Native Instruments Maschine 2.0 MK2 Operation Manual v2.6.8
MANUAL
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.
“Native Instruments”, “NI” and associated logos are (registered) trademarks of Native Instruments GmbH.
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in the United States and/or other countries.
ASIO, VST, HALion and Cubase are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH.
All other product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
Document authored by: David Gover, Nicolas Sidi
Software version: 2.6.8 (08/2017)
Disclaimer
Hardware version: MASCHINE MK2
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but
in making this a better product.
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH
Schlesische Str. 29-30
D-10997 Berlin
Germany
www.native-instruments.de
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc.
6725 Sunset Boulevard
5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
USA
www.native-instruments.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS K.K.
YO Building 3F
Jingumae 6-7-15, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo 150-0001
Japan
www.native-instruments.co.jp
Contact
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS UK Limited
18 Phipp Street
London EC2A 4NU
UK
www.native-instruments.co.uk
© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2017. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Welcome to MASCHINE .............................................................................................
1.1 MASCHINE Documentation .......................................................................................................... 24
1.2 Document Conventions ............................................................................................................... 26
1.3 New Features in MASCHINE 2.6.8 ............................................................................................... 28
1.1.1 MASCHINE Getting Started Guide .............................................................................. 24
1.1.2 MASCHINE Manual ..................................................................................................... 24
1.1.3 MASCHINE Hardware Control Reference ..................................................................... 25
1.1.4 Controller Editor Manual ............................................................................................ 25
1.1.5 Support Channel Videos ............................................................................................ 25
1.1.6 Other Online Resources ............................................................................................. 25
2 Basic Concepts .........................................................................................................
2.1 Names and Concepts You Should Know ...................................................................................... 30
2.2 Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface ..................................................................................... 33
2.3 Common Operations ................................................................................................................... 37
2.2.1 Adjusting the Size of the Interface ............................................................................. 33
2.2.2 Switching between Ideas View and Arranger View ..................................................... 34
2.2.3 Showing/Hiding the Browser ...................................................................................... 35
2.2.4 Minimizing the Mixer ................................................................................................. 36
2.2.5 Showing/Hiding the Control Lane .............................................................................. 36
2.3.1 Setting the Focus on a Group or a Sound ................................................................... 37
2.3.2 Switching Between the Master, Group, and Sound Level ........................................... 42
2.3.3 Navigating Channel Properties, Plug-ins, and Parameter Pages in the Control Area . 43
2.3.3.1 Extended Navigate Mode on Your Controller ..............................................48
2.3.4 Undo/Redo ................................................................................................................. 51
2.3.5 Pinning a Mode on Your Controller ............................................................................. 53
23
30
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2.4 Native Kontrol Standard ............................................................................................................. 55
2.5 Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................................................................... 57
2.6 Preferences .................................................................................................................................60
2.7 Integrating MASCHINE into Your MIDI Setup ............................................................................... 95
2.8 Syncing MASCHINE using Ableton Link ....................................................................................... 100
2.3.6 Using Two or More Hardware Controllers ................................................................... 54
2.5.1 Differences between Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................. 57
2.5.2 Switching Instances .................................................................................................. 59
2.5.3 Controlling Various Instances with Different Controllers ........................................... 59
2.6.1 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 61
2.6.1.1 Usage Data Tracking .................................................................................65
2.6.2 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 66
2.6.3 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 69
2.6.4 Preferences – Default Page ....................................................................................... 72
2.6.5 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 75
2.6.6 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 83
2.6.7 Preferences – Hardware Page .................................................................................... 88
2.6.8 Controller Menu in the Hardware Page of the Preferences Panel ............................... 91
2.6.9 Preferences – Colors Page ......................................................................................... 92
2.7.1 Connecting External MIDI Equipment ........................................................................ 95
2.7.2 Sync to External MIDI Clock ....................................................................................... 96
2.7.3 Send MIDI Clock ......................................................................................................... 98
2.8.1 Connecting to a Network ............................................................................................ 100
2.8.2 Joining and Leaving a Link Session ........................................................................... 100
3 Browser ....................................................................................................................
102
3.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 102
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3.2 Searching and Loading Files from the Library ............................................................................ 104
3.1.1 The MASCHINE Library ............................................................................................... 102
3.1.2 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 103
3.2.1 Overview of the LIBRARY Pane ................................................................................... 104
3.2.2 Selecting or Loading a Product and Selecting a Bank from the Browser .................... 108
3.2.3 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank ........................... 113
3.2.3.1 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank on the
3.3 Additional Browsing Tools .......................................................................................................... 132
3.4 Using Favorites in the Browser ................................................................................................... 137
3.5 Editing the Files’ Tags and Properties ........................................................................................ 143
3.6 Loading and Importing Files from Your File System .................................................................... 149
3.2.4 Selecting a File Type .................................................................................................. 118
3.2.5 Choosing Between Factory and User Content ............................................................. 119
3.2.6 Selecting Type and Mode Tags ................................................................................... 120
3.2.7 Performing a Text Search ........................................................................................... 126
3.2.8 Loading a File from the Result List ............................................................................ 126
3.3.1 Loading the Selected Files Automatically .................................................................. 133
3.3.2 Auditioning Your Samples ......................................................................................... 134
3.3.3 Loading Groups with Patterns ................................................................................... 135
3.3.4 Loading Groups with Routing .................................................................................... 136
3.3.5 Displaying File Information ........................................................................................ 136
3.5.1 Attribute Editor Basics .............................................................................................. 143
3.5.2 The BANK Page .......................................................................................................... 145
3.5.3 The TYPES and MODES Pages .................................................................................... 145
3.5.4 The PROPERTIES Page ............................................................................................... 148
Controller ...................................................................................................118
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3.7 Locating Missing Samples .......................................................................................................... 159
3.8 Using Quick Browse .................................................................................................................... 161
3.6.1 Overview of the FILES Pane ........................................................................................ 149
3.6.2 Using Favorites .......................................................................................................... 151
3.6.3 Using the Location Bar .............................................................................................. 152
3.6.4 Navigating to Recent Locations ................................................................................. 153
3.6.5 Using the Result List ................................................................................................. 154
3.6.6 Importing Files to the MASCHINE Library ................................................................... 157
4 Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project ...............................................................
