Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK3 Operation Manual v2.8
MASCHINE MIKRO MK3 MANUAL
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media. No part of this
publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose,
without prior written permission by Native Instruments GmbH, hereinafter referred to as Native
Instruments.
“Native Instruments”, “NI” and associated logos are (registered) trademarks of Native Instruments GmbH.
ASIO, VST, HALion and Cubase are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH.
All other product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
Document authored by: David Gover and Nico Sidi.
Software version: 2.8 (02/2019)
Hardware version: MASCHINE MIKRO MK3
Disclaimer
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but
in making this a better product.
Contact
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH
Schlesische Str. 29-30
D-10997 Berlin
Germany
www.native-instruments.de
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS K.K.
YO Building 3F
Jingumae 6-7-15, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo 150-0001
Japan
www.native-instruments.co.jp
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS FRANCE SARL
113 Rue Saint-Maur
75011 Paris
France
www.native-instruments.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc.
6725 Sunset Boulevard
5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
USA
www.native-instruments.com
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS UK Limited
18 Phipp Street
London EC2A 4NU
UK
www.native-instruments.co.uk
SHENZHEN NATIVE INSTRUMENTS COMPANY Limited
5F, Shenzhen Zimao Center
111 Taizi Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen,
Guangdong
China
www.native-instruments.com
© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2019. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1 Welcome to MASCHINE .............................................................................................
1.1 MASCHINE Documentation .......................................................................................................... 24
1.2 Document Conventions ............................................................................................................... 25
1.3 New Features in MASCHINE 2.8 .................................................................................................. 26
1.4 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.10 ............................................................................................. 28
1.5 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.8 ............................................................................................... 29
1.6 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.7 ............................................................................................... 29
1.7 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4 ............................................................................................... 31
1.8 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3 ............................................................................................... 33
2 Quick Reference ........................................................................................................
2.1 MASCHINE Project Overview ........................................................................................................ 35
2.2 MASCHINE Hardware Overview ................................................................................................... 40
2.3 MASCHINE Software Overview ..................................................................................................... 51
2.1.1 Sound Content ........................................................................................................... 35
2.1.2 Arrangement .............................................................................................................. 37
2.2.1 MASCHINE MIKRO Hardware Overview ....................................................................... 40
2.2.1.1 Browser Section .........................................................................................41
2.2.1.2 Edit Section ...............................................................................................42
2.2.1.3 Performance Section ..................................................................................43
2.2.1.4 Transport Section ......................................................................................45
2.2.1.5 Pad Section ...............................................................................................46
2.2.1.6 Rear Panel .................................................................................................50
2.3.1 Header ....................................................................................................................... 52
2.3.2 Browser ..................................................................................................................... 54
2.3.3 Arranger .................................................................................................................... 56
23
35
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 4
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2.3.4 Control Area ............................................................................................................... 59
2.3.5 Pattern Editor ............................................................................................................ 60
3 Basic Concepts .........................................................................................................
3.1 Important Names and Concepts ................................................................................................. 62
3.2 Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface ..................................................................................... 65
3.3 Common Operations ................................................................................................................... 68
3.4 Native Kontrol Standard ............................................................................................................. 85
3.5 Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................................................................... 86
3.6 Preferences .................................................................................................................................88
3.2.1 Adjusting the Size of the Interface ............................................................................. 65
3.2.2 Switching between Ideas View and Song View ........................................................... 66
3.2.3 Showing/Hiding the Browser ...................................................................................... 67
3.2.4 Showing/Hiding the Control Lane .............................................................................. 67
3.3.1 Adjusting Volume, Swing, and Tempo ........................................................................ 68
3.3.2 Undo/Redo ................................................................................................................. 71
3.3.3 Focusing on a Group or a Sound ................................................................................ 73
3.3.4 Switching Between the Master, Group, and Sound Level ........................................... 77
3.3.5 Navigating Channel Properties, Plug-ins, and Parameter Pages in the Control Area . 77
3.3.6 Navigating the Software Using the Controller ............................................................ 82
3.3.7 Using Two or More Hardware Controllers ................................................................... 82
3.3.8 Loading a Recent Project from the Controller ............................................................ 84
3.5.1 Differences between Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................. 86
3.5.2 Switching Instances .................................................................................................. 88
3.6.1 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 89
3.6.2 Preferences – Audio Page .......................................................................................... 93
3.6.3 Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................ 95
62
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3.7 Integrating MASCHINE into a MIDI Setup .................................................................................... 117
3.8 Syncing MASCHINE using Ableton Link ....................................................................................... 120
3.6.4 Preferences – Default Page ....................................................................................... 97
3.6.5 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 101
3.6.6 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 109
3.6.7 Preferences – Hardware Page .................................................................................... 114
3.6.8 Preferences – Colors Page ......................................................................................... 114
3.7.1 Connecting External MIDI Equipment ........................................................................ 117
3.7.2 Sync to External MIDI Clock ....................................................................................... 117
3.7.3 Send MIDI Clock ......................................................................................................... 118
3.7.4 Using MIDI Mode ........................................................................................................ 119
3.8.1 Connecting to a Network ............................................................................................ 121
3.8.2 Joining and Leaving a Link Session ........................................................................... 121
4 Browser ....................................................................................................................
