Maschine mikro User manual

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 docu-
ment 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,
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ply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
Document authored by: Nicolas Sidi, David Gover, Gustav Santo Tomas
Software version: 2.0 (09/2013)
Hardware version: MASCHINE MIKRO MK1
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but
in making this a better product.
Disclaimer

Germany
Native Instruments GmbH
Schlesische Str. 29-30
D-10997 Berlin
Germany
www.native-instruments.de
USA
Native Instruments North America, Inc.
6725 Sunset Boulevard
5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028
USA
www.native-instruments.com
Japan
Native Instruments KK
YO Building 3F
Jingumae 6-7-15, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo 150-0001
Japan
www.native-instruments.co.jp
© Native Instruments GmbH, 2013. All rights reserved.
Contact

Table of Contents
1 Welcome to MASCHINE! ............................................................................................18
1.1 Where to Start? ........................................................................................................................... 19
1.2 What’s New in MASCHINE 2.0? ................................................................................................... 21
1.3 Manual Conventions ................................................................................................................... 25
2 Basic Concepts ......................................................................................................... 27
2.1 Names and Concepts You Should Know ...................................................................................... 27
2.2 Adjusting the MASCHINE User Interface ..................................................................................... 29
2.2.1 Adjusting the Size of the Interface ............................................................................. 29
2.2.2 Showing/Hiding the Browser ...................................................................................... 30
2.2.3 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View ......................................................... 31
2.2.4 Minimizing the Mixer ................................................................................................. 32
2.2.5 Showing/Hiding the Control Lane .............................................................................. 32
2.3 Common Operations ................................................................................................................... 33
2.3.1 Setting the Focus on a Group or a Sound ................................................................... 33
2.3.2 Switching Between the Master, Group, and Sound Level ........................................... 38
2.3.3 Navigating Channel Properties, Plug-ins, and Parameter Pages in the Control Area . 39
2.3.3.1 Navigating Channel Properties, Plug-ins, and Parameter Pages on the
MASCHINE MIKRO Controller ......................................................................43
2.3.4 Undo/Redo ................................................................................................................. 46
2.3.5 Pinning a Mode on Your Controller ............................................................................. 48
2.3.6 Using Two or More Hardware Controllers ................................................................... 49
2.4 Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................................................................... 50
2.4.1 Differences between Stand-Alone and Plug-in Mode ................................................. 51
2.4.2 Switching Instances .................................................................................................. 52
2.4.3 Controlling Various Instances with Different Controllers ........................................... 53
2.4.4 Controlling your Host’s Transport Functions in Plug-in Mode .................................... 53
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2.5 Preferences ................................................................................................................................. 54
2.5.1 Preferences – General Page ....................................................................................... 55
2.5.2 Preferences – Default Page ....................................................................................... 57
2.5.3 Preferences – Library Page ........................................................................................ 59
2.5.4 Preferences – Plug-ins Page ..................................................................................... 64
2.5.5 Preferences – Hardware Page .................................................................................... 69
2.5.6 Preferences – Colors Page ......................................................................................... 71
2.6 Audio and MIDI Settings ............................................................................................................. 73
2.6.1 Audio and MIDI Settings – Audio Page ...................................................................... 74
2.6.2 Audio and MIDI Settings – Routing Page ................................................................... 75
2.6.3 Audio and MIDI Settings – MIDI Page ........................................................................ 76
2.7 Integrating MASCHINE into Your MIDI Setup ............................................................................... 78
2.7.1 Connecting External MIDI Equipment ........................................................................ 78
2.7.2 Sync to External MIDI Clock ....................................................................................... 78
2.7.3 Send MIDI Clock ......................................................................................................... 79
3 Browser ....................................................................................................................81
3.1 Browser Basics ........................................................................................................................... 81
3.1.1 The MASCHINE Library ............................................................................................... 81
3.1.2 Browsing the Library vs. Browsing Your Hard Disks ................................................... 82
3.2 Searching and Loading Files from the Library ............................................................................ 83
3.2.1 Overview of the LIBRARY Pane ................................................................................... 83
3.2.2 Selecting a File Type .................................................................................................. 87
3.2.3 Choosing Between Factory and User Content ............................................................. 88
3.2.4 Selecting a Product Category, a Product, a Bank, and a Sub-Bank ........................... 88
3.2.5 Selecting Type and Mode Tags ................................................................................... 94
3.2.6 Performing a Text Search ........................................................................................... 99
3.2.7 Using the Result List ................................................................................................. 99
3.3 Additional Browsing Tools .......................................................................................................... 105
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3.3.1 Loading the Selected Files Automatically .................................................................. 105
3.3.2 Pre-Listening to Your Samples .................................................................................. 106
3.3.3 Loading Groups with their Patterns ........................................................................... 108
3.3.4 Displaying File Information ........................................................................................ 109
3.4 Editing the Files’ Tags and Properties ........................................................................................ 109