4.1 Overview of the Sounds, Groups, and Master .............................................................................. 164
4.2 Managing Sounds .......................................................................................................................172
4.3 Managing Groups ....................................................................................................................... 186
4.1.1 The Sound, Group, and Master Channels ................................................................... 165
4.1.2 Similarities and Differences in Handling Sounds and Groups ................................... 166
4.1.3 Selecting Multiple Sounds or Groups ......................................................................... 167
4.2.1 Loading Sounds ......................................................................................................... 174
4.2.2 Pre-listening to Sounds ............................................................................................. 175
4.2.3 Renaming Sound Slots .............................................................................................. 176
4.2.4 Changing the Sound’s Color ...................................................................................... 177
4.2.5 Saving Sounds ........................................................................................................... 178
4.2.6 Copying and Pasting Sounds ..................................................................................... 180
4.2.7 Moving Sounds .......................................................................................................... 183
4.2.8 Resetting Sound Slots ............................................................................................... 185
4.3.1 Creating Groups ........................................................................................................ 187
4.3.2 Loading Groups ......................................................................................................... 189
4.3.3 Renaming Groups ...................................................................................................... 190
164
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4.4 Exporting MASCHINE Objects and Audio ..................................................................................... 200
4.5 Importing Third-Party File Formats ............................................................................................. 211
4.3.4 Changing the Group’s Color ....................................................................................... 191
4.3.5 Saving Groups ........................................................................................................... 192
4.3.6 Copying and Pasting Groups ..................................................................................... 194
4.3.7 Reordering Groups ..................................................................................................... 198
4.3.8 Deleting Groups ......................................................................................................... 199
4.4.1 Saving a Group with its Samples ............................................................................... 201
4.4.2 Saving a Project with its Samples ............................................................................. 202
4.4.3 Exporting Audio ......................................................................................................... 204
4.5.1 Loading REX Files into Sound Slots ........................................................................... 211
4.5.2 Importing MPC Programs to Groups ........................................................................... 212
5 Playing on Your Controller .........................................................................................
5.1 Adjusting Your Pads ................................................................................................................... 216
5.2 Adjusting the Key, Choke, and Link Parameters for Multiple Sounds .......................................... 227
5.3 Adjusting the Base Key ............................................................................................................... 229
5.4 Playing Tools .............................................................................................................................. 230
5.1.1 The Pad View in the Software .................................................................................... 216
5.1.2 Choosing a Pad Mode ................................................................................................ 218
5.1.3 Adjusting the Base Key .............................................................................................. 221
5.1.4 Using Choke Groups .................................................................................................. 223
5.1.5 Using Link Groups ..................................................................................................... 225
5.4.1 Mute and Solo ............................................................................................................ 230
5.4.2 Choke All Notes .......................................................................................................... 235
5.4.3 Groove ....................................................................................................................... 235
5.4.4 Level, Tempo, Tune, and Groove Shortcuts on Your Controller .................................... 237
216
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5.5 Performance Features ................................................................................................................. 241
5.6 Creating Parameter Snapshots using Lock ................................................................................. 256
5.5.1 Overview of the Perform Features .............................................................................. 241
5.5.2 Selecting a Scale and Creating Chords ..................................................................... 244
5.5.3 Scale and Chord Parameters ..................................................................................... 246
5.5.4 Creating Arpeggios and Repeated Notes ................................................................... 252
5.5.5 Swing Also Applied to Note Repeat / Arp Output ........................................................ 256
5.6.1 Creating a Lock Snapshot .......................................................................................... 257
5.6.2 Using Extended Lock .................................................................................................. 258
5.6.3 Updating a Lock Snapshot ......................................................................................... 258
5.6.4 Recalling a Lock Snapshot ........................................................................................ 259
5.6.5 Morphing Between Lock Snapshots ........................................................................... 259
5.6.6 Deleting a Lock Snapshot .......................................................................................... 260
