Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK1 Operation Manual v2.8
MANUAL
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media. No part of this
publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose,
without prior written permission by Native Instruments GmbH, hereinafter referred to as Native
Instruments.
“Native Instruments”, “NI” and associated logos are (registered) trademarks of Native Instruments GmbH.
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: 2.8 (02/2019)
Hardware version: MASCHINE MIKRO MK1
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
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS FRANCE SARL
113 Rue Saint-Maur
75011 Paris
France
www.native-instruments.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc.
6725 Sunset Boulevard
5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
USA
www.native-instruments.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS UK Limited
18 Phipp Street
London EC2A 4NU
UK
www.native-instruments.co.uk
SHENZHEN NATIVE INSTRUMENTS COMPANY Limited
5F, Shenzhen Zimao Center
111 Taizi Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen,
Guangdong
China
www.native-instruments.com
© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2019. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Welcome to MASCHINE .............................................................................................
1.1 MASCHINE Documentation .......................................................................................................... 24
1.2 Document Conventions ............................................................................................................... 25
1.3 New Features in MASCHINE 2.8 .................................................................................................. 26
1.4 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.10 ............................................................................................. 28
1.5 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.8 ............................................................................................... 28
1.6 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.7 ............................................................................................... 29
1.7 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4 ............................................................................................... 31
1.8 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3 ............................................................................................... 33
2 Quick Reference ........................................................................................................
2.1 Using Your Controller .................................................................................................................. 35
2.2 MASCHINE Project Overview ........................................................................................................ 41
2.3 MASCHINE Hardware Overview ................................................................................................... 46
2.4 MASCHINE Software Overview ..................................................................................................... 56
2.1.1 Controller Modes and Mode Pinning .......................................................................... 35
2.1.2 Controlling the Software Views from Your Controller ................................................. 38
2.2.1 Sound Content ........................................................................................................... 41
2.2.2 Arrangement .............................................................................................................. 43
2.3.1 MASCHINE MIKRO Hardware Overview ....................................................................... 46
2.3.1.1 CONTROL Section .......................................................................................47
2.3.1.2 TRANSPORT Section ...................................................................................51
2.3.1.3 PADS Section .............................................................................................52
2.4.1 Header ....................................................................................................................... 57
2.4.2 Browser ..................................................................................................................... 59
2.4.3 Arranger .................................................................................................................... 61
23
35
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 4
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2.4.4 Control Area ............................................................................................................... 64
2.4.5 Pattern Editor ............................................................................................................ 65
3 Basic Concepts .........................................................................................................
3.1 Important Names and Concepts ................................................................................................. 67
3.2 Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface ..................................................................................... 70
3.3 Common Operations ................................................................................................................... 74
3.4 Native Kontrol Standard ............................................................................................................. 96
3.5 Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................................................................... 97
3.6 Preferences .................................................................................................................................100
3.2.1 Adjusting the Size of the Interface ............................................................................. 70
3.2.2 Switching between Ideas View and Song View ........................................................... 71
3.2.3 Showing/Hiding the Browser ...................................................................................... 72
3.2.4 Minimizing the Mixer ................................................................................................. 72
3.2.5 Showing/Hiding the Control Lane .............................................................................. 73
3.3.1 Pinning a Mode on the Controller ............................................................................... 74
3.3.2 Adjusting Volume, Swing, and Tempo ........................................................................ 75
3.3.3 Undo/Redo ................................................................................................................. 80
3.3.4 Focusing on a Group or a Sound ................................................................................ 81
3.3.5 Switching Between the Master, Group, and Sound Level ........................................... 86
3.3.6 Navigating Channel Properties, Plug-ins, and Parameter Pages in the Control Area . 87
3.3.7 Navigating the Software Using the Controller ............................................................ 93
3.3.8 Using Two or More Hardware Controllers ................................................................... 94
3.5.1 Differences between Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................. 98
3.5.2 Switching Instances .................................................................................................. 99
3.5.3 Controlling Various Instances with Different Controllers ........................................... 100
3.6.1 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 101
67
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3.7 Integrating MASCHINE into a MIDI Setup .................................................................................... 134
3.6.2 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 105
3.6.3 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 108
3.6.4 Preferences – Default Page ....................................................................................... 111
3.6.5 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 115
3.6.6 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 123
3.6.7 Preferences – Hardware Page .................................................................................... 128
3.6.8 Preferences – Colors Page ......................................................................................... 131
3.7.1 Connecting External MIDI Equipment ........................................................................ 134
3.7.2 Sync to External MIDI Clock ....................................................................................... 134
3.7.3 Send MIDI Clock ......................................................................................................... 135
4 Browser ....................................................................................................................
