Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK2 Operation Manual v2.7.10
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: 2.7.10 (10/2018)
Hardware version: MASCHINE MIKRO MK2
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, 2018. 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 2.7.10 ............................................................................................. 26
1.4 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.8 ............................................................................................... 27
1.5 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.7 ............................................................................................... 27
1.6 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4 ............................................................................................... 29
1.7 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3 ............................................................................................... 31
2 Quick Reference ........................................................................................................
2.1 Using Your Controller .................................................................................................................. 34
2.2 MASCHINE Project Overview ........................................................................................................ 39
2.3 MASCHINE Hardware Overview ................................................................................................... 44
2.4 MASCHINE Software Overview ..................................................................................................... 53
2.1.1 Controller Modes and Mode Pinning .......................................................................... 34
2.1.2 Controlling the Software Views from Your Controller ................................................. 37
2.2.1 Sound Content ........................................................................................................... 39
2.2.2 Arrangement .............................................................................................................. 41
2.3.1 MASCHINE MIKRO Hardware Overview ....................................................................... 44
2.3.1.1 CONTROL Section .......................................................................................45
2.3.1.2 TRANSPORT Section ...................................................................................48
2.3.1.3 PADS Section .............................................................................................49
2.4.1 Header ....................................................................................................................... 54
2.4.2 Browser ..................................................................................................................... 56
2.4.3 Arranger .................................................................................................................... 58
2.4.4 Control Area ............................................................................................................... 61
23
34
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 4
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2.4.5 Pattern Editor ............................................................................................................ 62
3 Basic Concepts .........................................................................................................
3.1 Important Names and Concepts ................................................................................................. 64
3.2 Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface ..................................................................................... 67
3.3 Common Operations ................................................................................................................... 71
3.4 Native Kontrol Standard ............................................................................................................. 93
3.5 Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................................................................... 94
3.6 Preferences .................................................................................................................................97
3.2.1 Adjusting the Size of the Interface ............................................................................. 67
3.2.2 Switching between Ideas View and Song View ........................................................... 68
3.2.3 Showing/Hiding the Browser ...................................................................................... 69
3.2.4 Minimizing the Mixer ................................................................................................. 69
3.2.5 Showing/Hiding the Control Lane .............................................................................. 70
3.3.1 Pinning a Mode on the Controller ............................................................................... 71
3.3.2 Adjusting Volume, Swing, and Tempo ........................................................................ 72
3.3.3 Undo/Redo ................................................................................................................. 77
3.3.4 Focusing on a Group or a Sound ................................................................................ 78
3.3.5 Switching Between the Master, Group, and Sound Level ........................................... 83
3.3.6 Navigating Channel Properties, Plug-ins, and Parameter Pages in the Control Area . 84
3.3.7 Navigating the Software Using the Controller ............................................................ 90
3.3.8 Using Two or More Hardware Controllers ................................................................... 91
3.5.1 Differences between Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................. 95
3.5.2 Switching Instances .................................................................................................. 96
3.5.3 Controlling Various Instances with Different Controllers ........................................... 97
3.6.1 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 98
3.6.2 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 102
64
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3.7 Integrating MASCHINE into a MIDI Setup .................................................................................... 131
3.8 Syncing MASCHINE using Ableton Link ....................................................................................... 133
3.6.3 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 105
3.6.4 Preferences – Default Page ....................................................................................... 108
3.6.5 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 112
3.6.6 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 120
3.6.7 Preferences – Hardware Page .................................................................................... 125
3.6.8 Preferences – Colors Page ......................................................................................... 128
3.7.1 Connecting External MIDI Equipment ........................................................................ 131
3.7.2 Sync to External MIDI Clock ....................................................................................... 131
3.7.3 Send MIDI Clock ......................................................................................................... 132
3.8.1 Connecting to a Network ............................................................................................ 133
3.8.2 Joining and Leaving a Link Session ........................................................................... 134
4 Browser ....................................................................................................................
