Native Instruments BATTERY 4 User manual

Table of Contents
1. Disclaimer ................................................................................................................. 1
2. Welcome to BATTERY ................................................................................................ 2
2.1. Document Conventions ....................................................................................... 3
3. Getting Started .......................................................................................................... 4
3.1. Installing BATTERY ............................................................................................. 4
3.2. Setting up BATTERY as Stand-Alone Application .................................................... 4
3.3. Setting up BATTERY as Plug-in in a DAW ............................................................... 5
4. Overview of BATTERY ................................................................................................ 6
5. Header ...................................................................................................................... 8
6. Main Menu ............................................................................................................... 10
6.1. File .................................................................................................................. 10
6.2. Edit .................................................................................................................. 11
6.3. Cell Matrix ........................................................................................................ 11
6.4. Tools ................................................................................................................ 12
6.5. Help ................................................................................................................. 12
7. Sidebar ..................................................................................................................... 13
7.1. Library Browser ................................................................................................. 13
7.2. Files Browser .................................................................................................... 15
7.3. Automation Page .............................................................................................. 17
8. Cell Matrix ................................................................................................................ 19
8.1. Using the Cell Matrix ......................................................................................... 19
8.2. Cell States ........................................................................................................ 19
8.3. Cell Colors ........................................................................................................ 21
8.3.1. Color Scheme .......................................................................................... 21
8.3.2. Changing Cell Colors ................................................................................. 21
8.4. The Cell Context Menu ....................................................................................... 22
9. Quick Access Area .................................................................................................... 24
10. Main Page .............................................................................................................. 26
10.1. Volume Envelope ............................................................................................ 26
10.2. Pitch Envelope ................................................................................................ 27
10.3. Velocity .......................................................................................................... 27
10.4. Engine ............................................................................................................ 28
10.5. Filter .............................................................................................................. 29
10.6. Compressor .................................................................................................... 30
10.7. Sends ............................................................................................................. 30
11. Effects Page ........................................................................................................... 32
11.1. Applying Effects .............................................................................................. 32
11.2. Using Effect Presets ........................................................................................ 33
11.3. Saturation ...................................................................................................... 34
11.4. LoFi ............................................................................................................... 34
11.5. Filter / EQ ....................................................................................................... 35

11.5.1. Solid G-EQ .............................................................................................. 36
11.5.2. 3-Band EQ .............................................................................................. 36
11.5.3. Lowpass ................................................................................................ 36
11.5.4. Highpass ............................................................................................... 37
11.5.5. Bandpass .............................................................................................. 37
11.5.6. Peak/Notch ............................................................................................ 38
11.5.7. Effect ..................................................................................................... 38
11.6. Compressor .................................................................................................... 39
11.7. TM (Transient Master) ..................................................................................... 40
12. Modulation Page ..................................................................................................... 42
12.1. LFO 1 and LFO 2 ............................................................................................. 42
12.2. Modulation Envelope ....................................................................................... 43
12.3. Modulation Slots ............................................................................................. 43
13. Setup Page ............................................................................................................. 45
13.1. MIDI Input ...................................................................................................... 45
13.2. Voice Groups .................................................................................................. 46
13.3. Cell Activation ................................................................................................. 47
13.4. Articulation ..................................................................................................... 48
13.5. MIDI Echo ....................................................................................................... 49
13.6. Humanize ....................................................................................................... 50
14. Editor Page ............................................................................................................. 51
14.1. Wave Editor .................................................................................................... 51
14.2. Loop Editor ..................................................................................................... 53
14.3. Mapping Editor ................................................................................................ 54
15. Master Page ........................................................................................................... 56
15.1. Using Buses and Master Effects ....................................................................... 56
15.2. Buses ............................................................................................................. 57
15.3. Reverb ............................................................................................................ 57
15.3.1. Convolution Mode .................................................................................. 58
15.3.2. Algorithmic Mode ................................................................................... 59
15.4. Delay .............................................................................................................. 59
15.5. Filter / EQ ....................................................................................................... 60
15.5.1. Solid G-EQ .............................................................................................. 60
15.5.2. 3-Band EQ .............................................................................................. 61
15.5.3. Lowpass ................................................................................................ 61
15.5.4. Highpass ............................................................................................... 62
15.5.5. Bandpass .............................................................................................. 62
15.5.6. Peak/Notch ............................................................................................ 62
15.5.7. Effect ..................................................................................................... 63
15.6. Compressor .................................................................................................... 64
15.7. TM (Transient Master) ..................................................................................... 65
15.8. Saturation ...................................................................................................... 66
15.9. Limiter ............................................................................................................ 66
16. Preferences ............................................................................................................ 68
16.1. General .......................................................................................................... 68
16.2. Library ............................................................................................................ 70
16.3. Engine ............................................................................................................ 70
16.4. Loading .......................................................................................................... 72