4.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 137
4.2 Searching and Loading Files from the Library ............................................................................ 139
4.1.1 The MASCHINE Library ............................................................................................... 137
4.1.2 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 138
4.2.1 Overview of the Library Pane ..................................................................................... 139
4.2.2 Selecting or Loading a Product and Selecting a Bank from the Browser .................... 143
4.2.3 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank ........................... 147
4.2.3.1 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank on the
137
Controller ...................................................................................................151
4.2.4 Selecting a File Type .................................................................................................. 152
4.2.5 Choosing Between Factory and User Content ............................................................. 153
4.2.6 Selecting Type and Character Tags ........................................................................... 154
4.2.7 Performing a Text Search ........................................................................................... 159
4.2.8 Loading a File from the Result List ............................................................................ 159
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 6
4.3 Additional Browsing Tools .......................................................................................................... 165
4.4 Using Favorites in the Browser ................................................................................................... 171
4.5 Editing the Files’ Tags and Properties ........................................................................................ 175
4.6 Loading and Importing Files from Your File System .................................................................... 181
4.7 Locating Missing Samples .......................................................................................................... 191
4.8 Using Quick Browse .................................................................................................................... 193
4.3.1 Loading the Selected Files Automatically .................................................................. 165
4.3.2 Auditioning Instrument Presets ................................................................................. 166
4.3.3 Auditioning Samples ................................................................................................. 168
4.3.4 Loading Groups with Patterns ................................................................................... 169
4.3.5 Loading Groups with Routing .................................................................................... 170
4.3.6 Displaying File Information ........................................................................................ 170
4.5.1 Attribute Editor Basics .............................................................................................. 176
4.5.2 The Bank Page ........................................................................................................... 177
4.5.3 The Types and Characters Pages ............................................................................... 178
4.5.4 The Properties Page ................................................................................................... 180
4.6.1 Overview of the FILES Pane ........................................................................................ 181
4.6.2 Using Favorites .......................................................................................................... 183
4.6.3 Using the Location Bar .............................................................................................. 184
4.6.4 Navigating to Recent Locations ................................................................................. 185
4.6.5 Using the Result List ................................................................................................. 186
4.6.6 Importing Files to the MASCHINE Library ................................................................... 189
5 Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project ...............................................................
Table of Contents
196
5.1 Overview of the Sounds, Groups, and Master .............................................................................. 196
5.1.1 The Sound, Group, and Master Channels ................................................................... 197
5.1.2 Similarities and Differences in Handling Sounds and Groups ................................... 198
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5.2 Managing Sounds .......................................................................................................................204
5.3 Managing Groups ....................................................................................................................... 218
5.4 Exporting MASCHINE Objects and Audio ..................................................................................... 232
5.5 Importing Third-Party File Formats ............................................................................................. 242
5.1.3 Selecting Multiple Sounds or Groups ......................................................................... 199
5.2.1 Loading Sounds ......................................................................................................... 206
5.2.2 Pre-listening to Sounds ............................................................................................. 207
5.2.3 Renaming Sound Slots .............................................................................................. 208
5.2.4 Changing the Sound’s Color ...................................................................................... 209
5.2.5 Saving Sounds ........................................................................................................... 210
5.2.6 Copying and Pasting Sounds ..................................................................................... 212
5.2.7 Moving Sounds .......................................................................................................... 215
5.2.8 Resetting Sound Slots ............................................................................................... 216
5.3.1 Creating Groups ........................................................................................................ 219
5.3.2 Loading Groups ......................................................................................................... 221
5.3.3 Renaming Groups ...................................................................................................... 222
5.3.4 Changing the Group’s Color ....................................................................................... 223
5.3.5 Saving Groups ........................................................................................................... 224
5.3.6 Copying and Pasting Groups ..................................................................................... 226
5.3.7 Reordering Groups ..................................................................................................... 230
5.3.8 Deleting Groups ......................................................................................................... 231
5.4.1 Saving a Group with its Samples ............................................................................... 232
5.4.2 Saving a Project with its Samples ............................................................................. 234
5.4.3 Exporting Audio ......................................................................................................... 236
5.5.1 Loading REX Files into Sound Slots ........................................................................... 242
5.5.2 Importing MPC Programs to Groups ........................................................................... 243
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6 Playing on the Controller ...........................................................................................
6.1 Adjusting the Pads ..................................................................................................................... 247
6.2 Adjusting the Key, Choke, and Link Parameters for Multiple Sounds .......................................... 257
6.3 Playing Tools .............................................................................................................................. 259
6.4 Performance Features ................................................................................................................. 270
6.1.1 The Pad View in the Software .................................................................................... 247
6.1.2 Choosing a Pad Input Mode ....................................................................................... 249
6.1.3 Adjusting the Base Key .............................................................................................. 252
6.1.4 Using Choke Groups .................................................................................................. 253
6.1.5 Using Link Groups ..................................................................................................... 255
6.3.1 Mute and Solo ............................................................................................................ 259
6.3.2 Choke All Notes .......................................................................................................... 264
6.3.3 Groove ....................................................................................................................... 264
6.3.4 Level, Tempo, Tune, and Groove Shortcuts on Your Controller .................................... 267
6.4.1 Overview of the Perform Features .............................................................................. 270
6.4.2 Selecting a Scale and Creating Chords ..................................................................... 273
6.4.3 Scale and Chord Parameters ..................................................................................... 273