4.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 123
4.2 Searching and Loading Files from the Library ............................................................................ 125
4.1.1 The MASCHINE Library ............................................................................................... 123
4.1.2 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 124
4.2.1 Overview of the Library Pane ..................................................................................... 125
4.2.2 Selecting or Loading a Product and Selecting a Bank from the Browser .................... 128
4.2.3 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank ........................... 133
4.2.3.1 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank on the
123
Controller ...................................................................................................137
4.2.4 Selecting a File Type .................................................................................................. 137
4.2.5 Choosing Between Factory and User Content ............................................................. 138
4.2.6 Selecting Type and Character Tags ........................................................................... 138
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4.3 Additional Browsing Tools .......................................................................................................... 148
4.4 Using Favorites in the Browser ................................................................................................... 152
4.5 Editing the Files’ Tags and Properties ........................................................................................ 155
4.6 Loading and Importing Files from Your File System .................................................................... 161
4.7 Locating Missing Samples .......................................................................................................... 171
4.8 Using Quick Browse .................................................................................................................... 173
4.2.7 Performing a Text Search ........................................................................................... 142
4.2.8 Loading a File from the Result List ............................................................................ 143
4.3.1 Loading the Selected Files Automatically .................................................................. 148
4.3.2 Auditioning Instrument Presets ................................................................................. 149
4.3.3 Auditioning Samples ................................................................................................. 150
4.3.4 Loading Groups with Patterns ................................................................................... 150
4.3.5 Loading Groups with Routing .................................................................................... 151
4.3.6 Displaying File Information ........................................................................................ 151
4.5.1 Attribute Editor Basics .............................................................................................. 155
4.5.2 The Bank Page ........................................................................................................... 157
4.5.3 The Types and Characters Pages ............................................................................... 157
4.5.4 The Properties Page ................................................................................................... 160
4.6.1 Overview of the FILES Pane ........................................................................................ 161
4.6.2 Using Favorites .......................................................................................................... 163
4.6.3 Using the Location Bar .............................................................................................. 164
4.6.4 Navigating to Recent Locations ................................................................................. 165
4.6.5 Using the Result List ................................................................................................. 166
4.6.6 Importing Files to the MASCHINE Library ................................................................... 169
5 Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project ...............................................................
175
5.1 Overview of the Sounds, Groups, and Master .............................................................................. 175
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5.2 Managing Sounds .......................................................................................................................181
5.3 Managing Groups ....................................................................................................................... 194
5.4 Exporting MASCHINE Objects and Audio ..................................................................................... 208
5.5 Importing Third-Party File Formats ............................................................................................. 218
5.1.1 The Sound, Group, and Master Channels ................................................................... 176
5.1.2 Similarities and Differences in Handling Sounds and Groups ................................... 177
5.1.3 Selecting Multiple Sounds or Groups ......................................................................... 178
5.2.1 Loading Sounds ......................................................................................................... 183
5.2.2 Pre-listening to Sounds ............................................................................................. 184
5.2.3 Renaming Sound Slots .............................................................................................. 185
5.2.4 Changing the Sound’s Color ...................................................................................... 186
5.2.5 Saving Sounds ........................................................................................................... 187
5.2.6 Copying and Pasting Sounds ..................................................................................... 189
5.2.7 Moving Sounds .......................................................................................................... 192
5.2.8 Resetting Sound Slots ............................................................................................... 193
5.3.1 Creating Groups ........................................................................................................ 196
5.3.2 Loading Groups ......................................................................................................... 197
5.3.3 Renaming Groups ...................................................................................................... 198
5.3.4 Changing the Group’s Color ....................................................................................... 199
5.3.5 Saving Groups ........................................................................................................... 200
5.3.6 Copying and Pasting Groups ..................................................................................... 202
5.3.7 Reordering Groups ..................................................................................................... 206
5.3.8 Deleting Groups ......................................................................................................... 207
5.4.1 Saving a Group with its Samples ............................................................................... 208
5.4.2 Saving a Project with its Samples ............................................................................. 210
5.4.3 Exporting Audio ......................................................................................................... 212
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5.5.1 Loading REX Files into Sound Slots ........................................................................... 218