3.4.1 Attribute Editor Basics .............................................................................................. 109
3.4.2 The BANK Page .......................................................................................................... 111
3.4.3 The TYPES and MODES Pages .................................................................................... 112
3.4.4 The PROPERTIES Page ............................................................................................... 114
3.5 Loading and Importing Files from Your File System .................................................................... 115
3.5.1 Overview of the FILES Pane ........................................................................................ 115
3.5.2 Using Favorites .......................................................................................................... 117
3.5.3 Using the Location Bar .............................................................................................. 118
3.5.4 Navigating to Recent Locations ................................................................................. 119
3.5.5 Using the Result List ................................................................................................. 120
3.5.6 Importing Files to the MASCHINE Library ................................................................... 123
3.6 Locating Missing Samples .......................................................................................................... 124
3.7 Using Quick Browse .................................................................................................................... 126
4 Managing Sounds, Groups, and Your Project ............................................................... 129
4.1 Overview of the Sounds, Groups, and Master .............................................................................. 129
4.1.1 The Sound, Group, and Master Channels ................................................................... 130
4.1.2 Similarities and Differences in Handling Sounds and Groups ................................... 131
4.1.3 Selecting Multiple Sounds or Groups ......................................................................... 132
4.2 Managing Sounds ....................................................................................................................... 137
4.2.1 Loading Sounds ......................................................................................................... 138
4.2.2 Pre-listening to Sounds ............................................................................................. 139
4.2.3 Renaming Sound Slots .............................................................................................. 140
4.2.4 Changing the Sound’s Color ...................................................................................... 141
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4.2.5 Saving Sounds ........................................................................................................... 142
4.2.6 Copying and Pasting Sounds ..................................................................................... 144
4.2.7 Moving Sounds .......................................................................................................... 146
4.2.8 Resetting Sound Slots ............................................................................................... 147
4.3 Managing Groups ....................................................................................................................... 148
4.3.1 Creating Groups ........................................................................................................ 149
4.3.2 Loading Groups ......................................................................................................... 151
4.3.3 Renaming Groups ...................................................................................................... 152
4.3.4 Changing the Group’s Color ....................................................................................... 153
4.3.5 Saving Groups ........................................................................................................... 154
4.3.6 Copying and Pasting Groups ..................................................................................... 156
4.3.7 Moving Groups ........................................................................................................... 159
4.3.8 Deleting Groups ......................................................................................................... 159
4.4 Exporting MASCHINE Objects and Audio ..................................................................................... 160
4.4.1 Saving a Group with its Samples ............................................................................... 161
4.4.2 Saving a Project with its Samples ............................................................................. 162
4.4.3 Exporting Audio ......................................................................................................... 164
4.5 Importing Third-Party File Formats ............................................................................................. 169
4.5.1 Loading REX Files into Sound Slots ........................................................................... 169
4.5.2 Importing MPC Programs to Groups ........................................................................... 170
5 Playing on Your Controller ......................................................................................... 173
5.1 Adjusting Your Pads ................................................................................................................... 173
5.1.1 The Pad View ............................................................................................................. 173
5.1.2 Choosing a Pad Mode ................................................................................................ 175
5.1.2.1 Choosing a Pad Mode on the MASCHINE MIKRO MK1 Controller .................175
5.1.3 Adjusting the Base Key .............................................................................................. 178
5.1.4 Using Choke Groups .................................................................................................. 179
5.1.5 Using Link Groups ..................................................................................................... 180
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5.2 Playing Tools .............................................................................................................................. 181
5.2.1 Note Repeat ............................................................................................................... 182
5.2.2 Mute and Solo ............................................................................................................ 184
5.2.3 Choke All Notes .......................................................................................................... 188
5.2.4 Groove ....................................................................................................................... 189
5.2.5 Level, Tempo, Tune, and Groove Shortcuts on Your Controller .................................... 191
6 Working with Plug-ins ............................................................................................... 196
6.1 Plug-in Overview ........................................................................................................................ 196
6.1.1 Plug-in Basics ........................................................................................................... 196
6.1.2 First Plug-in Slot of Sounds: Choosing the Sound’s Role ........................................... 199
6.1.3 Loading, Removing, and Replacing a Plug-in ............................................................ 200
6.1.4 Adjusting the Plug-in Parameters ............................................................................. 207
6.1.5 Bypassing Plug-in Slots ............................................................................................ 207
6.1.6 Using Side-Chain ...................................................................................................... 209