16.5. Cell Rendering ................................................................................................. 72
16.6. Usage Data ..................................................................................................... 74
17. Audio and MIDI Settings .......................................................................................... 75
17.1. Audio Page ..................................................................................................... 75
17.2. Routing Page .................................................................................................. 76
17.3. MIDI Page ....................................................................................................... 77
18. Missing Samples .................................................................................................... 79
19. Supported File Types ............................................................................................... 80

1. 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.
Mac, macOS, GarageBand, Logic and iTunes are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in
the U.S. and other countries.
Windows and DirectSound are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and use of them does not imply
any afliation with or endorsement by them.
Document authored by Patryk Korman, Jan Ola Korte, Hannah Lockwood, David Gover
Software version: 4.2.0 (12/2021)
DISCLAIMER 1

2. Welcome to BATTERY
BATTERY is the cutting-edge drum sampler designed for the 21st century. It combines a
supercharged library, tailor-made for electronic and hip hop music, with a radically-intuitive
workflow that focuses on creativity. Instantly nd and arrange sounds with a new, tag-based
browser, and route powerful new effects with drag-and-drop simplicity. With a straightforward,
compelling interface that puts incredible power at your ngertips, BATTERY launches drum
sampling into the future.
WELCOME TO BATTERY 2

2.1. Document Conventions
In this document the following formatting is used to highlight useful information:
Italics Indicates paths to locations on your hard disk or other storage devices
Bold Highlights important names, concepts, and software interface elements.
[Brackets] References keys on a computer’s keyboard
The following three icons represent different types of information:
The light bulb icon indicates a useful tip, suggestion, or interesting fact.
The information icon highlights important information that is essential for the given
context.
The warning icon alerts you of serious issues and potential risks that require your full
attention.
WELCOME TO BATTERY 3

3. Getting Started
Setting up BATTERY differs between the stand-alone application and the plug-in. The stand-alone
application runs on its own and can be opened from the Native Instruments folder in your
applications directory. The plug-in can be loaded in a compatible host software, most commonly a
DAW.
Using the stand-alone application allows you to efciently play BATTERY in the most straight-
forward manner. If the computer is not used for recording, editing, and arranging the music, the
stand-alone application turns it into a powerful, dedicated drum instrument. To setup the stand-
alone application, you need to congure its Audio settings in the Preferences. For more
information, refer to Setting up BATTERY as Stand-Alone Application.
Using the plug-in fully integrates BATTERY into your DAW, making it an integral part of recording,
editing, and arranging your music. Synchronization and saving are handled by the DAW, and you
benet from your DAW's automation functionality. To setup the plug-in, you need to make it
available to your DAW and load it into an instrument track. For more information, refer to Setting
up BATTERY as Plug-in in a DAW.
3.1. Installing BATTERY
Before you can make music with BATTERY, you must install the necessary software using Native
Access. If you are new to Native Instruments, you will rst have to create your Native ID. To learn
more about Native Access, visit our support page here.
1. Download and install Native Access here.
2. Create a Native ID, if you do not yet have one.
3. Login to Native Access using your Native ID.
4. Click the Not installed tab.
5. Click INSTALL for the following products:
•BATTERY
The software is installed automatically.
If the software is already installed, click the Available updates tab and check for new
updates before proceeding.
3.2. Setting up BATTERY as Stand-Alone Application
To setup the stand-alone application, you need to congure its audio settings in the Preferences:
1. Click the Main menu in the Header and open Audio and MIDI Settings... in the Edit sub-menu.
2. Go to the Audio tab and select the audio interface you want to use from the Device drop-down
menu.
3. Go to the Routing tab and select the outputs of your audio interface that are connected to
your speaker system or headphones from the St 1/2 L and St 1/2 R drop-down menus.
GETTING STARTED 4

