Native Instruments Maschine 2.0 MK3 Operation Manual v2.7.6
MASCHINE MK3 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.
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 and Nico Sidi.
Software version: 2.7.6 (05/2018)
Hardware version: MASCHINE MK3
Disclaimer
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but
in making this a better product.
Contact
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH
Schlesische Str. 29-30
D-10997 Berlin
Germany
www.native-instruments.de
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS K.K.
YO Building 3F
Jingumae 6-7-15, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo 150-0001
Japan
www.native-instruments.co.jp
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113 Rue Saint-Maur
75011 Paris
France
www.native-instruments.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc.
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5th Floor
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USA
www.native-instruments.com
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18 Phipp Street
London EC2A 4NU
UK
www.native-instruments.co.uk
SHENZHEN NATIVE INSTRUMENTS COMPANY Limited
203B & 201B, Nanshan E-Commerce Base Of
Innovative Services
Shi Yun Road, Shekou, Nanshan, Shenzhen
China
www.native-instruments.com
© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2018. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Welcome to MASCHINE .............................................................................................
1.1 MASCHINE Documentation .......................................................................................................... 25
1.2 Document Conventions ............................................................................................................... 26
1.3 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4 ............................................................................................... 28
1.4 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3 ............................................................................................... 31
2 Basic Concepts .........................................................................................................
2.1 Important Names and Concepts ................................................................................................. 33
2.2 Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface ..................................................................................... 36
2.3 Common Operations ................................................................................................................... 40
2.2.1 Adjusting the Size of the Interface ............................................................................. 36
2.2.2 Switching between Ideas View and Arranger View ..................................................... 37
2.2.3 Showing/Hiding the Browser ...................................................................................... 38
2.2.4 Minimizing the Mixer ................................................................................................. 38
2.2.5 Showing/Hiding the Control Lane .............................................................................. 39
2.3.1 Using the 4-Directional Push Encoder ....................................................................... 40
2.3.2 Pinning a Mode on the Controller ............................................................................... 41
2.3.3 Undo/Redo ................................................................................................................. 42
2.3.4 List Overlay for Selectors ........................................................................................... 44
2.3.5 Zoom and Scroll Overlays .......................................................................................... 45
2.3.6 Focusing on a Group or a Sound ................................................................................ 46
2.3.7 Switching Between the Master, Group, and Sound Level ........................................... 51
2.3.8 Navigating Channel Properties, Plug-ins, and Parameter Pages in the Control Area . 52
2.3.8.1 Extended Navigate Mode on Your Controller ..............................................57
2.3.9 Using Two or More Hardware Controllers ................................................................... 60
2.3.10 Touch Auto-Write Option ............................................................................................ 62
24
33
MASCHINE - Manual - 4
2.4 Native Kontrol Standard ............................................................................................................. 64
2.5 Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................................................................... 66
2.6 Host Integration ..........................................................................................................................69
2.7 Preferences .................................................................................................................................75
2.8 Integrating MASCHINE into a MIDI Setup .................................................................................... 111
2.9 Syncing MASCHINE using Ableton Link ....................................................................................... 114
2.5.1 Differences between Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................. 66
2.5.2 Switching Instances .................................................................................................. 67
2.5.3 Controlling Various Instances with Different Controllers ........................................... 68
2.6.1 Setting up Host Integration ....................................................................................... 69
2.6.1.1 Setting up Ableton Live (macOS) ...............................................................69
2.6.1.2 Setting up Ableton Live (Windows) ............................................................70
2.6.1.3 Setting up Apple Logic Pro X ......................................................................71
2.6.2 Integration with Ableton Live ..................................................................................... 71
2.6.3 Integration with Apple Logic Pro X ............................................................................. 73
2.7.1 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 76
2.7.2 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 81
2.7.3 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 85
2.7.4 Preferences – Default Page ....................................................................................... 88
2.7.5 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 92
2.7.6 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 100
2.7.7 Preferences – Hardware Page .................................................................................... 105
2.7.8 Preferences – Colors Page ......................................................................................... 109
2.8.1 Connecting External MIDI Equipment ........................................................................ 111
2.8.2 Sync to External MIDI Clock ....................................................................................... 112
2.8.3 Send MIDI Clock ......................................................................................................... 113
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2.10 Using a Pedal with the MASCHINE Controller .............................................................................. 115
2.11 File Management on the MASCHINE Controller ........................................................................... 116
2.9.1 Connecting to a Network ............................................................................................ 114
2.9.2 Joining and Leaving a Link Session ........................................................................... 114
3 Browser ....................................................................................................................