6.1.7 Moving Plug-ins ........................................................................................................ 210
6.1.8 Alternative: the Plug-in Strip ..................................................................................... 211
6.1.9 Saving and Recalling Plug-in Presets ....................................................................... 211
6.2 The Sampler Plug-in ................................................................................................................... 213
6.2.1 Page 1: Voice Settings / Engine ................................................................................. 214
6.2.2 Page 2: Pitch / Envelope ............................................................................................ 215
6.2.3 Page 3: FX / Filter ...................................................................................................... 218
6.2.4 Page 4: Modulation .................................................................................................... 220
6.2.5 Page 5: LFO ............................................................................................................... 222
6.2.6 Page 6: Velocity / Modwheel ...................................................................................... 223
6.3 Using Native Instruments and External Plug-ins ........................................................................ 225
6.3.1 Opening/Closing Plug-in Windows ............................................................................. 225
6.3.2 Using the VST/AU Plug-in Parameters ....................................................................... 228
6.3.3 Setting Up Your Own Parameter Pages ...................................................................... 230
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MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 8

6.3.4 Using VST/AU Plug-in Presets .................................................................................... 233
6.3.5 Multiple-Output Plug-ins and Multitimbral Plug-ins ................................................. 235
7 Working with Patterns ............................................................................................... 236
7.1 Pattern Basics ............................................................................................................................ 236
7.1.1 Pattern Editor Overview ............................................................................................. 237
7.1.2 Navigating the Event Area ......................................................................................... 240
7.1.3 Following the Playback Position in the Pattern .......................................................... 243
7.1.4 Jumping to Another Playback Position in the Pattern ................................................. 243
7.1.5 Group View and Keyboard View .................................................................................. 245
7.1.6 Adjusting the Pattern Grid and the Pattern Length .................................................... 248
7.1.7 Adjusting the Step Grid and the Nudge Grid .............................................................. 251
7.2 Recording Patterns in Real Time ................................................................................................ 255
7.2.1 Recording Your Patterns Live ..................................................................................... 256
7.2.2 The Record Prepare Mode .......................................................................................... 259
7.2.3 Using the Metronome ................................................................................................. 260
7.2.4 Recording with Count-in ............................................................................................ 261
7.2.5 Quantizing while Recording ....................................................................................... 263
7.3 Recording Patterns with the Step Sequencer .............................................................................. 264
7.3.1 Step Mode Basics ...................................................................................................... 264
7.3.2 Editing Events in Step Mode ...................................................................................... 267
7.4 Editing Events ............................................................................................................................ 268
7.4.1 Editing Events with the Mouse: an Overview ............................................................. 268
7.4.2 Creating Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 271
7.4.3 Selecting Events/Notes .............................................................................................. 272
7.4.4 Editing Selected Events/Notes ................................................................................... 275
7.4.5 Deleting Events/Notes ............................................................................................... 278
7.4.6 Cut, Copy, and Paste Events/Notes ............................................................................ 281
7.4.7 Quantizing Events/Notes ........................................................................................... 284
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7.4.8 Doubling a Pattern .................................................................................................... 285
7.5 Recording and Editing Modulation ............................................................................................. 285
7.5.1 Which Parameters can be Modulated? ....................................................................... 287
7.5.2 Recording Modulation ................................................................................................ 288
7.5.3 Creating and Editing Modulation in the Control Lane ................................................ 289
7.6 Creating MIDI Tracks from Scratch in MASCHINE ....................................................................... 294
7.7 Managing Patterns ..................................................................................................................... 296
7.7.1 The Pattern Manager and Pattern Mode .................................................................... 297
7.7.2 Selecting Patterns and Pattern Banks ....................................................................... 299
7.7.3 Creating Patterns ...................................................................................................... 301
7.7.4 Deleting Patterns ....................................................................................................... 303
7.7.5 Creating and Deleting Pattern Banks ........................................................................ 304
7.7.6 Naming Patterns ....................................................................................................... 306
7.7.7 Changing the Pattern’s Color .................................................................................... 308
7.7.8 Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Patterns .............................................................. 309
7.7.9 Moving Patterns ........................................................................................................ 311
7.8 Importing/Exporting Audio and MIDI to/from Patterns ................................................................ 312
7.8.1 Exporting Audio from Patterns ................................................................................... 313
7.8.2 Exporting MIDI from Patterns ..................................................................................... 314
7.8.3 Importing MIDI to Patterns ........................................................................................ 316
8 Audio Routing, Remote Control, and Macro Controls ....................................................325
8.1 Audio Routing in MASCHINE ....................................................................................................... 325
8.1.1 Sending External Audio to Sounds ............................................................................. 327
8.1.2 Configuring the Main Output of Sounds and Groups ................................................. 331
