Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK1 Operation Manual v2.7.6
MANUAL
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media. No part of this
publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose,
without prior written permission by Native Instruments GmbH, hereinafter referred to as Native
Instruments.
“Native Instruments”, “NI” and associated logos are (registered) trademarks of Native Instruments GmbH.
ASIO, VST, HALion and Cubase are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH.
All other product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
Document authored by: David Gover and Nico Sidi.
Software version: 2.7.6 (05/2018)
Hardware version: MASCHINE 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
203B & 201B, Nanshan E-Commerce Base Of
Innovative Services
Shi Yun Road, Shekou, Nanshan, Shenzhen
China
www.native-instruments.com
© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2018. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Welcome to MASCHINE .............................................................................................
1.1 MASCHINE Documentation .......................................................................................................... 23
1.2 Document Conventions ............................................................................................................... 24
1.3 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4 ............................................................................................... 25
1.4 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3 ............................................................................................... 28
2 Basic Concepts .........................................................................................................
2.1 Important Names and Concepts ................................................................................................. 30
2.2 Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface ..................................................................................... 33
2.3 Common Operations ................................................................................................................... 37
2.4 Native Kontrol Standard ............................................................................................................. 54
2.5 Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................................................................... 55
2.2.1 Adjusting the Size of the Interface ............................................................................. 33
2.2.2 Switching between Ideas View and Arranger View ..................................................... 34
2.2.3 Showing/Hiding the Browser ...................................................................................... 35
2.2.4 Minimizing the Mixer ................................................................................................. 35
2.2.5 Showing/Hiding the Control Lane .............................................................................. 36
2.3.1 Pinning a Mode on the Controller ............................................................................... 37
2.3.2 Undo/Redo ................................................................................................................. 38
2.3.3 Focusing on a Group or a Sound ................................................................................ 40
2.3.4 Switching Between the Master, Group, and Sound Level ........................................... 45
2.3.5 Navigating Channel Properties, Plug-ins, and Parameter Pages in the Control Area . 46
2.3.6 Using Two or More Hardware Controllers ................................................................... 52
2.5.1 Differences between Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................. 56
2.5.2 Switching Instances .................................................................................................. 57
2.5.3 Controlling Various Instances with Different Controllers ........................................... 58
22
30
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 4
2.6 Preferences .................................................................................................................................58
2.7 Integrating MASCHINE into a MIDI Setup .................................................................................... 92
2.6.1 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 59
2.6.2 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 63
2.6.3 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 66
2.6.4 Preferences – Default Page ....................................................................................... 69
2.6.5 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 73
2.6.6 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 81
2.6.7 Preferences – Hardware Page .................................................................................... 86
2.6.8 Preferences – Colors Page ......................................................................................... 89
2.7.1 Connecting External MIDI Equipment ........................................................................ 92
2.7.2 Sync to External MIDI Clock ....................................................................................... 92
2.7.3 Send MIDI Clock ......................................................................................................... 93
3 Browser ....................................................................................................................
Table of Contents
95
3.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 95
3.2 Searching and Loading Files from the Library ............................................................................ 97
3.1.1 The MASCHINE Library ............................................................................................... 95
3.1.2 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 96
3.2.1 Overview of the LIBRARY Pane ................................................................................... 97
3.2.2 Selecting or Loading a Product and Selecting a Bank from the Browser .................... 101
3.2.3 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank ........................... 106
3.2.3.1 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank on the
3.2.4 Selecting a File Type .................................................................................................. 112
3.2.5 Choosing Between Factory and User Content ............................................................. 113
3.2.6 Selecting Type and Mode Tags ................................................................................... 113
Controller ...................................................................................................111
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 5
Table of Contents
3.3 Additional Browsing Tools .......................................................................................................... 126
3.4 Using Favorites in the Browser ................................................................................................... 132
3.5 Editing the Files’ Tags and Properties ........................................................................................ 138
3.6 Loading and Importing Files from Your File System .................................................................... 144
3.7 Locating Missing Samples .......................................................................................................... 154
3.8 Using Quick Browse .................................................................................................................... 156
3.2.7 Performing a Text Search ........................................................................................... 120
3.2.8 Loading a File from the Result List ............................................................................ 120
3.3.1 Loading the Selected Files Automatically .................................................................. 126
3.3.2 Auditioning Instrument Presets ................................................................................. 127
3.3.3 Auditioning Samples ................................................................................................. 129
3.3.4 Loading Groups with Patterns ................................................................................... 130
3.3.5 Loading Groups with Routing .................................................................................... 131
3.3.6 Displaying File Information ........................................................................................ 131
3.5.1 Attribute Editor Basics .............................................................................................. 138
3.5.2 The BANK Page .......................................................................................................... 140
3.5.3 The TYPES and MODES Pages .................................................................................... 140
3.5.4 The PROPERTIES Page ............................................................................................... 143
3.6.1 Overview of the FILES Pane ........................................................................................ 144
3.6.2 Using Favorites .......................................................................................................... 146
3.6.3 Using the Location Bar .............................................................................................. 147
3.6.4 Navigating to Recent Locations ................................................................................. 148
3.6.5 Using the Result List ................................................................................................. 149
3.6.6 Importing Files to the MASCHINE Library ................................................................... 152
4 Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project ...............................................................