3.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 118
3.2 Searching and Loading Files from the Library ............................................................................ 120
3.1.1 The MASCHINE Library ............................................................................................... 118
3.1.2 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 119
3.2.1 Overview of the LIBRARY Pane ................................................................................... 120
3.2.2 Selecting or Loading a Product and Selecting a Bank from the Browser .................... 125
3.2.2.1 Browsing by Product Category Using MASCHINE MK3 ................................129
3.2.2.2 Browsing by Product Vendor Using MASCHINE MK3 ...................................130
3.2.3 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank ........................... 130
3.2.3.1 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank on the
3.3 Additional Browsing Tools .......................................................................................................... 150
3.2.4 Selecting a File Type .................................................................................................. 135
3.2.5 Choosing Between Factory and User Content ............................................................. 136
3.2.6 Selecting Type and Mode Tags ................................................................................... 137
3.2.7 List and Tag Overlays in the Browser ......................................................................... 143
3.2.8 Performing a Text Search ........................................................................................... 145
3.2.9 Loading a File from the Result List ............................................................................ 145
3.3.1 Loading the Selected Files Automatically .................................................................. 150
3.3.2 Auditioning Instrument Presets ................................................................................. 152
3.3.3 Auditioning Samples ................................................................................................. 153
Controller ...................................................................................................134
118
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3.4 Using Favorites in the Browser ................................................................................................... 156
3.5 Editing the Files’ Tags and Properties ........................................................................................ 162
3.6 Loading and Importing Files from Your File System .................................................................... 168
3.7 Locating Missing Samples .......................................................................................................... 178
3.8 Using Quick Browse .................................................................................................................... 180
3.3.4 Loading Groups with Patterns ................................................................................... 154
3.3.5 Loading Groups with Routing .................................................................................... 155
3.3.6 Displaying File Information ........................................................................................ 155
3.5.1 Attribute Editor Basics .............................................................................................. 162
3.5.2 The BANK Page .......................................................................................................... 164
3.5.3 The TYPES and MODES Pages .................................................................................... 165
3.5.4 The PROPERTIES Page ............................................................................................... 167
3.6.1 Overview of the FILES Pane ........................................................................................ 168
3.6.2 Using Favorites .......................................................................................................... 170
3.6.3 Using the Location Bar .............................................................................................. 171
3.6.4 Navigating to Recent Locations ................................................................................. 172
3.6.5 Using the Result List ................................................................................................. 173
3.6.6 Importing Files to the MASCHINE Library ................................................................... 176
4 Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project ...............................................................
184
4.1 Overview of the Sounds, Groups, and Master .............................................................................. 184
4.2 Managing Sounds .......................................................................................................................192
4.1.1 The Sound, Group, and Master Channels ................................................................... 185
4.1.2 Similarities and Differences in Handling Sounds and Groups ................................... 186
4.1.3 Selecting Multiple Sounds or Groups ......................................................................... 187
4.2.1 Loading Sounds ......................................................................................................... 194
4.2.2 Pre-listening to Sounds ............................................................................................. 195
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4.3 Managing Groups ....................................................................................................................... 206
4.4 Exporting MASCHINE Objects and Audio ..................................................................................... 219
4.5 Importing Third-Party File Formats ............................................................................................. 229
4.2.3 Renaming Sound Slots .............................................................................................. 196
4.2.4 Changing the Sound’s Color ...................................................................................... 196
4.2.5 Saving Sounds ........................................................................................................... 198
4.2.6 Copying and Pasting Sounds ..................................................................................... 200
4.2.7 Moving Sounds .......................................................................................................... 203
4.2.8 Resetting Sound Slots ............................................................................................... 204
4.3.1 Creating Groups ........................................................................................................ 207
4.3.2 Loading Groups ......................................................................................................... 208
4.3.3 Renaming Groups ...................................................................................................... 210
4.3.4 Changing the Group’s Color ....................................................................................... 210
4.3.5 Saving Groups ........................................................................................................... 212
4.3.6 Copying and Pasting Groups ..................................................................................... 214
4.3.7 Reordering Groups ..................................................................................................... 217
4.3.8 Deleting Groups ......................................................................................................... 218
4.4.1 Saving a Group with its Samples ............................................................................... 220
4.4.2 Saving a Project with its Samples ............................................................................. 221
4.4.3 Exporting Audio ......................................................................................................... 223
