Native Instruments Maschine Jam User Manual
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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registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Windows, Windows Vista and DirectSound are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation
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All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and use of them does not imply
any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
Document authored by: David Gover, Nicolas Sidi, Gustav Santo Tomas
Software version: 2.5 (10/2016)
Disclaimer
Hardware version: MASCHINE JAM
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, 2016. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Welcome to MASCHINE! ............................................................................................
1.1 Where to Start? ........................................................................................................................... 21
1.2 Manual Conventions ................................................................................................................... 23
2 Basic Concepts .........................................................................................................
2.1 Names and Concepts You Should Know ...................................................................................... 25
2.2 Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface ..................................................................................... 27
2.3 Common Operations ................................................................................................................... 31
2.4 Native Kontrol Standard ............................................................................................................. 42
2.5 Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................................................................... 45
2.6 Preferences .................................................................................................................................48
2.2.1 Adjusting the Size of the Interface ............................................................................. 28
2.2.2 Showing/Hiding the Browser ...................................................................................... 29
2.2.3 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View ......................................................... 29
2.2.4 Minimizing the Mixer ................................................................................................. 30
2.2.5 Showing/Hiding the Control Lane .............................................................................. 30
2.3.1 Setting the Focus on a Group or a Sound ................................................................... 31
2.3.2 Switching Between the Master, Group, and Sound Level ........................................... 35
2.3.3 Navigating Channel Properties, Plug-ins, and Parameter Pages in the Control Area . 35
2.3.4 Undo/Redo ................................................................................................................. 39
2.3.5 Pinning a Mode on Your Controller ............................................................................. 41
2.3.6 Using Two or More Hardware Controllers ................................................................... 41
2.4.1 Installing KONTAKT Instruments with NKS Support .................................................... 43
2.4.2 Loading NKS and Third-party Plug-ins from the Plug-in Menu .................................. 44
2.5.1 Differences between Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................. 46
2.5.2 Switching Instances .................................................................................................. 47
20
25
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2.6.1 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 50
2.6.1.1 Usage Data Tracking .................................................................................53
2.6.2 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 55
2.6.3 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 57
2.6.4 Preferences – Default Page ....................................................................................... 60
2.6.5 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 63
2.6.6 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 71
2.6.7 Preferences – Hardware Page .................................................................................... 76
2.6.8 Controller Menu in the Hardware Page of the Preferences Panel ............................... 77
2.6.9 Preferences – Colors Page ......................................................................................... 79
3 Browser ....................................................................................................................
3.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 82
3.2 Searching and Loading Files from the Library ............................................................................ 84
3.3 Additional Browsing Tools .......................................................................................................... 107
3.1.1 The MASCHINE Library ............................................................................................... 82
3.1.2 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 83
3.2.1 Overview of the LIBRARY Pane ................................................................................... 84
3.2.2 Selecting or Loading a Product and Selecting a Bank from the Browser .................... 87
3.2.3 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank ........................... 92
3.2.4 Selecting a File Type .................................................................................................. 97
3.2.5 Choosing Between Factory and User Content ............................................................. 97
3.2.6 Selecting Type and Mode Tags ................................................................................... 98
3.2.7 Performing a Text Search ........................................................................................... 102
3.2.8 Loading a File from the Result List ............................................................................ 103
3.3.1 Loading the Selected Files Automatically .................................................................. 108
3.3.2 Pre-Listening to Your Samples .................................................................................. 109
82
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3.4 Using Favorites in the Browser ................................................................................................... 111
3.5 Editing the Files’ Tags and Properties ........................................................................................ 115
3.6 Loading and Importing Files from Your File System .................................................................... 121
3.7 Locating Missing Samples .......................................................................................................... 131
3.8 Using Quick Browse .................................................................................................................... 132
3.3.3 Loading Groups with their Patterns ........................................................................... 109
3.3.4 Displaying File Information ........................................................................................ 110
3.5.1 Attribute Editor Basics .............................................................................................. 115
3.5.2 The BANK Page .......................................................................................................... 117
3.5.3 The TYPES and MODES Pages .................................................................................... 118
3.5.4 The PROPERTIES Page ............................................................................................... 120
3.6.1 Overview of the FILES Pane ........................................................................................ 121
3.6.2 Using Favorites .......................................................................................................... 123
3.6.3 Using the Location Bar .............................................................................................. 124
3.6.4 Navigating to Recent Locations ................................................................................. 125
3.6.5 Using the Result List ................................................................................................. 126
3.6.6 Importing Files to the MASCHINE Library ................................................................... 129
4 Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project ...............................................................
