Native Instruments Maschine Studio 2.0 Operation Manual v2.7.6

MANUAL

Disclaimer

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 registeredtrademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

All other product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

Document authored by: David Gover and Nico Sidi. Software version: 2.7.6 (05/2018)

Hardware version: MASCHINE STUDIO

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	NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc.
Schlesische Str. 29-30	6725 Sunset Boulevard
D-10997 Berlin	5th Floor
Germany	Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.native-instruments.de	USA
	www.native-instruments.com

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS K.K.	NATIVE INSTRUMENTS UK Limited
YO Building 3F	18 Phipp Street
Jingumae 6-7-15, Shibuya-ku,	London EC2A 4NU
Tokyo 150-0001	UK
Japan	www.native-instruments.co.uk
www.native-instruments.co.jp

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS FRANCE SARL	SHENZHEN NATIVE INSTRUMENTS COMPANY Limited
113 Rue Saint-Maur	203B & 201B, Nanshan E-Commerce Base Of
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www.native-instruments.com	China
	www.native-instruments.com

© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2018. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1	Welcome to MASCHINE .............................................................................................			23
	1.1	MASCHINE Documentation ..........................................................................................................		24
	1.2	Document Conventions ...............................................................................................................		25
	1.3	New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4 ...............................................................................................		27
	1.4	New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3 ...............................................................................................		29
2	Basic Concepts		.........................................................................................................	32
	2.1	Important .................................................................................................Names and Concepts		32
	2.2	Adjusting .....................................................................................the MASCHINE User Interface		35
		2.2.1 .............................................................................	Adjusting the Size of the Interface	35
		2.2.2 .....................................................	Switching between Ideas View and Arranger View	36
		2.2.3 ......................................................................................	Showing/Hiding the Browser	37
		2.2.4 .................................................................................................	Minimizing the Mixer	37
		2.2.5 ..............................................................................	Showing/Hiding the Control Lane	38
	2.3	Common Operations ...................................................................................................................		39
		2.3.1 ...............................................................................	Pinning a Mode on the Controller	39
		2.3.2 .................................................................................................................	Undo/Redo	40
		2.3.3 ...........................................................................................	List Overlay for Selectors	42
		2.3.4 ..........................................................................................	Zoom and Scroll Overlays	43
		2.3.5 ................................................................................	Focusing on a Group or a Sound	44
		2.3.6 ...........................................	Switching Between the Master, Group, and Sound Level	49

2.3.7Navigating Channel Properties, Plug-ins, and Parameter Pages in the Control Area . 50

		2.3.7.1 Extended Navigate Mode on Your Controller ..............................................	56
	2.3.8	Using Two or More Hardware Controllers ...................................................................	60
	2.3.9	Touch Auto-Write Option ............................................................................................	62
2.4	Native Kontrol Standard .............................................................................................................		64

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 4

			Table of Contents
2.5	Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ...................................................................................................		66
	2.5.1	Differences between Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode .................................................	66
	2.5.2	Switching Instances ..................................................................................................	67
	2.5.3	Controlling Various Instances with Different Controllers ...........................................	68
	2.5.4	Controlling your Host’s Transport Functions in Plug-in Mode ....................................	69
2.6	Preferences .................................................................................................................................		69
	2.6.1	Preferences – General Page .......................................................................................	70
	2.6.2	Preferences – Audio Page ..........................................................................................	74
	2.6.3	Preferences – MIDI Page ............................................................................................	77
	2.6.4	Preferences – Default Page .......................................................................................	80
	2.6.5	Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................	84
	2.6.6	Preferences – Plug-ins Page .....................................................................................	92
	2.6.7	Preferences – Hardware Page ....................................................................................	97
	2.6.8	Preferences – Colors Page .........................................................................................	101
2.7	Integrating MASCHINE into a MIDI Setup ....................................................................................		103
	2.7.1	Connecting External MIDI Equipment ........................................................................	103
	2.7.2	Sync to External MIDI Clock .......................................................................................	104
	2.7.3	Send MIDI Clock .........................................................................................................	105
2.8	Syncing MASCHINE using Ableton Link .......................................................................................		106
	2.8.1	Connecting to a Network ............................................................................................	106
	2.8.2	Joining and Leaving a Link Session ...........................................................................	107
2.9	Using Footswitches with the MASCHINE Controller .....................................................................		108
3 Browser ....................................................................................................................			109
3.1	Browser Basics ...........................................................................................................................		109
	3.1.1	The MASCHINE Library ...............................................................................................	109
	3.1.2	Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ...................................................	110

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 5

			Table of Contents
3.2	Searching and Loading Files from the Library ............................................................................		111
	3.2.1	Overview of the LIBRARY Pane ...................................................................................	111
	3.2.2	Selecting or Loading a Product and Selecting a Bank from the Browser ....................	117
		3.2.2.1 Browsing by Product Category Using MASCHINE STUDIO ...........................	121
		3.2.2.2 Browsing by Product Vendor Using MASCHINE STUDIO ..............................	122
	3.2.3	Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank ...........................	122