159
4.1 Overview of the Sounds, Groups, and Master .............................................................................. 159
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 6
Table of Contents
4.2 Managing Sounds .......................................................................................................................167
4.3 Managing Groups ....................................................................................................................... 181
4.4 Exporting MASCHINE Objects and Audio ..................................................................................... 195
4.5 Importing Third-Party File Formats ............................................................................................. 205
4.1.1 The Sound, Group, and Master Channels ................................................................... 160
4.1.2 Similarities and Differences in Handling Sounds and Groups ................................... 161
4.1.3 Selecting Multiple Sounds or Groups ......................................................................... 162
4.2.1 Loading Sounds ......................................................................................................... 169
4.2.2 Pre-listening to Sounds ............................................................................................. 170
4.2.3 Renaming Sound Slots .............................................................................................. 171
4.2.4 Changing the Sound’s Color ...................................................................................... 172
4.2.5 Saving Sounds ........................................................................................................... 173
4.2.6 Copying and Pasting Sounds ..................................................................................... 175
4.2.7 Moving Sounds .......................................................................................................... 178
4.2.8 Resetting Sound Slots ............................................................................................... 179
4.3.1 Creating Groups ........................................................................................................ 182
4.3.2 Loading Groups ......................................................................................................... 184
4.3.3 Renaming Groups ...................................................................................................... 185
4.3.4 Changing the Group’s Color ....................................................................................... 186
4.3.5 Saving Groups ........................................................................................................... 187
4.3.6 Copying and Pasting Groups ..................................................................................... 189
4.3.7 Reordering Groups ..................................................................................................... 193
4.3.8 Deleting Groups ......................................................................................................... 194
4.4.1 Saving a Group with its Samples ............................................................................... 195
4.4.2 Saving a Project with its Samples ............................................................................. 197
4.4.3 Exporting Audio ......................................................................................................... 199
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 7
Table of Contents
4.5.1 Loading REX Files into Sound Slots ........................................................................... 205
4.5.2 Importing MPC Programs to Groups ........................................................................... 206
5 Playing on the Controller ...........................................................................................
5.1 Adjusting the Pads ..................................................................................................................... 210
5.2 Adjusting the Key, Choke, and Link Parameters for Multiple Sounds .......................................... 221
5.3 Adjusting the Base Key ............................................................................................................... 222
5.4 Playing Tools .............................................................................................................................. 223
5.5 Performance Features ................................................................................................................. 235
5.1.1 The Pad View in the Software .................................................................................... 210
5.1.2 Choosing a Pad Input Mode ....................................................................................... 212
5.1.3 Adjusting the Base Key .............................................................................................. 215
5.1.4 Using Choke Groups .................................................................................................. 216
5.1.5 Using Link Groups ..................................................................................................... 219
5.4.1 Mute and Solo ............................................................................................................ 224
5.4.2 Choke All Notes .......................................................................................................... 228
5.4.3 Groove ....................................................................................................................... 229
5.4.4 Level, Tempo, Tune, and Groove Shortcuts on Your Controller .................................... 231
5.5.1 Overview of the Perform Features .............................................................................. 235
5.5.2 Selecting a Scale and Creating Chords ..................................................................... 237
5.5.3 Scale and Chord Parameters ..................................................................................... 238