135
4.1 Overview of the Sounds, Groups, and Master .............................................................................. 135
4.2 Managing Sounds .......................................................................................................................142
4.1.1 The Sound, Group, and Master Channels ................................................................... 136
4.1.2 Similarities and Differences in Handling Sounds and Groups ................................... 138
4.1.3 Selecting Multiple Sounds or Groups ......................................................................... 139
4.2.1 Loading Sounds ......................................................................................................... 144
4.2.2 Pre-listening to Sounds ............................................................................................. 145
4.2.3 Renaming Sound Slots .............................................................................................. 145
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4.3 Managing Groups ....................................................................................................................... 155
4.4 Exporting MASCHINE Objects and Audio ..................................................................................... 166
4.5 Importing Third-Party File Formats ............................................................................................. 177
4.2.4 Changing the Sound’s Color ...................................................................................... 146
4.2.5 Saving Sounds ........................................................................................................... 148
4.2.6 Copying and Pasting Sounds ..................................................................................... 150
4.2.7 Moving Sounds .......................................................................................................... 153
4.2.8 Resetting Sound Slots ............................................................................................... 154
4.3.1 Creating Groups ........................................................................................................ 156
4.3.2 Loading Groups ......................................................................................................... 157
4.3.3 Renaming Groups ...................................................................................................... 158
4.3.4 Changing the Group’s Color ....................................................................................... 158
4.3.5 Saving Groups ........................................................................................................... 160
4.3.6 Copying and Pasting Groups ..................................................................................... 162
4.3.7 Moving Groups ........................................................................................................... 164
4.3.8 Deleting Groups ......................................................................................................... 165
4.4.1 Saving a Group with its Samples ............................................................................... 166
4.4.2 Saving a Project with its Samples ............................................................................. 168
4.4.3 Exporting Audio ......................................................................................................... 170
4.5.1 Loading REX Files into Sound Slots ........................................................................... 177
4.5.2 Importing MPC Programs to Groups ........................................................................... 178
5 Working with Plug-ins ...............................................................................................
182
5.1 Plug-in Overview ........................................................................................................................ 182
5.1.1 Plug-in Basics ........................................................................................................... 182
5.1.2 First Plug-in Slot of Sounds: Choosing the Sound’s Role ........................................... 186
5.1.3 Loading, Removing, and Replacing a Plug-in ............................................................ 186
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5.2 The Sampler Plug-in ................................................................................................................... 200
5.3 Using Native Instruments and External Plug-ins ........................................................................ 211
5.1.4 Adjusting the Plug-in Parameters ............................................................................. 192
5.1.5 Bypassing Plug-in Slots ............................................................................................ 193
5.1.6 Using Side-Chain ...................................................................................................... 194
5.1.7 Moving Plug-ins ........................................................................................................ 194
5.1.8 Alternative: the Plug-in Strip ..................................................................................... 195
5.1.9 Saving and Recalling Plug-in Presets ....................................................................... 195
5.1.9.1 Saving Plug-in Presets ..............................................................................196
5.1.9.2 Recalling Plug-in Presets ..........................................................................198
5.1.9.3 Removing a Default Plug-in Preset ............................................................199
5.2.1 Page 1: Voice Settings / Engine ................................................................................. 201
5.2.2 Page 2: Pitch / Envelope ............................................................................................ 202
5.2.3 Page 3: FX / Filter ...................................................................................................... 205
5.2.4 Page 4: Modulation .................................................................................................... 206
5.2.5 Page 5: LFO ............................................................................................................... 208
5.2.6 Page 6: Velocity / Modwheel ...................................................................................... 210
5.3.1 Opening/Closing Plug-in Windows ............................................................................. 211
5.3.2 Using the VST/AU Plug-in Parameters ....................................................................... 214
5.3.3 Setting Up Your Own Parameter Pages ...................................................................... 215
5.3.4 Using VST/AU Plug-in Presets .................................................................................... 220