4.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 136
4.2 Searching and Loading Files from the Library ............................................................................ 138
4.1.1 The MASCHINE Library ............................................................................................... 136
4.1.2 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 137
4.2.1 Overview of the LIBRARY Pane ................................................................................... 138
4.2.2 Selecting or Loading a Product and Selecting a Bank from the Browser .................... 142
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
136
Controller ...................................................................................................152
4.2.4 Selecting a File Type .................................................................................................. 153
4.2.5 Choosing Between Factory and User Content ............................................................. 154
4.2.6 Selecting Type and Mode Tags ................................................................................... 154
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4.3 Additional Browsing Tools .......................................................................................................... 167
4.4 Using Favorites in the Browser ................................................................................................... 173
4.5 Editing the Files’ Tags and Properties ........................................................................................ 179
4.6 Loading and Importing Files from Your File System .................................................................... 185
4.7 Locating Missing Samples .......................................................................................................... 195
4.8 Using Quick Browse .................................................................................................................... 197
4.2.7 Performing a Text Search ........................................................................................... 161
4.2.8 Loading a File from the Result List ............................................................................ 161
4.3.1 Loading the Selected Files Automatically .................................................................. 167
4.3.2 Auditioning Instrument Presets ................................................................................. 168
4.3.3 Auditioning Samples ................................................................................................. 170
4.3.4 Loading Groups with Patterns ................................................................................... 171
4.3.5 Loading Groups with Routing .................................................................................... 172
4.3.6 Displaying File Information ........................................................................................ 172
4.5.1 Attribute Editor Basics .............................................................................................. 180
4.5.2 The BANK Page .......................................................................................................... 181
4.5.3 The TYPES and MODES Pages .................................................................................... 182
4.5.4 The PROPERTIES Page ............................................................................................... 185
4.6.1 Overview of the FILES Pane ........................................................................................ 186
4.6.2 Using Favorites .......................................................................................................... 187
4.6.3 Using the Location Bar .............................................................................................. 188
4.6.4 Navigating to Recent Locations ................................................................................. 189
4.6.5 Using the Result List ................................................................................................. 190
4.6.6 Importing Files to the MASCHINE Library ................................................................... 193
5 Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project ...............................................................
201
5.1 Overview of the Sounds, Groups, and Master .............................................................................. 201
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5.2 Managing Sounds .......................................................................................................................209
5.3 Managing Groups ....................................................................................................................... 223
5.4 Exporting MASCHINE Objects and Audio ..................................................................................... 237
5.5 Importing Third-Party File Formats ............................................................................................. 247
5.1.1 The Sound, Group, and Master Channels ................................................................... 202
5.1.2 Similarities and Differences in Handling Sounds and Groups ................................... 203
5.1.3 Selecting Multiple Sounds or Groups ......................................................................... 204
5.2.1 Loading Sounds ......................................................................................................... 211
5.2.2 Pre-listening to Sounds ............................................................................................. 212
5.2.3 Renaming Sound Slots .............................................................................................. 213
5.2.4 Changing the Sound’s Color ...................................................................................... 214
5.2.5 Saving Sounds ........................................................................................................... 215
5.2.6 Copying and Pasting Sounds ..................................................................................... 217
5.2.7 Moving Sounds .......................................................................................................... 220
5.2.8 Resetting Sound Slots ............................................................................................... 221
5.3.1 Creating Groups ........................................................................................................ 224
5.3.2 Loading Groups ......................................................................................................... 226
5.3.3 Renaming Groups ...................................................................................................... 227
5.3.4 Changing the Group’s Color ....................................................................................... 228
5.3.5 Saving Groups ........................................................................................................... 229
5.3.6 Copying and Pasting Groups ..................................................................................... 231
5.3.7 Reordering Groups ..................................................................................................... 235
5.3.8 Deleting Groups ......................................................................................................... 236
5.4.1 Saving a Group with its Samples ............................................................................... 237
5.4.2 Saving a Project with its Samples ............................................................................. 239
5.4.3 Exporting Audio ......................................................................................................... 241
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5.5.1 Loading REX Files into Sound Slots ........................................................................... 247