4.5.1 Loading REX Files into Sound Slots ........................................................................... 229
4.5.2 Importing MPC Programs to Groups ........................................................................... 230
5 Playing on the Controller ...........................................................................................
234
5.1 Adjusting the Pads ..................................................................................................................... 234
5.1.1 The Pad View in the Software .................................................................................... 234
5.1.2 Choosing a Pad Input Mode ....................................................................................... 236
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5.2 Adjusting the Key, Choke, and Link Parameters for Multiple Sounds .......................................... 246
5.3 Adjusting the Base Key ............................................................................................................... 247
5.4 Playing Tools .............................................................................................................................. 248
5.5 Performance Features ................................................................................................................. 261
5.6 Using Lock Snapshots ................................................................................................................ 280
5.7 Using the Smart Strip ................................................................................................................. 285
5.1.3 Adjusting the Base Key .............................................................................................. 239
5.1.4 Using Choke Groups .................................................................................................. 241
5.1.5 Using Link Groups ..................................................................................................... 243
5.4.1 Mute and Solo ............................................................................................................ 249
5.4.2 Choke All Notes .......................................................................................................... 253
5.4.3 Groove ....................................................................................................................... 254
5.4.4 Level, Tempo, Tune, and Groove Shortcuts on Your Controller .................................... 256
5.4.5 Tap Tempo ................................................................................................................. 260
5.5.1 Overview of the Perform Features .............................................................................. 261
5.5.2 Selecting a Scale and Creating Chords ..................................................................... 264
5.5.3 Scale and Chord Parameters ..................................................................................... 264
5.5.4 Creating Arpeggios and Repeated Notes ................................................................... 275
5.5.5 Swing on Note Repeat / Arp Output ........................................................................... 279
5.6.1 Creating a Lock Snapshot .......................................................................................... 280
5.6.2 Using Extended Lock .................................................................................................. 281
5.6.3 Updating a Lock Snapshot ......................................................................................... 281
5.6.4 Recalling a Lock Snapshot ........................................................................................ 282
5.6.5 Morphing Between Lock Snapshots ........................................................................... 282
5.6.6 Deleting a Lock Snapshot .......................................................................................... 283
5.6.7 Triggering Lock Snapshots via MIDI ........................................................................... 284
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5.7.1 Pitch Mode ................................................................................................................. 286
5.7.2 Modulation Mode ....................................................................................................... 286
5.7.3 Perform Mode ............................................................................................................ 287
5.7.4 Notes Mode ................................................................................................................ 287
6 Working with Plug-ins ...............................................................................................
6.1 Plug-in Overview ........................................................................................................................ 289
6.2 The Sampler Plug-in ................................................................................................................... 311
6.1.1 Plug-in Basics ........................................................................................................... 289
6.1.2 First Plug-in Slot of Sounds: Choosing the Sound’s Role ........................................... 293
6.1.3 Loading, Removing, and Replacing a Plug-in ............................................................ 294
6.1.3.1 Browser Plug-in Slot Selection ...................................................................300
6.1.4 Adjusting the Plug-in Parameters ............................................................................. 303
6.1.5 Bypassing Plug-in Slots ............................................................................................ 303
6.1.6 Using Side-Chain ...................................................................................................... 305
6.1.7 Moving Plug-ins ........................................................................................................ 305
6.1.8 Alternative: the Plug-in Strip ..................................................................................... 307
6.1.9 Saving and Recalling Plug-in Presets ....................................................................... 307
6.1.9.1 Saving Plug-in Presets ..............................................................................308
6.1.9.2 Recalling Plug-in Presets ..........................................................................309
6.1.9.3 Removing a Default Plug-in Preset ............................................................310
6.2.1 Page 1: Voice Settings / Engine ................................................................................. 313
6.2.2 Page 2: Pitch / Envelope ............................................................................................ 315
6.2.3 Page 3: FX / Filter ...................................................................................................... 318
6.2.4 Page 4: Modulation .................................................................................................... 320
6.2.5 Page 5: LFO ............................................................................................................... 322
6.2.6 Page 6: Velocity / Modwheel ...................................................................................... 324
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MASCHINE - Manual - 10
6.3 Using Native Instruments and External Plug-ins ........................................................................ 326
6.3.1 Opening/Closing Plug-in Windows ............................................................................. 326
6.3.2 Using the VST/AU Plug-in Parameters ....................................................................... 329
6.3.3 Setting Up Your Own Parameter Pages ...................................................................... 330
6.3.4 Using VST/AU Plug-in Presets .................................................................................... 335
6.3.5 Multiple-Output Plug-ins and Multitimbral Plug-ins ................................................. 337
7 Using the Audio Plug-in .............................................................................................
7.1 Loading a Loop into the Audio Plug-in ........................................................................................ 343
7.2 Using Loop Mode ........................................................................................................................ 344
7.3 Using Gate Mode ........................................................................................................................ 346