6.4.4 Creating Arpeggios and Repeated Notes ................................................................... 286
6.4.5 Swing on Note Repeat / Arp Output ........................................................................... 288
7 Working with Plug-ins ...............................................................................................
247
289
7.1 Plug-in Overview ........................................................................................................................ 289
7.1.1 Plug-in Basics ........................................................................................................... 289
7.1.2 First Plug-in Slot of Sounds: Choosing the Sound’s Role ........................................... 293
7.1.3 Loading, Removing, and Replacing a Plug-in ............................................................ 294
7.1.4 Adjusting the Plug-in Parameters ............................................................................. 302
7.1.5 Bypassing Plug-in Slots ............................................................................................ 302
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7.2 The Sampler Plug-in ................................................................................................................... 310
7.3 Using Native Instruments and External Plug-ins ........................................................................ 323
7.1.6 Using Side-Chain ...................................................................................................... 305
7.1.7 Moving Plug-ins ........................................................................................................ 305
7.1.8 Alternative: the Plug-in Strip ..................................................................................... 306
7.1.9 Saving and Recalling Plug-in Presets ....................................................................... 306
7.1.9.1 Saving Plug-in Presets ..............................................................................307
7.1.9.2 Recalling Plug-in Presets ..........................................................................308
7.1.9.3 Removing a Default Plug-in Preset ............................................................309
7.2.1 Page 1: Voice Settings / Engine ................................................................................. 312
7.2.2 Page 2: Pitch / Envelope ............................................................................................ 314
7.2.3 Page 3: FX / Filter ...................................................................................................... 317
7.2.4 Page 4: Modulation .................................................................................................... 318
7.2.5 Page 5: LFO ............................................................................................................... 320
7.2.6 Page 6: Velocity / Modwheel ...................................................................................... 322
7.3.1 Opening/Closing Plug-in Windows ............................................................................. 324
7.3.2 Using the VST/AU Plug-in Parameters ....................................................................... 327
7.3.3 Setting Up Your Own Parameter Pages ...................................................................... 328
7.3.4 Using VST/AU Plug-in Presets .................................................................................... 333
7.3.5 Multiple-Output Plug-ins and Multitimbral Plug-ins ................................................. 335
8 Using the Audio Plug-in .............................................................................................
337
8.1 Loading a Loop into the Audio Plug-in ........................................................................................ 341
8.2 Editing Audio in the Audio Plug-in ..............................................................................................342
8.3 Using Loop Mode ........................................................................................................................ 343
8.4 Using Gate Mode ........................................................................................................................ 345
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 10
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9 Using the Drumsynths ................................................................................................
9.1 Drumsynths – General Handling ................................................................................................. 348
9.2 The Kicks .................................................................................................................................... 352
9.3 The Snares ..................................................................................................................................371
9.1.1 Engines: Many Different Drums per Drumsynth ......................................................... 348
9.1.2 Common Parameter Organization .............................................................................. 348
9.1.3 Shared Parameters .................................................................................................... 351
9.1.4 Various Velocity Responses ....................................................................................... 351
9.1.5 Pitch Range, Tuning, and MIDI Notes ........................................................................ 351
9.2.1 Kick – Sub ................................................................................................................. 354
9.2.2 Kick – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 356
9.2.3 Kick – Dusty .............................................................................................................. 359
9.2.4 Kick – Grit ................................................................................................................. 360
9.2.5 Kick – Rasper ............................................................................................................ 363
9.2.6 Kick – Snappy ............................................................................................................ 364
9.2.7 Kick – Bold ................................................................................................................ 366
9.2.8 Kick – Maple .............................................................................................................. 368
9.2.9 Kick – Push ............................................................................................................... 369
9.3.1 Snare – Volt ............................................................................................................... 373
9.3.2 Snare – Bit ................................................................................................................ 375
9.3.3 Snare – Pow .............................................................................................................. 377
9.3.4 Snare – Sharp ........................................................................................................... 378
9.3.5 Snare – Airy ............................................................................................................... 380
9.3.6 Snare – Vintage ......................................................................................................... 382
9.3.7 Snare – Chrome ......................................................................................................... 384
9.3.8 Snare – Iron ............................................................................................................... 386
347
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9.4 The Hi-hats .................................................................................................................................392
9.5 The Toms .................................................................................................................................... 402
9.6 The Percussions ..........................................................................................................................413
9.7 The Cymbals ............................................................................................................................... 424
9.3.9 Snare – Clap ............................................................................................................. 388
9.3.10 Snare – Breaker ......................................................................................................... 390
9.4.1 Hi-hat – Silver ........................................................................................................... 393
9.4.2 Hi-hat – Circuit ......................................................................................................... 395
9.4.3 Hi-hat – Memory ........................................................................................................ 397
9.4.4 Hi-hat – Hybrid .......................................................................................................... 399
9.4.5 Creating a Pattern with Closed and Open Hi-hats ..................................................... 401
9.5.1 Tom – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 404
9.5.2 Tom – Fractal ............................................................................................................ 406
9.5.3 Tom – Floor ................................................................................................................ 410
9.5.4 Tom – High ................................................................................................................ 412
9.6.1 Percussion – Fractal .................................................................................................. 415
9.6.2 Percussion – Kettle .................................................................................................... 418
9.6.3 Percussion – Shaker .................................................................................................. 420
9.7.1 Cymbal – Crash ......................................................................................................... 426
9.7.2 Cymbal – Ride ........................................................................................................... 428
10 Using the Bass Synth .................................................................................................