5.5.2 Importing MPC Programs to Groups ........................................................................... 248
6 Playing on the Controller ...........................................................................................
6.1 Adjusting the Pads ..................................................................................................................... 252
6.2 Adjusting the Key, Choke, and Link Parameters for Multiple Sounds .......................................... 262
6.3 Playing Tools .............................................................................................................................. 264
6.4 Performance Features ................................................................................................................. 275
6.1.1 The Pad View in the Software .................................................................................... 252
6.1.2 Choosing a Pad Input Mode ....................................................................................... 254
6.1.3 Adjusting the Base Key .............................................................................................. 257
6.1.4 Using Choke Groups .................................................................................................. 258
6.1.5 Using Link Groups ..................................................................................................... 260
6.3.1 Mute and Solo ............................................................................................................ 264
6.3.2 Choke All Notes .......................................................................................................... 269
6.3.3 Groove ....................................................................................................................... 269
6.3.4 Level, Tempo, Tune, and Groove Shortcuts on Your Controller .................................... 272
6.4.1 Overview of the Perform Features .............................................................................. 275
6.4.2 Selecting a Scale and Creating Chords ..................................................................... 278
6.4.3 Scale and Chord Parameters ..................................................................................... 280
6.4.4 Creating Arpeggios and Repeated Notes ................................................................... 293
6.4.5 Swing on Note Repeat / Arp Output ........................................................................... 298
7 Working with Plug-ins ...............................................................................................
252
299
7.1 Plug-in Overview ........................................................................................................................ 299
7.1.1 Plug-in Basics ........................................................................................................... 299
7.1.2 First Plug-in Slot of Sounds: Choosing the Sound’s Role ........................................... 303
7.1.3 Loading, Removing, and Replacing a Plug-in ............................................................ 304
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 9
Table of Contents
7.2 The Sampler Plug-in ................................................................................................................... 320
7.3 Using Native Instruments and External Plug-ins ........................................................................ 333
7.1.4 Adjusting the Plug-in Parameters ............................................................................. 312
7.1.5 Bypassing Plug-in Slots ............................................................................................ 312
7.1.6 Using Side-Chain ...................................................................................................... 315
7.1.7 Moving Plug-ins ........................................................................................................ 315
7.1.8 Alternative: the Plug-in Strip ..................................................................................... 316
7.1.9 Saving and Recalling Plug-in Presets ....................................................................... 316
7.1.9.1 Saving Plug-in Presets ..............................................................................317
7.1.9.2 Recalling Plug-in Presets ..........................................................................318
7.1.9.3 Removing a Default Plug-in Preset ............................................................319
7.2.1 Page 1: Voice Settings / Engine ................................................................................. 322
7.2.2 Page 2: Pitch / Envelope ............................................................................................ 324
7.2.3 Page 3: FX / Filter ...................................................................................................... 327
7.2.4 Page 4: Modulation .................................................................................................... 328
7.2.5 Page 5: LFO ............................................................................................................... 330
7.2.6 Page 6: Velocity / Modwheel ...................................................................................... 332
7.3.1 Opening/Closing Plug-in Windows ............................................................................. 334
7.3.2 Using the VST/AU Plug-in Parameters ....................................................................... 337
7.3.3 Setting Up Your Own Parameter Pages ...................................................................... 338
7.3.4 Using VST/AU Plug-in Presets .................................................................................... 343
7.3.5 Multiple-Output Plug-ins and Multitimbral Plug-ins ................................................. 345
8 Using the Audio Plug-in .............................................................................................
347
8.1 Loading a Loop into the Audio Plug-in ........................................................................................ 351
8.2 Editing Audio in the Audio Plug-in ..............................................................................................352
8.3 Using Loop Mode ........................................................................................................................ 353
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 10
8.4 Using Gate Mode ........................................................................................................................ 355