8 Using the Drumsynths ................................................................................................
8.1 Drumsynths – General Handling ................................................................................................. 349
8.2 The Kicks .................................................................................................................................... 353
8.1.1 Engines: Many Different Drums per Drumsynth ......................................................... 349
8.1.2 Common Parameter Organization .............................................................................. 349
8.1.3 Shared Parameters .................................................................................................... 352
8.1.4 Various Velocity Responses ....................................................................................... 352
8.1.5 Pitch Range, Tuning, and MIDI Notes ........................................................................ 352
8.2.1 Kick – Sub ................................................................................................................. 355
8.2.2 Kick – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 357
8.2.3 Kick – Dusty .............................................................................................................. 360
8.2.4 Kick – Grit ................................................................................................................. 361
8.2.5 Kick – Rasper ............................................................................................................ 364
8.2.6 Kick – Snappy ............................................................................................................ 365
8.2.7 Kick – Bold ................................................................................................................ 367
8.2.8 Kick – Maple .............................................................................................................. 369
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348
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8.3 The Snares ..................................................................................................................................372
8.4 The Hi-hats .................................................................................................................................393
8.5 The Toms .................................................................................................................................... 403
8.6 The Percussions ..........................................................................................................................414
8.2.9 Kick – Push ............................................................................................................... 370
8.3.1 Snare – Volt ............................................................................................................... 374
8.3.2 Snare – Bit ................................................................................................................ 376
8.3.3 Snare – Pow .............................................................................................................. 378
8.3.4 Snare – Sharp ........................................................................................................... 379
8.3.5 Snare – Airy ............................................................................................................... 381
8.3.6 Snare – Vintage ......................................................................................................... 383
8.3.7 Snare – Chrome ......................................................................................................... 385
8.3.8 Snare – Iron ............................................................................................................... 387
8.3.9 Snare – Clap ............................................................................................................. 389
8.3.10 Snare – Breaker ......................................................................................................... 391
8.4.1 Hi-hat – Silver ........................................................................................................... 394
8.4.2 Hi-hat – Circuit ......................................................................................................... 396
8.4.3 Hi-hat – Memory ........................................................................................................ 398
8.4.4 Hi-hat – Hybrid ......................................................................................................... 400
8.4.5 Creating a Pattern with Closed and Open Hi-hats ..................................................... 402
8.5.1 Tom – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 405
8.5.2 Tom – Fractal ............................................................................................................ 407
8.5.3 Tom – Floor ................................................................................................................ 411
8.5.4 Tom – High ................................................................................................................ 413
8.6.1 Percussion – Fractal .................................................................................................. 416
8.6.2 Percussion – Kettle .................................................................................................... 419
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8.7 The Cymbals ............................................................................................................................... 425
8.6.3 Percussion – Shaker .................................................................................................. 421
8.7.1 Cymbal – Crash ......................................................................................................... 427
8.7.2 Cymbal – Ride ........................................................................................................... 429
9 Using the Bass Synth .................................................................................................
9.1 Bass Synth – General Handling .................................................................................................. 433
9.1.1 Parameter Organization ............................................................................................. 433
9.1.2 Bass Synth Parameters ............................................................................................. 435
10 Working with Patterns ...............................................................................................
10.1 Pattern Basics ............................................................................................................................ 437
10.2 Recording Patterns in Real Time ................................................................................................ 460
10.3 Recording Patterns with the Step Sequencer .............................................................................. 467
10.1.1 Pattern Editor Overview ............................................................................................. 438
10.1.2 Navigating the Event Area ......................................................................................... 444
10.1.3 Following the Playback Position in the Pattern .......................................................... 446
10.1.4 Jumping to Another Playback Position in the Pattern ................................................. 448
10.1.5 Group View and Keyboard View .................................................................................. 449
10.1.6 Adjusting the Arrange Grid and the Pattern Length ................................................... 452
10.1.7 Adjusting the Step Grid and the Nudge Grid .............................................................. 455
10.2.1 Recording Your Patterns Live ..................................................................................... 460
10.2.2 The Record Prepare Mode .......................................................................................... 463
10.2.3 Using the Metronome ................................................................................................. 464
10.2.4 Recording with Count-in ............................................................................................ 465
10.2.5 Quantizing while Recording ....................................................................................... 467
10.3.1 Step Mode Basics ...................................................................................................... 467
10.3.2 Editing Events in Step Mode ...................................................................................... 470
432
437
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10.4 Editing Events ............................................................................................................................ 472
10.5 Recording and Editing Modulation ............................................................................................. 504
10.6 Creating MIDI Tracks from Scratch in MASCHINE ....................................................................... 513
10.7 Managing Patterns ..................................................................................................................... 515
10.3.3 Recording Modulation in Step Mode .......................................................................... 472
10.4.1 Editing Events with the Mouse: an Overview ............................................................. 473
10.4.2 Creating Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 476
10.4.3 Selecting Events/Notes .............................................................................................. 477
10.4.4 Editing Selected Events/Notes ................................................................................... 484
10.4.5 Deleting Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 490
10.4.6 Cut, Copy, and Paste Events/Notes ............................................................................ 493
10.4.7 Quantizing Events/Notes ........................................................................................... 496
10.4.8 Quantization While Playing ........................................................................................ 498
10.4.9 Doubling a Pattern .................................................................................................... 499
10.4.10 Adding Variation to Patterns ..................................................................................... 499
10.5.1 Which Parameters Are Modulatable? ......................................................................... 505
10.5.2 Recording Modulation ................................................................................................ 506
10.5.3 Creating and Editing Modulation in the Control Lane ................................................ 508
10.7.1 The Pattern Manager and Pattern Mode .................................................................... 516
10.7.2 Selecting Patterns and Pattern Banks ....................................................................... 518
10.7.3 Creating Patterns ...................................................................................................... 520
10.7.4 Deleting Patterns ....................................................................................................... 522
10.7.5 Creating and Deleting Pattern Banks ........................................................................ 524
10.7.6 Naming Patterns ....................................................................................................... 525
10.7.7 Changing the Pattern’s Color .................................................................................... 528
10.7.8 Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Patterns .............................................................. 529
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10.8 Importing/Exporting Audio and MIDI to/from Patterns ................................................................ 533
10.7.9 Moving Patterns ........................................................................................................ 531
10.7.10 Adjusting Pattern Length in Fine Increments ............................................................. 532
10.8.1 Exporting Audio from Patterns ................................................................................... 533
10.8.2 Exporting MIDI from Patterns ..................................................................................... 535
10.8.3 Importing MIDI to Patterns ........................................................................................ 537