5.3.5 Multiple-Output Plug-ins and Multitimbral Plug-ins ................................................. 222
6 Working with Patterns ...............................................................................................
223
6.1 Pattern Basics ............................................................................................................................ 223
6.1.1 Pattern Editor Overview ............................................................................................. 224
6.1.2 Navigating the Event Area ......................................................................................... 226
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6.2 Recording Patterns with the Step Sequencer .............................................................................. 237
6.3 Editing Events ............................................................................................................................ 238
6.4 Recording and Editing Modulation ............................................................................................. 251
6.5 Creating MIDI Tracks from Scratch in MASCHINE ....................................................................... 261
6.6 Managing Patterns ..................................................................................................................... 263
6.1.3 Following the Playback Position in the Pattern .......................................................... 228
6.1.4 Jumping to Another Playback Position in the Pattern ................................................. 229
6.1.5 Group View and Keyboard View .................................................................................. 230
6.1.6 Adjusting the Pattern Grid and the Pattern Length .................................................... 232
6.1.7 Adjusting the Step Grid and the Nudge Grid .............................................................. 234
6.2.1 Step Mode Basics ...................................................................................................... 237
6.3.1 Editing Events with the Mouse: an Overview ............................................................. 238
6.3.2 Creating Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 242
6.3.3 Selecting Events/Notes .............................................................................................. 243
6.3.4 Editing Selected Events/Notes ................................................................................... 244
6.3.5 Deleting Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 246
6.3.6 Cut, Copy, and Paste Events/Notes ............................................................................ 247
6.3.7 Quantizing Events/Notes ........................................................................................... 249
6.3.8 Quantization While Playing ........................................................................................ 251
6.4.1 Which Parameters Are Modulatable? ......................................................................... 253
6.4.2 Recording Modulation ................................................................................................ 254
6.4.3 Creating and Editing Modulation in the Control Lane ................................................ 255
6.6.1 The Pattern Manager and Pattern Mode .................................................................... 263
6.6.2 Selecting Patterns and Pattern Banks ....................................................................... 265
6.6.3 Creating Patterns ...................................................................................................... 266
6.6.4 Deleting Patterns ....................................................................................................... 268
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6.7 Importing/Exporting Audio and MIDI to/from Patterns ................................................................ 276
6.6.5 Creating and Deleting Pattern Banks ........................................................................ 269
6.6.6 Naming Patterns ....................................................................................................... 270
6.6.7 Changing the Pattern’s Color .................................................................................... 272
6.6.8 Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Patterns .............................................................. 273
6.6.9 Moving Patterns ........................................................................................................ 275
6.7.1 Exporting Audio from Patterns ................................................................................... 276
6.7.2 Exporting MIDI from Patterns ..................................................................................... 278
6.7.3 Importing MIDI to Patterns ........................................................................................ 280
7 Audio Routing, Remote Control, and Macro Controls ....................................................
7.1 Audio Routing in MASCHINE ....................................................................................................... 290
7.2 Using MIDI Control and Host Automation .................................................................................... 315
7.3 Creating Custom Sets of Parameters with the Macro Controls ................................................... 335
7.1.1 Sending External Audio to Sounds ............................................................................. 291
7.1.2 Configuring the Main Output of Sounds and Groups ................................................. 296
7.1.3 Setting Up Auxiliary Outputs for Sounds and Groups ................................................. 301
7.1.4 Configuring the Master and Cue Outputs of MASCHINE ............................................. 304
7.1.5 Mono Audio Inputs ..................................................................................................... 310
7.1.5.1 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in Mix View ..................................311
7.2.1 Triggering Sounds via MIDI Notes .............................................................................. 316
7.2.2 Triggering Scenes via MIDI ........................................................................................ 321
7.2.3 Controlling Parameters via MIDI and Host Automation .............................................. 322
7.2.4 Selecting VST/AU Plug-in Presets via MIDI Program Change ..................................... 330
7.2.5 Sending MIDI from Sounds ........................................................................................ 331
7.3.1 Macro Control Overview ............................................................................................. 336
7.3.2 Assigning Macro Controls .......................................................................................... 337
289
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8 Controlling Your Mix ..................................................................................................