9 Using the Drumsynths ................................................................................................
9.1 Drumsynths – General Handling ................................................................................................. 358
9.2 The Kicks .................................................................................................................................... 362
9.3 The Snares ..................................................................................................................................381
9.1.1 Engines: Many Different Drums per Drumsynth ......................................................... 358
9.1.2 Common Parameter Organization .............................................................................. 358
9.1.3 Shared Parameters .................................................................................................... 361
9.1.4 Various Velocity Responses ....................................................................................... 361
9.1.5 Pitch Range, Tuning, and MIDI Notes ........................................................................ 361
9.2.1 Kick – Sub ................................................................................................................. 364
9.2.2 Kick – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 366
9.2.3 Kick – Dusty .............................................................................................................. 369
9.2.4 Kick – Grit ................................................................................................................. 370
9.2.5 Kick – Rasper ............................................................................................................ 373
9.2.6 Kick – Snappy ............................................................................................................ 374
9.2.7 Kick – Bold ................................................................................................................ 376
9.2.8 Kick – Maple .............................................................................................................. 378
9.2.9 Kick – Push ............................................................................................................... 379
9.3.1 Snare – Volt ............................................................................................................... 383
9.3.2 Snare – Bit ................................................................................................................ 385
9.3.3 Snare – Pow .............................................................................................................. 387
9.3.4 Snare – Sharp ........................................................................................................... 388
9.3.5 Snare – Airy ............................................................................................................... 390
9.3.6 Snare – Vintage ......................................................................................................... 392
9.3.7 Snare – Chrome ......................................................................................................... 394
Table of Contents
357
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9.4 The Hi-hats .................................................................................................................................402
9.5 The Toms .................................................................................................................................... 412
9.6 The Percussions ..........................................................................................................................423
9.7 The Cymbals ............................................................................................................................... 434
9.3.8 Snare – Iron ............................................................................................................... 396
9.3.9 Snare – Clap ............................................................................................................. 398
9.3.10 Snare – Breaker ......................................................................................................... 400
9.4.1 Hi-hat – Silver ........................................................................................................... 403
9.4.2 Hi-hat – Circuit ......................................................................................................... 405
9.4.3 Hi-hat – Memory ........................................................................................................ 407
9.4.4 Hi-hat – Hybrid .......................................................................................................... 409
9.4.5 Creating a Pattern with Closed and Open Hi-hats ..................................................... 411
9.5.1 Tom – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 414
9.5.2 Tom – Fractal ............................................................................................................ 416
9.5.3 Tom – Floor ................................................................................................................ 420
9.5.4 Tom – High ................................................................................................................ 422
9.6.1 Percussion – Fractal .................................................................................................. 425
9.6.2 Percussion – Kettle .................................................................................................... 428
9.6.3 Percussion – Shaker .................................................................................................. 430
9.7.1 Cymbal – Crash ......................................................................................................... 436
9.7.2 Cymbal – Ride ........................................................................................................... 438
10 Using the Bass Synth .................................................................................................
441
10.1 Bass Synth – General Handling .................................................................................................. 442
10.1.1 Parameter Organization ............................................................................................. 442
10.1.2 Bass Synth Parameters ............................................................................................. 444
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 12
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11 Working with Patterns ...............................................................................................