431
10.1 Bass Synth – General Handling .................................................................................................. 432
10.1.1 Parameter Organization ............................................................................................. 432
10.1.2 Bass Synth Parameters ............................................................................................. 434
11 Working with Patterns ...............................................................................................
11.1 Pattern Basics ............................................................................................................................ 436
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 12
436
Table of Contents
11.2 Recording Patterns in Real Time ................................................................................................ 456
11.3 Recording Patterns with the Step Sequencer .............................................................................. 464
11.4 Editing Events ............................................................................................................................ 468
11.1.1 Pattern Editor Overview ............................................................................................. 437
11.1.2 Navigating the Event Area ......................................................................................... 440
11.1.3 Following the Playback Position in the Pattern .......................................................... 442
11.1.4 Jumping to Another Playback Position in the Pattern ................................................. 443
11.1.5 Group View and Keyboard View .................................................................................. 445
11.1.6 Adjusting the Arrange Grid and the Pattern Length ................................................... 448
11.1.7 Adjusting the Step Grid and the Nudge Grid .............................................................. 451
11.2.1 Recording Your Patterns Live ..................................................................................... 456
11.2.2 The Record Prepare Mode .......................................................................................... 459
11.2.3 Using the Metronome ................................................................................................. 460
11.2.4 Recording with Count-in ............................................................................................ 461
11.2.5 Quantizing while Recording ....................................................................................... 463
11.3.1 Step Mode Basics ...................................................................................................... 464
11.3.2 Editing Events in Step Mode ...................................................................................... 467
11.4.1 Editing Events with the Mouse: an Overview ............................................................. 468
11.4.2 Creating Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 471
11.4.3 Selecting Events/Notes .............................................................................................. 472
11.4.4 Editing Selected Events/Notes ................................................................................... 476
11.4.5 Deleting Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 479
11.4.6 Cut, Copy, and Paste Events/Notes ............................................................................ 482
11.4.7 Quantizing Events/Notes ........................................................................................... 484
11.4.8 Quantization While Playing ........................................................................................ 486
11.4.9 Doubling a Pattern .................................................................................................... 487
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 13
Table of Contents
11.5 Recording and Editing Modulation ............................................................................................. 492
11.6 Creating MIDI Tracks from Scratch in MASCHINE ....................................................................... 501
11.7 Managing Patterns ..................................................................................................................... 503
11.8 Importing/Exporting Audio and MIDI to/from Patterns ................................................................ 523
11.4.10 Adding Variation to Patterns ..................................................................................... 488
11.5.1 Which Parameters Are Modulatable? ......................................................................... 493
11.5.2 Recording Modulation ................................................................................................ 494
11.5.3 Creating and Editing Modulation in the Control Lane ................................................ 496
11.7.1 The Pattern Manager and Pattern Mode .................................................................... 504
11.7.2 Selecting Patterns and Pattern Banks ....................................................................... 506
11.7.3 Creating Patterns ...................................................................................................... 509
11.7.4 Deleting Patterns ....................................................................................................... 511
11.7.5 Creating and Deleting Pattern Banks ........................................................................ 512
11.7.6 Naming Patterns ....................................................................................................... 515
11.7.7 Changing the Pattern’s Color .................................................................................... 517
11.7.8 Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Patterns .............................................................. 518
11.7.9 Moving Patterns ........................................................................................................ 521
11.7.10 Adjusting Pattern Length in Fine Increments ............................................................. 523
11.8.1 Exporting Audio from Patterns ................................................................................... 523
11.8.2 Exporting MIDI from Patterns ..................................................................................... 525
11.8.3 Importing MIDI to Patterns ........................................................................................ 527
12 Audio Routing, Remote Control, and Macro Controls ....................................................
536
12.1 Audio Routing in MASCHINE ....................................................................................................... 537
12.1.1 Sending External Audio to Sounds ............................................................................. 538
12.1.2 Configuring the Main Output of Sounds and Groups ................................................. 543
12.1.3 Setting Up Auxiliary Outputs for Sounds and Groups ................................................. 548
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 14
Table of Contents
12.2 Using MIDI Control and Host Automation .................................................................................... 561
12.3 Creating Custom Sets of Parameters with the Macro Controls ................................................... 583
12.1.4 Configuring the Master and Cue Outputs of MASCHINE ............................................. 552
12.1.5 Mono Audio Inputs ..................................................................................................... 557
12.1.5.1 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in Mix View ..................................558
12.1.5.2 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in MASCHINE MIKRO ....................561
12.2.1 Triggering Sounds via MIDI Notes .............................................................................. 562
12.2.2 Triggering Scenes via MIDI ........................................................................................ 569
12.2.3 Controlling Parameters via MIDI and Host Automation .............................................. 570
12.2.4 Selecting VST/AU Plug-in Presets via MIDI Program Change ..................................... 578
12.2.5 Sending MIDI from Sounds ........................................................................................ 579
12.3.1 Macro Control Overview ............................................................................................. 584
12.3.2 Assigning Macro Controls Using the Software ........................................................... 585
13 Controlling Your Mix ..................................................................................................