3.2.3.1Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank on the

		Controller ...................................................................................................	126
	3.2.4	Selecting a File Type ..................................................................................................	127
	3.2.5	Choosing Between Factory and User Content .............................................................	128
	3.2.6	Selecting Type and Mode Tags ...................................................................................	129
	3.2.7	List and Tag Overlays in the Browser .........................................................................	134
	3.2.8	Performing a Text Search ...........................................................................................	136
	3.2.9	Loading a File from the Result List ............................................................................	137
3.3	Additional Browsing Tools ..........................................................................................................		143
	3.3.1	Loading the Selected Files Automatically ..................................................................	143
	3.3.2	Auditioning Instrument Presets .................................................................................	144
	3.3.3	Auditioning Samples .................................................................................................	145
	3.3.4	Loading Groups with Patterns ...................................................................................	147
	3.3.5	Loading Groups with Routing ....................................................................................	148
	3.3.6	Displaying File Information ........................................................................................	148
3.4	Using Favorites in the Browser ...................................................................................................		149
3.5	Editing the Files’ Tags and Properties ........................................................................................		155
	3.5.1	Attribute Editor Basics ..............................................................................................	155
	3.5.2	The BANK Page ..........................................................................................................	157
	3.5.3	The TYPES and MODES Pages ....................................................................................	158

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 6

			Table of Contents
	3.5.4	The PROPERTIES Page ...............................................................................................	160
3.6	Loading and Importing Files from Your File System ....................................................................		161
	3.6.1	Overview of the FILES Pane ........................................................................................	161
	3.6.2	Using Favorites ..........................................................................................................	163
	3.6.3	Using the Location Bar ..............................................................................................	164
	3.6.4	Navigating to Recent Locations .................................................................................	165
	3.6.5	Using the Result List .................................................................................................	166
	3.6.6	Importing Files to the MASCHINE Library ...................................................................	169
3.7	Locating Missing Samples ..........................................................................................................		171
3.8	Using Quick Browse ....................................................................................................................		173
4 Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project ...............................................................			177
4.1	Overview of the Sounds, Groups, and Master ..............................................................................		177
	4.1.1	The Sound, Group, and Master Channels ...................................................................	178
	4.1.2	Similarities and Differences in Handling Sounds and Groups ...................................	179
	4.1.3	Selecting Multiple Sounds or Groups .........................................................................	180
4.2	Managing Sounds .......................................................................................................................		185
	4.2.1	Loading Sounds .........................................................................................................	187
	4.2.2	Pre-listening to Sounds .............................................................................................	188
	4.2.3	Renaming Sound Slots ..............................................................................................	189
	4.2.4	Changing the Sound’s Color ......................................................................................	189
	4.2.5	Saving Sounds ...........................................................................................................	191
	4.2.6	Copying and Pasting Sounds .....................................................................................	193
	4.2.7	Moving Sounds ..........................................................................................................	196
	4.2.8	Resetting Sound Slots ...............................................................................................	197
4.3	Managing Groups .......................................................................................................................		199
	4.3.1	Creating Groups ........................................................................................................	200

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 7

			Table of Contents
	4.3.2	Loading Groups .........................................................................................................	201
	4.3.3	Renaming Groups ......................................................................................................	203
	4.3.4	Changing the Group’s Color .......................................................................................	203
	4.3.5	Saving Groups ...........................................................................................................	205
	4.3.6	Copying and Pasting Groups .....................................................................................	207
	4.3.7	Reordering Groups .....................................................................................................	210
	4.3.8	Deleting Groups .........................................................................................................	211
4.4	Exporting MASCHINE Objects and Audio .....................................................................................		212
	4.4.1	Saving a Group with its Samples ...............................................................................	213
	4.4.2	Saving a Project with its Samples .............................................................................	214
	4.4.3	Exporting Audio .........................................................................................................	216
4.5	Importing Third-Party File Formats .............................................................................................		222
	4.5.1	Loading REX Files into Sound Slots ...........................................................................	222
	4.5.2	Importing MPC Programs to Groups ...........................................................................	223
5 Playing on the Controller ...........................................................................................			227
5.1	Adjusting the Pads .....................................................................................................................		227
	5.1.1	The Pad View in the Software ....................................................................................	227
	5.1.2	Choosing a Pad Input Mode .......................................................................................	229
	5.1.3	Adjusting the Base Key ..............................................................................................	232
	5.1.4	Using Choke Groups ..................................................................................................	234
	5.1.5	Using Link Groups .....................................................................................................	236
5.2	Adjusting the Key, Choke, and Link Parameters for Multiple Sounds ..........................................		238
5.3	Adjusting the Base Key ...............................................................................................................		239
5.4	Playing Tools ..............................................................................................................................		240
	5.4.1	Mute and Solo ............................................................................................................	241
	5.4.2	Choke All Notes ..........................................................................................................	244