11.1 Pattern Basics ............................................................................................................................ 446
11.2 Recording Patterns in Real Time ................................................................................................ 466
11.3 Recording Patterns with the Step Sequencer .............................................................................. 474
11.4 Editing Events ............................................................................................................................ 478
11.1.1 Pattern Editor Overview ............................................................................................. 447
11.1.2 Navigating the Event Area ......................................................................................... 450
11.1.3 Following the Playback Position in the Pattern .......................................................... 452
11.1.4 Jumping to Another Playback Position in the Pattern ................................................. 453
11.1.5 Group View and Keyboard View .................................................................................. 455
11.1.6 Adjusting the Arrange Grid and the Pattern Length ................................................... 458
11.1.7 Adjusting the Step Grid and the Nudge Grid .............................................................. 461
11.2.1 Recording Your Patterns Live ..................................................................................... 466
11.2.2 The Record Prepare Mode .......................................................................................... 469
11.2.3 Using the Metronome ................................................................................................. 470
11.2.4 Recording with Count-in ............................................................................................ 471
11.2.5 Quantizing while Recording ....................................................................................... 473
11.3.1 Step Mode Basics ...................................................................................................... 474
11.3.2 Editing Events in Step Mode ...................................................................................... 477
11.4.1 Editing Events with the Mouse: an Overview ............................................................. 478
11.4.2 Creating Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 481
11.4.3 Selecting Events/Notes .............................................................................................. 482
11.4.4 Editing Selected Events/Notes ................................................................................... 486
11.4.5 Deleting Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 489
11.4.6 Cut, Copy, and Paste Events/Notes ............................................................................ 492
11.4.7 Quantizing Events/Notes ........................................................................................... 494
446
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11.5 Recording and Editing Modulation ............................................................................................. 502
11.6 Creating MIDI Tracks from Scratch in MASCHINE ....................................................................... 511
11.7 Managing Patterns ..................................................................................................................... 513
11.8 Importing/Exporting Audio and MIDI to/from Patterns ................................................................ 533
11.4.8 Quantization While Playing ........................................................................................ 496
11.4.9 Doubling a Pattern .................................................................................................... 497
11.4.10 Adding Variation to Patterns ..................................................................................... 498
11.5.1 Which Parameters Are Modulatable? ......................................................................... 503
11.5.2 Recording Modulation ................................................................................................ 504
11.5.3 Creating and Editing Modulation in the Control Lane ................................................ 506
11.7.1 The Pattern Manager and Pattern Mode .................................................................... 514
11.7.2 Selecting Patterns and Pattern Banks ....................................................................... 516
11.7.3 Creating Patterns ...................................................................................................... 519
11.7.4 Deleting Patterns ....................................................................................................... 521
11.7.5 Creating and Deleting Pattern Banks ........................................................................ 522
11.7.6 Naming Patterns ....................................................................................................... 525
11.7.7 Changing the Pattern’s Color .................................................................................... 527
11.7.8 Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Patterns .............................................................. 528
11.7.9 Moving Patterns ........................................................................................................ 531
11.7.10 Adjusting Pattern Length in Fine Increments ............................................................. 533
11.8.1 Exporting Audio from Patterns ................................................................................... 533
11.8.2 Exporting MIDI from Patterns ..................................................................................... 535
11.8.3 Importing MIDI to Patterns ........................................................................................ 537
12 Audio Routing, Remote Control, and Macro Controls ....................................................
546
12.1 Audio Routing in MASCHINE ....................................................................................................... 547
12.1.1 Sending External Audio to Sounds ............................................................................. 548
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 14
Table of Contents
12.2 Using MIDI Control and Host Automation .................................................................................... 571
12.3 Creating Custom Sets of Parameters with the Macro Controls ................................................... 593
12.1.2 Configuring the Main Output of Sounds and Groups ................................................. 553
12.1.3 Setting Up Auxiliary Outputs for Sounds and Groups ................................................. 558
12.1.4 Configuring the Master and Cue Outputs of MASCHINE ............................................. 562
12.1.5 Mono Audio Inputs ..................................................................................................... 567
12.1.5.1 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in Mix View ..................................568
12.1.5.2 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in MASCHINE MIKRO ....................571
12.2.1 Triggering Sounds via MIDI Notes .............................................................................. 572
12.2.2 Triggering Scenes via MIDI ........................................................................................ 579
12.2.3 Controlling Parameters via MIDI and Host Automation .............................................. 580
12.2.4 Selecting VST/AU Plug-in Presets via MIDI Program Change ..................................... 588
12.2.5 Sending MIDI from Sounds ........................................................................................ 589
12.3.1 Macro Control Overview ............................................................................................. 594
12.3.2 Assigning Macro Controls Using the Software ........................................................... 595
13 Controlling Your Mix ..................................................................................................