5.6.7 Triggering Lock Snapshots via MIDI ........................................................................... 261
6 Working with Plug-ins ...............................................................................................
Table of Contents
263
6.1 Plug-in Overview ........................................................................................................................ 263
6.1.1 Plug-in Basics ........................................................................................................... 263
6.1.2 First Plug-in Slot of Sounds: Choosing the Sound’s Role ........................................... 267
6.1.3 Loading, Removing, and Replacing a Plug-in ............................................................ 267
6.1.3.1 Browser Plug-in Slot Selection ...................................................................273
6.1.4 Adjusting the Plug-in Parameters ............................................................................. 276
6.1.5 Bypassing Plug-in Slots ............................................................................................ 276
6.1.6 Using Side-Chain ...................................................................................................... 278
6.1.7 Moving Plug-ins ........................................................................................................ 278
6.1.8 Alternative: the Plug-in Strip ..................................................................................... 280
6.1.9 Saving and Recalling Plug-in Presets ....................................................................... 280
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Table of Contents
6.2 The Sampler Plug-in ................................................................................................................... 284
6.3 Using Native Instruments and External Plug-ins ........................................................................ 297
6.2.1 Page 1: Voice Settings / Engine ................................................................................. 286
6.2.2 Page 2: Pitch / Envelope ............................................................................................ 287
6.2.3 Page 3: FX / Filter ...................................................................................................... 290
6.2.4 Page 4: Modulation .................................................................................................... 292
6.2.5 Page 5: LFO ............................................................................................................... 293
6.2.6 Page 6: Velocity / Modwheel ...................................................................................... 295
6.3.1 Opening/Closing Plug-in Windows ............................................................................. 297
6.3.2 Using the VST/AU Plug-in Parameters ....................................................................... 300
6.3.3 Setting Up Your Own Parameter Pages ...................................................................... 301
6.3.4 Using VST/AU Plug-in Presets .................................................................................... 306
6.3.5 Multiple-Output Plug-ins and Multitimbral Plug-ins ................................................. 308
6.1.9.1 Saving Plug-in Presets ..............................................................................281
6.1.9.2 Recalling Plug-in Presets ..........................................................................282
6.1.9.3 Removing a Default Plug-in Preset ............................................................283
7 Working with Patterns ...............................................................................................
310
7.1 Pattern Basics ............................................................................................................................ 310
7.2 Recording Patterns in Real Time ................................................................................................ 330
7.1.1 Pattern Editor Overview ............................................................................................. 311
7.1.2 Navigating the Event Area ......................................................................................... 314
7.1.3 Following the Playback Position in the Pattern .......................................................... 316
7.1.4 Jumping to Another Playback Position in the Pattern ................................................. 317
7.1.5 Group View and Keyboard View .................................................................................. 319
7.1.6 Adjusting the Arrange Grid and the Pattern Length ................................................... 322
7.1.7 Adjusting the Step Grid and the Nudge Grid .............................................................. 325
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Table of Contents
7.3 Recording Patterns with the Step Sequencer .............................................................................. 338
7.4 Editing Events ............................................................................................................................ 343
7.5 Recording and Editing Modulation ............................................................................................. 371
7.6 Creating MIDI Tracks from Scratch in MASCHINE ....................................................................... 382
7.7 Managing Patterns ..................................................................................................................... 384
7.2.1 Recording Your Patterns Live ..................................................................................... 330
7.2.2 The Record Prepare Mode .......................................................................................... 333
7.2.3 Using the Metronome ................................................................................................. 334
7.2.4 Recording with Count-in ............................................................................................ 335
7.2.5 Quantizing while Recording ....................................................................................... 337
7.3.1 Step Mode Basics ...................................................................................................... 338
7.3.2 Editing Events in Step Mode ...................................................................................... 342
7.4.1 Editing Events with the Mouse: an Overview ............................................................. 343
7.4.2 Creating Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 347
7.4.3 Selecting Events/Notes .............................................................................................. 348
7.4.4 Editing Selected Events/Notes ................................................................................... 353
7.4.5 Deleting Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 358
7.4.6 Cut, Copy, and Paste Events/Notes ............................................................................ 361
7.4.7 Quantizing Events/Notes ........................................................................................... 364
7.4.8 Quantization While Playing ........................................................................................ 366
7.4.9 Doubling a Pattern .................................................................................................... 367
7.4.10 Adding Variation to Patterns ..................................................................................... 368
7.5.1 Which Parameters Are Modulatable? ......................................................................... 373
7.5.2 Recording Modulation ................................................................................................ 374
7.5.3 Creating and Editing Modulation in the Control Lane ................................................ 376
7.7.1 The Pattern Manager and Pattern Mode .................................................................... 384
MASCHINE - Manual - 11
Table of Contents
7.8 Importing/Exporting Audio and MIDI to/from Patterns ................................................................ 402
7.7.2 Selecting Patterns and Pattern Banks ....................................................................... 386
7.7.3 Creating Patterns ...................................................................................................... 388
7.7.4 Deleting Patterns ....................................................................................................... 390
7.7.5 Creating and Deleting Pattern Banks ........................................................................ 392
7.7.6 Naming Patterns ....................................................................................................... 394
7.7.7 Changing the Pattern’s Color .................................................................................... 396
7.7.8 Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Patterns .............................................................. 397
7.7.9 Moving Patterns ........................................................................................................ 400
7.7.10 Adjusting Pattern Length in Fine Increments ............................................................. 401
7.8.1 Exporting Audio from Patterns ................................................................................... 402
7.8.2 Exporting MIDI from Patterns ..................................................................................... 403
7.8.3 Importing MIDI to Patterns ........................................................................................ 406