5.5.2 Importing MPC Programs to Groups ........................................................................... 219
6 Playing on the Controller ...........................................................................................
6.1 Adjusting the Pads ..................................................................................................................... 223
6.2 Adjusting the Key, Choke, and Link Parameters for Multiple Sounds .......................................... 227
6.3 Playing Tools .............................................................................................................................. 229
6.4 Performance Features ................................................................................................................. 236
6.5 Using Lock Snapshots ................................................................................................................ 257
6.1.1 The Pad View in the Software .................................................................................... 223
6.1.2 Choosing a Pad Input Mode ....................................................................................... 225
6.1.3 Adjusting the Base Key .............................................................................................. 226
6.3.1 Mute and Solo ............................................................................................................ 229
6.3.2 Choke All Notes .......................................................................................................... 233
6.3.3 Groove ....................................................................................................................... 233
6.3.4 Level, Tempo, Tune, and Groove Shortcuts on Your Controller .................................... 235
6.3.5 Tap Tempo ................................................................................................................. 235
6.4.1 Overview of the Perform Features .............................................................................. 236
6.4.2 Selecting a Scale and Creating Chords ..................................................................... 239
6.4.3 Scale and Chord Parameters ..................................................................................... 240
6.4.4 Creating Arpeggios and Repeated Notes ................................................................... 253
6.4.5 Swing on Note Repeat / Arp Output ........................................................................... 257
6.5.1 Creating a Lock Snapshot .......................................................................................... 257
7 Working with Plug-ins ...............................................................................................
223
259
7.1 Plug-in Overview ........................................................................................................................ 259
7.1.1 Plug-in Basics ........................................................................................................... 259
7.1.2 First Plug-in Slot of Sounds: Choosing the Sound’s Role ........................................... 263
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 9
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7.2 The Sampler Plug-in ................................................................................................................... 277
7.3 Using Native Instruments and External Plug-ins ........................................................................ 289
7.1.3 Loading, Removing, and Replacing a Plug-in ............................................................ 264
7.1.4 Adjusting the Plug-in Parameters ............................................................................. 270
7.1.5 Bypassing Plug-in Slots ............................................................................................ 270
7.1.6 Using Side-Chain ...................................................................................................... 272
7.1.7 Moving Plug-ins ........................................................................................................ 272
7.1.8 Alternative: the Plug-in Strip ..................................................................................... 273
7.1.9 Saving and Recalling Plug-in Presets ....................................................................... 273
7.1.9.1 Saving Plug-in Presets ..............................................................................274
7.1.9.2 Recalling Plug-in Presets ..........................................................................275
7.1.9.3 Removing a Default Plug-in Preset ............................................................276
7.2.1 Page 1: Voice Settings / Engine ................................................................................. 279
7.2.2 Page 2: Pitch / Envelope ............................................................................................ 281
7.2.3 Page 3: FX / Filter ...................................................................................................... 283
7.2.4 Page 4: Modulation .................................................................................................... 285
7.2.5 Page 5: LFO ............................................................................................................... 286
7.2.6 Page 6: Velocity / Modwheel ...................................................................................... 288
7.3.1 Opening/Closing Plug-in Windows ............................................................................. 289
7.3.2 Using the VST/AU Plug-in Parameters ....................................................................... 292
7.3.3 Setting Up Your Own Parameter Pages ...................................................................... 293
7.3.4 Using VST/AU Plug-in Presets .................................................................................... 298
7.3.5 Multiple-Output Plug-ins and Multitimbral Plug-ins ................................................. 300
8 Using the Audio Plug-in .............................................................................................
302
8.1 Loading a Loop into the Audio Plug-in ........................................................................................ 306
8.2 Editing Audio in the Audio Plug-in ..............................................................................................307
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 10
8.3 Using Loop Mode ........................................................................................................................ 308
8.4 Using Gate Mode ........................................................................................................................ 310