13.1 Mix View Basics .......................................................................................................................... 602
13.2 The Mixer .................................................................................................................................... 605
13.1.1 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View ......................................................... 602
13.1.2 Mix View Elements ..................................................................................................... 603
13.2.1 Displaying Groups vs. Displaying Sounds .................................................................. 606
13.2.2 Adjusting the Mixer Layout ........................................................................................ 608
13.2.3 Selecting Channel Strips ........................................................................................... 609
13.2.4 Managing Your Channels in the Mixer ....................................................................... 610
13.2.5 Adjusting Settings in the Channel Strips ................................................................... 612
13.2.6 Using the Cue Bus ..................................................................................................... 617
602
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 15
13.3 The Plug-in Chain .......................................................................................................................619
13.4 The Plug-in Strip ........................................................................................................................ 620
13.4.1 The Plug-in Header .................................................................................................... 622
13.4.2 Panels for Drumsynths and Internal Effects .............................................................. 624
13.4.3 Panel for the Sampler ................................................................................................ 625
13.4.4 Custom Panels for Native Instruments Plug-ins ........................................................ 628
13.4.5 Undocking a Plug-in Panel (Native Instruments and External Plug-ins Only) ............ 632
14 Using Effects .............................................................................................................
14.1 Applying Effects to a Sound, a Group or the Master .................................................................... 635
14.2 Applying Effects to External Audio .............................................................................................. 649
14.3 Creating a Send Effect ............................................................................................................... 656
14.4 Creating Multi-Effects ................................................................................................................ 663
14.1.1 Adding an Effect ........................................................................................................ 635
14.1.2 Other Operations on Effects ....................................................................................... 644
14.1.3 Using the Side-Chain Input ....................................................................................... 646
14.2.1 Step 1: Configure MASCHINE Audio Inputs ................................................................ 649
14.2.2 Step 2: Set up a Sound to Receive the External Input ................................................ 652
14.2.3 Step 3: Load an Effect to Process an Input ................................................................ 654
14.3.1 Step 1: Set Up a Sound or Group as Send Effect ........................................................ 656
14.3.2 Step 2: Route Audio to the Send Effect ...................................................................... 660
14.3.3 A Few Notes on Send Effects ...................................................................................... 662
15 Effect Reference ........................................................................................................
Table of Contents
635
666
15.1 Dynamics ....................................................................................................................................667
15.1.1 Compressor ............................................................................................................... 667
15.1.2 Gate ........................................................................................................................... 671
15.1.3 Transient Master ....................................................................................................... 674
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 16
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15.2 Filtering Effects .......................................................................................................................... 684
15.3 Modulation Effects ..................................................................................................................... 693
15.4 Spatial and Reverb Effects ......................................................................................................... 701
15.5 Delays .........................................................................................................................................715
15.1.4 Limiter ....................................................................................................................... 676
15.1.5 Maximizer .................................................................................................................. 681
15.2.1 EQ .............................................................................................................................. 684
15.2.2 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 687
15.2.3 Cabinet ...................................................................................................................... 691
15.3.1 Chorus ....................................................................................................................... 693
15.3.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 695
15.3.3 FM ............................................................................................................................. 697
15.3.4 Freq Shifter ................................................................................................................ 698
15.3.5 Phaser ....................................................................................................................... 700
15.4.1 Ice ............................................................................................................................. 701
15.4.2 Metaverb ................................................................................................................... 703
15.4.3 Reflex ........................................................................................................................ 704
15.4.4 Reverb (Legacy) ......................................................................................................... 706
15.4.5 Reverb ....................................................................................................................... 708
15.4.5.1 Reverb Room .............................................................................................708
15.4.5.2 Reverb Hall ................................................................................................711
15.4.5.3 Plate Reverb ..............................................................................................714
15.5.1 Beat Delay ................................................................................................................. 715
15.5.2 Grain Delay ................................................................................................................ 718
15.5.3 Grain Stretch ............................................................................................................. 721
15.5.4 Resochord .................................................................................................................. 722
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 17
15.6 Distortion Effects ........................................................................................................................ 724
15.7 Perform FX .................................................................................................................................. 732
15.6.1 Distortion ................................................................................................................... 724
15.6.2 Lofi ............................................................................................................................ 727
15.6.3 Saturator ................................................................................................................... 729
15.7.1 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 733
15.7.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 735
15.7.3 Burst Echo ................................................................................................................. 738
15.7.4 Reso Echo .................................................................................................................. 740
15.7.5 Ring ........................................................................................................................... 743
15.7.6 Stutter ....................................................................................................................... 745
15.7.7 Tremolo ...................................................................................................................... 748
15.7.8 Scratcher ................................................................................................................... 751