13.1 Mix View Basics .......................................................................................................................... 592
13.2 The Mixer .................................................................................................................................... 595
13.3 The Plug-in Chain .......................................................................................................................609
13.4 The Plug-in Strip ........................................................................................................................ 610
13.1.1 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View ......................................................... 592
13.1.2 Mix View Elements ..................................................................................................... 593
13.2.1 Displaying Groups vs. Displaying Sounds .................................................................. 596
13.2.2 Adjusting the Mixer Layout ........................................................................................ 598
13.2.3 Selecting Channel Strips ........................................................................................... 599
13.2.4 Managing Your Channels in the Mixer ....................................................................... 600
13.2.5 Adjusting Settings in the Channel Strips ................................................................... 602
13.2.6 Using the Cue Bus ..................................................................................................... 607
592
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 15
Table of Contents
13.4.1 The Plug-in Header .................................................................................................... 612
13.4.2 Panels for Drumsynths and Internal Effects .............................................................. 614
13.4.3 Panel for the Sampler ................................................................................................ 615
13.4.4 Custom Panels for Native Instruments Plug-ins ........................................................ 618
13.4.5 Undocking a Plug-in Panel (Native Instruments and External Plug-ins Only) ............ 622
14 Using Effects .............................................................................................................
14.1 Applying Effects to a Sound, a Group or the Master .................................................................... 625
14.2 Applying Effects to External Audio .............................................................................................. 639
14.3 Creating a Send Effect ............................................................................................................... 646
14.4 Creating Multi-Effects ................................................................................................................ 653
14.1.1 Adding an Effect ........................................................................................................ 625
14.1.2 Other Operations on Effects ....................................................................................... 634
14.1.3 Using the Side-Chain Input ....................................................................................... 636
14.2.1 Step 1: Configure MASCHINE Audio Inputs ................................................................ 639
14.2.2 Step 2: Set up a Sound to Receive the External Input ................................................ 642
14.2.3 Step 3: Load an Effect to Process an Input ................................................................ 644
14.3.1 Step 1: Set Up a Sound or Group as Send Effect ........................................................ 646
14.3.2 Step 2: Route Audio to the Send Effect ...................................................................... 650
14.3.3 A Few Notes on Send Effects ...................................................................................... 652
15 Effect Reference ........................................................................................................
625
656
15.1 Dynamics ....................................................................................................................................657
15.1.1 Compressor ............................................................................................................... 657
15.1.2 Gate ........................................................................................................................... 661
15.1.3 Transient Master ....................................................................................................... 664
15.1.4 Limiter ....................................................................................................................... 666
15.1.5 Maximizer .................................................................................................................. 671
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 16
15.2 Filtering Effects .......................................................................................................................... 674
15.3 Modulation Effects ..................................................................................................................... 683
15.4 Spatial and Reverb Effects ......................................................................................................... 691
15.5 Delays .........................................................................................................................................705
15.6 Distortion Effects ........................................................................................................................ 714
15.2.1 EQ .............................................................................................................................. 674
15.2.2 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 677
15.2.3 Cabinet ...................................................................................................................... 681
15.3.1 Chorus ....................................................................................................................... 683
15.3.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 685
15.3.3 FM ............................................................................................................................. 687
15.3.4 Freq Shifter ................................................................................................................ 688
15.3.5 Phaser ....................................................................................................................... 690
15.4.1 Ice ............................................................................................................................. 691
15.4.2 Metaverb ................................................................................................................... 693
15.4.3 Reflex ........................................................................................................................ 694
15.4.4 Reverb (Legacy) ......................................................................................................... 696
15.4.5 Reverb ....................................................................................................................... 698
15.4.5.1 Reverb Room .............................................................................................698
15.4.5.2 Reverb Hall ................................................................................................701
15.4.5.3 Plate Reverb ..............................................................................................704
15.5.1 Beat Delay ................................................................................................................. 705
15.5.2 Grain Delay ................................................................................................................ 708
15.5.3 Grain Stretch ............................................................................................................. 711
15.5.4 Resochord .................................................................................................................. 712
15.6.1 Distortion ................................................................................................................... 714
Table of Contents
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 17
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15.7 Perform FX .................................................................................................................................. 722
15.6.2 Lofi ............................................................................................................................ 717
15.6.3 Saturator ................................................................................................................... 719
15.7.1 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 723
15.7.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 725
15.7.3 Burst Echo ................................................................................................................. 728
15.7.4 Reso Echo .................................................................................................................. 730
15.7.5 Ring ........................................................................................................................... 733
15.7.6 Stutter ....................................................................................................................... 735
15.7.7 Tremolo ...................................................................................................................... 738
15.7.8 Scratcher ................................................................................................................... 741