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 8

			Table of Contents
	5.4.3	Groove .......................................................................................................................	244
	5.4.4	Level, Tempo, Tune, and Groove Shortcuts on Your Controller ....................................	247
5.5	Performance Features .................................................................................................................		251
	5.5.1	Overview of the Perform Features ..............................................................................	251
	5.5.2	Selecting a Scale and Creating Chords .....................................................................	253
	5.5.3	Scale and Chord Parameters .....................................................................................	256
	5.5.4	Creating Arpeggios and Repeated Notes ...................................................................	267
	5.5.5	Swing on Note Repeat / Arp Output ...........................................................................	271
5.6	Using Lock Snapshots ................................................................................................................		272
	5.6.1	Creating a Lock Snapshot ..........................................................................................	272
	5.6.2	Using Extended Lock ..................................................................................................	273
	5.6.3	Updating a Lock Snapshot .........................................................................................	273
	5.6.4	Recalling a Lock Snapshot ........................................................................................	274
	5.6.5	Morphing Between Lock Snapshots ...........................................................................	274
	5.6.6	Deleting a Lock Snapshot ..........................................................................................	275
	5.6.7	Triggering Lock Snapshots via MIDI ...........................................................................	276
6 Working with Plug-ins ...............................................................................................			278
6.1	Plug-in Overview ........................................................................................................................		278
	6.1.1	Plug-in Basics ...........................................................................................................	278
	6.1.2	First Plug-in Slot of Sounds: Choosing the Sound’s Role ...........................................	282
	6.1.3	Loading, Removing, and Replacing a Plug-in ............................................................	283
		6.1.3.1 Browser Plug-in Slot Selection ...................................................................	289
	6.1.4	Adjusting the Plug-in Parameters .............................................................................	291
	6.1.5	Bypassing Plug-in Slots ............................................................................................	292
	6.1.6	Using Side-Chain ......................................................................................................	294
	6.1.7	Moving Plug-ins ........................................................................................................	294

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 9

				Table of Contents
	6.1.8	Alternative: the Plug-in Strip .....................................................................................		296
	6.1.9	Saving and Recalling Plug-in Presets .......................................................................		296
		6.1.9.1	Saving Plug - in Presets ..............................................................................	297
		6.1.9.2	Recalling Plug - in Presets ..........................................................................	298
		6.1.9.3 Removing a Default Plug-in Preset ............................................................		299
6.2	The Sampler Plug-in		...................................................................................................................	300
	6.2.1	Page 1: Voice .................................................................................Settings / Engine		302
	6.2.2	Page 2: Pitch ............................................................................................/ Envelope		304
	6.2.3	Page 3: FX ....................................................................................................../ Filter		307
	6.2.4	Page 4: Modulation ....................................................................................................		309
	6.2.5	Page 5: LFO ...............................................................................................................		311
	6.2.6	Page 6: Velocity ....................................................................................../ Modwheel		313
6.3	Using Native Instruments ........................................................................and External Plug-ins			315
	6.3.1	Opening/Closing .............................................................................Plug-in Windows		315
	6.3.2	Using the .......................................................................VST/AU Plug-in Parameters		318
	6.3.3	Setting Up ......................................................................Your Own Parameter Pages		319
	6.3.4	Using VST/AU ....................................................................................Plug-in Presets		324
	6.3.5	Multiple-Output .................................................Plug-ins and Multitimbral Plug-ins		326
7 Using the Audio Plug-in .............................................................................................				328
7.1	Loading a Loop into the ........................................................................................Audio Plug-in			332
7.2	Using Loop Mode ........................................................................................................................			333
7.3	Using Gate Mode ........................................................................................................................			335
8 Using the Drumsynths ................................................................................................				337
8.1	Drumsynths – General .................................................................................................Handling			338
	8.1.1	Engines: Many .........................................................Different Drums per Drumsynth		338
	8.1.2	Common Parameter ..............................................................................Organization		338

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 10

			Table of Contents
	8.1.3	Shared Parameters ....................................................................................................	341
	8.1.4	Various Velocity Responses .......................................................................................	341
	8.1.5	Pitch Range, Tuning, and MIDI Notes ........................................................................	341
8.2	The Kicks	....................................................................................................................................	342
	8.2.1 .................................................................................................................	Kick – Sub	344
	8.2.2 ..............................................................................................................	Kick – Tronic	346
	8.2.3 ..............................................................................................................	Kick – Dusty	349
	8.2.4 .................................................................................................................	Kick – Grit	350
	8.2.5 ............................................................................................................	Kick – Rasper	353
	8.2.6 ............................................................................................................	Kick – Snappy	354
	8.2.7 ................................................................................................................	Kick – Bold	356
	8.2.8 ..............................................................................................................	Kick – Maple	358
	8.2.9 ...............................................................................................................	Kick – Push	359
8.3	The Snares ..................................................................................................................................		361
	8.3.1 ...............................................................................................................	Snare – Volt	363
	8.3.2 ................................................................................................................	Snare – Bit	365
	8.3.3 ..............................................................................................................	Snare – Pow	367
	8.3.4 ...........................................................................................................	Snare – Sharp	368
	8.3.5 ...............................................................................................................	Snare – Airy	370
	8.3.6 .........................................................................................................	Snare – Vintage	372
	8.3.7 .........................................................................................................	Snare – Chrome	374
	8.3.8 ...............................................................................................................	Snare – Iron	376
	8.3.9 .............................................................................................................	Snare – Clap	378
	8.3.10 .........................................................................................................	Snare – Breaker	380
8.4	The Hi-hats .................................................................................................................................		382
	8.4.1 ...........................................................................................................	Hi - hat – Silver	383