5.5.4 Creating Arpeggios and Repeated Notes ................................................................... 249
5.5.5 Swing on Note Repeat / Arp Output ........................................................................... 250
6 Working with Plug-ins ...............................................................................................
210
251
6.1 Plug-in Overview ........................................................................................................................ 251
6.1.1 Plug-in Basics ........................................................................................................... 251
6.1.2 First Plug-in Slot of Sounds: Choosing the Sound’s Role ........................................... 255
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 8
Table of Contents
6.2 The Sampler Plug-in ................................................................................................................... 0
6.3 Using Native Instruments and External Plug-ins ........................................................................ 0
6.1.3 Loading, Removing, and Replacing a Plug-in ............................................................ 256
6.1.4 Adjusting the Plug-in Parameters ............................................................................. 0
6.1.5 Bypassing Plug-in Slots ............................................................................................ 0
6.1.6 Using Side-Chain ...................................................................................................... 0
6.1.7 Moving Plug-ins ........................................................................................................ 0
6.1.8 Alternative: the Plug-in Strip ..................................................................................... 0
6.1.9 Saving and Recalling Plug-in Presets ....................................................................... 0
6.1.9.1 Saving Plug-in Presets .............................................................................. 0
6.1.9.2 Recalling Plug-in Presets .......................................................................... 0
6.1.9.3 Removing a Default Plug-in Preset ............................................................ 0
6.2.1 Page 1: Voice Settings / Engine ................................................................................. 0
6.2.2 Page 2: Pitch / Envelope ............................................................................................ 0
6.2.3 Page 3: FX / Filter ...................................................................................................... 0
6.2.4 Page 4: Modulation .................................................................................................... 0
6.2.5 Page 5: LFO ............................................................................................................... 0
6.2.6 Page 6: Velocity / Modwheel ...................................................................................... 0
6.3.1 Opening/Closing Plug-in Windows ............................................................................. 0
6.3.2 Using the VST/AU Plug-in Parameters ....................................................................... 0
6.3.3 Setting Up Your Own Parameter Pages ...................................................................... 0
6.3.4 Using VST/AU Plug-in Presets .................................................................................... 0
6.3.5 Multiple-Output Plug-ins and Multitimbral Plug-ins ................................................. 0
7 Using the Audio Plug-in .............................................................................................
0
7.1 Loading a Loop into the Audio Plug-in ........................................................................................ 0
7.2 Using Loop Mode ........................................................................................................................ 0
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 9
7.3 Using Gate Mode ........................................................................................................................ 306
8 Using the Drumsynths ................................................................................................
8.1 Drumsynths – General Handling ................................................................................................. 309
8.2 The Kicks .................................................................................................................................... 313
8.3 The Snares ..................................................................................................................................332
8.1.1 Engines: Many Different Drums per Drumsynth ......................................................... 309
8.1.2 Common Parameter Organization .............................................................................. 309
8.1.3 Shared Parameters .................................................................................................... 312
8.1.4 Various Velocity Responses ....................................................................................... 312
8.1.5 Pitch Range, Tuning, and MIDI Notes ........................................................................ 312
8.2.1 Kick – Sub ................................................................................................................. 315
8.2.2 Kick – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 317
8.2.3 Kick – Dusty .............................................................................................................. 320
8.2.4 Kick – Grit ................................................................................................................. 321
8.2.5 Kick – Rasper ............................................................................................................ 324
8.2.6 Kick – Snappy ............................................................................................................ 325
8.2.7 Kick – Bold ................................................................................................................ 327
8.2.8 Kick – Maple .............................................................................................................. 329
8.2.9 Kick – Push ............................................................................................................... 330
8.3.1 Snare – Volt ............................................................................................................... 334
8.3.2 Snare – Bit ................................................................................................................ 336
8.3.3 Snare – Pow .............................................................................................................. 338
8.3.4 Snare – Sharp ........................................................................................................... 339
8.3.5 Snare – Airy ............................................................................................................... 341
8.3.6 Snare – Vintage ......................................................................................................... 343
8.3.7 Snare – Chrome ......................................................................................................... 345
Table of Contents
308
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 10
Table of Contents
8.4 The Hi-hats .................................................................................................................................353
8.5 The Toms .................................................................................................................................... 363
8.6 The Percussions ..........................................................................................................................374
8.7 The Cymbals ............................................................................................................................... 385
8.3.8 Snare – Iron ............................................................................................................... 347
8.3.9 Snare – Clap ............................................................................................................. 349
8.3.10 Snare – Breaker ......................................................................................................... 351
8.4.1 Hi-hat – Silver ........................................................................................................... 354
8.4.2 Hi-hat – Circuit ......................................................................................................... 356
8.4.3 Hi-hat – Memory ........................................................................................................ 358
8.4.4 Hi-hat – Hybrid ......................................................................................................... 360
8.4.5 Creating a Pattern with Closed and Open Hi-hats ..................................................... 362
8.5.1 Tom – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 365
8.5.2 Tom – Fractal ............................................................................................................ 367
8.5.3 Tom – Floor ................................................................................................................ 371
8.5.4 Tom – High ................................................................................................................ 373
8.6.1 Percussion – Fractal .................................................................................................. 376
8.6.2 Percussion – Kettle .................................................................................................... 379
8.6.3 Percussion – Shaker .................................................................................................. 381
8.7.1 Cymbal – Crash ......................................................................................................... 387
8.7.2 Cymbal – Ride ........................................................................................................... 389
9 Using the Bass Synth .................................................................................................
392
9.1 Bass Synth – General Handling .................................................................................................. 393
9.1.1 Parameter Organization ............................................................................................. 393
9.1.2 Bass Synth Parameters ............................................................................................. 395