8.1.3 Setting Up Auxiliary Outputs for Sounds and Groups ................................................. 336
8.1.4 Configuring the Master and Cue Outputs of MASCHINE ............................................. 340
8.2 Using MIDI Control and Host Automation .................................................................................... 345
8.2.1 Triggering Sounds via MIDI Notes .............................................................................. 346
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8.2.2 Controlling Parameters via MIDI and Host Automation .............................................. 351
8.2.3 Selecting VST/AU Plug-in Presets via MIDI Program Change ..................................... 359
8.2.4 Sending MIDI from Sounds ........................................................................................ 360
8.3 Creating Custom Sets of Parameters with the Macro Controls ................................................... 364
8.3.1 Macro Control Overview ............................................................................................. 365
8.3.2 Assigning Macro Controls .......................................................................................... 366
9 Controlling Your Mix .................................................................................................. 370
9.1 Mix View Basics .......................................................................................................................... 370
9.1.1 Switching between Arrange View and Mix View ......................................................... 370
9.1.2 Mix View Elements ..................................................................................................... 371
9.2 The Mixer .................................................................................................................................... 373
9.2.1 Displaying Groups vs. Displaying Sounds .................................................................. 374
9.2.2 Adjusting the Mixer Layout ........................................................................................ 376
9.2.3 Selecting Channel Strips ........................................................................................... 378
9.2.4 Managing Your Channels in the Mixer ....................................................................... 378
9.2.5 Adjusting Settings in the Channel Strips ................................................................... 380
9.2.6 Using the Cue Bus ..................................................................................................... 384
9.3 The Plug-in Chain ....................................................................................................................... 386
9.4 The Plug-in Strip ........................................................................................................................ 387
9.4.1 The Plug-in Header .................................................................................................... 390
9.4.2 Panels for Drumsynths and Internal Effects .............................................................. 391
9.4.3 Panel for the Sampler ................................................................................................ 393
9.4.4 Custom Panels for Native Instruments Plug-ins ........................................................ 397
9.4.5 Generic Panel for External Plug-ins ........................................................................... 401
9.4.6 Undocking a Plug-in Panel (Native Instruments and External Plug-ins only) ............ 402
10 Using the Drumsynths ................................................................................................ 406
10.1 Drumsynths – General Handling ................................................................................................. 407
10.1.1 Engines: Many Different Drums per Drumsynth ......................................................... 407
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10.1.2 Common Parameter Organization .............................................................................. 407
10.1.3 Shared Parameters .................................................................................................... 410
10.1.4 Various Velocity Responses ....................................................................................... 410
10.1.5 Pitch Range, Tuning, and MIDI Notes ........................................................................ 410
10.2 The Kicks .................................................................................................................................... 411
10.2.1 Kick – Sub ................................................................................................................. 413
10.2.2 Kick – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 415
10.2.3 Kick – Dusty .............................................................................................................. 417
10.2.4 Kick – Rasper ............................................................................................................ 418
10.2.5 Kick – Snappy ............................................................................................................ 420
10.2.6 Kick – Bold ................................................................................................................ 422
10.2.7 Kick – Maple .............................................................................................................. 423
10.2.8 Kick – Push ............................................................................................................... 424
10.3 The Snares .................................................................................................................................. 426
10.3.1 Snare – Volt ............................................................................................................... 428
10.3.2 Snare – Bit ................................................................................................................ 430
10.3.3 Snare – Pow .............................................................................................................. 431
10.3.4 Snare – Sharp ........................................................................................................... 432
10.3.5 Snare – Airy ............................................................................................................... 434
10.3.6 Snare – Vintage ......................................................................................................... 436
10.3.7 Snare – Chrome ......................................................................................................... 438
10.3.8 Snare – Iron ............................................................................................................... 440
10.3.9 Snare – Clap ............................................................................................................. 441
10.4 The Hi-hats ................................................................................................................................. 443
10.4.1 Hi-hat – Silver ........................................................................................................... 445
10.4.2 Hi-hat – Circuit ......................................................................................................... 447
10.4.3 Hi-hat – Memory ........................................................................................................ 448
10.4.4 Creating a Pattern with Closed and Open Hi-hats ..................................................... 450
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10.5 The Toms .................................................................................................................................... 450
10.5.1 Tom – Tronic .............................................................................................................. 452
10.5.2 Tom – Fractal ............................................................................................................ 454
10.5.3 Tom – Floor ................................................................................................................ 457