8 Audio Routing, Remote Control, and Macro Controls ....................................................
8.1 Audio Routing in MASCHINE ....................................................................................................... 416
8.2 Using MIDI Control and Host Automation .................................................................................... 441
8.1.1 Sending External Audio to Sounds ............................................................................. 417
8.1.2 Configuring the Main Output of Sounds and Groups ................................................. 422
8.1.3 Setting Up Auxiliary Outputs for Sounds and Groups ................................................. 427
8.1.4 Configuring the Master and Cue Outputs of MASCHINE ............................................. 431
8.1.5 Mono Audio Inputs ..................................................................................................... 436
8.1.5.1 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in Mix View ..................................437
8.1.5.2 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in MASCHINE ...............................441
8.2.1 Triggering Sounds via MIDI Notes .............................................................................. 442
8.2.2 Triggering Scenes via MIDI ........................................................................................ 448
8.2.3 Controlling Parameters via MIDI and Host Automation .............................................. 449
415
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8.3 Creating Custom Sets of Parameters with the Macro Controls ................................................... 462
8.2.4 Selecting VST/AU Plug-in Presets via MIDI Program Change ..................................... 457
8.2.5 Sending MIDI from Sounds ........................................................................................ 457
8.3.1 Macro Control Overview ............................................................................................. 463
8.3.2 Assigning Macro Controls .......................................................................................... 463
9 Controlling Your Mix ..................................................................................................
9.1 Mix View Basics .......................................................................................................................... 470
9.2 The Mixer .................................................................................................................................... 473
9.3 The Plug-in Chain .......................................................................................................................486
9.4 The Plug-in Strip ........................................................................................................................ 487
9.5 Controlling Your Mix from Your Controller ................................................................................... 502
9.1.1 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View ......................................................... 470
9.1.2 Mix View Elements ..................................................................................................... 471
9.2.1 Displaying Groups vs. Displaying Sounds .................................................................. 474
9.2.2 Adjusting the Mixer Layout ........................................................................................ 476
9.2.3 Selecting Channel Strips ........................................................................................... 477
9.2.4 Managing Your Channels in the Mixer ....................................................................... 478
9.2.5 Adjusting Settings in the Channel Strips ................................................................... 480
9.2.6 Using the Cue Bus ..................................................................................................... 484
9.4.1 The Plug-in Header .................................................................................................... 489
9.4.2 Panels for Drumsynths and Internal Effects .............................................................. 491
9.4.3 Panel for the Sampler ................................................................................................ 492
9.4.4 Custom Panels for Native Instruments Plug-ins ........................................................ 495
9.4.5 Undocking a Plug-in Panel (Native Instruments and External Plug-ins Only) ............ 499
10 Using the Drumsynths ................................................................................................
470
505
10.1 Drumsynths – General Handling ................................................................................................. 506
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10.2 The Kicks .................................................................................................................................... 510
10.3 The Snares ..................................................................................................................................529
10.1.1 Engines: Many Different Drums per Drumsynth ......................................................... 506
10.1.2 Common Parameter Organization .............................................................................. 506
10.1.3 Shared Parameters .................................................................................................... 509
10.1.4 Various Velocity Responses ....................................................................................... 509
10.1.5 Pitch Range, Tuning, and MIDI Notes ........................................................................ 509
10.2.1 Kick – Sub ................................................................................................................. 512
10.2.2 Kick – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 514
10.2.3 Kick – Dusty .............................................................................................................. 517
10.2.4 Kick – Grit ................................................................................................................. 518
10.2.5 Kick – Rasper ............................................................................................................ 521
10.2.6 Kick – Snappy ............................................................................................................ 522
10.2.7 Kick – Bold ................................................................................................................ 524
10.2.8 Kick – Maple .............................................................................................................. 526
10.2.9 Kick – Push ............................................................................................................... 527
10.3.1 Snare – Volt ............................................................................................................... 531
10.3.2 Snare – Bit ................................................................................................................ 533
10.3.3 Snare – Pow .............................................................................................................. 535
10.3.4 Snare – Sharp ........................................................................................................... 536
10.3.5 Snare – Airy ............................................................................................................... 538
10.3.6 Snare – Vintage ......................................................................................................... 540
10.3.7 Snare – Chrome ......................................................................................................... 542
10.3.8 Snare – Iron ............................................................................................................... 544
10.3.9 Snare – Clap ............................................................................................................. 546
10.3.10 Snare – Breaker ......................................................................................................... 548
MASCHINE - Manual - 14
10.4 The Hi-hats .................................................................................................................................550
10.5 The Toms .................................................................................................................................... 560
10.6 The Percussions ..........................................................................................................................571
10.7 The Cymbals ............................................................................................................................... 582
10.4.1 Hi-hat – Silver ........................................................................................................... 551
10.4.2 Hi-hat – Circuit ......................................................................................................... 553
10.4.3 Hi-hat – Memory ........................................................................................................ 555
10.4.4 Hi-hat – Hybrid ......................................................................................................... 557
10.4.5 Creating a Pattern with Closed and Open Hi-hats ..................................................... 559
10.5.1 Tom – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 562
10.5.2 Tom – Fractal ............................................................................................................ 564
10.5.3 Tom – Floor ................................................................................................................ 568
10.5.4 Tom – High ................................................................................................................ 570
10.6.1 Percussion – Fractal .................................................................................................. 573
10.6.2 Percussion – Kettle .................................................................................................... 576
10.6.3 Percussion – Shaker .................................................................................................. 578
10.7.1 Cymbal – Crash ......................................................................................................... 584
10.7.2 Cymbal – Ride ........................................................................................................... 586
11 Using the Bass Synth .................................................................................................