9 Using the Drumsynths ................................................................................................
9.1 Drumsynths – General Handling ................................................................................................. 313
9.2 The Kicks .................................................................................................................................... 317
9.3 The Snares ..................................................................................................................................336
9.1.1 Engines: Many Different Drums per Drumsynth ......................................................... 313
9.1.2 Common Parameter Organization .............................................................................. 313
9.1.3 Shared Parameters .................................................................................................... 316
9.1.4 Various Velocity Responses ....................................................................................... 316
9.1.5 Pitch Range, Tuning, and MIDI Notes ........................................................................ 316
9.2.1 Kick – Sub ................................................................................................................. 319
9.2.2 Kick – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 321
9.2.3 Kick – Dusty .............................................................................................................. 324
9.2.4 Kick – Grit ................................................................................................................. 325
9.2.5 Kick – Rasper ............................................................................................................ 328
9.2.6 Kick – Snappy ............................................................................................................ 329
9.2.7 Kick – Bold ................................................................................................................ 331
9.2.8 Kick – Maple .............................................................................................................. 333
9.2.9 Kick – Push ............................................................................................................... 334
9.3.1 Snare – Volt ............................................................................................................... 338
9.3.2 Snare – Bit ................................................................................................................ 340
9.3.3 Snare – Pow .............................................................................................................. 342
9.3.4 Snare – Sharp ........................................................................................................... 343
9.3.5 Snare – Airy ............................................................................................................... 345
9.3.6 Snare – Vintage ......................................................................................................... 347
Table of Contents
312
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9.4 The Hi-hats .................................................................................................................................357
9.5 The Toms .................................................................................................................................... 367
9.6 The Percussions ..........................................................................................................................378
9.7 The Cymbals ............................................................................................................................... 389
9.3.7 Snare – Chrome ......................................................................................................... 349
9.3.8 Snare – Iron ............................................................................................................... 351
9.3.9 Snare – Clap ............................................................................................................. 353
9.3.10 Snare – Breaker ......................................................................................................... 355
9.4.1 Hi-hat – Silver ........................................................................................................... 358
9.4.2 Hi-hat – Circuit ......................................................................................................... 360
9.4.3 Hi-hat – Memory ........................................................................................................ 362
9.4.4 Hi-hat – Hybrid .......................................................................................................... 364
9.4.5 Creating a Pattern with Closed and Open Hi-hats ..................................................... 366
9.5.1 Tom – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 369
9.5.2 Tom – Fractal ............................................................................................................ 371
9.5.3 Tom – Floor ................................................................................................................ 375
9.5.4 Tom – High ................................................................................................................ 377
9.6.1 Percussion – Fractal .................................................................................................. 380
9.6.2 Percussion – Kettle .................................................................................................... 383
9.6.3 Percussion – Shaker .................................................................................................. 385
9.7.1 Cymbal – Crash ......................................................................................................... 391
9.7.2 Cymbal – Ride ........................................................................................................... 393
10 Using the Bass Synth .................................................................................................
396
10.1 Bass Synth – General Handling .................................................................................................. 397
10.1.1 Parameter Organization ............................................................................................. 397
10.1.2 Bass Synth Parameters ............................................................................................. 399
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 12
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11 Working with Patterns ...............................................................................................
11.1 Pattern Basics ............................................................................................................................ 401
11.2 Recording Patterns in Real Time ................................................................................................ 416
11.3 Recording Patterns with the Step Sequencer .............................................................................. 422
11.4 Editing Events ............................................................................................................................ 425
11.1.1 Pattern Editor Overview ............................................................................................. 402
11.1.2 Navigating the Event Area ......................................................................................... 404
11.1.3 Following the Playback Position in the Pattern .......................................................... 406
11.1.4 Jumping to Another Playback Position in the Pattern ................................................. 407
11.1.5 Group View and Keyboard View .................................................................................. 408
11.1.6 Adjusting the Arrange Grid and the Pattern Length ................................................... 410
11.1.7 Adjusting the Step Grid and the Nudge Grid .............................................................. 413
11.2.1 Recording Your Patterns Live ..................................................................................... 417
11.2.2 Using the Metronome ................................................................................................. 419
11.2.3 Recording with Count-in ............................................................................................ 420
11.3.1 Step Mode Basics ...................................................................................................... 422
11.3.2 Editing Events in Step Mode ...................................................................................... 424
11.4.1 Editing Events with the Mouse: an Overview ............................................................. 425
11.4.2 Creating Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 428
11.4.3 Selecting Events/Notes .............................................................................................. 429
11.4.4 Editing Selected Events/Notes ................................................................................... 431
11.4.5 Deleting Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 434
11.4.6 Cut, Copy, and Paste Events/Notes ............................................................................ 436
11.4.7 Quantizing Events/Notes ........................................................................................... 439
11.4.8 Quantization While Playing ........................................................................................ 441
11.4.9 Doubling a Pattern .................................................................................................... 442
401
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11.5 Recording and Editing Modulation ............................................................................................. 443
11.6 Creating MIDI Tracks from Scratch in MASCHINE ....................................................................... 452
11.7 Managing Patterns ..................................................................................................................... 454
11.8 Importing/Exporting Audio and MIDI to/from Patterns ................................................................ 470
11.4.10 Adding Variation to Patterns ..................................................................................... 442
11.5.1 Which Parameters Are Modulatable? ......................................................................... 444
11.5.2 Recording Modulation ................................................................................................ 446
11.5.3 Creating and Editing Modulation in the Control Lane ................................................ 447
11.7.1 The Pattern Manager and Pattern Mode .................................................................... 455
11.7.2 Selecting Patterns and Pattern Banks ....................................................................... 456
11.7.3 Creating Patterns ...................................................................................................... 459
11.7.4 Deleting Patterns ....................................................................................................... 460
11.7.5 Creating and Deleting Pattern Banks ........................................................................ 461
11.7.6 Naming Patterns ....................................................................................................... 463
11.7.7 Changing the Pattern’s Color .................................................................................... 465
11.7.8 Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Patterns .............................................................. 466
11.7.9 Moving Patterns ........................................................................................................ 469
11.8.1 Exporting Audio from Patterns ................................................................................... 470
11.8.2 Exporting MIDI from Patterns ..................................................................................... 472
11.8.3 Importing MIDI to Patterns ........................................................................................ 474