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 11
Table of Contents
10 Working with Patterns ...............................................................................................
10.1 Pattern Basics ............................................................................................................................ 397
10.2 Recording Patterns in Real Time ................................................................................................ 417
10.3 Recording Patterns with the Step Sequencer .............................................................................. 425
10.4 Editing Events ............................................................................................................................ 433
10.1.1 Pattern Editor Overview ............................................................................................. 398
10.1.2 Navigating the Event Area ......................................................................................... 401
10.1.3 Following the Playback Position in the Pattern .......................................................... 403
10.1.4 Jumping to Another Playback Position in the Pattern ................................................. 405
10.1.5 Group View and Keyboard View .................................................................................. 406
10.1.6 Adjusting the Arrange Grid and the Pattern Length ................................................... 409
10.1.7 Adjusting the Step Grid and the Nudge Grid .............................................................. 412
10.2.1 Recording Your Patterns Live ..................................................................................... 417
10.2.2 The Record Prepare Mode .......................................................................................... 420
10.2.3 Using the Metronome ................................................................................................. 421
10.2.4 Recording with Count-in ............................................................................................ 422
10.2.5 Quantizing while Recording ....................................................................................... 424
10.3.1 Step Mode Basics ...................................................................................................... 425
10.3.2 Editing Events in Step Mode ...................................................................................... 431
10.4.1 Editing Events with the Mouse: an Overview ............................................................. 434
10.4.2 Creating Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 437
10.4.3 Selecting Events/Notes .............................................................................................. 438
10.4.4 Editing Selected Events/Notes ................................................................................... 441
10.4.5 Deleting Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 444
10.4.6 Cut, Copy, and Paste Events/Notes ............................................................................ 447
10.4.7 Quantizing Events/Notes ........................................................................................... 450
397
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 12
Table of Contents
10.5 Recording and Editing Modulation ............................................................................................. 458
10.6 Creating MIDI Tracks from Scratch in MASCHINE ....................................................................... 467
10.7 Managing Patterns ..................................................................................................................... 469
10.8 Importing/Exporting Audio and MIDI to/from Patterns ................................................................ 488
10.4.8 Quantization While Playing ........................................................................................ 452
10.4.9 Doubling a Pattern .................................................................................................... 453
10.4.10 Adding Variation to Patterns ..................................................................................... 453
10.5.1 Which Parameters Are Modulatable? ......................................................................... 459
10.5.2 Recording Modulation ................................................................................................ 460
10.5.3 Creating and Editing Modulation in the Control Lane ................................................ 462
10.7.1 The Pattern Manager and Pattern Mode .................................................................... 470
10.7.2 Selecting Patterns and Pattern Banks ....................................................................... 472
10.7.3 Creating Patterns ...................................................................................................... 474
10.7.4 Deleting Patterns ....................................................................................................... 476
10.7.5 Creating and Deleting Pattern Banks ........................................................................ 478
10.7.6 Naming Patterns ....................................................................................................... 480
10.7.7 Changing the Pattern’s Color .................................................................................... 483
10.7.8 Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Patterns .............................................................. 484
10.7.9 Moving Patterns ........................................................................................................ 487
10.7.10 Adjusting Pattern Length in Fine Increments ............................................................. 488
10.8.1 Exporting Audio from Patterns ................................................................................... 488
10.8.2 Exporting MIDI from Patterns ..................................................................................... 490
10.8.3 Importing MIDI to Patterns ........................................................................................ 492
11 Audio Routing, Remote Control, and Macro Controls ....................................................
501
11.1 Audio Routing in MASCHINE ....................................................................................................... 502
11.1.1 Sending External Audio to Sounds ............................................................................. 503
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 13
Table of Contents
11.2 Using MIDI Control and Host Automation .................................................................................... 526
11.3 Creating Custom Sets of Parameters with the Macro Controls ................................................... 548
11.1.2 Configuring the Main Output of Sounds and Groups ................................................. 508
11.1.3 Setting Up Auxiliary Outputs for Sounds and Groups ................................................. 513
11.1.4 Configuring the Master and Cue Outputs of MASCHINE ............................................. 517
11.1.5 Mono Audio Inputs ..................................................................................................... 522
11.1.5.1 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in Mix View ..................................523
11.1.5.2 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in MASCHINE MIKRO ....................526
11.2.1 Triggering Sounds via MIDI Notes .............................................................................. 527
11.2.2 Triggering Scenes via MIDI ........................................................................................ 534
11.2.3 Controlling Parameters via MIDI and Host Automation .............................................. 535
11.2.4 Selecting VST/AU Plug-in Presets via MIDI Program Change ..................................... 543
11.2.5 Sending MIDI from Sounds ........................................................................................ 544
11.3.1 Macro Control Overview ............................................................................................. 549
11.3.2 Assigning Macro Controls Using the Software ........................................................... 550
12 Controlling Your Mix ..................................................................................................