16 Working with the Arranger .........................................................................................
16.1 Arranger Basics .......................................................................................................................... 744
16.2 Using Ideas View ........................................................................................................................ 754
16.1.1 Navigating Song View ................................................................................................ 747
16.1.2 Following the Playback Position in Your Project ......................................................... 749
16.1.3 Performing with Scenes and Sections using the Pads ............................................... 750
16.2.1 Scene Overview .......................................................................................................... 754
16.2.2 Creating Scenes ........................................................................................................ 755
16.2.3 Assigning and Removing Patterns ............................................................................. 756
16.2.4 Selecting Scenes ....................................................................................................... 759
16.2.5 Deleting Scenes ......................................................................................................... 761
16.2.6 Creating and Deleting Scene Banks .......................................................................... 762
16.2.7 Clearing Scenes ......................................................................................................... 763
16.2.8 Duplicating Scenes .................................................................................................... 763
16.2.9 Reordering Scenes ..................................................................................................... 765
744
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 18
Table of Contents
16.3 Using Song View ......................................................................................................................... 771
16.2.10 Making Scenes Unique .............................................................................................. 766
16.2.11 Appending Scenes to Arrangement ............................................................................ 767
16.2.12 Naming Scenes .......................................................................................................... 768
16.2.13 Changing the Color of a Scene .................................................................................. 769
16.3.1 Section Management Overview .................................................................................. 771
16.3.2 Creating Sections ...................................................................................................... 773
16.3.3 Assigning a Scene to a Section .................................................................................. 774
16.3.4 Selecting Sections and Section Banks ....................................................................... 775
16.3.5 Reorganizing Sections ............................................................................................... 779
16.3.6 Adjusting the Length of a Section .............................................................................. 781
16.3.6.1 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Software ...............................782
16.3.6.2 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Controller .............................783
16.3.7 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................................ 784
16.3.8 Duplicating Sections ................................................................................................. 784
16.3.8.1 Making Sections Unique ............................................................................785
16.3.9 Removing Sections .................................................................................................... 786
16.3.10 Renaming Scenes ...................................................................................................... 788
16.3.11 Clearing Sections ...................................................................................................... 789
16.3.12 Creating and Deleting Section Banks ........................................................................ 790
16.3.13 Working with Patterns in Song view ........................................................................... 790
16.3.13.1 Creating a Pattern in Song View ................................................................790
16.3.13.2 Selecting a Pattern in Song View ...............................................................791
16.3.13.3 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................791
16.3.13.4 Renaming a Pattern in Song View ............................................................. 791
16.3.13.5 Coloring a Pattern in Song View ................................................................ 791
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 19
Table of Contents
16.4 Playing with Sections ................................................................................................................. 796
16.5 Triggering Sections or Scenes via MIDI ....................................................................................... 798
16.6 The Arrange Grid .........................................................................................................................800
16.7 Quick Grid ...................................................................................................................................802
16.3.14 Enabling Auto Length ................................................................................................ 792
16.3.15 Looping ...................................................................................................................... 794
16.4.1 Jumping to another Playback Position in Your Project ............................................... 796
16.3.13.6 Removing a Pattern in Song View ..............................................................792
16.3.13.7 Duplicating a Pattern in Song View ...........................................................792
16.3.15.1 Setting the Loop Range in the Software .....................................................794
16.3.15.2 Setting the Loop Range Using the Controller .............................................795
17 Sampling and Sample Mapping ..................................................................................
17.1 Opening the Sample Editor ......................................................................................................... 803
17.2 Recording Audio ......................................................................................................................... 805
17.3 Editing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 823
17.4 Slicing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 838
17.2.1 Opening the Record Page .......................................................................................... 806
17.2.2 Selecting the Source and the Recording Mode ........................................................... 807
17.2.3 Arming, Starting, and Stopping the Recording .......................................................... 815
17.2.5 Checking Your Recordings ......................................................................................... 819
17.2.6 Location and Name of Your Recorded Samples .......................................................... 823
17.3.1 Using the Edit Page ................................................................................................... 824
17.3.2 Audio Editing Functions ............................................................................................. 830
17.4.1 Opening the Slice Page .............................................................................................. 839
17.4.2 Adjusting the Slicing Settings ................................................................................... 840
17.4.3 Live Slicing ................................................................................................................ 845
803
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 20
Table of Contents
17.5 Mapping Samples to Zones ........................................................................................................ 858
17.4.4 Manually Adjusting Your Slices ................................................................................. 847
17.4.5 Applying the Slicing ................................................................................................... 852
17.5.1 Opening the Zone Page .............................................................................................. 858
17.5.2 Zone Page Overview ................................................................................................... 859
17.5.3 Selecting and Managing Zones in the Zone List ........................................................ 861
17.5.4 Selecting and Editing Zones in the Map View ............................................................ 866
17.5.5 Editing Zones in the Sample View ............................................................................. 870
17.5.6 Adjusting the Zone Settings ...................................................................................... 873