11 Audio Routing, Remote Control, and Macro Controls ....................................................
11.1 Audio Routing in MASCHINE ....................................................................................................... 547
11.2 Using MIDI Control and Host Automation .................................................................................... 571
11.3 Creating Custom Sets of Parameters with the Macro Controls ................................................... 593
11.1.1 Sending External Audio to Sounds ............................................................................. 548
11.1.2 Configuring the Main Output of Sounds and Groups ................................................. 553
11.1.3 Setting Up Auxiliary Outputs for Sounds and Groups ................................................. 558
11.1.4 Configuring the Master and Cue Outputs of MASCHINE ............................................. 562
11.1.5 Mono Audio Inputs ..................................................................................................... 567
11.1.5.1 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in Mix View ..................................568
11.2.1 Triggering Sounds via MIDI Notes .............................................................................. 572
11.2.2 Triggering Scenes via MIDI ........................................................................................ 579
11.2.3 Controlling Parameters via MIDI and Host Automation .............................................. 580
11.2.4 Selecting VST/AU Plug-in Presets via MIDI Program Change ..................................... 588
11.2.5 Sending MIDI from Sounds ........................................................................................ 589
11.3.1 Macro Control Overview ............................................................................................. 594
11.3.2 Assigning Macro Controls Using the Software ........................................................... 595
11.3.3 Assigning Macro Controls Using the Controller .......................................................... 601
12 Controlling Your Mix ..................................................................................................
546
603
12.1 Mix View Basics .......................................................................................................................... 603
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12.2 The Mixer .................................................................................................................................... 606
12.3 The Plug-in Chain .......................................................................................................................619
12.4 The Plug-in Strip ........................................................................................................................ 620
12.5 Controlling Your Mix from the Controller ..................................................................................... 634
12.1.1 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View ......................................................... 603
12.1.2 Mix View Elements ..................................................................................................... 604
12.2.1 Displaying Groups vs. Displaying Sounds .................................................................. 607
12.2.2 Adjusting the Mixer Layout ........................................................................................ 609
12.2.3 Selecting Channel Strips ........................................................................................... 610
12.2.4 Managing Your Channels in the Mixer ....................................................................... 611
12.2.5 Adjusting Settings in the Channel Strips ................................................................... 613
12.2.6 Using the Cue Bus ..................................................................................................... 617
12.4.1 The Plug-in Header .................................................................................................... 622
12.4.2 Panels for Drumsynths and Internal Effects .............................................................. 624
12.4.3 Panel for the Sampler ................................................................................................ 625
12.4.4 Custom Panels for Native Instruments Plug-ins ........................................................ 628
12.4.5 Undocking a Plug-in Panel (Native Instruments and External Plug-ins Only) ............ 632
12.5.1 Navigating Your Channels in Mix Mode ..................................................................... 635
12.5.2 Adjusting the Level and Pan in Mix Mode .................................................................. 636
12.5.3 Mute and Solo in Mix Mode ........................................................................................ 637
12.5.4 Plug-in Icons in Mix Mode .......................................................................................... 637
13 Using Effects .............................................................................................................
638
13.1 Applying Effects to a Sound, a Group or the Master .................................................................... 638
13.1.1 Adding an Effect ........................................................................................................ 638
13.1.2 Other Operations on Effects ....................................................................................... 647
13.1.3 Using the Side-Chain Input ....................................................................................... 649
MASCHINE - Manual - 16
13.2 Applying Effects to External Audio .............................................................................................. 652
13.3 Creating a Send Effect ............................................................................................................... 658
13.4 Creating Multi-Effects ................................................................................................................ 666
13.2.1 Step 1: Configure MASCHINE Audio Inputs ................................................................ 652
13.2.2 Step 2: Set up a Sound to Receive the External Input ................................................ 655
13.2.3 Step 3: Load an Effect to Process an Input ................................................................ 657
13.3.1 Step 1: Set Up a Sound or Group as Send Effect ........................................................ 659
13.3.2 Step 2: Route Audio to the Send Effect ...................................................................... 663
13.3.3 A Few Notes on Send Effects ...................................................................................... 665
14 Effect Reference ........................................................................................................