12.1 Mix View Basics .......................................................................................................................... 557
12.2 The Mixer .................................................................................................................................... 560
12.1.1 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View ......................................................... 557
12.1.2 Mix View Elements ..................................................................................................... 558
12.2.1 Displaying Groups vs. Displaying Sounds .................................................................. 561
12.2.2 Adjusting the Mixer Layout ........................................................................................ 563
12.2.3 Selecting Channel Strips ........................................................................................... 564
12.2.4 Managing Your Channels in the Mixer ....................................................................... 565
12.2.5 Adjusting Settings in the Channel Strips ................................................................... 567
12.2.6 Using the Cue Bus ..................................................................................................... 572
557
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 14
12.3 The Plug-in Chain .......................................................................................................................574
12.4 The Plug-in Strip ........................................................................................................................ 575
12.4.1 The Plug-in Header .................................................................................................... 577
12.4.2 Panels for Drumsynths and Internal Effects .............................................................. 579
12.4.3 Panel for the Sampler ................................................................................................ 580
12.4.4 Custom Panels for Native Instruments Plug-ins ........................................................ 583
12.4.5 Undocking a Plug-in Panel (Native Instruments and External Plug-ins Only) ............ 587
13 Using Effects .............................................................................................................
13.1 Applying Effects to a Sound, a Group or the Master .................................................................... 590
13.2 Applying Effects to External Audio .............................................................................................. 604
13.3 Creating a Send Effect ............................................................................................................... 611
13.4 Creating Multi-Effects ................................................................................................................ 618
13.1.1 Adding an Effect ........................................................................................................ 590
13.1.2 Other Operations on Effects ....................................................................................... 599
13.1.3 Using the Side-Chain Input ....................................................................................... 601
13.2.1 Step 1: Configure MASCHINE Audio Inputs ................................................................ 604
13.2.2 Step 2: Set up a Sound to Receive the External Input ................................................ 607
13.2.3 Step 3: Load an Effect to Process an Input ................................................................ 609
13.3.1 Step 1: Set Up a Sound or Group as Send Effect ........................................................ 611
13.3.2 Step 2: Route Audio to the Send Effect ...................................................................... 615
13.3.3 A Few Notes on Send Effects ...................................................................................... 617
14 Effect Reference ........................................................................................................
Table of Contents
590
621
14.1 Dynamics ....................................................................................................................................622
14.1.1 Compressor ............................................................................................................... 622
14.1.2 Gate ........................................................................................................................... 626
14.1.3 Transient Master ....................................................................................................... 629
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 15
Table of Contents
14.2 Filtering Effects .......................................................................................................................... 639
14.3 Modulation Effects ..................................................................................................................... 648
14.4 Spatial and Reverb Effects ......................................................................................................... 656
14.5 Delays .........................................................................................................................................670
14.1.4 Limiter ....................................................................................................................... 631
14.1.5 Maximizer .................................................................................................................. 636
14.2.1 EQ .............................................................................................................................. 639
14.2.2 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 642
14.2.3 Cabinet ...................................................................................................................... 646
14.3.1 Chorus ....................................................................................................................... 648
14.3.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 649
14.3.3 FM ............................................................................................................................. 651
14.3.4 Freq Shifter ................................................................................................................ 653
14.3.5 Phaser ....................................................................................................................... 654
14.4.1 Ice ............................................................................................................................. 656
14.4.2 Metaverb ................................................................................................................... 657
14.4.3 Reflex ........................................................................................................................ 659
14.4.4 Reverb (Legacy) ......................................................................................................... 660
14.4.5 Reverb ....................................................................................................................... 662
14.4.5.1 Reverb Room .............................................................................................663
14.4.5.2 Reverb Hall ................................................................................................666
14.4.5.3 Plate Reverb ..............................................................................................668
14.5.1 Beat Delay ................................................................................................................. 670
14.5.2 Grain Delay ................................................................................................................ 673
14.5.3 Grain Stretch ............................................................................................................. 675
14.5.4 Resochord .................................................................................................................. 677
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 16
14.6 Distortion Effects ........................................................................................................................ 679
14.7 Perform FX .................................................................................................................................. 688
14.6.1 Distortion ................................................................................................................... 679
14.6.2 Lofi ............................................................................................................................ 681
14.6.3 Saturator ................................................................................................................... 682
14.6.4 Analog Distortion ....................................................................................................... 686
14.7.1 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 689
14.7.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 691
14.7.3 Burst Echo ................................................................................................................. 693
14.7.4 Reso Echo .................................................................................................................. 695
14.7.5 Ring ........................................................................................................................... 698
14.7.6 Stutter ....................................................................................................................... 700
14.7.7 Tremolo ...................................................................................................................... 703
14.7.8 Scratcher ................................................................................................................... 706