8.1 Mix View Basics .......................................................................................................................... 343
8.2 The Mixer .................................................................................................................................... 346
8.3 The Plug-in Chain .......................................................................................................................359
8.4 The Plug-in Strip ........................................................................................................................ 360
8.1.1 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View ......................................................... 343
8.1.2 Mix View Elements ..................................................................................................... 344
8.2.1 Displaying Groups vs. Displaying Sounds .................................................................. 347
8.2.2 Adjusting the Mixer Layout ........................................................................................ 349
8.2.3 Selecting Channel Strips ........................................................................................... 350
8.2.4 Managing Your Channels in the Mixer ....................................................................... 351
8.2.5 Adjusting Settings in the Channel Strips ................................................................... 353
8.2.6 Using the Cue Bus ..................................................................................................... 357
8.4.1 The Plug-in Header .................................................................................................... 362
8.4.2 Panels for Drumsynths and Internal Effects .............................................................. 364
8.4.3 Panel for the Sampler ................................................................................................ 365
8.4.4 Custom Panels for Native Instruments Plug-ins ........................................................ 368
8.4.5 Undocking a Plug-in Panel (Native Instruments and External Plug-ins Only) ............ 372
9 Using the Drumsynths ................................................................................................
343
375
9.1 Drumsynths – General Handling ................................................................................................. 376
9.2 The Kicks .................................................................................................................................... 380
9.1.1 Engines: Many Different Drums per Drumsynth ......................................................... 376
9.1.2 Common Parameter Organization .............................................................................. 376
9.1.3 Shared Parameters .................................................................................................... 379
9.1.4 Various Velocity Responses ....................................................................................... 379
9.1.5 Pitch Range, Tuning, and MIDI Notes ........................................................................ 379
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9.3 The Snares ..................................................................................................................................399
9.4 The Hi-hats .................................................................................................................................420
9.2.1 Kick – Sub ................................................................................................................. 382
9.2.2 Kick – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 384
9.2.3 Kick – Dusty .............................................................................................................. 387
9.2.4 Kick – Grit ................................................................................................................. 388
9.2.5 Kick – Rasper ............................................................................................................ 391
9.2.6 Kick – Snappy ............................................................................................................ 392
9.2.7 Kick – Bold ................................................................................................................ 394
9.2.8 Kick – Maple .............................................................................................................. 396
9.2.9 Kick – Push ............................................................................................................... 397
9.3.1 Snare – Volt ............................................................................................................... 401
9.3.2 Snare – Bit ................................................................................................................ 403
9.3.3 Snare – Pow .............................................................................................................. 405
9.3.4 Snare – Sharp ........................................................................................................... 406
9.3.5 Snare – Airy ............................................................................................................... 408
9.3.6 Snare – Vintage ......................................................................................................... 410
9.3.7 Snare – Chrome ......................................................................................................... 412
9.3.8 Snare – Iron ............................................................................................................... 414
9.3.9 Snare – Clap ............................................................................................................. 416
9.3.10 Snare – Breaker ......................................................................................................... 418
9.4.1 Hi-hat – Silver ........................................................................................................... 421
9.4.2 Hi-hat – Circuit ......................................................................................................... 423
9.4.3 Hi-hat – Memory ........................................................................................................ 425
9.4.4 Hi-hat – Hybrid ......................................................................................................... 427
9.4.5 Creating a Pattern with Closed and Open Hi-hats ..................................................... 429
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 12
9.5 The Toms .................................................................................................................................... 430
9.6 The Percussions ..........................................................................................................................441
9.7 The Cymbals ............................................................................................................................... 452
9.5.1 Tom – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 432
9.5.2 Tom – Fractal ............................................................................................................ 434
9.5.3 Tom – Floor ................................................................................................................ 438
9.5.4 Tom – High ................................................................................................................ 440
9.6.1 Percussion – Fractal .................................................................................................. 443
9.6.2 Percussion – Kettle .................................................................................................... 446
9.6.3 Percussion – Shaker .................................................................................................. 448
9.7.1 Cymbal – Crash ......................................................................................................... 454
9.7.2 Cymbal – Ride ........................................................................................................... 456
10 Using Effects .............................................................................................................
10.1 Applying Effects to a Sound, a Group or the Master .................................................................... 459
10.2 Applying Effects to External Audio .............................................................................................. 470
10.3 Creating a Send Effect ............................................................................................................... 473
10.4 Creating Multi-Effects ................................................................................................................ 477
10.1.1 Adding an Effect ........................................................................................................ 459
10.1.2 Other Operations on Effects ....................................................................................... 466
10.1.3 Using the Side-Chain Input ....................................................................................... 467
10.2.1 Step 1: Configure MASCHINE Audio Inputs ................................................................ 470
10.2.2 Step 2: Set Up a Sound to Receive the External Input ................................................ 472
10.2.3 Step 3: Load an Effect to Process an Input ................................................................ 472
10.3.1 Step 1: Set Up a Sound or Group as Send Effect ........................................................ 474
10.3.2 Step 2: Route Audio to the Send Effect ...................................................................... 476
10.3.3 A Few Notes on Send Effects ...................................................................................... 476
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459
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11 Effect Reference ........................................................................................................