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 11

			Table of Contents
	8.4.2	Hi - hat – Circuit .........................................................................................................	385
	8.4.3	Hi - hat – Memory ........................................................................................................	387
	8.4.4	Hi - hat – Hybrid .........................................................................................................	389
	8.4.5	Creating a Pattern with Closed and Open Hi - hats .....................................................	391
8.5	The Toms	....................................................................................................................................	392
	8.5.1 ..............................................................................................................	Tom – Tronic	394
	8.5.2 ............................................................................................................	Tom – Fractal	396
	8.5.3 ................................................................................................................	Tom – Floor	400
	8.5.4 ................................................................................................................	Tom – High	402
8.6	The Percussions ..........................................................................................................................		403
	8.6.1 ..................................................................................................	Percussion – Fractal	405
	8.6.2 ....................................................................................................	Percussion – Kettle	408
	8.6.3 ..................................................................................................	Percussion – Shaker	410
8.7	The Cymbals ...............................................................................................................................		414
	8.7.1 .........................................................................................................	Cymbal – Crash	416
	8.7.2 ...........................................................................................................	Cymbal – Ride	418
9 Using the Bass .................................................................................................Synth			421
9.1	Bass Synth ..................................................................................................– General Handling		422
	9.1.1 .............................................................................................	Parameter Organization	422
	9.1.2 .............................................................................................	Bass Synth Parameters	424
10 Working with Patterns ...............................................................................................			426
10.1	Pattern Basics ............................................................................................................................		426
	10.1.1 .............................................................................................	Pattern Editor Overview	427
	10.1.2 .........................................................................................	Navigating the Event Area	433
	10.1.3 ..........................................................	Following the Playback Position in the Pattern	435
	10.1.4 .................................................	Jumping to Another Playback Position in the Pattern	437

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 12

			Table of Contents
	10.1.5	Group View and Keyboard View ..................................................................................	439
	10.1.6	Adjusting the Arrange Grid and the Pattern Length ...................................................	441
	10.1.7	Adjusting the Step Grid and the Nudge Grid ..............................................................	446
10.2	Recording Patterns in Real Time ................................................................................................		450
	10.2.1	Recording Your Patterns Live .....................................................................................	450
	10.2.2	The Record Prepare Mode ..........................................................................................	453
	10.2.3	Using the Metronome .................................................................................................	454
	10.2.4	Recording with Count-in ............................................................................................	455
	10.2.5	Quantizing while Recording .......................................................................................	457
10.3	Recording Patterns with the Step Sequencer ..............................................................................		458
	10.3.1	Step Mode Basics ......................................................................................................	458
	10.3.2	Editing Events in Step Mode ......................................................................................	465
	10.3.3	Recording Modulation in Step Mode ..........................................................................	470
10.4	Editing Events ............................................................................................................................		471
	10.4.1	Editing Events with the Mouse: an Overview .............................................................	471
	10.4.2	Creating Events/Notes ...............................................................................................	475
	10.4.3	Selecting Events/Notes ..............................................................................................	476
	10.4.4	Editing Selected Events/Notes ...................................................................................	481
	10.4.5	Deleting Events/Notes ...............................................................................................	488
	10.4.6	Cut, Copy, and Paste Events/Notes ............................................................................	491
	10.4.7	Quantizing Events/Notes ...........................................................................................	494
	10.4.8	Quantization While Playing ........................................................................................	496
	10.4.9	Doubling a Pattern ....................................................................................................	497
	10.4.10	Adding Variation to Patterns .....................................................................................	497
10.5	Recording and Editing Modulation .............................................................................................		502
	10.5.1	Which Parameters Are Modulatable? .........................................................................	503

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 13

			Table of Contents
	10.5.2	Recording Modulation ................................................................................................	504
	10.5.3	Creating and Editing Modulation in the Control Lane ................................................	506
10.6	Creating MIDI Tracks from Scratch in MASCHINE .......................................................................		511
10.7	Managing Patterns .....................................................................................................................		513
	10.7.1	The Pattern Manager and Pattern Mode ....................................................................	514
	10.7.2	Selecting Patterns and Pattern Banks .......................................................................	516
	10.7.3	Creating Patterns ......................................................................................................	518
	10.7.4	Deleting Patterns .......................................................................................................	520
	10.7.5	Creating and Deleting Pattern Banks ........................................................................	522
	10.7.6	Naming Patterns .......................................................................................................	523
	10.7.7	Changing the Pattern’s Color ....................................................................................	526
	10.7.8	Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Patterns ..............................................................	527
	10.7.9	Moving Patterns ........................................................................................................	529
	10.7.10	Adjusting Pattern Length in Fine Increments .............................................................	530
10.8	Importing/Exporting Audio and MIDI to/from Patterns ................................................................		531
	10.8.1	Exporting Audio from Patterns ...................................................................................	531
	10.8.2	Exporting MIDI from Patterns .....................................................................................	533
	10.8.3	Importing MIDI to Patterns ........................................................................................	535
11 Audio Routing, Remote Control, and Macro Controls ....................................................			544
11.1	Audio Routing in MASCHINE .......................................................................................................		545
	11.1.1	Sending External Audio to Sounds .............................................................................	546
	11.1.2	Configuring the Main Output of Sounds and Groups .................................................	551
	11.1.3	Setting Up Auxiliary Outputs for Sounds and Groups .................................................	556
	11.1.4	Configuring the Master and Cue Outputs of MASCHINE .............................................	560
	11.1.5	Mono Audio Inputs .....................................................................................................	565
		11.1.5.1 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in Mix View ..................................	566