15 Working with the Arranger .........................................................................................
Table of Contents
709
15.1 Arranger Basics .......................................................................................................................... 709
15.2 Using Ideas View ........................................................................................................................ 717
15.1.1 Navigating the Arranger ............................................................................................ 712
15.1.2 Following the Playback Position in Your Project ......................................................... 714
15.1.3 Jumping to Other Sections ......................................................................................... 715
15.2.1 Scene Overview .......................................................................................................... 718
15.2.2 Creating Scenes ........................................................................................................ 719
15.2.3 Assigning and Removing Patterns ............................................................................. 720
15.2.4 Selecting Scenes ....................................................................................................... 723
15.2.5 Deleting Scenes ......................................................................................................... 724
15.2.6 Creating and Deleting Scene Banks .......................................................................... 726
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 17
Table of Contents
15.3 Using Song View ......................................................................................................................... 734
15.2.7 Clearing Scenes ......................................................................................................... 726
15.2.8 Duplicating Scenes .................................................................................................... 727
15.2.9 Reordering Scenes ..................................................................................................... 728
15.2.10 Making Scenes Unique .............................................................................................. 729
15.2.11 Appending Scenes to Arrangement ............................................................................ 730
15.2.12 Naming Scenes .......................................................................................................... 732
15.2.13 Changing the Color of a Scene .................................................................................. 733
15.3.1 Section Management Overview .................................................................................. 734
15.3.2 Creating Sections ...................................................................................................... 736
15.3.3 Assigning a Scene to a Section .................................................................................. 737
15.3.4 Selecting Sections and Section Banks ....................................................................... 738
15.3.5 Reorganizing Sections ............................................................................................... 742
15.3.6 Adjusting the Length of a Section .............................................................................. 744
15.3.6.1 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Software ...............................745
15.3.6.2 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Controller .............................747
15.3.7 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................................ 747
15.3.8 Duplicating Sections ................................................................................................. 747
15.3.8.1 Making Sections Unique ............................................................................749
15.3.9 Removing Sections .................................................................................................... 750
15.3.10 Renaming Scenes ...................................................................................................... 751
15.3.11 Clearing Sections ...................................................................................................... 752
15.3.12 Creating and Deleting Section Banks ........................................................................ 753
15.3.13 Working with Patterns in Song view ........................................................................... 753
15.3.13.1 Creating a Pattern in Song View ................................................................753
15.3.13.2 Selecting a Pattern in Song View ...............................................................754
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 18
Table of Contents
15.4 Playing with Sections ................................................................................................................. 759
15.5 Triggering Sections or Scenes via MIDI ....................................................................................... 761
15.6 The Arrange Grid .........................................................................................................................763
15.7 Quick Grid ...................................................................................................................................765
15.3.14 Enabling Auto Length ................................................................................................ 755
15.3.15 Looping ...................................................................................................................... 757
15.4.1 Jumping to another Playback Position in Your Project ............................................... 759
15.3.13.3 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................754
15.3.13.4 Renaming a Pattern in Song View ............................................................. 754
15.3.13.5 Coloring a Pattern in Song View ................................................................ 754
15.3.13.6 Removing a Pattern in Song View ..............................................................755
15.3.13.7 Duplicating a Pattern in Song View ...........................................................755
15.3.15.1 Setting the Loop Range in the Software .....................................................757
15.3.15.2 Setting the Loop Range Using the Controller .............................................758
16 Sampling and Sample Mapping ..................................................................................
16.1 Opening the Sample Editor ......................................................................................................... 767
16.2 Recording Audio ......................................................................................................................... 769
16.3 Editing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 787
16.4 Slicing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 802
16.2.1 Opening the Record Page .......................................................................................... 770
16.2.2 Selecting the Source and the Recording Mode ........................................................... 771
16.2.3 Arming, Starting, and Stopping the Recording .......................................................... 779
16.2.5 Checking Your Recordings ......................................................................................... 783
16.2.6 Location and Name of Your Recorded Samples .......................................................... 787
16.3.1 Using the Edit Page ................................................................................................... 788
16.3.2 Audio Editing Functions ............................................................................................. 794
767
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 19
Table of Contents
16.5 Mapping Samples to Zones ........................................................................................................ 822
16.4.1 Opening the Slice Page .............................................................................................. 803
16.4.2 Adjusting the Slicing Settings ................................................................................... 804
16.4.3 Live Slicing ................................................................................................................ 809
16.4.3.1 Live Slicing Using MASCHINE MIKRO .........................................................809
16.4.3.2 Delete All Slices .........................................................................................810
16.4.4 Manually Adjusting Your Slices ................................................................................. 811
16.4.5 Applying the Slicing ................................................................................................... 816
16.5.1 Opening the Zone Page .............................................................................................. 822
16.5.2 Zone Page Overview ................................................................................................... 823
16.5.3 Selecting and Managing Zones in the Zone List ........................................................ 825
16.5.4 Selecting and Editing Zones in the Map View ............................................................ 830
16.5.5 Editing Zones in the Sample View ............................................................................. 834
16.5.6 Adjusting the Zone Settings ...................................................................................... 837