10.6 The Percussions .......................................................................................................................... 458
10.6.1 Percussion – Fractal .................................................................................................. 460
10.6.2 Percussion – Kettle .................................................................................................... 462
10.6.3 Percussion – Shaker .................................................................................................. 464
11 Using Effects ............................................................................................................. 466
11.1 Applying Effects to a Sound, a Group or the Master .................................................................... 466
11.1.1 Adding an Effect ........................................................................................................ 466
11.1.2 Other Operations on Effects ....................................................................................... 475
11.1.3 Using the Side-Chain Input ....................................................................................... 477
11.2 Applying Effects to External Audio .............................................................................................. 479
11.2.1 Step 1: Configure MASCHINE Audio Inputs ................................................................ 480
11.2.2 Step 2: Set Up a Sound to Receive the External Input ................................................ 482
11.2.3 Step 3: Load an Effect to Process an Input ................................................................ 484
11.3 Creating a Send Effect ............................................................................................................... 486
11.3.1 Step 1: Set Up a Sound or Group as Send Effect ........................................................ 486
11.3.2 Step 2: Route Audio to the Send Effect ...................................................................... 490
11.3.3 A Few Notes on Send Effects ...................................................................................... 492
11.4 Creating Multieffects .................................................................................................................. 493
12 Effect Reference ........................................................................................................ 496
12.1 Dynamics .................................................................................................................................... 497
12.1.1 Compressor ............................................................................................................... 497
12.1.2 Gate ........................................................................................................................... 501
12.1.3 Transient Master ....................................................................................................... 504
12.1.4 Limiter ....................................................................................................................... 506
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MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 13

12.1.5 Maximizer .................................................................................................................. 509
12.2 Filtering Effects .......................................................................................................................... 512
12.2.1 EQ .............................................................................................................................. 512
12.2.2 Filter .......................................................................................................................... 514
12.3 Modulation Effects ..................................................................................................................... 518
12.3.1 Chorus ....................................................................................................................... 518
12.3.2 Flanger ...................................................................................................................... 519
12.3.3 FM ............................................................................................................................. 521
12.3.4 Freq Shifter ................................................................................................................ 523
12.3.5 Phaser ....................................................................................................................... 524
12.4 Spatial and Reverb Effects ......................................................................................................... 526
12.4.1 Ice ............................................................................................................................. 526
12.4.2 Metaverb ................................................................................................................... 527
12.4.3 Reflex ........................................................................................................................ 529
12.4.4 Reverb ....................................................................................................................... 530
12.4.5 Plate Reverb .............................................................................................................. 532
12.5 Delays ......................................................................................................................................... 534
12.5.1 Beat Delay ................................................................................................................. 534
12.5.2 Grain Delay ................................................................................................................ 537
12.5.3 Grain Stretch ............................................................................................................. 539
12.5.4 Resochord .................................................................................................................. 540
12.6 Distortion Effects ........................................................................................................................ 542
12.6.1 Distortion ................................................................................................................... 542
12.6.2 Lofi ............................................................................................................................ 544
12.6.3 Saturator ................................................................................................................... 546
13 Creating a Song Using Scenes ................................................................................... 550
13.1 Arranger Basics .......................................................................................................................... 550
13.1.1 Arranger Overview ..................................................................................................... 552
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MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 14

13.1.2 Navigating the Arranger ............................................................................................ 554
13.1.3 Following the Playback Position in Your Project ......................................................... 557
13.1.4 Jumping to Another Playback Position in Your Project ............................................... 558
13.1.5 Creating and Removing Clips .................................................................................... 560
13.1.5.1 Creating and Removing Clips on the MASCHINE MIKRO Controller ............562
13.2 Managing Scenes ....................................................................................................................... 564
13.2.1 Scene Management Overview .................................................................................... 564
13.2.2 Selecting Scenes and Scene Banks ........................................................................... 567
13.2.2.1 Selecting Scenes and Scene Banks on the MASCHINE MIKRO Controller ....570