14.1 Dynamics ....................................................................................................................................670
14.2 Filtering Effects .......................................................................................................................... 687
14.3 Modulation Effects ..................................................................................................................... 695
14.1.1 Compressor ............................................................................................................... 670
14.1.2 Gate ........................................................................................................................... 674
14.1.3 Transient Master ....................................................................................................... 678
14.1.4 Limiter ....................................................................................................................... 680
14.1.5 Maximizer .................................................................................................................. 684
14.2.1 EQ .............................................................................................................................. 687
14.2.2 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 690
14.2.3 Cabinet ...................................................................................................................... 694
14.3.1 Chorus ....................................................................................................................... 695
14.3.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 697
14.3.3 FM ............................................................................................................................. 699
14.3.4 Freq Shifter ................................................................................................................ 700
14.3.5 Phaser ....................................................................................................................... 702
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MASCHINE - Manual - 17
14.4 Spatial and Reverb Effects ......................................................................................................... 704
14.5 Delays .........................................................................................................................................719
14.6 Distortion Effects ........................................................................................................................ 728
14.7 Perform FX .................................................................................................................................. 737
14.4.1 Ice ............................................................................................................................. 704
14.4.2 Metaverb ................................................................................................................... 706
14.4.3 Reflex ........................................................................................................................ 707
14.4.4 Reverb (Legacy) ......................................................................................................... 709
14.4.5 Reverb ....................................................................................................................... 711
14.4.5.1 Reverb Room .............................................................................................711
14.4.5.2 Reverb Hall ................................................................................................714
14.4.5.3 Plate Reverb ..............................................................................................717
14.5.1 Beat Delay ................................................................................................................. 719
14.5.2 Grain Delay ................................................................................................................ 722
14.5.3 Grain Stretch ............................................................................................................. 724
14.5.4 Resochord .................................................................................................................. 726
14.6.1 Distortion ................................................................................................................... 728
14.6.2 Lofi ............................................................................................................................ 730
14.6.3 Saturator ................................................................................................................... 732
14.6.4 Analog Distortion ....................................................................................................... 735
14.7.1 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 738
14.7.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 740
14.7.3 Burst Echo ................................................................................................................. 743
14.7.4 Reso Echo .................................................................................................................. 745
14.7.5 Ring ........................................................................................................................... 748
14.7.6 Stutter ....................................................................................................................... 750
Table of Contents
MASCHINE - Manual - 18
Table of Contents
14.7.7 Tremolo ...................................................................................................................... 753
14.7.8 Scratcher ................................................................................................................... 756
15 Working with the Arranger .........................................................................................
15.1 Arranger Basics .......................................................................................................................... 759
15.2 Using Ideas View ........................................................................................................................ 767
15.3 Using Song View ......................................................................................................................... 784
15.1.1 Navigating the Arranger ............................................................................................ 762
15.1.2 Following the Playback Position in Your Project ......................................................... 764
15.1.3 Jumping to Other Sections ......................................................................................... 765
15.2.1 Scene Overview .......................................................................................................... 767
15.2.2 Creating Scenes ........................................................................................................ 769
15.2.3 Assigning and Removing Patterns ............................................................................. 770
15.2.4 Selecting Scenes ....................................................................................................... 773
15.2.5 Deleting Scenes ......................................................................................................... 774
15.2.6 Creating and Deleting Scene Banks .......................................................................... 776
15.2.7 Clearing Scenes ......................................................................................................... 776
15.2.8 Duplicating Scenes .................................................................................................... 777
15.2.9 Reordering Scenes ..................................................................................................... 778
15.2.10 Making Scenes Unique .............................................................................................. 780
15.2.11 Appending Scenes to Arrangement ............................................................................ 781
15.2.12 Naming Scenes .......................................................................................................... 782
15.2.13 Changing the Color of a Scene .................................................................................. 783
15.3.1 Section Management Overview .................................................................................. 784
15.3.2 Creating Sections ...................................................................................................... 789
15.3.3 Assigning a Scene to a Section .................................................................................. 790
15.3.4 Selecting Sections and Section Banks ....................................................................... 791
759
MASCHINE - Manual - 19
Table of Contents
15.4 Playing with Sections ................................................................................................................. 812
15.5 Triggering Sections or Scenes via MIDI ....................................................................................... 813
15.6 The Arrange Grid .........................................................................................................................815
15.3.5 Reorganizing Sections ............................................................................................... 795
15.3.6 Adjusting the Length of a Section .............................................................................. 797
15.3.6.1 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Software ...............................798
15.3.6.2 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Controller .............................799
15.3.7 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................................ 800
15.3.8 Duplicating Sections ................................................................................................. 800
15.3.8.1 Making Sections Unique ............................................................................801
15.3.9 Removing Sections .................................................................................................... 802
15.3.10 Renaming Scenes ...................................................................................................... 804
15.3.11 Clearing Sections ...................................................................................................... 805
15.3.12 Creating and Deleting Section Banks ........................................................................ 806
15.3.13 Working with Patterns in Song view ........................................................................... 807
15.3.13.1 Creating a Pattern in Song View ................................................................807
15.3.13.2 Selecting a Pattern in Song View ...............................................................807
15.3.13.3 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................807
15.3.13.4 Renaming a Pattern in Song View ............................................................. 808
15.3.13.5 Coloring a Pattern in Song View ................................................................ 808
15.3.13.6 Removing a Pattern in Song View ..............................................................808
15.3.13.7 Duplicating a Pattern in Song View ...........................................................809
15.3.14 Enabling Auto Length ................................................................................................ 809
15.3.15 Looping ...................................................................................................................... 810
15.3.15.1 Setting the Loop Range in the Software .....................................................811
15.4.1 Jumping to another Playback Position in Your Project ............................................... 812
MASCHINE - Manual - 20
15.7 Quick Grid ...................................................................................................................................817