Table of Contents
589
11.1 Bass Synth – General Handling .................................................................................................. 590
11.1.1 Parameter Organization ............................................................................................. 590
11.1.2 Bass Synth Parameters ............................................................................................. 592
12 Using Effects .............................................................................................................
12.1 Applying Effects to a Sound, a Group or the Master .................................................................... 594
12.1.1 Adding an Effect ........................................................................................................ 594
12.1.2 Other Operations on Effects ....................................................................................... 603
MASCHINE - Manual - 15
594
Table of Contents
12.2 Applying Effects to External Audio .............................................................................................. 608
12.3 Creating a Send Effect ............................................................................................................... 614
12.4 Creating Multi-Effects ................................................................................................................ 622
12.1.3 Using the Side-Chain Input ....................................................................................... 605
12.2.1 Step 1: Configure MASCHINE Audio Inputs ................................................................ 608
12.2.2 Step 2: Set up a Sound to Receive the External Input ................................................ 611
12.2.3 Step 3: Load an Effect to Process an Input ................................................................ 612
12.3.1 Step 1: Set Up a Sound or Group as Send Effect ........................................................ 614
12.3.2 Step 2: Route Audio to the Send Effect ...................................................................... 619
12.3.3 A Few Notes on Send Effects ...................................................................................... 621
13 Effect Reference ........................................................................................................
13.1 Dynamics ....................................................................................................................................626
13.2 Filtering Effects .......................................................................................................................... 641
13.3 Modulation Effects ..................................................................................................................... 650
13.1.1 Compressor ............................................................................................................... 626
13.1.2 Gate ........................................................................................................................... 630
13.1.3 Transient Master ....................................................................................................... 633
13.1.4 Limiter ....................................................................................................................... 635
13.1.5 Maximizer .................................................................................................................. 638
13.2.1 EQ .............................................................................................................................. 641
13.2.2 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 644
13.2.3 Cabinet ...................................................................................................................... 648
13.3.1 Chorus ....................................................................................................................... 650
13.3.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 651
13.3.3 FM ............................................................................................................................. 653
13.3.4 Freq Shifter ................................................................................................................ 654
625
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Table of Contents
13.4 Spatial and Reverb Effects ......................................................................................................... 658
13.5 Delays .........................................................................................................................................670
13.6 Distortion Effects ........................................................................................................................ 679
13.7 Perform FX .................................................................................................................................. 687
13.3.5 Phaser ....................................................................................................................... 656
13.4.1 Ice ............................................................................................................................. 658
13.4.2 Metaverb ................................................................................................................... 659
13.4.3 Reflex ........................................................................................................................ 661
13.4.4 Reverb (Legacy) ......................................................................................................... 662
13.4.5 Reverb ....................................................................................................................... 664
13.4.5.1 Reverb Room .............................................................................................664
13.4.5.2 Reverb Hall ................................................................................................667
13.4.5.3 Plate Reverb ..............................................................................................669
13.5.1 Beat Delay ................................................................................................................. 670
13.5.2 Grain Delay ................................................................................................................ 673
13.5.3 Grain Stretch ............................................................................................................. 675
13.5.4 Resochord .................................................................................................................. 677
13.6.1 Distortion ................................................................................................................... 679
13.6.2 Lofi ............................................................................................................................ 681
13.6.3 Saturator ................................................................................................................... 682
13.6.4 Analog Distortion ....................................................................................................... 685
13.7.1 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 688
13.7.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 690
13.7.3 Burst Echo ................................................................................................................. 692
13.7.4 Reso Echo .................................................................................................................. 695
13.7.5 Ring ........................................................................................................................... 698
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13.7.6 Stutter ....................................................................................................................... 700
13.7.7 Tremolo ...................................................................................................................... 0
13.7.8 Scratcher ................................................................................................................... 0