12 Audio Routing, Remote Control, and Macro Controls ....................................................
483
12.1 Audio Routing in MASCHINE ....................................................................................................... 484
12.1.1 Sending External Audio to Sounds ............................................................................. 485
12.1.2 Configuring the Main Output of Sounds and Groups ................................................. 489
12.1.3 Setting Up Auxiliary Outputs for Sounds and Groups ................................................. 494
12.1.4 Configuring the Master and Cue Outputs of MASCHINE ............................................. 497
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12.2 Using MIDI Control and Host Automation .................................................................................... 506
12.3 Creating Custom Sets of Parameters with the Macro Controls ................................................... 527
12.1.5 Mono Audio Inputs ..................................................................................................... 502
12.1.5.1 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in Mix View ..................................503
12.2.1 Triggering Sounds via MIDI Notes .............................................................................. 507
12.2.2 Triggering Scenes via MIDI ........................................................................................ 513
12.2.3 Controlling Parameters via MIDI and Host Automation .............................................. 514
12.2.4 Selecting VST/AU Plug-in Presets via MIDI Program Change ..................................... 522
12.2.5 Sending MIDI from Sounds ........................................................................................ 523
12.3.1 Macro Control Overview ............................................................................................. 527
12.3.2 Assigning Macro Controls Using the Software ........................................................... 528
13 Controlling Your Mix ..................................................................................................
13.1 Mix View Basics .......................................................................................................................... 535
13.2 The Mixer .................................................................................................................................... 537
13.3 The Plug-in Chain .......................................................................................................................551
13.4 The Plug-in Strip ........................................................................................................................ 552
13.1.1 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View ......................................................... 535
13.1.2 Mix View Elements ..................................................................................................... 536
13.2.1 Displaying Groups vs. Displaying Sounds .................................................................. 539
13.2.2 Adjusting the Mixer Layout ........................................................................................ 541
13.2.3 Selecting Channel Strips ........................................................................................... 542
13.2.4 Managing Your Channels in the Mixer ....................................................................... 543
13.2.5 Adjusting Settings in the Channel Strips ................................................................... 545
13.2.6 Using the Cue Bus ..................................................................................................... 549
13.4.1 The Plug-in Header .................................................................................................... 554
13.4.2 Panels for Drumsynths and Internal Effects .............................................................. 556
535
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 15
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13.4.3 Panel for the Sampler ................................................................................................ 557
13.4.4 Custom Panels for Native Instruments Plug-ins ........................................................ 560
13.4.5 Undocking a Plug-in Panel (Native Instruments and External Plug-ins Only) ............ 564
14 Using Effects .............................................................................................................
14.1 Applying Effects to a Sound, a Group or the Master .................................................................... 567
14.2 Applying Effects to External Audio .............................................................................................. 578
14.3 Creating a Send Effect ............................................................................................................... 580
14.4 Creating Multi-Effects ................................................................................................................ 584
14.1.1 Adding an Effect ........................................................................................................ 567
14.1.2 Other Operations on Effects ....................................................................................... 574
14.1.3 Using the Side-Chain Input ....................................................................................... 575
14.2.1 Step 1: Configure MASCHINE Audio Inputs ................................................................ 578
14.2.2 Step 2: Set up a Sound to Receive the External Input ................................................ 579
14.2.3 Step 3: Load an Effect to Process an Input ................................................................ 579
14.3.1 Step 1: Set Up a Sound or Group as Send Effect ........................................................ 581
14.3.2 Step 2: Route Audio to the Send Effect ...................................................................... 583
14.3.3 A Few Notes on Send Effects ...................................................................................... 583
15 Effect Reference ........................................................................................................