16 Sampling and Sample Mapping ..................................................................................
16.1 Opening the Sample Editor ......................................................................................................... 819
16.2 Recording Audio ......................................................................................................................... 820
16.3 Editing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 833
16.4 Slicing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 847
16.5 Mapping Samples to Zones ........................................................................................................ 869
16.2.1 Opening the Record Page .......................................................................................... 820
16.2.2 Selecting the Source and the Recording Mode ........................................................... 821
16.2.3 Arming, Starting, and Stopping the Recording .......................................................... 825
16.2.5 Using the Footswitch for Recording Audio ................................................................. 827
16.2.6 Checking Your Recordings ......................................................................................... 828
16.2.7 Location and Name of Your Recorded Samples .......................................................... 832
16.3.1 Using the Edit Page ................................................................................................... 833
16.3.2 Audio Editing Functions ............................................................................................. 839
16.4.1 Opening the Slice Page .............................................................................................. 848
16.4.2 Adjusting the Slicing Settings ................................................................................... 849
16.4.3 Live Slicing ................................................................................................................ 855
16.4.3.1 Live Slicing Using the Controller ................................................................855
16.4.3.2 Delete All Slices .........................................................................................856
16.4.4 Manually Adjusting Your Slices ................................................................................. 856
16.4.5 Applying the Slicing ................................................................................................... 863
16.5.1 Opening the Zone Page .............................................................................................. 869
16.5.2 Zone Page Overview ................................................................................................... 870
16.5.3 Selecting and Managing Zones in the Zone List ........................................................ 872
16.5.4 Selecting and Editing Zones in the Map View ............................................................ 877
Table of Contents
819
MASCHINE - Manual - 21
Table of Contents
16.5.5 Editing Zones in the Sample View ............................................................................. 881
16.5.6 Adjusting the Zone Settings ...................................................................................... 884
16.5.7 Adding Samples to the Sample Map .......................................................................... 891
17 Appendix: Tips for Playing Live ..................................................................................
17.1 Preparations ............................................................................................................................... 894
17.2 Basic Techniques ....................................................................................................................... 895
17.3 Special Tricks ............................................................................................................................. 897
17.1.1 Focus on the Hardware .............................................................................................. 894
17.1.2 Customize the Pads of the Hardware ......................................................................... 894
17.1.3 Check Your CPU Power Before Playing ....................................................................... 894
17.1.4 Name and Color Your Groups, Patterns, Sounds and Scenes ..................................... 895
17.1.5 Consider Using a Limiter on Your Master ................................................................... 895
17.1.6 Hook Up Your Other Gear and Sync It with MIDI Clock ................................................ 895
17.1.7 Improvise ................................................................................................................... 895
17.2.1 Use Mute and Solo ..................................................................................................... 895
17.2.2 Use Scene Mode and Tweak the Loop Range .............................................................. 896
17.2.3 Create Variations of Your Drum Patterns in the Step Sequencer ................................ 896
17.2.4 Use Note Repeat ........................................................................................................ 896
17.2.5 Set Up Your Own Multi-effect Groups and Automate Them ........................................ 896
17.3.1 Changing Pattern Length for Variation ...................................................................... 897
17.3.2 Using Loops to Cycle Through Samples ..................................................................... 897
17.3.3 Using Loops to Cycle Through Samples ..................................................................... 897
17.3.4 Load Long Audio Files and Play with the Start Point .................................................. 897
18 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................
894
898
18.1 Knowledge Base ......................................................................................................................... 898
18.2 Technical Support .......................................................................................................................898
MASCHINE - Manual - 22
18.3 Registration Support .................................................................................................................. 899
18.4 User Forum ................................................................................................................................. 899
19 Glossary ...................................................................................................................
Table of Contents
900
Index ........................................................................................................................
908
MASCHINE - Manual - 23
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 - 24
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: 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.
2. MASCHINE Manual (this document): The MASCHINE Manual provides you with a compre-
hensive description of all MASCHINE software and hardware features.
Additional documentation sources provide you with details on more specific topics:
▪ 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.
▪ Online Support Videos: You can find a number of support videos on The Official Native In-
struments Support Channel under the following URL: https://www.youtube.com/NIsupport-
EN. We recommend that you follow along with these instructions while the respective ap-
plication is running on your computer.