13.2.3 Creating Scenes ........................................................................................................ 571
13.2.4 Deleting Scenes ......................................................................................................... 575
13.2.5 Creating and Deleting Scene Banks .......................................................................... 576
13.2.6 Naming Scenes .......................................................................................................... 578
13.2.7 Changing the Scene’s Color ....................................................................................... 580
13.2.8 Moving Scenes ........................................................................................................... 581
13.2.9 Clearing Scenes ......................................................................................................... 582
13.2.10 Duplicating, Copying, and Pasting Scenes ................................................................ 583
13.3 Playing with Scenes .................................................................................................................... 585
13.3.1 Selecting a Loop Range ............................................................................................. 586
13.3.2 Jumping to Other Scenes ........................................................................................... 590
13.4 Triggering Scenes via MIDI (MASCHINE Plug-in Only) ................................................................. 593
14 Sampling and Sample Mapping .................................................................................. 595
14.1 Opening the Sample Editor ......................................................................................................... 595
14.2 Recording a Sample ................................................................................................................... 597
14.2.1 Opening the Record Page .......................................................................................... 597
14.2.2 Selecting the Source and the Recording Mode ........................................................... 599
14.2.3 Arming, Starting, and Stopping the Recording .......................................................... 604
14.2.4 Checking Your Recordings ......................................................................................... 607
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14.2.5 Location and Name of Your Recorded Samples .......................................................... 611
14.3 Editing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 611
14.3.1 Using the Edit Page ................................................................................................... 612
14.3.2 Audio Editing Functions ............................................................................................. 618
14.4 Slicing a Sample ........................................................................................................................ 625
14.4.1 Opening the Slice Page .............................................................................................. 626
14.4.2 Adjusting the Slicing Settings ................................................................................... 628
14.4.3 Manually Adjusting Your Slices ................................................................................. 632
14.4.4 Applying the Slicing ................................................................................................... 636
14.5 Mapping Samples to Zones ........................................................................................................ 642
14.5.1 Opening the Zone Page .............................................................................................. 642
14.5.2 Zone Page Overview ................................................................................................... 643
14.5.3 Adding Samples to the Sample Map .......................................................................... 645
14.5.4 Selecting and Managing Zones in the Zone List ........................................................ 646
14.5.5 Selecting and Editing Zones in the Map View ............................................................ 652
14.5.6 Editing Zones in the Sample View ............................................................................. 655
14.5.7 Adjusting the Zone Settings ...................................................................................... 658
15 Troubleshooting – Getting Help .................................................................................. 665
15.1 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................... 665
15.1.1 The MASCHINE Software Won’t Start .......................................................................... 665
15.1.2 Latency Issues ........................................................................................................... 665
15.1.3 The MASCHINE Software Crashes .............................................................................. 666
15.1.4 Updates ..................................................................................................................... 666
15.2 Getting Help ............................................................................................................................... 667
15.2.1 Knowledge Base ........................................................................................................ 667
15.2.2 Technical Support ...................................................................................................... 667
15.2.3 Registration Support ................................................................................................. 668
15.2.4 User Forum ................................................................................................................ 668
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16 Appendix: Tips for Playing Live .................................................................................. 669
16.1 Preparations ............................................................................................................................... 669
16.1.1 Focus on the Hardware .............................................................................................. 669
16.1.2 Customize the Pads of the Hardware ......................................................................... 669
16.1.3 Check Your CPU Power Before Playing ....................................................................... 669
16.1.4 Consider Using a Limiter on Your Master ................................................................... 670
16.1.5 Improvise ................................................................................................................... 670
16.2 Basic Techniques ....................................................................................................................... 670
16.2.1 Use Mute and Solo ..................................................................................................... 670
16.2.2 Use Scene Mode and Tweak the Loop Range .............................................................. 670
16.2.3 Create Variations of Your Drum Patterns in the Step Sequencer ................................ 671
16.2.4 Use Note Repeat ........................................................................................................ 671
16.2.5 Set Up Your Own Multi-effect Groups and Automate Them ........................................ 671
16.3 Special Tricks ............................................................................................................................. 671
16.3.1 Changing Pattern Length for Variation ...................................................................... 671
16.3.2 Load Long Audio Files and Play with the Start Point .................................................. 672
17 Glossary ...................................................................................................................673
Index ........................................................................................................................684
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MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 17