11.1 Dynamics ....................................................................................................................................481
11.2 Filtering Effects .......................................................................................................................... 495
11.3 Modulation Effects ..................................................................................................................... 502
11.4 Spatial and Reverb Effects ......................................................................................................... 509
11.1.1 Compressor ............................................................................................................... 481
11.1.2 Gate ........................................................................................................................... 484
11.1.3 Transient Master ....................................................................................................... 487
11.1.4 Limiter ....................................................................................................................... 489
11.1.5 Maximizer .................................................................................................................. 492
11.2.1 EQ .............................................................................................................................. 495
11.2.2 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 497
11.2.3 Cabinet ...................................................................................................................... 501
11.3.1 Chorus ....................................................................................................................... 502
11.3.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 503
11.3.3 FM ............................................................................................................................. 505
11.3.4 Freq Shifter ................................................................................................................ 506
11.3.5 Phaser ....................................................................................................................... 507
11.4.1 Ice ............................................................................................................................. 509
11.4.2 Metaverb ................................................................................................................... 510
11.4.3 Reflex ........................................................................................................................ 512
11.4.4 Reverb (Legacy) ......................................................................................................... 513
11.4.5 Reverb ....................................................................................................................... 515
11.4.5.1 Reverb Room .............................................................................................515
11.4.5.2 Reverb Hall ................................................................................................518
11.4.5.3 Plate Reverb ..............................................................................................520
480
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 14
11.5 Delays .........................................................................................................................................521
11.6 Distortion Effects ........................................................................................................................ 529
11.7 Perform FX .................................................................................................................................. 536
11.5.1 Beat Delay ................................................................................................................. 521
11.5.2 Grain Delay ................................................................................................................ 524
11.5.3 Grain Stretch ............................................................................................................. 526
11.5.4 Resochord .................................................................................................................. 527
11.6.1 Distortion ................................................................................................................... 529
11.6.2 Lofi ............................................................................................................................ 530
11.6.3 Saturator ................................................................................................................... 531
11.6.4 Analog Distortion ....................................................................................................... 535
12 Creating a Song Using Scenes ...................................................................................
12.1 Arranger Basics .......................................................................................................................... 557
12.2 Managing Scenes ....................................................................................................................... 568
12.1.1 Arranger Overview ..................................................................................................... 559
12.1.2 Navigating the Arranger ............................................................................................ 561
12.1.3 Following the Playback Position in Your Project ......................................................... 564
12.1.4 Jumping to Another Playback Position in Your Project ............................................... 565
12.1.5 Creating and Removing Clips .................................................................................... 566
12.2.1 Scene Management Overview .................................................................................... 568
12.2.2 Selecting Scenes and Scene Banks ........................................................................... 570
12.2.3 Creating Scenes ........................................................................................................ 572
12.2.4 Deleting Scenes ......................................................................................................... 574
12.2.5 Creating and Deleting Scene Banks .......................................................................... 578
12.2.6 Naming Scenes .......................................................................................................... 581
12.2.7 Changing the Scene’s Color ....................................................................................... 583
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12.3 Managing Scenes ....................................................................................................................... 592
12.4 Playing with Scenes ....................................................................................................................600
12.5 Triggering Scenes via MIDI (MASCHINE Plug-in Only) ................................................................. 606
12.6 The Arrange Grid .........................................................................................................................607
12.2.8 Moving Scenes ........................................................................................................... 584
12.2.9 Clearing Scenes ......................................................................................................... 586
12.2.10 Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Scenes ................................................................ 586
12.2.11 Adjustable Scene Length ........................................................................................... 587
12.2.11.1 Adjusting the Length of a Scene Using the Software .................................588
12.2.12 Enabling Scene Auto Length ...................................................................................... 590
12.2.13 Looping ...................................................................................................................... 590
12.2.13.1 Setting the Loop Range in the Software .....................................................591
12.3.1 Scene Linking Basics ................................................................................................. 593
12.3.2 Setting Scene Options in the Preferences .................................................................. 594
12.3.3 Duplicating Scenes .................................................................................................... 597
12.3.4 Link when Duplicating Scenes ................................................................................... 599
12.3.5 Making Scenes Unique .............................................................................................. 600
12.4.1 Selecting a Loop Range ............................................................................................. 601
12.4.2 Jumping to Other Scenes ........................................................................................... 604