16 Working with the Arranger .........................................................................................
Table of Contents
754
16.1 Arranger Basics .......................................................................................................................... 754
16.2 Using Ideas View ........................................................................................................................ 764
16.1.1 Navigating Song View ................................................................................................ 757
16.1.2 Following the Playback Position in Your Project ......................................................... 759
16.1.3 Performing with Scenes and Sections using the Pads ............................................... 760
16.2.1 Scene Overview .......................................................................................................... 764
16.2.2 Creating Scenes ........................................................................................................ 765
16.2.3 Assigning and Removing Patterns ............................................................................. 766
16.2.4 Selecting Scenes ....................................................................................................... 769
16.2.5 Deleting Scenes ......................................................................................................... 771
16.2.6 Creating and Deleting Scene Banks .......................................................................... 772
16.2.7 Clearing Scenes ......................................................................................................... 773
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 18
Table of Contents
16.3 Using Song View ......................................................................................................................... 781
16.2.8 Duplicating Scenes .................................................................................................... 773
16.2.9 Reordering Scenes ..................................................................................................... 775
16.2.10 Making Scenes Unique .............................................................................................. 776
16.2.11 Appending Scenes to Arrangement ............................................................................ 777
16.2.12 Naming Scenes .......................................................................................................... 778
16.2.13 Changing the Color of a Scene .................................................................................. 779
16.3.1 Section Management Overview .................................................................................. 781
16.3.2 Creating Sections ...................................................................................................... 783
16.3.3 Assigning a Scene to a Section .................................................................................. 784
16.3.4 Selecting Sections and Section Banks ....................................................................... 785
16.3.5 Reorganizing Sections ............................................................................................... 789
16.3.6 Adjusting the Length of a Section .............................................................................. 791
16.3.6.1 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Software ...............................792
16.3.6.2 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Controller .............................793
16.3.7 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................................ 794
16.3.8 Duplicating Sections ................................................................................................. 794
16.3.8.1 Making Sections Unique ............................................................................796
16.3.9 Removing Sections .................................................................................................... 797
16.3.10 Renaming Scenes ...................................................................................................... 798
16.3.11 Clearing Sections ...................................................................................................... 799
16.3.12 Creating and Deleting Section Banks ........................................................................ 800
16.3.13 Working with Patterns in Song view ........................................................................... 800
16.3.13.1 Creating a Pattern in Song View ................................................................800
16.3.13.2 Selecting a Pattern in Song View ...............................................................801
16.3.13.3 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................801
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 19
Table of Contents
16.4 Playing with Sections ................................................................................................................. 806
16.5 Triggering Sections or Scenes via MIDI ....................................................................................... 808
16.6 The Arrange Grid .........................................................................................................................810
16.7 Quick Grid ...................................................................................................................................812
16.3.14 Enabling Auto Length ................................................................................................ 803
16.3.15 Looping ...................................................................................................................... 804