14 Working with the Arranger .........................................................................................
14.1 Arranger Basics .......................................................................................................................... 0
14.2 Using Ideas View ........................................................................................................................ 0
14.3 Using Arranger View ................................................................................................................... 0
14.1.1 Navigating the Arranger ............................................................................................ 0
14.1.2 Following the Playback Position in Your Project ......................................................... 0
14.1.3 Jumping to Other Sections ......................................................................................... 0
14.2.1 Scene Overview .......................................................................................................... 0
14.2.2 Creating Scenes ........................................................................................................ 0
14.2.3 Assigning and Removing Patterns ............................................................................. 0
14.2.4 Selecting Scenes ....................................................................................................... 0
14.2.5 Deleting Scenes ......................................................................................................... 0
14.2.6 Creating and Deleting Scene Banks .......................................................................... 0
14.2.7 Clearing Scenes ......................................................................................................... 0
14.2.8 Duplicating Scenes .................................................................................................... 0
14.2.9 Reordering Scenes ..................................................................................................... 0
14.2.10 Making Scenes Unique .............................................................................................. 0
14.2.11 Appending Scenes to Arrangement ............................................................................ 0
14.2.12 Naming Scenes .......................................................................................................... 0
14.2.13 Changing the Color of a Scene .................................................................................. 0
14.3.1 Section Management Overview .................................................................................. 0
14.3.2 Creating Sections ...................................................................................................... 0
14.3.3 Assigning a Scene to a Section .................................................................................. 0
0
MASCHINE - Manual - 18
Table of Contents
14.4 Playing with Sections ................................................................................................................. 760
14.5 Triggering Sections or Scenes via MIDI ....................................................................................... 763
14.6 The Arrange Grid .........................................................................................................................765
14.7 Quick Grid ...................................................................................................................................767
14.3.4 Selecting Sections and Section Banks ....................................................................... 739
14.3.5 Reorganizing Sections ............................................................................................... 744
14.3.6 Adjusting the Length of a Section .............................................................................. 745
14.3.6.1 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Software ...............................746
14.3.6.2 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Controller .............................748
14.3.7 Assigning and Removing Patterns ............................................................................. 748
14.3.8 Duplicating Sections ................................................................................................. 750
14.3.8.1 Making Sections Unique ............................................................................751
14.3.9 Removing Sections .................................................................................................... 753
14.3.10 Renaming Scenes ...................................................................................................... 754
14.3.11 Clearing Sections ...................................................................................................... 755
14.3.12 Creating and Deleting Section Banks ........................................................................ 756
14.3.13 Enabling Auto Length ................................................................................................ 757
14.3.14 Looping ...................................................................................................................... 758
14.3.14.1 Setting the Loop Range in the Software .....................................................758
14.3.14.2 Setting the Loop Range Using the Controller .............................................759
14.4.1 Jumping to another Playback Position in Your Project ............................................... 760
15 Sampling and Sample Mapping ..................................................................................
768
15.1 Opening the Sample Editor ......................................................................................................... 768
15.2 Recording a Sample ................................................................................................................... 770
15.2.1 Opening the Record Page .......................................................................................... 770
15.2.2 Selecting the Source and the Recording Mode ........................................................... 771
MASCHINE - Manual - 19
Table of Contents
15.3 Editing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 785
15.4 Slicing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 798
15.5 Mapping Samples to Zones ........................................................................................................ 818
15.2.3 Arming, Starting, and Stopping the Recording .......................................................... 777
15.2.5 Checking Your Recordings ......................................................................................... 781
15.2.6 Location and Name of Your Recorded Samples .......................................................... 785
15.3.1 Using the Edit Page ................................................................................................... 786
15.3.2 Audio Editing Functions ............................................................................................. 791
15.4.1 Opening the Slice Page .............................................................................................. 799
15.4.2 Adjusting the Slicing Settings ................................................................................... 800
15.4.3 Live Slicing ................................................................................................................ 806
15.4.3.1 Live Slicing Using MASCHINE ....................................................................806
15.4.3.2 Delete All Slices .........................................................................................807
15.4.4 Manually Adjusting Your Slices ................................................................................. 807
15.4.5 Applying the Slicing ................................................................................................... 812
15.5.1 Opening the Zone Page .............................................................................................. 818
15.5.2 Zone Page Overview ................................................................................................... 819
15.5.3 Selecting and Managing Zones in the Zone List ........................................................ 821
15.5.4 Selecting and Editing Zones in the Map View ............................................................ 826
15.5.5 Editing Zones in the Sample View ............................................................................. 830
15.5.6 Adjusting the Zone Settings ...................................................................................... 833
15.5.7 Adding Samples to the Sample Map .......................................................................... 839
16 Using KOMPLETE KONTROL S-Series Keyboards ..........................................................
842
16.1 Switching the Keyboard Focus to/from a MASCHINE Instance ..................................................... 842
16.2 Controlling the Transport in MASCHINE ...................................................................................... 849
16.3 Navigating and Controlling Your Sounds within a Group ............................................................ 854
MASCHINE - Manual - 20
16.4 Browsing Your MASCHINE Library ............................................................................................... 861
16.5 Using the Perform Features ........................................................................................................ 871
16.6 Using the Touch Strips ............................................................................................................... 877
16.7 Recording Modulation from Your Keyboard ................................................................................. 882
16.8 Adjusting the Settings for Your Keyboard in the MASCHINE Preferences ..................................... 886
16.9 Arp Hold Mode ............................................................................................................................ 888
16.4.1 Browsing with the Hardware ...................................................................................... 863