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
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.
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.
MASCHINE - Manual - 26
Welcome to MASCHINE
Document Conventions
▪ 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.
▪ 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 7 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
The unlabeled buttons and knobs on the MASCHINE controller.
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4
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 2.7.4
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
Audio Plug-in Improvements
▪ Added a new Target parameter to the Loop recording mode of the Sampling Page which de-
termines what should be done with a new recording when the recording is complete. Take
simply adds the new recording to the Audio Pool of the current plug-in, Sound puts the
new recording into an Audio plug-in in the next unoccupied Sound Slot (useful for layering
MASCHINE - Manual - 28
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4
the recording with whatever else is in the current Pattern, like a guitar looper pedal), and
Pattern puts the new recording into an Audio plug-in in the next unoccupied Sound Slot
and additionally creates a new Pattern where only this loop is being played (useful for capturing different versions of a part and quickly reviewing them by switching Patterns). For
more information, refer to ↑16.2, Recording Audio.
▪ Added a new workflow to MASCHINE JAM which automates the use of the new Target pa-
rameter for fast sampling and layering. Holding the IN 1 button enables this new Loop Recording mode (it’s also helpful to pin this mode on by holding IN 1 and pressing the SONG
button). While this new Loop Recording mode is active, pressing an existing Pattern will
trigger a recording of a new loop which is then added as a new Sound in the existing Pattern; doing this repeatedly allows you to quickly layer recordings on top of each other. Alternatively, pressing an empty Pattern button will trigger a recording and will then place
that recording in a new Sound Slot and a new Pattern will be created where only the new
loop is playing back. When pressing the IN 1 button, External Input 1 is selected as the
source for the recording. Pressing GRP while in the Loop Recording mode will select the
focused Group as the source. Pressing MST will select MASCHINE’s Master output as the
source (for resampling what is currently playing). For more information, refer to the MASCHINE JAM Manual available from Help menu.
▪ Added footswitch control of Sampling. When in the Sampling page, or when the Loop Re-
cording mode is enabled on MASCHINE JAM, a connected footswitch can be used to control recording. Pressing the footswitch will arm a recording according to the current settings. Pressing the footswitch again before recording has actually started will cancel the recording. If recording is in progress, pressing the footswitch once will stop the recording,
double-pressing will abort the recording (any recorded audio to that point will be discarded). If the recording is complete, holding the footswitch down for a few moments will trigger Undo so you can try another take. For more information, refer to the MASCHINE JAM
Manual available from Help menu, or to the following section when using MASCHINE MK3
or MASCHINE STUDIO: ↑16.2.5, Using the Footswitch for Recording Audio.
▪ Improved the automatic tempo detection of the Audio plug-in so that it now chooses a tem-
po that’s closest to your current project tempo. For example, if your project tempo is 170
BPM and you load a loop which should be 174 BPM, MASCHINE will now set the Source
Tempo as 174 BPM instead of 87 BPM as it did previously.
MASCHINE - Manual - 29
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4
▪ Added a Re-Pitch sync mode to the Audio plug-in which simply retunes/repitches the loop
(like speeding up or slowing down a record) to make it conform to the Project tempo. This
mode requires significantly less CPU power than the default mode, but you will not be able
to retune the loop at all (any pitches programmed in Gate mode will be ignored—only the
timing of the programmed notes will be used to gate the playing audio). For more information refer to ↑7, Using the Audio Plug-in.
MASCHINE MK3 Improvements
▪ Added Ableton Live DAW Integration for MASCHINE MK3 - Mixer and basic DAW Control.
Access Ableton Live Mixer via MASCHINE MK3 hardware: Volume, Pan, Mute / Solo / Arm
states are visible on screens. Also access essential controls: Play / Stop / Record / Session
record, Clip Navigation, Launch & Record, Quantize, Undo / Redo, Automation Toggle, Tap
Tempo, and Loop Toggle. For more information refer to ↑2.6, Host Integration.
General Improvements
▪ Improved the Take management system (previously called “Recording History”) for the
Sampler and Audio plug-ins such that Takes are now saved and recalled as part of the
Project.
▪ Improved external audio recording by implementing basic recording latency compensation.
This compensation will be in effect when recording from an External Input and with the
Monitoring parameter turned Off. The system currently works based upon the overall latency reported by the selected audio interface.
▪ Removed the function where a right click will remove Events in the Pattern Editor. Instead,
the context menu is opened. Events can still be deleted using double-click as well as using
the "Paint" and "Erase" tools. For more information refer to ↑10.4.5, Deleting Events/Notes.
▪ Changed the behavior of right-click in the Arranger. This no longer removes Patterns from
Scenes. It now opens a context menu with many useful options for arranging. For more information on using the Pattern context menu within Song view refer to ↑15.3.13, Working
with Patterns in Song view.
▪ Improved behavior and cursor icons for resizing Events in the Pattern Editor. The active
area for resizing Events is increased.
MASCHINE - Manual - 30
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