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 14

			Table of Contents
		11.1.5.2 Configuring External Inputs for Sounds in MASCHINE STUDIO ...................	569
11.2	Using MIDI Control and Host Automation ....................................................................................		569
	11.2.1	Triggering Sounds via MIDI Notes ..............................................................................	570
	11.2.2	Triggering Scenes via MIDI ........................................................................................	577
	11.2.3	Controlling Parameters via MIDI and Host Automation ..............................................	578
	11.2.4	Selecting VST/AU Plug - in Presets via MIDI Program Change .....................................	586
	11.2.5	Sending MIDI from Sounds ........................................................................................	587
11.3	Creating Custom Sets of Parameters with the Macro Controls ...................................................		591
	11.3.1	Macro Control Overview .............................................................................................	592
	11.3.2	Assigning Macro Controls Using the Software ...........................................................	593
12 Controlling Your Mix ..................................................................................................			600
12.1	Mix View Basics ..........................................................................................................................		600
	12.1.1	Switching between Arrange View and Mix View .........................................................	600
	12.1.2	Mix View Elements .....................................................................................................	601
12.2	The Mixer	....................................................................................................................................	603
	12.2.1 ..................................................................	Displaying Groups vs. Displaying Sounds	604
	12.2.2 ........................................................................................	Adjusting the Mixer Layout	606
	12.2.3 ...........................................................................................	Selecting Channel Strips	607
	12.2.4 .......................................................................	Managing Your Channels in the Mixer	608
	12.2.5 ...................................................................	Adjusting Settings in the Channel Strips	610
	12.2.6 .....................................................................................................	Using the Cue Bus	614
12.3	The Plug- .......................................................................................................................in Chain		616
12.4	The Plug- ........................................................................................................................in Strip		617
	12.4.1 ....................................................................................................	The Plug - in Header	619
	12.4.2 ..............................................................	Panels for Drumsynths and Internal Effects	621
	12.4.3 ................................................................................................	Panel for the Sampler	622

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 15

				Table of Contents
		12.4.4	Custom Panels for Native Instruments Plug-ins ........................................................	625
		12.4.5	Undocking a Plug-in Panel (Native Instruments and External Plug-ins Only) ............	629
	12.5	Controlling Your Mix from the Controller .....................................................................................		631
		12.5.1	Navigating Your Channels in Mix Mode .....................................................................	632
		12.5.2	Adjusting the Level and Pan in Mix Mode ..................................................................	634
		12.5.3	Mute and Solo in Mix Mode ........................................................................................	635
		12.5.4	Plug-in Icons in Mix Mode ..........................................................................................	636
13	Using Effects .............................................................................................................			637
	13.1	Applying Effects to a Sound, a Group or the Master ....................................................................		637
		13.1.1	Adding an Effect ........................................................................................................	637
		13.1.2	Other Operations on Effects .......................................................................................	646
		13.1.3	Using the Side-Chain Input .......................................................................................	648
	13.2	Applying Effects to External Audio ..............................................................................................		651
		13.2.1	Step 1: Configure MASCHINE Audio Inputs ................................................................	651
		13.2.2	Step 2: Set up a Sound to Receive the External Input ................................................	654
		13.2.3	Step 3: Load an Effect to Process an Input ................................................................	656
	13.3	Creating a Send Effect ...............................................................................................................		658
		13.3.1	Step 1: Set Up a Sound or Group as Send Effect ........................................................	658
		13.3.2	Step 2: Route Audio to the Send Effect ......................................................................	663
		13.3.3	A Few Notes on Send Effects ......................................................................................	665
	13.4	Creating Multi-Effects ................................................................................................................		666
14	Effect Reference ........................................................................................................			669
	14.1	Dynamics ....................................................................................................................................		670
		14.1.1	Compressor ...............................................................................................................	670
		14.1.2	Gate ...........................................................................................................................	674
		14.1.3	Transient Master .......................................................................................................	678