17.5.7 Adding Samples to the Sample Map .......................................................................... 880
17.4.3.1 Live Slicing Using MASCHINE MIKRO .........................................................845
17.4.3.2 Delete All Slices .........................................................................................846
18 Appendix: Tips for Playing Live ..................................................................................
18.1 Preparations ............................................................................................................................... 883
18.2 Basic Techniques ....................................................................................................................... 885
18.1.1 Focus on the Hardware .............................................................................................. 883
18.1.2 Customize the Pads of the Hardware ......................................................................... 883
18.1.3 Check Your CPU Power Before Playing ....................................................................... 883
18.1.4 Name and Color Your Groups, Patterns, Sounds and Scenes ..................................... 884
18.1.5 Consider Using a Limiter on Your Master ................................................................... 884
18.1.6 Hook Up Your Other Gear and Sync It with MIDI Clock ................................................ 884
18.1.7 Improvise ................................................................................................................... 884
18.2.1 Use Mute and Solo ..................................................................................................... 885
18.2.2 Create Variations of Your Drum Patterns in the Step Sequencer ................................ 885
18.2.3 Use Note Repeat ........................................................................................................ 885
18.2.4 Set Up Your Own Multi-effect Groups and Automate Them ........................................ 885
883
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 21
18.3 Special Tricks ............................................................................................................................. 886
18.3.1 Changing Pattern Length for Variation ...................................................................... 886
18.3.2 Load Long Audio Files and Play with the Start Point .................................................. 886
19 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................
19.1 Knowledge Base ......................................................................................................................... 887
19.2 Technical Support .......................................................................................................................887
19.3 Registration Support .................................................................................................................. 888
19.4 User Forum ................................................................................................................................. 888
20 Glossary ...................................................................................................................
Table of Contents
887
889
Index ........................................................................................................................
897
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 22
Welcome to MASCHINE
1 Welcome to MASCHINE
Thank you for buying MASCHINE!
MASCHINE is a groove production studio that implements the familiar working style of classical groove boxes along with the advantages of a computer based system. MASCHINE is ideal
for making music live, as well as in the studio. It’s the hands-on aspect of a dedicated instrument, the MASCHINE hardware controller, united with the advanced editing features of the
MASCHINE software.
Creating beats is often not very intuitive with a computer, but using the MASCHINE hardware
controller to do it makes it easy and fun. You can tap in freely with the pads or use Note Repeat to jam along. Alternatively, build your beats using the step sequencer just as in classic
drum machines.
Patterns can be intuitively combined and rearranged on the fly to form larger ideas. You can try
out several different versions of a song without ever having to stop the music.
Since you can integrate it into any sequencer that supports VST, AU, or AAX plug-ins, you can
reap the benefits in almost any software setup, or use it as a stand-alone application. You can
sample your own material, slice loops and rearrange them easily.
However, MASCHINE is a lot more than an ordinary groovebox or sampler: it comes with an
inspiring 7-gigabyte library, and a sophisticated, yet easy to use tag-based Browser to give you
instant access to the sounds you are looking for.
What’s more, MASCHINE provides lots of options for manipulating your sounds via internal effects and other sound-shaping possibilities. You can also control external MIDI hardware and
3rd-party software with the MASCHINE hardware controller, while customizing the functions of
the pads, knobs and buttons according to your needs utilizing the included Controller Editor
application. We hope you enjoy this fantastic instrument as much as we do. Now let’s get going!
—The MASCHINE team at Native Instruments.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 23
Welcome to MASCHINE
MASCHINE Documentation
1.1 MASCHINE Documentation
Native Instruments provide many information sources regarding MASCHINE. The main documents should be read in the following sequence:
1. MASCHINE Getting Started: 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 MIKRO - Manual - 24
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 MIKRO - Manual - 25
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.8
▪ 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.
1.3 New Features in MASCHINE 2.8
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 26
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.8
Sounds.com Integration
▪ Browse on Sounds.com, create your own collections of loops and one-shots and send them
directly to the MASCHINE browser.
Improvements to the Browser
▪ Samples are now cataloged in separate Loops and One-shots tabs in the Browser.
▪ Previews of loops selected in the Browser will be played in sync with the current project.
When a loop is selected with Prehear turned on, it will begin playing immediately in-sync
with the project if transport is running. If a loop preview starts part-way through the loop,
the loop will play once more for its full length to ensure you get to hear the entire loop
once in context with your project.
▪ Filters and product selections will be remembered when switching between content types
and Factory/User Libraries in the Browser.
▪ Browser content synchronization between multiple running instances. When running multi-
ple instances of MASCHINE, either as Standalone and/or as a plug-in, updates to the Library will be synced across the instances. For example, if you delete a sample from your
User Library in one instance, the sample will no longer be present in the other instances.
Similarly, if you save a preset in one instance, that preset will then be available in the other instances, too.