567
587
15.1 Dynamics ....................................................................................................................................588
15.2 Filtering Effects .......................................................................................................................... 603
15.1.1 Compressor ............................................................................................................... 588
15.1.2 Gate ........................................................................................................................... 591
15.1.3 Transient Master ....................................................................................................... 594
15.1.4 Limiter ....................................................................................................................... 596
15.1.5 Maximizer .................................................................................................................. 600
15.2.1 EQ .............................................................................................................................. 603
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15.3 Modulation Effects ..................................................................................................................... 611
15.4 Spatial and Reverb Effects ......................................................................................................... 617
15.5 Delays .........................................................................................................................................630
15.6 Distortion Effects ........................................................................................................................ 638
15.2.2 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 605
15.2.3 Cabinet ...................................................................................................................... 609
15.3.1 Chorus ....................................................................................................................... 611
15.3.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 612
15.3.3 FM ............................................................................................................................. 613
15.3.4 Freq Shifter ................................................................................................................ 615
15.3.5 Phaser ....................................................................................................................... 616
15.4.1 Ice ............................................................................................................................. 617
15.4.2 Metaverb ................................................................................................................... 619
15.4.3 Reflex ........................................................................................................................ 620
15.4.4 Reverb (Legacy) ......................................................................................................... 621
15.4.5 Reverb ....................................................................................................................... 623
15.4.5.1 Reverb Room .............................................................................................623
15.4.5.2 Reverb Hall ................................................................................................626
15.4.5.3 Plate Reverb ..............................................................................................629
15.5.1 Beat Delay ................................................................................................................. 630
15.5.2 Grain Delay ................................................................................................................ 632
15.5.3 Grain Stretch ............................................................................................................. 634
15.5.4 Resochord .................................................................................................................. 636
15.6.1 Distortion ................................................................................................................... 638
15.6.2 Lofi ............................................................................................................................ 640
15.6.3 Saturator ................................................................................................................... 641
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 17
15.7 Perform FX .................................................................................................................................. 645
15.7.1 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 646
15.7.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 648
15.7.3 Burst Echo ................................................................................................................. 650
15.7.4 Reso Echo .................................................................................................................. 653
15.7.5 Ring ........................................................................................................................... 656
15.7.6 Stutter ....................................................................................................................... 658
15.7.7 Tremolo ...................................................................................................................... 661
15.7.8 Scratcher ................................................................................................................... 664
16 Working with the Arranger .........................................................................................
16.1 Arranger Basics .......................................................................................................................... 667
16.2 Using Ideas View ........................................................................................................................ 677
16.1.1 Navigating Song View ................................................................................................ 670
16.1.2 Following the Playback Position in Your Project ......................................................... 672
16.1.3 Performing with Scenes and Sections using the Pads ............................................... 673
16.2.1 Scene Overview .......................................................................................................... 677
16.2.2 Creating Scenes ........................................................................................................ 679
16.2.3 Assigning and Removing Patterns ............................................................................. 679
16.2.4 Selecting Scenes ....................................................................................................... 682
16.2.5 Deleting Scenes ......................................................................................................... 684
16.2.6 Creating and Deleting Scene Banks .......................................................................... 685
16.2.7 Clearing Scenes ......................................................................................................... 685
16.2.8 Duplicating Scenes .................................................................................................... 685
16.2.9 Reordering Scenes ..................................................................................................... 687
16.2.10 Making Scenes Unique .............................................................................................. 688
16.2.11 Appending Scenes to Arrangement ............................................................................ 689
Table of Contents
667
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 18
Table of Contents
16.3 Using Song View ......................................................................................................................... 692
16.2.12 Naming Scenes .......................................................................................................... 689
16.2.13 Changing the Color of a Scene .................................................................................. 690
16.3.1 Section Management Overview .................................................................................. 692
16.3.2 Creating Sections ...................................................................................................... 694
16.3.3 Assigning a Scene to a Section .................................................................................. 695
16.3.4 Selecting Sections and Section Banks ....................................................................... 696
16.3.5 Reorganizing Sections ............................................................................................... 700
16.3.6 Adjusting the Length of a Section .............................................................................. 702
16.3.6.1 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Software ...............................703
16.3.6.2 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Controller .............................705
16.3.7 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................................ 705
16.3.8 Duplicating Sections ................................................................................................. 705
16.3.8.1 Making Sections Unique ............................................................................707
16.3.9 Removing Sections .................................................................................................... 707
16.3.10 Renaming Scenes ...................................................................................................... 708
16.3.11 Clearing Sections ...................................................................................................... 710
16.3.12 Creating and Deleting Section Banks ........................................................................ 710
16.3.13 Working with Patterns in Song view ........................................................................... 710
16.3.13.1 Creating a Pattern in Song View ................................................................711
16.3.13.2 Selecting a Pattern in Song View ...............................................................711
16.3.13.3 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................711
16.3.13.4 Renaming a Pattern in Song View ............................................................. 711
16.3.13.5 Coloring a Pattern in Song View ................................................................ 712
16.3.13.6 Removing a Pattern in Song View ..............................................................712
16.3.13.7 Duplicating a Pattern in Song View ...........................................................712
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 19
Table of Contents
16.4 Playing with Sections ................................................................................................................. 715
16.5 Triggering Sections or Scenes via MIDI ....................................................................................... 717
16.6 The Arrange Grid .........................................................................................................................719
16.7 Quick Grid ...................................................................................................................................720
16.3.14 Enabling Auto Length ................................................................................................ 713
16.3.15 Looping ...................................................................................................................... 714