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 16

				Table of Contents
	14.1.4	Limiter .......................................................................................................................		680
	14.1.5	Maximizer	..................................................................................................................	685
14.2	Filtering Effects ..........................................................................................................................			689
	14.2.1	EQ ..............................................................................................................................		689
	14.2.2	Filter ..........................................................................................................................		692
	14.2.3	Cabinet ......................................................................................................................		696
14.3	Modulation Effects .....................................................................................................................			698
	14.3.1	Chorus .......................................................................................................................		698
	14.3.2	Flanger ......................................................................................................................		699
	14.3.3	FM .............................................................................................................................		701
	14.3.4	Freq Shifter ................................................................................................................		703
	14.3.5	Phaser .......................................................................................................................		704
14.4	Spatial and Reverb Effects .........................................................................................................			706
	14.4.1	Ice .............................................................................................................................		706
	14.4.2	Metaverb ...................................................................................................................		708
	14.4.3	Reflex ........................................................................................................................		709
	14.4.4	Reverb (Legacy) .........................................................................................................		711
	14.4.5	Reverb .......................................................................................................................		713
		14.4.5.1	Reverb Room .............................................................................................	713
		14.4.5.2	Reverb Hall ................................................................................................	716
		14.4.5.3	Plate Reverb ..............................................................................................	719
14.5	Delays	.........................................................................................................................................		721
	14.5.1 .................................................................................................................	Beat Delay		721
	14.5.2 ................................................................................................................	Grain Delay		724
	14.5.3 .............................................................................................................	Grain Stretch		727
	14.5.4 ..................................................................................................................	Resochord		729

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 17

			Table of Contents
14.6	Distortion Effects ........................................................................................................................		731
	14.6.1	Distortion ...................................................................................................................	731
	14.6.2	Lofi ............................................................................................................................	732
	14.6.3	Saturator ...................................................................................................................	734
	14.6.4	Analog Distortion .......................................................................................................	738
14.7	Perform FX ..................................................................................................................................		739
	14.7.1	Filter ..........................................................................................................................	740
	14.7.2	Flanger ......................................................................................................................	742
	14.7.3	Burst Echo .................................................................................................................	745
	14.7.4	Reso Echo ..................................................................................................................	747
	14.7.5	Ring ...........................................................................................................................	750
	14.7.6	Stutter .......................................................................................................................	752
	14.7.7	Tremolo ......................................................................................................................	755
	14.7.8	Scratcher ...................................................................................................................	758
15 Working with the Arranger .........................................................................................			761
15.1	Arranger Basics ..........................................................................................................................		761
	15.1.1	Navigating the Arranger ............................................................................................	764
	15.1.2	Following the Playback Position in Your Project .........................................................	766
	15.1.3	Jumping to Other Sections .........................................................................................	767
15.2	Using Ideas View ........................................................................................................................		770
	15.2.1	Scene Overview ..........................................................................................................	770
	15.2.2	Creating Scenes ........................................................................................................	771
	15.2.3	Assigning and Removing Patterns .............................................................................	772
	15.2.4	Selecting Scenes .......................................................................................................	775
	15.2.5	Deleting Scenes .........................................................................................................	777
	15.2.6	Creating and Deleting Scene Banks ..........................................................................	779

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 18

			Table of Contents
	15.2.7	Clearing Scenes .........................................................................................................	779
	15.2.8	Duplicating Scenes ....................................................................................................	780
	15.2.9	Reordering Scenes .....................................................................................................	782
	15.2.10	Making Scenes Unique ..............................................................................................	783
	15.2.11	Appending Scenes to Arrangement ............................................................................	784
	15.2.12	Naming Scenes ..........................................................................................................	785
	15.2.13	Changing the Color of a Scene ..................................................................................	786
15.3	Using Song View .........................................................................................................................		788
	15.3.1	Section Management Overview ..................................................................................	788
	15.3.2	Creating Sections ......................................................................................................	793
	15.3.3	Assigning a Scene to a Section ..................................................................................	794
	15.3.4	Selecting Sections and Section Banks .......................................................................	795
	15.3.5	Reorganizing Sections ...............................................................................................	799
	15.3.6	Adjusting the Length of a Section ..............................................................................	800
		15.3.6.1 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Software ...............................	802
		15.3.6.2 Adjusting the Length of a Section Using the Controller .............................	803
	15.3.7	Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................................	804
	15.3.8	Duplicating Sections .................................................................................................	804
		15.3.8.1 Making Sections Unique ............................................................................	805
	15.3.9	Removing Sections ....................................................................................................	806
	15.3.10	Renaming Scenes ......................................................................................................	808
	15.3.11	Clearing Sections ......................................................................................................	809
	15.3.12	Creating and Deleting Section Banks ........................................................................	810
	15.3.13	Working with Patterns in Song view ...........................................................................	810
		15.3.13.1 Creating a Pattern in Song View ................................................................	811
		15.3.13.2 Selecting a Pattern in Song View ...............................................................	811