1 Welcome to MASCHINE!
Thank you for buying MASCHINE!
MASCHINE is a groove production studio that implements the familiar working style of classi-
cal 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 instru-
ment, 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 Re-
peat 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 ef-
fects 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 go-
ing!
—The MASCHINE team at Native Instruments.
Welcome to MASCHINE!
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 18

1.1 Where to Start?
MASCHINE provides you with many information sources. The main documents are meant to be
read in the following sequence:
1. MASCHINE Setup Guide
2. MASCHINE Getting Started and online video tutorials
3. MASCHINE Manual (this document)
The whole documentation set is available in PDF format and located within the MASCHINE
installation folder on your hard disk. You can also access these documents from the Help
menu in the Application Menu Bar or from the Help submenu in the MASCHINE menu.
Please check the Service Center or the Native Instruments website regularly for up-to-date
and localized versions of these documents. You can start the Service Center by selecting
Launch Service Center from the Help menu in the Application Menu Bar or from the Help
submenu in the MASCHINE menu.
Please check the Service Center or the Native Instruments website regularly for up-to-date
and localized versions of these documents. You can start the Service Center by selecting
Launch Service Center from the Help menu in the Application Menu Bar or from the Help
submenu in the MASCHINE menu.
Additional documentation sources provide you with details on more specific topics:
▪MASCHINE Hardware Control Reference
▪Controller Editor Manual
Hereafter is a quick description of each of these documentation sources.
Your First Stop: the Setup Guide
The Setup Guide will guide you through the software and hardware installation of MASCHINE,
from the very beginning to the first sound coming through your speakers.
First read the Setup Guide. Then proceed with this MASCHINE Getting Started to get more fa-
miliar with MASCHINE.
Welcome to MASCHINE!
Where to Start?
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 19

MASCHINE Getting Started
After reading the Setup Guide and following its instructions, your MASCHINE should be up
and running. The next step is to read the MASCHINE Getting Started. This gives you a practi-
cal approach to MASCHINE via a set of tutorials covering easy and more advanced tasks in or-
der to help you familiarize yourself with MASCHINE.
Video Tutorials
The Native Instruments website provides you with a lot of video tutorials that give you a hands-
on approach to many sides of the MASCHINE workflow. To see them, point your favorite brows-
er to following URL: http://native-instruments.com/maschinemedia.
MASCHINE Manual
This MASCHINE Manual provides you with a comprehensive description of all MASCHINE soft-
ware and hardware features.
MASCHINE Hardware Control Reference
The MASCHINE Hardware Control Reference provides an overview of a MASCHINE Project, the
quick access options performed using the MASCHINE hardware controller, and lots of key-
board shortcuts.
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 oth-
er MIDI-capable application or device. This is made possible by the Controller Editor software,
a little application that allows you to precisely define all MIDI assignments for your MASCHINE
controller. The Controller Editor should have been installed during the MASCHINE installation
procedure. For more information on this, please refer to the Controller Editor Manual available
as a PDF file in the Documentation subfolder of the Controller Editor installation folder on your
hard disk.
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:
Welcome to MASCHINE!
Where to Start?
MASCHINE MIKRO - Manual - 20