16.5.7 Adding Samples to the Sample Map .......................................................................... 844
17 Appendix: Tips for Playing Live ..................................................................................
17.1 Preparations ............................................................................................................................... 847
17.2 Basic Techniques ....................................................................................................................... 849
17.1.1 Focus on the Hardware .............................................................................................. 847
17.1.2 Customize the Pads of the Hardware ......................................................................... 847
17.1.3 Check Your CPU Power Before Playing ....................................................................... 847
17.1.4 Name and Color Your Groups, Patterns, Sounds and Scenes ..................................... 848
17.1.5 Consider Using a Limiter on Your Master ................................................................... 848
17.1.6 Hook Up Your Other Gear and Sync It with MIDI Clock ................................................ 848
17.1.7 Improvise ................................................................................................................... 848
17.2.1 Use Mute and Solo ..................................................................................................... 849
847
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 20
Table of Contents
17.3 Special Tricks ............................................................................................................................. 850
17.2.2 Use Scene Mode and Tweak the Loop Range .............................................................. 849
17.2.3 Create Variations of Your Drum Patterns in the Step Sequencer ................................ 849
17.2.4 Use Note Repeat ........................................................................................................ 849
17.2.5 Set Up Your Own Multi-effect Groups and Automate Them ........................................ 850
17.3.1 Changing Pattern Length for Variation ...................................................................... 850
17.3.2 Using Loops to Cycle Through Samples ..................................................................... 850
17.3.3 Load Long Audio Files and Play with the Start Point .................................................. 850
18 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................
18.1 Knowledge Base ......................................................................................................................... 851
18.2 Technical Support .......................................................................................................................851
18.3 Registration Support .................................................................................................................. 852
18.4 User Forum ................................................................................................................................. 852
19 Glossary ...................................................................................................................
Index ........................................................................................................................
851
853
861
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 21
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 - 22
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 - 23
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 - 24
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4
▪ 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 2.7.4
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 25
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4
Audio Plug-in Improvements
▪ Added a new Target parameter to the Loop recording mode of the Sampling Page which de-
termines what should be done with a new recording when the recording is complete. Take
simply adds the new recording to the Audio Pool of the current plug-in, Sound puts the
new recording into an Audio plug-in in the next unoccupied Sound Slot (useful for layering
the recording with whatever else is in the current Pattern, like a guitar looper pedal), and
Pattern puts the new recording into an Audio plug-in in the next unoccupied Sound Slot
and additionally creates a new Pattern where only this loop is being played (useful for capturing different versions of a part and quickly reviewing them by switching Patterns). For
more information, refer to ↑16.2, Recording Audio.
▪ Added a new workflow to MASCHINE JAM which automates the use of the new Target pa-
rameter for fast sampling and layering. Holding the IN 1 button enables this new Loop Recording mode (it’s also helpful to pin this mode on by holding IN 1 and pressing the SONG
button). While this new Loop Recording mode is active, pressing an existing Pattern will
trigger a recording of a new loop which is then added as a new Sound in the existing Pattern; doing this repeatedly allows you to quickly layer recordings on top of each other. Alternatively, pressing an empty Pattern button will trigger a recording and will then place
that recording in a new Sound Slot and a new Pattern will be created where only the new
loop is playing back. When pressing the IN 1 button, External Input 1 is selected as the
source for the recording. Pressing GRP while in the Loop Recording mode will select the
focused Group as the source. Pressing MST will select MASCHINE’s Master output as the
source (for resampling what is currently playing). For more information, refer to the MASCHINE JAM Manual available from Help menu.
▪ Added footswitch control of Sampling. When in the Sampling page, or when the Loop Re-
cording mode is enabled on MASCHINE JAM, a connected footswitch can be used to control recording. Pressing the footswitch will arm a recording according to the current settings. Pressing the footswitch again before recording has actually started will cancel the recording. If recording is in progress, pressing the footswitch once will stop the recording,
double-pressing will abort the recording (any recorded audio to that point will be discarded). If the recording is complete, holding the footswitch down for a few moments will trigger Undo so you can try another take. For more information, refer to the MASCHINE JAM
Manual available from Help menu, or to the following section when using MASCHINE MK3
or MASCHINE STUDIO: Using the Footswitch for Recording Audio.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 26
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4
▪ Improved the automatic tempo detection of the Audio plug-in so that it now chooses a tem-
po that’s closest to your current project tempo. For example, if your project tempo is 170
BPM and you load a loop which should be 174 BPM, MASCHINE will now set the Source
Tempo as 174 BPM instead of 87 BPM as it did previously.
▪ Added a Re-Pitch sync mode to the Audio plug-in which simply retunes/repitches the loop
(like speeding up or slowing down a record) to make it conform to the Project tempo. This
mode requires significantly less CPU power than the default mode, but you will not be able
to retune the loop at all (any pitches programmed in Gate mode will be ignored—only the
timing of the programmed notes will be used to gate the playing audio). For more information refer to ↑7, Using the Audio Plug-in.
MASCHINE MK3 Improvements
▪ Added Ableton Live DAW Integration for MASCHINE MK3 - Mixer and basic DAW Control.