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 19

			Table of Contents
		15.3.13.3 Clearing a Pattern in Song View ................................................................	811
		15.3.13.4 Renaming a Pattern in Song View .............................................................	811
		15.3.13.5 Coloring a Pattern in Song View ................................................................	812
		15.3.13.6 Removing a Pattern in Song View ..............................................................	812
		15.3.13.7 Duplicating a Pattern in Song View ...........................................................	812
	15.3.14	Enabling Auto Length ................................................................................................	813
	15.3.15	Looping ......................................................................................................................	814
		15.3.15.1 Setting the Loop Range in the Software .....................................................	814
		15.3.15.2 Setting the Loop Range Using the Controller .............................................	815
15.4	Playing with Sections .................................................................................................................		816
	15.4.1	Jumping to another Playback Position in Your Project ...............................................	816
15.5	Triggering Sections or Scenes via MIDI .......................................................................................		819
15.6	The Arrange Grid .........................................................................................................................		820
15.7	Quick Grid	...................................................................................................................................	822
16 Sampling and Sample Mapping ..................................................................................			824
16.1	Opening the Sample Editor .........................................................................................................		824
16.2	Recording Audio .........................................................................................................................		826
	16.2.1	Opening the Record Page ..........................................................................................	827
	16.2.2	Selecting the Source and the Recording Mode ...........................................................	828
	16.2.3	Arming, Starting, and Stopping the Recording ..........................................................	833
	16.2.5	Using the Footswitch for Recording Audio .................................................................	836
	16.2.6	Checking Your Recordings .........................................................................................	837
	16.2.7	Location and Name of Your Recorded Samples ..........................................................	841
16.3	Editing a Sample ........................................................................................................................		841
	16.3.1	Using the Edit Page ...................................................................................................	842
	16.3.2	Audio Editing Functions .............................................................................................	848

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 20

			Table of Contents
16.4	Slicing a Sample ........................................................................................................................		856
	16.4.1	Opening the Slice Page ..............................................................................................	857
	16.4.2	Adjusting the Slicing Settings ...................................................................................	859
	16.4.3	Live Slicing ................................................................................................................	864
		16.4.3.1 Live Slicing Using the Controller ................................................................	864
		16.4.3.2 Delete All Slices .........................................................................................	865
	16.4.4	Manually Adjusting Your Slices .................................................................................	866
	16.4.5	Applying the Slicing ...................................................................................................	873
16.5	Mapping Samples to Zones ........................................................................................................		879
	16.5.1	Opening the Zone Page ..............................................................................................	879
	16.5.2	Zone Page Overview ...................................................................................................	880
	16.5.3	Selecting and Managing Zones in the Zone List ........................................................	882
	16.5.4	Selecting and Editing Zones in the Map View ............................................................	887
	16.5.5	Editing Zones in the Sample View .............................................................................	891
	16.5.6	Adjusting the Zone Settings ......................................................................................	894
	16.5.7	Adding Samples to the Sample Map ..........................................................................	901
17 Appendix: Tips for Playing Live ..................................................................................			904
17.1	Preparations ...............................................................................................................................		904
	17.1.1	Focus on the Hardware ..............................................................................................	904
	17.1.2	Customize the Pads of the Hardware .........................................................................	904
	17.1.3	Check Your CPU Power Before Playing .......................................................................	904
	17.1.4	Name and Color Your Groups, Patterns, Sounds and Scenes .....................................	905
	17.1.5	Consider Using a Limiter on Your Master ...................................................................	905
	17.1.6	Hook Up Your Other Gear and Sync It with MIDI Clock ................................................	905
	17.1.7	Improvise ...................................................................................................................	905
17.2	Basic Techniques .......................................................................................................................		906

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 21

				Table of Contents
		17.2.1	Use Mute and Solo .....................................................................................................	906
		17.2.2	Use Scene Mode and Tweak the Loop Range ..............................................................	906
		17.2.3	Create Variations of Your Drum Patterns in the Step Sequencer ................................	906
		17.2.4	Use Note Repeat ........................................................................................................	906
		17.2.5	Set Up Your Own Multi-effect Groups and Automate Them ........................................	907
	17.3	Special Tricks .............................................................................................................................		907
		17.3.1	Changing Pattern Length for Variation ......................................................................	907
		17.3.2	Using Loops to Cycle Through Samples .....................................................................	907
		17.3.3	Load Long Audio Files and Play with the Start Point ..................................................	907
18	Troubleshooting		........................................................................................................	908
	18.1	Knowledge Base .........................................................................................................................		908
	18.2	Technical Support .......................................................................................................................		908
	18.3	Registration Support ..................................................................................................................		909
	18.4	User Forum .................................................................................................................................		909
19	Glossary ...................................................................................................................			910
	Index	........................................................................................................................		918

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 22

Welcome to MASCHINE

1Welcome 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 STUDIO - Manual - 23

Welcome to MASCHINE

MASCHINE Documentation

1.1MASCHINE 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 comprehensive 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 Instruments Support Channel under the following URL: https://www.youtube.com/NIsupportEN. We recommend that you follow along with these instructions while the respective application 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 STUDIO - 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.

1.2Document 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 STUDIO - Manual - 25

Welcome to MASCHINE

Document Conventions

▪Text appearing on the displays of the controller is printed in light grey. Whenever you see this formatting applied, you will find the same text on a controller display.

▪Text appearing on labels of the hardware controller is printed in orange. Whenever you see this formatting applied, you will find the same text on the controller.

▪Important names and concepts are printed in bold.

▪References to keys on your computer’s keyboard you’ll find put in square brackets (e.g., “Press [Shift] + [Enter]”).

►Single instructions are introduced by this play button type arrow.

→Results of actions are introduced by this smaller arrow.