13 Sampling and Sample Mapping ..................................................................................
609
13.1 Opening the Sample Editor ......................................................................................................... 609
13.2 Recording a Sample ................................................................................................................... 610
13.2.1 Opening the Record Page .......................................................................................... 610
13.2.2 Selecting the Source and the Recording Mode ........................................................... 611
13.2.3 Arming, Starting, and Stopping the Recording .......................................................... 614
13.2.4 Checking Your Recordings ......................................................................................... 615
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13.3 Editing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 619
13.4 Slicing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 626
13.5 Mapping Samples to Zones ........................................................................................................ 644
13.2.5 Location and Name of Your Recorded Samples .......................................................... 618
13.3.1 Using the Edit Page ................................................................................................... 619
13.3.2 Audio Editing Functions ............................................................................................. 623
13.4.1 Opening the Slice Page .............................................................................................. 627
13.4.2 Adjusting the Slicing Settings ................................................................................... 628
13.4.3 Manually Adjusting Your Slices (OBSOLETE?) ............................................................ 630
13.4.4 Applying the Slicing ................................................................................................... 633
13.4.5 From 2.4.6 ................................................................................................................ 637
13.4.5.1 Live Slicing ................................................................................................637
13.4.5.2 Delete All Slices .........................................................................................639
13.4.6 Sample Slicer Mono Option ........................................................................................ 642
13.4.6.1 Activating the Sample Slicer Mono Option in the Software ........................642
13.4.7 Auto-Snap ................................................................................................................. 643
13.5.1 Opening the Zone Page .............................................................................................. 644
13.5.2 Zone Page Overview ................................................................................................... 645
13.5.3 Selecting and Managing Zones in the Zone List ........................................................ 646
13.5.4 Selecting and Editing Zones in the Map View ............................................................ 651
13.5.5 Editing Zones in the Sample View ............................................................................. 655
13.5.6 Adjusting the Zone Settings ...................................................................................... 657
13.5.7 Adding Samples to the Sample Map .......................................................................... 662
14 KOMPLETE KONTROL Integration .................................................................................
664
14.1 Switching the Keyboard Focus to/from a MASCHINE Instance ..................................................... 664
14.2 Controlling the Transport in MASCHINE ...................................................................................... 671
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 17
14.3 Navigating and Controlling Your Sounds within a Group ............................................................ 676
14.4 Browsing Your MASCHINE Library ............................................................................................... 683
14.5 Using the Perform Features ........................................................................................................ 688
14.6 Using the Touch Strips ............................................................................................................... 694
14.7 Recording Modulation from Your Keyboard ................................................................................. 700
14.8 Adjusting the Settings for Your Keyboard in the MASCHINE Preferences ..................................... 704
14.9 Arp Hold Mode ............................................................................................................................ 706
14.10 Support for KOMPLETE KONTROL S88 ......................................................................................... 707
15 Troubleshooting – Getting Help ..................................................................................
15.1 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................... 708
15.2 Getting Help ............................................................................................................................... 710
15.1.1 The MASCHINE Software Won’t Start .......................................................................... 708
15.1.2 Latency Issues ........................................................................................................... 708
15.1.3 The MASCHINE Software Crashes .............................................................................. 709
15.1.4 Updates ..................................................................................................................... 709
15.2.1 Knowledge Base ........................................................................................................ 710
15.2.2 Technical Support ...................................................................................................... 710
15.2.3 Registration Support ................................................................................................. 711
15.2.4 User Forum ................................................................................................................ 711
