step , select a new value from the GrId mEnU:
The Grid Menu
MASCHINE Getting Started – 19
4.3.2 Adjusting Pattern Length
Hardware
Adjusting the length of Pattern A1 by turning Rotary Encoder 1
To change the Pattern length, press the Pattern Button, then turn Rotary Encoder 1. Dialing
to the right will extend the Pattern, dialing to the left will shorten it. Adjust the step width
of the Pattern Length parameter (Pattern Grid) as described in the previous section.
Software
The Pattern Grid and Pattern Length Menus
The Pattern length is represented by the highlighted area of the Pattern. To change the
Pattern length, click in the Pattern Length Bar at the position you want your Pattern to
end. The Pattern length will resize to the mouse click position, quantized to the Arranger
Grid value. To change the step width that the Pattern length can be resized in, select a
resolution from the pattErn GrId mEnU.
MASCHINE Getting Started – 20
4.3.3 Recording a Pattern
Now that you have chosen the Grid, let´s get going with the Pattern, starting with some
drums!
Hardware
The rst possibility is to simply record some beats with the Pads: press the Play Button,
then the Record Button to enable Record Mode. Now hit the Pads you want to record and
listen to what happens. The Metronome will help you to keep the time when recording in
realtime. To activate the Metronome, hold down Shift and press Play. To deactivate the
Metronome, hold Shift and press Play again. If you want to quantize your recording afterwards, hold the MASCHINE Controller’s Shift Button and press Pad 5 (Quantize). Your
recording will be quantized according to the selected Grid
First possibility of recording a Pattern: press PLAY & REC and then play some Pads!
4.3.4 Step Sequencer
If you are familiar with classic drum machines such as those made popular by a well-known
Japanese company, you may want to program your Pattern using the Step Sequencer:
Hit the Pad with the Sound you want to record to select it.
1.
Press the Step Button. Now you will see a light chasing through the Pads, starting
2.
from Pad 1, going up all four rows from left to right and ending at Pad 16. Each Pad
now represents one step of a 16-step sequence: you can activate it by hitting the Pad
once, lighting it up. If you hit it again, the step is gone. This way it´s easy to quickly
put some drums together.
There is an Undo function
There is an Undo function
%
%
from the MASCHINE Controller: hold the
from the MASCHINE Controller: hold the
Shift Button and press Pad 1 to undo
Shift Button and press Pad 1 to undo
any pattern edits.
any pattern edits.
%
%
so if you want to program longer Patterns,
so if you want to program longer Patterns,
you will have to switch to the next 16 steps
you will have to switch to the next 16 steps
by using Buttons 7 and 8.
by using Buttons 7 and 8.
available that you can access
available that you can access
Only the rst 16 steps will be re-
Only the rst 16 steps will be re-
presented in the Step Sequencer,
presented in the Step Sequencer,
MASCHINE Getting Started – 21
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