16.4.2 Browsing with the On-Screen Overlay ........................................................................ 865
17 Appendix: Tips for Playing Live ..................................................................................
17.1 Preparations ............................................................................................................................... 890
17.2 Basic Techniques ....................................................................................................................... 892
17.3 Special Tricks ............................................................................................................................. 893
17.1.1 Focus on the Hardware .............................................................................................. 890
17.1.2 Customize the Pads of the Hardware ......................................................................... 890
17.1.3 Check Your CPU Power Before Playing ....................................................................... 890
17.1.4 Name and Color Your Groups, Patterns, Sounds and Scenes ..................................... 891
17.1.5 Consider Using a Limiter on Your Master ................................................................... 891
17.1.6 Hook Up Your Other Gear and Sync It with MIDI Clock ................................................ 891
17.1.7 Improvise ................................................................................................................... 891
17.2.1 Use Mute and Solo ..................................................................................................... 892
17.2.2 Use Scene Mode and Tweak the Loop Range .............................................................. 892
17.2.3 Create Variations of Your Drum Patterns in the Step Sequencer ................................ 892
17.2.4 Use Note Repeat ........................................................................................................ 892
17.2.5 Set Up Your Own Multi-effect Groups and Automate Them ........................................ 893
17.3.1 Changing Pattern Length for Variation ...................................................................... 893
17.3.2 Load Long Audio Files and Play with the Start Point .................................................. 893
Table of Contents
890
MASCHINE - Manual - 21
Table of Contents
18 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................
18.1 Knowledge Base ......................................................................................................................... 894
18.2 Technical Support .......................................................................................................................894
18.3 Registration Support .................................................................................................................. 895
18.4 User Forum ................................................................................................................................. 895
19 Glossary ...................................................................................................................
Index ........................................................................................................................
894
896
904
MASCHINE - Manual - 22
Welcome to MASCHINE
1 Welcome to MASCHINE
Thank you for buying MASCHINE!
MASCHINE is a groove production studio that implements the familiar working style of classical groove boxes along with the advantages of a computer based system. MASCHINE is ideal
for making music live, as well as in the studio. It’s the hands-on aspect of a dedicated instrument, the MASCHINE hardware controller, united with the advanced editing features of the
MASCHINE software.
Creating beats is often not very intuitive with a computer, but using the MASCHINE hardware
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 using the step sequencer just as in classic
drum machines.
Patterns can be intuitively combined and rearranged on the fly to form larger ideas. You can try
out several different versions of a song without ever having to stop the music.
Since you can integrate it into any sequencer that supports VST, AU, or AAX plug-ins, you can
reap the benefits 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 an
inspiring 7-gigabyte library, and a sophisticated, yet easy to use tag-based Browser to give you
instant access to the sounds you are looking for.
What’s more, MASCHINE provides lots of options for manipulating your sounds via internal effects and other sound-shaping possibilities. You can also control external MIDI hardware and
3rd-party software with the MASCHINE hardware controller, while customizing the functions of
the pads, knobs and buttons according to your needs utilizing the included Controller Editor
application. We hope you enjoy this fantastic instrument as much as we do. Now let’s get going!
—The MASCHINE team at Native Instruments.
MASCHINE - Manual - 23
Welcome to MASCHINE
MASCHINE Documentation
1.1 MASCHINE Documentation
Native Instruments provide many information sources regarding MASCHINE. The main documents should be read in the following sequence:
1. MASCHINE Getting Started
2. MASCHINE Manual (this document)
Additional documentation sources provide you with details on more specific topics:
▪ MASCHINE Hardware Control Reference
▪ Controller Editor Manual
▪ Online Support Videos
Hereafter is a quick description of each of these documentation sources.
MASCHINE documents are available in PDF. You can also access these documents from
the application’s Help menu or the following location:
www.native-instruments.com.
Please check the Native Instruments website regularly for up-to-date and localized versions of these documents.
Hereafter is a quick description of each of these documentation sources.
1.1.1 MASCHINE Getting Started Guide
This document provides a practical approach to MASCHINE via a set of tutorials covering easy
and more advanced tasks in order to help you familiarize yourself with MASCHINE.
1.1.2 MASCHINE Manual
The MASCHINE Manual provides you with a comprehensive description of all MASCHINE software and hardware features.
MASCHINE - Manual - 24
Welcome to MASCHINE
MASCHINE Documentation
1.1.3 MASCHINE Hardware Control Reference
The MASCHINE Hardware Control Reference provides an overview of a MASCHINE Project, the
quick access options performed using the MASCHINE hardware controller, and lots of keyboard shortcuts.
1.1.4 Controller Editor Manual
Besides using your MASCHINE hardware controller together with its dedicated MASCHINE
software, you can also use it as a powerful and highly versatile MIDI controller to pilot any other MIDI-capable application or device. This is made possible by the Controller Editor software,
an application that allows you to precisely define all MIDI assignments for your MASCHINE
controller. The Controller Editor was installed during the MASCHINE installation procedure.
For more information on this, please refer to the Controller Editor Manual available as a PDF
file via the Help menu of Controller Editor.
1.1.5 Support Channel Videos
You can find a number of support videos on The Official Native Instruments Support Channel
under the following url: https://www.youtube.com/NIsupportEN We recommend that you follow
along with these instructions while the respective application is running on your computer.
1.1.6 Other Online Resources
If you are experiencing problems related to your Native Instruments product that the supplied
documentation does not cover, there are several ways of getting help:
▪ Knowledge Base
▪ User Forum
▪ Technical Support
▪ Registration Support
You will find more information on these subjects in the chapter Troubleshooting.
MASCHINE - Manual - 25
Welcome to MASCHINE
Document Conventions
1.2 Document Conventions
This section introduces you to the signage and text highlighting used in this manual. This manual uses particular formatting to point out special facts and to warn you of potential issues.