16 Appendix: Tips for Playing Live ..................................................................................
Table of Contents
708
712
16.1 Preparations ............................................................................................................................... 712
16.1.1 Focus on the Hardware .............................................................................................. 712
16.1.2 Customize the Pads of the Hardware ......................................................................... 712
16.1.3 Check Your CPU Power Before Playing ....................................................................... 712
16.1.4 Name and Color Your Groups, Patterns, Sounds and Scenes ..................................... 712
16.1.5 Consider Using a Limiter on Your Master ................................................................... 713
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 18
Table of Contents
16.2 Basic Techniques ....................................................................................................................... 713
16.3 Special Tricks ............................................................................................................................. 714
16.1.6 Improvise ................................................................................................................... 713
16.2.1 Use Mute and Solo ..................................................................................................... 713
16.2.2 Use Scene Mode and Tweak the Loop Range .............................................................. 713
16.2.3 Create Variations of Your Drum Patterns in the Step Sequencer ................................ 714
16.2.4 Use Note Repeat ........................................................................................................ 714
16.2.5 Set Up Your Own Multi-effect Groups and Automate Them ........................................ 714
16.3.1 Changing Pattern Length for Variation ...................................................................... 714
16.3.2 Using Loops to Cycle Through Samples ..................................................................... 715
16.3.3 Using Loops to Cycle Through Samples ..................................................................... 715
16.3.4 Load Long Audio Files and Play with the Start Point .................................................. 715
17 Glossary ...................................................................................................................
Index ........................................................................................................................
716
728
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 19
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 2 - Manual - 20
Welcome to MASCHINE!
Where to Start?
1.1 Where to Start?
MASCHINE provides you with many information sources. The main documents are meant to be
read in the following sequence:
1. MASCHINE Setup Guide
2. MASCHINE Getting Started and online video tutorials
3. MASCHINE Manual (this document)
The whole documentation set is available in PDF format and located within the MASCHINE installation folder on your hard disk. You can also access these documents
from the Help menu in the Application Menu Bar or from the Help submenu in the MASCHINE menu.
Please check the Service Center or the Native Instruments website regularly for up-todate and localized versions of these documents. You can start the Service Center by selecting Launch Service Center from the Help menu in the Application Menu Bar or from
the Help submenu in the MASCHINE menu.
Additional documentation sources provide you with details on more specific topics:
▪ MASCHINE Hardware Control Reference
▪ Controller Editor Manual
Hereafter is a quick description of each of these documentation sources.
Your First Stop: the Setup Guide
The Setup Guide will guide you through the software and hardware installation of MASCHINE,
from the very beginning to the first sound coming through your speakers.
First read the Setup Guide. Then proceed with this MASCHINE Getting Started to get more familiar with MASCHINE.
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 21
Welcome to MASCHINE!
Where to Start?
MASCHINE Getting Started
After reading the Setup Guide and following its instructions, your MASCHINE should be up
and running. The next step is to read the MASCHINE Getting Started. This gives you 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.
Video Tutorials
The Native Instruments website provides you with a lot of video tutorials that give you a handson approach to many sides of the MASCHINE workflow. To see them, point your favorite browser to following URL: http://native-instruments.com/maschinemedia.
MASCHINE Manual
This MASCHINE Manual provides you with a comprehensive description of all MASCHINE software and hardware features.
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.
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,
a little application that allows you to precisely define all MIDI assignments for your MASCHINE
controller. The Controller Editor should have been installed during the MASCHINE installation
procedure. For more information on this, please refer to the Controller Editor Manual available
as a PDF file in the Documentation subfolder of the Controller Editor installation folder on your
hard disk.
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:
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 22
Welcome to MASCHINE!
Manual Conventions
▪ Knowledge Base
▪ User Forum
▪ Technical Support
▪ Registration Support
You will find more information on these in chapter ↑15, Troubleshooting – Getting Help.
1.2 Manual 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 2 - Manual - 23
Welcome to MASCHINE!
Manual 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.
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 24
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.
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.
Project
A Project contains all data needed for a song: Groups with their Patterns, all Scenes and all
settings, modulation, effects, routings, Sounds and Samples. It’s like a snapshot of the entire
state of MASCHINE. Please read the MASCHINE Getting Started for a complete overview of
the MASCHINE Project structure.
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 25
Basic Concepts
Names and Concepts You Should Know
Sound
Sounds are the building blocks of all sound content in MASCHINE. A Sound is made up of any
number of Plug-ins. Each Sound of the selected Group is mapped to one of the 16 pads on the
hardware controller, so you can play the Sounds by pressing the pads. Refer to chapter ↑4,
Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project for more information on Sounds.
Group
A Group contains 16 Sound slots. In addition to the Effect Plug-ins applied to each individual
Sound, a Group can have its own insert effect. These affect all the Sounds in the Group. A
Group can also contain any number of Patterns (grouped into banks of 16 Patterns each). Refer to chapter ↑4, Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project for more information on Groups.