Naming Convention

Throughout the documentation we will refer to MASCHINE controller (or just controller) as the hardware controller and MASCHINE software as the software installed on your computer.

The term “effect” will sometimes be abbreviated as “FX” when referring to elements in the MASCHINE software and hardware. These terms have the same meaning.

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.

Unlabeled Buttons on the Controller

The buttons and knobs above and below the displays on your MASCHINE controller do not have labels.

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 26

Welcome to MASCHINE

New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.4

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

The unlabeled buttons and knobs on the MASCHINE STUDIO controller.

For better reference, we applied a special formatting here: throughout the document, the elements are capitalized and numbered, so the buttons above the displays are written Button 1 to Button 8, while the knobs under the displays are written Knob 1 to Knob 8. E.g., whenever you see an instruction such as “Press Button 2 to open the EDIT page,” you’ll know it’s the second button from the left above the displays.

1.3New 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 determines 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 STUDIO - Manual - 27

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 ↑16.2, Recording Audio.

▪Added a new workflow to MASCHINE JAM which automates the use of the new Target parameter 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 Recording 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: ↑16.2.5, Using the Footswitch for Recording Audio.

▪Improved the automatic tempo detection of the Audio plug-in so that it now chooses a tempo 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 STUDIO - Manual - 28

Welcome to MASCHINE

New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3

to retune the loop at all (any pitches programmed in Gate mode will be ignored—only the timing of the programmed notes will be used to gate the playing audio). For more information refer to ↑7, Using the Audio Plug-in.

MASCHINE MK3 Improvements

▪Added Ableton Live DAW Integration for MASCHINE MK3 - Mixer and basic DAW Control. Access Ableton Live Mixer via MASCHINE MK3 hardware: Volume, Pan, Mute / Solo / Arm states are visible on screens. Also access essential controls: Play / Stop / Record / Session record, Clip Navigation, Launch & Record, Quantize, Undo / Redo, Automation Toggle, Tap Tempo, and Loop Toggle. For more information refer to Host Integration.

General Improvements

▪Improved the Take management system (previously called “Recording History”) for the Sampler and Audio plug-ins such that Takes are now saved and recalled as part of the Project.

▪Improved external audio recording by implementing basic recording latency compensation. This compensation will be in effect when recording from an External Input and with the Monitoring parameter turned Off. The system currently works based upon the overall latency reported by the selected audio interface.

▪Removed the function where a right click will remove Events in the Pattern Editor. Instead, the context menu is opened. Events can still be deleted using double-click as well as using the "Paint" and "Erase" tools. For more information refer to ↑10.4.5, Deleting Events/Notes.

▪Changed the behavior of right-click in the Arranger. This no longer removes Patterns from Scenes. It now opens a context menu with many useful options for arranging. For more information on using the Pattern context menu within Song view refer to ↑15.3.13, Working with Patterns in Song view.

▪Improved behavior and cursor icons for resizing Events in the Pattern Editor. The active area for resizing Events is increased.

1.4New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3

The following new features have been added to MASCHINE:

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 29

Welcome to MASCHINE

New Features in MASCHINE 2.7.3

Audio Plug-in Improvements

▪Added the ability to enable and disable Audio plug-in playback per Pattern when in Loop mode. Double-clicking the waveform will toggle playback for the selected Pattern. Alternatively, the loops can be enabled or disabled via the STEP page on the hardware controllers. For more details see ↑7.2, Using Loop Mode.

▪Added a Loop recording mode to the Record tab, and the Record tab is now available for both Sampler and Audio plug-ins. When choosing the new Loop mode, the start of recording will be quantized to the start of the Pattern. Furthermore, when the recording is complete, the loop will automatically be loaded into an Audio plug-in and will immediately begin playback. For more details see ↑16.2, Recording Audio.

MASCHINE Controller Improvements

▪Added Ideas View on MASCHINE MK3 and MASCHINE STUDIO. Access Ideas view with the MASCHINE MK3 hardware. For more details see ↑15.2, Using Ideas View.

▪Added Event Editing on MASCHINE MK3 with 4-Directional Encoder. Select, nudge, pitchshift and change the length of notes with the 4-Directional Encoder in the events window (on hardware screens). For more details see ↑10.4, Editing Events.

▪Added Apple Logic DAW Integration for MASCHINE MK3, Mixer and basic DAW Control.

◦Access Logic Mixer via MASCHINE MK3 hardware (Volume, Pan, Mute / Solo states are visible on screens).

◦Access Essential Controls: Play / Stop / Record / Quantize, Undo / Redo, Automation Toggle, Tap Tempo, and Loop Toggle.

General Improvements

▪Added additional Scales from KOMPLETE KONTROL into MASCHINE. For more details see ↑5.5.2, Selecting a Scale and Creating Chords.

▪Added loading of Perform FX at the end of a Group plug-in chain.

▪Fixed an issue the broke Pattern Duplicate on the MASCHINE MIKRO.

▪Fixed an issue where the MASCHINE Transport Loop would influence Ideas View playback when hosted in a DAW.

MASCHINE STUDIO - Manual - 30