16.3.15.1 Setting the Loop Range in the Software .....................................................714
16.3.15.2 Activating or Deactivating a Loop Using the Controller .............................715
16.4.1 Jumping to another Playback Position in Your Project ............................................... 716
17 Sampling and Sample Mapping ..................................................................................
17.1 Opening the Sample Editor ......................................................................................................... 722
17.2 Recording Audio ......................................................................................................................... 724
17.3 Editing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 735
17.4 Slicing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 743
17.5 Mapping Samples to Zones ........................................................................................................ 754
17.2.1 Opening the Record Page .......................................................................................... 724
17.2.2 Selecting the Source and the Recording Mode ........................................................... 725
17.2.3 Arming, Starting, and Stopping the Recording .......................................................... 729
17.2.5 Checking Your Recordings ......................................................................................... 731
17.2.6 Location and Name of Your Recorded Samples .......................................................... 734
17.3.1 Using the Edit Page ................................................................................................... 735
17.3.2 Audio Editing Functions ............................................................................................. 739
17.4.1 Opening the Slice Page .............................................................................................. 743
17.4.2 Adjusting the Slicing Settings ................................................................................... 744
17.4.3 Manually Adjusting Your Slices ................................................................................. 746
17.4.4 Applying the Slicing ................................................................................................... 750
722
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 20
Table of Contents
17.5.1 Opening the Zone Page .............................................................................................. 754
17.5.2 Zone Page Overview ................................................................................................... 755
17.5.3 Selecting and Managing Zones in the Zone List ........................................................ 756
17.5.4 Selecting and Editing Zones in the Map View ............................................................ 761
17.5.5 Editing Zones in the Sample View ............................................................................. 765
17.5.6 Adjusting the Zone Settings ...................................................................................... 767
17.5.7 Adding Samples to the Sample Map .......................................................................... 770
18 Appendix: Tips for Playing Live ..................................................................................
18.1 Preparations ............................................................................................................................... 772
18.2 Basic Techniques ....................................................................................................................... 773
18.3 Special Tricks ............................................................................................................................. 774
18.1.1 Focus on the Hardware .............................................................................................. 772
18.1.2 Customize the Pads of the Hardware ......................................................................... 772
18.1.3 Check Your CPU Power Before Playing ....................................................................... 772
18.1.4 Name and Color Your Groups, Patterns, Sounds and Scenes ..................................... 773
18.1.5 Consider Using a Limiter on Your Master ................................................................... 773
18.1.6 Hook Up Your Other Gear and Sync It with MIDI Clock ................................................ 773
18.1.7 Improvise ................................................................................................................... 773
18.2.1 Use Mute and Solo ..................................................................................................... 773
18.2.2 Create Variations of Your Drum Patterns in the Step Sequencer ................................ 774
18.2.3 Use Note Repeat ........................................................................................................ 774
18.2.4 Set Up Your Own Multi-effect Groups and Automate Them ........................................ 774
18.3.1 Changing Pattern Length for Variation ...................................................................... 774
18.3.2 Using Loops to Cycle Through Samples ..................................................................... 775
18.3.3 Load Long Audio Files and Play with the Start Point .................................................. 775
772
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 21
Table of Contents
19 Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................
19.1 Knowledge Base ......................................................................................................................... 776
19.2 Technical Support .......................................................................................................................776
19.3 Registration Support .................................................................................................................. 777
19.4 User Forum ................................................................................................................................. 777
20 Glossary ...................................................................................................................
Index ........................................................................................................................
776
778
786
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 MIKRO Quick Start Guide: This animated online guide provides a practical ap-
proach to help you learn the basic of MASCHINE MIKRO. The guide is available from the
Native Instruments website: https://www.native-instruments.com/maschine-mikro-quick-
start/
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:
► 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 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.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 24
Welcome to MASCHINE
Document Conventions
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.
▪ 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.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 25
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.8
▪ References to keys on your computer’s keyboard you’ll find put in square brackets (e.g.,
“Press [Shift] + [Enter]”).
► Single instructions are introduced by this play button type arrow.
→ Results of actions are introduced by this smaller arrow.