The icons introducing these notes let you see what kind of information is to be expected:
This document uses particular formatting to point out special facts and to warn you of potential issues. The icons introducing the following notes let you see what kind of information can
be expected:
The speech bubble icon indicates a useful tip that may often help you to solve a task
more efficiently.
The exclamation mark icon highlights important information that is essential for the given context.
The red cross icon warns you of serious issues and potential risks that require your full
attention.
Furthermore, the following formatting is used:
▪ Text appearing in (drop-down) menus (such as Open…, Save as… etc.) in the software and
paths to locations on your hard disk or other storage devices is printed in italics.
▪ Text appearing elsewhere (labels of buttons, controls, text next to checkboxes etc.) in the
software is printed in blue. Whenever you see this formatting applied, you will find the
same text appearing somewhere on the screen.
▪ Text appearing on the displays of the controller is printed in light grey. Whenever you see
this formatting applied, you will find the same text on a controller display.
▪ Text appearing on labels of the hardware controller is printed in orange. Whenever you see
this formatting applied, you will find the same text on the controller.
▪ Important names and concepts are printed in bold.
MASCHINE - Manual - 26
Welcome to MASCHINE
Document Conventions
▪ References to keys on your computer’s keyboard you’ll find put in square brackets (e.g.,
“Press [Shift] + [Enter]”).
Single instructions are introduced by this play button type arrow.
►
Results of actions are introduced by this smaller arrow.
→
Naming Convention
Throughout the documentation we will refer to MASCHINE controller (or just controller) as the
hardware controller and MASCHINE software as the software installed on your computer.
The term “effect” will sometimes be abbreviated as “FX” when referring to elements in the MASCHINE software and hardware. These terms have the same meaning.
Button Combinations and Shortcuts on Your Controller
Most instructions will use the “+” sign to indicate buttons (or buttons and pads) that must be
pressed simultaneously, starting with the button indicated first. E.g., an instruction such as:
“Press SHIFT + PLAY”
means:
1. Press and hold SHIFT.
2. While holding SHIFT, press PLAY and release it.
3. Release SHIFT.
Unlabeled Buttons on the Controller
The buttons and knobs above and below the displays on your MASCHINE controller do not
have labels.
MASCHINE - Manual - 27
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
7
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.6.8
The unlabeled buttons and knobs on the MASCHINE controller.
For better reference, we applied a special formatting here: throughout the document, the elements are capitalized and numbered, so the buttons above the displays are written Button 1 to
Button 8, while the knobs under the displays are written Knob 1 to Knob 8. E.g., whenever you
see an instruction such as “Press Button 2 to open the EDIT page,” you’ll know it’s the second
button from the left above the displays.
1.3 New Features in MASCHINE 2.6.8
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
▪ Bass Synth
MASCHINE now includes its first internal synth: Now you can create rich bass tones with
this monophonic bass synth, exclusive to MASCHINE. Design and shape with intuitive, fun,
and fully-automatable controls, including filter, mod envelope, decay, drive, and glide
time, directly from the hardware. Morph seamlessly between waveforms, from sine to saw
to square, to create your own unique sounds, with no synth programming knowledge required. Or load any of the pro-designed presets to get studio-ready bass for any genre, from
booming subs to dripping acid. For more information on the Bass Synth please refer to the
following chapter: ↑11, Using the Bass Synth, and the MASCHINE JAM Manual.
▪ Isomorphic Keyboard Layout for MASCHINE JAM
MASCHINE JAM now comes with an Isomorphic Keyboard, a new, easy way to play harmonies and melodies. Now you can use the 8x8 grid to play any chord or musical interval by
playing a combination of notes using the same hand formation wherever it occurs, within a
MASCHINE - Manual - 28
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.6.8
key, across keys, and across octaves. For more information on the Isomorphic Keyboard
please refer to the MASCHINE JAM Manual, available from the Help menu and Native Instruments website.
MASCHINE - Manual - 29
Basic Concepts
Names and Concepts You Should Know
2 Basic Concepts
This chapter will reintroduce you to MASCHINE’s main elements and terminology and explain
how they relate to one another. You will also learn how to set up your audio interface and how
to connect MIDI devices.
Before reading this chapter it is strongly recommended that you read the MASCHINE
Getting Started first.
2.1 Names and Concepts You Should Know
We will start with a list defining the most important concepts and names.
Arranger View
The Arranger is the big area located in the upper part of the MASCHINE window, right under
the Header. On its left you can select Groups. The Arranger allows you to combine Sections
(references to Scenes), and arrange them into a song.
Browser
The Browser is the front end for accessing all the elements of your MASCHINE Projects:
Projects, Groups, Sounds, instruments and effect presets, and Samples. Each of these can be
stored and tagged in a way that allows you easy access to all of them. MASCHINE’s factory
library is already completely tagged, as well as factory libraries of any Native Instruments products installed on your computer. You can also import your own files to the Library and tag them
as well. To learn more about the Browser, please read chapter ↑3, Browser.
Ideas View
The Ideas view allows you to experiment with your musical ideas without being tied to a timeline or arrangement. You can create Patterns for each Group and combine them into a Scene.
Scenes can then be added to Sections in the Arranger view to create a larger musical structure.
MASCHINE - Manual - 30
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