▪ Edits made to samples in the Factory Libraries will be saved to the Standard User Directo-
ry.
For more information on these new features, refer to the following chapter ↑4, Browser.
Improved Support for A-Series Keyboards
▪ When Browsing with A-Series keyboards, you can now jump quickly to the results list by
holding SHIFT and pushing right on the 4D Encoder.
▪ When Browsing with A-Series keyboards, you can fast scroll through the Browser results list
by holding SHIFT and twisting the 4D Encoder.
▪ Mute and Solo Sounds and Groups from A-Series keyboards. Sounds are muted in TRACK
mode while Groups are muted in IDEAS.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 27
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.10
▪ Adjust Pattern Length with A-Series keyboards. Push the 4D Encoder on a Pattern in
IDEAS. Twist for 1 bar increments, or hold SHIFT and twist for finer increments. Press
again to set.
▪ Clear patterns from A-Series keyboards by holding SHIFT and pressing STOP.
1.4 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.10
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
New Hardware Support
▪ Support for KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series keyboards.
Audio Plug-in Improvements
▪ Added Edit Tab to Audio plug-in: Like the Sampler plug-in, you can now perform destruc-
tive audio edits to loops loaded into the Audio plug-in via the new Edit tab.
▪ Added Usable Play Range for Audio plug-in: in the Edit tab of the Audio plug-in, there are
now Playable Range Start and End markers which can be used to isolate only a portion of
the loaded audio file that you wish to loop. The timeline along the top of the waveform now
shows musical units rather than samples.
For more information on editing audio, refer to ↑8, Using the Audio Plug-in.
General Improvements
▪ Items can now be dragged from the Browser to external locations.
1.5 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.8
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
New Hardware Support
▪ Support for KOMPLETE KONTROL S88 MK2
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 28
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.7
▪ Support for MASCHINE MIKRO MK3 hardware
1.6 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.7
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
Audio plug-in Improvements
▪ Added a Formant mode to the Audio plug-in which preserves formants when pitching an
audio loop up or down. This can be particularly useful when working with vocal material.
For more information, refer to ↑8, Using the Audio Plug-in.
▪ The Engine Modes are now listed in order of CPU load, from lowest (Re-pitch) to highest
(Formant).
▪ The Take Recording workflow has been improved by muting the previously-playing Take
when you trigger a new recording so you're not distracted hearing the old Take while trying
to record a new one. If you abort the recording, the previously-playing Take will be restored.
▪ The Pattern Recording workflow has been improved by muting the previously-playing Pat-
tern when you trigger a new recording so you're not distracted hearing the old Pattern while
trying to record a new one. If you abort the recording, the previously-playing Pattern will be
restored.
▪ When you drag a bounced audio file from the Pattern Editor dragger to a Sound Slot or
Group, MASCHINE will now load this into an Audio plug-in instead of a Sampler.
▪ When Exporting loop content from MASCHINE, the Project Tempo will now be written into
the files. MASCHINE will read this tempo when later loading this file into the Audio plugin.
▪ MASCHINE now writes both the Tempo and Loop tags to recordings made with Loop mode.
Tempo is attached to recordings made in Sync mode. These recordings will therefore always be in sync with the project when loading them into an Audio plug-in.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 29
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.7
Pattern Editor
▪ The number of tools available in the software for editing the Patterns has been reduced
due to redundant functionality. Instead of an arrow, a pencil, and an eraser, there is now
just a pencil tool which can be toggled on and off. When the pencil is off, the mouse will
behave as it did when using the arrow tool (and the mouse will look like a normal arrow in
this mode). When the pencil is on, this enables the same pencil/paint functionality as before (and the mouse will look like a pencil when in this mode). For more information, see
↑11.4.1, Editing Events with the Mouse: an Overview.
▪ There are some changes to keyboard shortcut behavior as they relate to view switching in
the pattern editor:
◦ W = toggle between Group view and Keyboard view
◦ S = toggle Sampling view on/off
◦ E = toggle Pencil/Paint on/off
Recording
▪ You can now engage count-in recording from the software while the playhead is moving via
Command + Shift + Space (macOS) or Ctrl + Shift + Space (Windows).
General Improvements
▪ There are now previews of all Groups/Kits and Sounds in the MASCHINE Factory Library. In
order for the previews to be available, you must first install the Factory Library v1.3.2 update.
▪ The "Use latest version of NI plug-ins" preference has had its functionality extended to
project loading (previously, it was limited to the loading of presets). For example, if you
made a project that used REAKTOR 5 but you also have REAKTOR 6 installed, enabling
this preference will cause REAKTOR 6 to be loaded in all instances when loading up the
project. When running in Standalone mode, a dialog box will be presented showing which
plug-ins were updated. This function will also happen automatically if you only have the
newest plug-in version installed, regardless of whether the preference is enabled or not, to
ensure you can load the older project rather than getting the annoying "Could not load 1 or
more plug-ins" error. For more information, see ↑3.6.6, Preferences – Plug-ins Page.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 30
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