Master
This is where all audio signals from each of the Groups and Sounds come together and get
mixed. The Master channel can also host any number of insert effects of its own, these effects
are applied to all Groups and the Sounds within them. More information on the Master can be
found in chapter ↑4, Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project.
Pattern
A Pattern is a sequence that plays Sounds from a Group. It belongs to that Group and will be
saved together with the Group. In every Scene you can choose for each Group which of its Patterns has to be played. More information on Patterns can be found in chapter ↑6, Working with
Patterns.
Scene
A Scene is a combination of Clips for your different Groups. Each Clip references a specific
Pattern of a Group. In a Scene you can create one Clip for each Group. Scenes are located in
the Arranger. They can be used to build up a finished arrangement or to trigger different parts
of a song during a live performance. Refer to chapter ↑12, Creating a Song Using Scenes for
more information on Scenes.
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 26
Basic Concepts
Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface
Event
Events are the individual drum hits or notes that make up a Pattern. In the Pattern Editor,
events are visually represented by rectangles in the Event area. Depending on the current view
in the Pattern Editor, you can see events for all Sounds slots (Group view) or for the selected
Sound slot only (Keyboard view). Events are described in more detail in chapter ↑6, Working
with Patterns.
Plug-in
Each Sound, each Group, and the Master can hold any number of Plug-ins. Plug-ins can be
instruments or effects, and they can be internal (included with MASCHINE), from other Native
Instruments products (instruments or effects), or external (third-party VST/AU plug-ins). Instrument and Effect Plug-ins can be loaded in the first Plug-in slot of Sounds. The other Plug-in
slots of Sounds, as well as the Plug-in slots of Groups and of the Master can hold Effect Plugins only. At each level (Sound, Group, and Master), Plug-ins process the audio in series, according to the order in which they are stacked up. Refer to chapter ↑5, Working with Plug-ins.
Effect
MASCHINE comes with many different effects in the form of Internal Plug-ins. You may also
use Native Instruments or third-party VST/AU effect plug-ins. Each Sound, each Group, and
the Master can hold any number of effects that will be applied as insert effects. The flexible
routing system also allows you to create send effects, multi-effects, and side-chains. For more
details on using effects in MASCHINE, refer to chapter ↑10, Using Effects. You will find an
exhaustive description of all internal effects included in MASCHINE in chapter ↑11, Effect
Reference.
Please refer to chapter ↑17, Glossary at the end of this Manual for more definitions!
2.2 Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface
The MASCHINE software user interface is very flexible. You can choose what to display and
what not, allowing you to focus on your workflow. This section shows you how to adjust the MASCHINE GUI to suit your needs.
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 27
Basic Concepts
Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface
2.2.1 Adjusting the Size of the Interface
From the View menu in the Application Menu Bar and from the View submenu in the MASCHINE menu you can select one of four different sizes to display MASCHINE’s software GUI:
The View menu in the Application Menu Bar (Windows depicted).
The View submenu in the MASCHINE menu.
Full screen view is also available from your computer keyboard via [Ctrl]+[F] (Mac OS X:
[Cmd]+[F]).
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 28
Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface
2.2.2 Showing/Hiding the Browser
Click the Browser button (with the magnifier symbol) in the Header to show and hide the
►
Browser. You can also select Browser from the View menu in the Application Menu Bar or
from the View submenu in the MASCHINE menu.
The Browser button in the Header.
You can also show/hide the Browser from your computer keyboard via the [F4] function
key.
Basic Concepts
2.2.3 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View
Click the Mix View button at the top left of the Arranger to switch between the Arrange
►
view and the Mix view. You can also select Arranger or Mixer from the View menu in the
Application Menu Bar or from the View submenu in the MASCHINE menu.
The Mix View button.
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 29
Basic Concepts
Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface
You can also switch between Arrange view and Mix view from your computer keyboard
via the [Tab] key.
2.2.4 Minimizing the Mixer
When MASCHINE is in Mix view, you can minimize/maximize the Mixer in the top part of the
MASCHINE window:
Click the arrow button at the bottom left of the Mixer to show and hide the channel de-
►
tails in the Mixer.
Minimizing/maximizing the Mixer.
2.2.5 Showing/Hiding the Control Lane
When MASCHINE is in Arrange view, you can show/hide the Control Lane under the Pattern
Editor:
Click the arrow button on the bottom left of the Pattern Editor to show and hide the Con-
►
trol Lane.
MASCHINE 2 - Manual - 30
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