Access Ableton Live Mixer via MASCHINE MK3 hardware: Volume, Pan, Mute / Solo / Arm
states are visible on screens. Also access essential controls: Play / Stop / Record / Session
record, Clip Navigation, Launch & Record, Quantize, Undo / Redo, Automation Toggle, Tap
Tempo, and Loop Toggle. For more information refer to Host Integration.
General Improvements
▪ Improved the Take management system (previously called “Recording History”) for the
Sampler and Audio plug-ins such that Takes are now saved and recalled as part of the
Project.
▪ Improved external audio recording by implementing basic recording latency compensation.
This compensation will be in effect when recording from an External Input and with the
Monitoring parameter turned Off. The system currently works based upon the overall latency reported by the selected audio interface.
▪ Removed the function where a right click will remove Events in the Pattern Editor. Instead,
the context menu is opened. Events can still be deleted using double-click as well as using
the "Paint" and "Erase" tools. For more information refer to ↑10.4.5, Deleting Events/Notes.
▪ Changed the behavior of right-click in the Arranger. This no longer removes Patterns from
Scenes. It now opens a context menu with many useful options for arranging. For more information on using the Pattern context menu within Song view refer to ↑15.3.13, Working
with Patterns in Song view.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 27
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3
▪ Improved behavior and cursor icons for resizing Events in the Pattern Editor. The active
area for resizing Events is increased.
1.4 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
Audio Plug-in Improvements
▪ Added the ability to enable and disable Audio plug-in playback per Pattern when in Loop
mode. Double-clicking the waveform will toggle playback for the selected Pattern. Alternatively, the loops can be enabled or disabled via the STEP page on the hardware controllers.
For more details see ↑7.2, Using Loop Mode.
▪ Added a Loop recording mode to the Record tab, and the Record tab is now available for
both Sampler and Audio plug-ins. When choosing the new Loop mode, the start of recording will be quantized to the start of the Pattern. Furthermore, when the recording is complete, the loop will automatically be loaded into an Audio plug-in and will immediately begin playback. For more details see ↑16.2, Recording Audio.
MASCHINE Controller Improvements
▪ Added Ideas View on MASCHINE MK3 and MASCHINE STUDIO. Access Ideas view with
the MASCHINE MK3 hardware. For more details see ↑15.2, Using Ideas View.
▪ Added Event Editing on MASCHINE MK3 with 4-Directional Encoder. Select, nudge, pitch-
shift and change the length of notes with the 4-Directional Encoder in the events window
(on hardware screens). For more details see ↑10.4, Editing Events.
▪ Added Apple Logic DAW Integration for MASCHINE MK3, Mixer and basic DAW Control.
◦ Access Logic Mixer via MASCHINE MK3 hardware (Volume, Pan, Mute / Solo states
are visible on screens).
◦ Access Essential Controls: Play / Stop / Record / Quantize, Undo / Redo, Automation
Toggle, Tap Tempo, and Loop Toggle.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 28
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3
General Improvements
▪ Added additional Scales from KOMPLETE KONTROL into MASCHINE. For more details see
↑5.5.2, Selecting a Scale and Creating Chords.
▪ Added loading of Perform FX at the end of a Group plug-in chain.
▪ Fixed an issue the broke Pattern Duplicate on the MASCHINE MIKRO.
▪ Fixed an issue where the MASCHINE Transport Loop would influence Ideas View playback
when hosted in a DAW.
▪ Fixed a crash that could occur when zooming horizontally in the Arranger with special char-
acters in Section names.
▪ Fixed some issues around renaming Scenes and Sections.
▪ Removed 32-bit versions of standalone application and plug-in.
▪ Added Velocity Curves to Controller Editor for MASCHINE MK3.
▪ Removed the modal dialog at startup that suggests to download sound preview files from
Native Access. The preview files are still available for installation in Native Access.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 29
Basic Concepts
Important Names and Concepts
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 Important Names and Concepts
We will start with a list defining the most important concepts and names.
Arranger View
The Arranger is the big area located in the upper part of the MASCHINE window, right under
the Header. On its left you can select Groups. The Arranger allows you to combine Sections
(references to Scenes), and arrange them into a song.
Browser
The Browser is the front end for accessing all the elements of your MASCHINE Projects:
Projects, Groups, Sounds, instruments and effect presets, and Samples. Each of these can be
stored and tagged in a way that allows you easy access to all of them. MASCHINE’s factory
library is already completely tagged, as well as factory libraries of any Native Instruments products installed on your computer. You can also import your own files to the Library and tag them
as well. To learn more about the Browser, please read chapter ↑3, Browser.
Ideas View
The Ideas view allows you to experiment with your musical ideas without being tied to a timeline or arrangement. You can create Patterns for each Group and combine them into a Scene.
Scenes can then be added to Sections in the Arranger view to create a larger musical structure.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 30
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