Naming Convention
Throughout the documentation we will refer to MASCHINE controller (or just controller) as the
hardware controller and MASCHINE software as the software installed on your computer.
The term “effect” will sometimes be abbreviated as “FX” when referring to elements in the MASCHINE software and hardware. These terms have the same meaning.
Button Combinations and Shortcuts on Your Controller
Most instructions will use the “+” sign to indicate buttons (or buttons and pads) that must be
pressed simultaneously, starting with the button indicated first. E.g., an instruction such as:
“Press SHIFT + PLAY”
means:
1. Press and hold SHIFT.
2. While holding SHIFT, press PLAY and release it.
3. Release SHIFT.
1.3 New Features in MASCHINE 2.8
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
Sounds.com Integration
▪ Browse on Sounds.com, create your own collections of loops and one-shots and send them
directly to the MASCHINE browser.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 26
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.8
Improvements to the Browser
▪ Samples are now cataloged in separate Loops and One-shots tabs in the Browser.
▪ Previews of loops selected in the Browser will be played in sync with the current project.
When a loop is selected with Prehear turned on, it will begin playing immediately in-sync
with the project if transport is running. If a loop preview starts part-way through the loop,
the loop will play once more for its full length to ensure you get to hear the entire loop
once in context with your project.
▪ Filters and product selections will be remembered when switching between content types
and Factory/User Libraries in the Browser.
▪ Browser content synchronization between multiple running instances. When running multi-
ple instances of MASCHINE, either as Standalone and/or as a plug-in, updates to the Library will be synced across the instances. For example, if you delete a sample from your
User Library in one instance, the sample will no longer be present in the other instances.
Similarly, if you save a preset in one instance, that preset will then be available in the other instances, too.
▪ Edits made to samples in the Factory Libraries will be saved to the Standard User Directo-
ry.
For more information on these new features, refer to the following chapter ↑4, Browser.
Improvements to the MASCHINE MIKRO MK3 Controller
▪ You can now set sample Start and End points using the controller. For more information
refer to ↑17.3.1, Using the Edit Page.
Improved Support for A-Series Keyboards
▪ When Browsing with A-Series keyboards, you can now jump quickly to the results list by
holding SHIFT and pushing right on the 4D Encoder.
▪ When Browsing with A-Series keyboards, you can fast scroll through the Browser results list
by holding SHIFT and twisting the 4D Encoder.
▪ Mute and Solo Sounds and Groups from A-Series keyboards. Sounds are muted in TRACK
mode while Groups are muted in IDEAS.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 27
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.10
▪ Adjust Pattern Length with A-Series keyboards. Push the 4D Encoder on a Pattern in
IDEAS. Twist for 1 bar increments, or hold SHIFT and twist for finer increments. Press
again to set.
▪ Clear patterns from A-Series keyboards by holding SHIFT and pressing STOP.
1.4 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.10
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
New Hardware Support
▪ Support for KOMPLETE KONTROL A-Series keyboards.
MASCHINE MIKRO MK3 Improvements
▪ MASCHINE MIKRO MK3: MIDI mode added. For more information, refer to ↑3.7.4, Using
MIDI Mode.
▪ MASCHINE MIKRO MK3: ability to set focused parameter from the software. This means
that when you click on a plug-in parameter in the Control Panel of the software, the parameter will become focused on the controller when in Plug-in mode.
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.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 28
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.8
1.5 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.8
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
New Hardware Support
▪ Support for KOMPLETE KONTROL S88 MK2
▪ Support for MASCHINE MIKRO MK3 hardware
1.6 New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.7
The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:
Audio plug-in Improvements
▪ Added a Formant mode to the Audio plug-in which preserves formants when pitching an
audio loop up or down. This can be particularly useful when working with vocal material.
For more information, refer to ↑8, Using the Audio Plug-in.
▪ The Engine Modes are now listed in order of CPU load, from lowest (Re-pitch) to highest
(Formant).
▪ The Take Recording workflow has been improved by muting the previously-playing Take
when you trigger a new recording so you're not distracted hearing the old Take while trying
to record a new one. If you abort the recording, the previously-playing Take will be restored.
▪ The Pattern Recording workflow has been improved by muting the previously-playing Pat-
tern when you trigger a new recording so you're not distracted hearing the old Pattern while
trying to record a new one. If you abort the recording, the previously-playing Pattern will be
restored.
▪ When you drag a bounced audio file from the Pattern Editor dragger to a Sound Slot or
Group, MASCHINE will now load this into an Audio plug-in instead of a Sampler.
▪ When Exporting loop content from MASCHINE, the Project Tempo will now be written into
the files. MASCHINE will read this tempo when later loading this file into the Audio plugin.
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 29
Welcome to MASCHINE
New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.7
▪ 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:
◦ 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
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 30
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