16.4.1 Jumping to another Playback Position in Your Project ............................................... 806
16.3.13.4 Renaming a Pattern in Song View ............................................................. 801
16.3.13.5 Coloring a Pattern in Song View ................................................................ 802
16.3.13.6 Removing a Pattern in Song View ..............................................................802
16.3.13.7 Duplicating a Pattern in Song View ...........................................................802
16.3.15.1 Setting the Loop Range in the Software .....................................................804
16.3.15.2 Setting the Loop Range Using the Controller .............................................805
17 Sampling and Sample Mapping ..................................................................................
17.1 Opening the Sample Editor ......................................................................................................... 814
17.2 Recording Audio ......................................................................................................................... 816
17.3 Editing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 834
17.4 Slicing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 849
17.2.1 Opening the Record Page .......................................................................................... 817
17.2.2 Selecting the Source and the Recording Mode ........................................................... 818
17.2.3 Arming, Starting, and Stopping the Recording .......................................................... 826
17.2.5 Checking Your Recordings ......................................................................................... 830
17.2.6 Location and Name of Your Recorded Samples .......................................................... 834
17.3.1 Using the Edit Page ................................................................................................... 835
17.3.2 Audio Editing Functions ............................................................................................. 841
17.4.1 Opening the Slice Page .............................................................................................. 850
814
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 20
Table of Contents
17.5 Mapping Samples to Zones ........................................................................................................ 869
17.4.2 Adjusting the Slicing Settings ................................................................................... 851
17.4.3 Live Slicing ................................................................................................................ 856
17.4.3.1 Live Slicing Using MASCHINE MIKRO .........................................................856
17.4.3.2 Delete All Slices .........................................................................................857
17.4.4 Manually Adjusting Your Slices ................................................................................. 858
17.4.5 Applying the Slicing ................................................................................................... 863
17.5.1 Opening the Zone Page .............................................................................................. 869
17.5.2 Zone Page Overview ................................................................................................... 870
17.5.3 Selecting and Managing Zones in the Zone List ........................................................ 872
17.5.4 Selecting and Editing Zones in the Map View ............................................................ 877
17.5.5 Editing Zones in the Sample View ............................................................................. 881
17.5.6 Adjusting the Zone Settings ...................................................................................... 884
17.5.7 Adding Samples to the Sample Map .......................................................................... 891
18 Appendix: Tips for Playing Live ..................................................................................
18.1 Preparations ............................................................................................................................... 894
18.2 Basic Techniques ....................................................................................................................... 896
18.1.1 Focus on the Hardware .............................................................................................. 894
18.1.2 Customize the Pads of the Hardware ......................................................................... 894
18.1.3 Check Your CPU Power Before Playing ....................................................................... 894
18.1.4 Name and Color Your Groups, Patterns, Sounds and Scenes ..................................... 895
18.1.5 Consider Using a Limiter on Your Master ................................................................... 895
18.1.6 Hook Up Your Other Gear and Sync It with MIDI Clock ................................................ 895
18.1.7 Improvise ................................................................................................................... 895
18.2.1 Use Mute and Solo ..................................................................................................... 896
18.2.2 Create Variations of Your Drum Patterns in the Step Sequencer ................................ 896
894
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 21
Table of Contents
18.3 Special Tricks ............................................................................................................................. 897
18.2.3 Use Note Repeat ........................................................................................................ 896
18.2.4 Set Up Your Own Multi-effect Groups and Automate Them ........................................ 896
18.3.1 Changing Pattern Length for Variation ...................................................................... 897
18.3.2 Load Long Audio Files and Play with the Start Point .................................................. 897
19 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................
19.1 Knowledge Base ......................................................................................................................... 898
19.2 Technical Support .......................................................................................................................898
19.3 Registration Support .................................................................................................................. 899
19.4 User Forum ................................................................................................................................. 899
20 Glossary ...................................................................................................................
Index ........................................................................................................................
898
900
908
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 2.7.10
▪ 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 2.7.10
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 26
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.8
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.
1.4 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
▪ Support for MASCHINE MIKRO MK3 hardware
1.5 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.7
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 27
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.7
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.
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:
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 28
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4
◦ 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.
1.6 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
Audio Plug-in Improvements
▪ Added a new Target parameter to the Loop recording mode of the Sampling Page which de-
termines what should be done with a new recording when the recording is complete. Take
simply adds the new recording to the Audio Pool of the current plug-in, Sound puts the
new recording into an Audio plug-in in the next unoccupied Sound Slot (useful for layering
the recording with whatever else is in the current Pattern, like a guitar looper pedal), and
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 29
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4
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 ↑17.2, 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.
▪ 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
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 30
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