4. Go to the MIDI tab and change the Status for your MIDI controller to On using the drop-down
menu.
If you do not intend to play BATTERY via MIDI, you can omit this step.
5. Close the Audio and MIDI Settings by clicking OK.
The BATTERY stand-alone application is setup and ready to be played.
3.3. Setting up BATTERY as Plug-in in a DAW
BATTERY can be loaded in any DAW supporting the VST, AU, and AAX plug-in formats. All three
formats are automatically included when installing BATTERY using Native Access.
On Windows computers, the correct path for VST plug-ins needs to be selected in
Native Access prior to installation. Learn more in this support video on our website:
VST Plug-in Administration on Windows Computers
To setup the plug-in for use in your DAW, you need to load it on an audio track and congure the
track's routing:
1. Open your DAW after installing BATTERY using Native Access.
2. Create a new instrument or MIDI track, depending on how your DAW facilitates the use of plug-
in instruments.
3. Load the BATTERY plug-in in the instrument or MIDI track.
4. Activate the record-ready or monitoring state of the track to enable playing the instrument via
MIDI.
The BATTERY plug-in is setup and ready to be played.
GETTING STARTED 5

4. Overview of BATTERY
BATTERY has an intuitive and flexible user interface, with designated areas for drum and sample
programming, browsing, automation, modulation, and an effects and routing section.
The BATTERY interface consists of the following key sections:
1. Header: Contains Global settings such as tempo and master output volume. For more
information, refer to Header.
2. Sidebar: Contains the Browser for Kits and samples, functions to organize BATTERY's Library,
and parameter automation. For more information, refer to Sidebar.
3. Cell Matrix: Provides a visual arrangement of all samples in the Kit, giving access to all sounds
and making them playable. For more information, refer to Cell Matrix.
4. Quick Access area: Contains frequently used tools for cell editing. For more information, refer
to Quick Access Area.
5. Edit area: Provides advanced editing, effects, modulation, MIDI features, and routing options.
The Edit area is organized in six pages, accessed by clicking on the respective tab:
•Main page: Features basic tools for adjusting the sound of the individual cells within your
Kit. Refer to Main Page.
•Effects page: Contains effects that can be applied to a cell’s audio output, allowing you to
further customize your sound. Refer to Effects Page.
•Modulation page: Allows you to modulate your sound with a variety of sources, including
LFOs, envelopes, aftertouch, and MIDI controllers. Refer to Modulation Page.
•Setup page: Provides tools specically designed for drum playing and programming,
enabling you to ne-tune cells/Kits or create entirely new sounds from the existing library
content. Refer to Setup Page.
•Editor page: Contains audio editing tools, a loop editor, and a layer and mapping editor, all
of which provide extensive editing features for cells. Refer to Editor Page.
OVERVIEW OF BATTERY 6

•Master page: Consists of group effects, controls for the Reverb and Delay send effects, and
Buses for routing and mixing cells with additional effects processing. Refer to Master
Page.
OVERVIEW OF BATTERY 7

5. Header
The Header at the top of BATTERY provides access to global functions such as Kit management,
master level control, tempo, and voice management. It also hosts the main menu that offers le,
editing, and layout options.
The Header consists of the following elements:
1. BATTERY logo: Launches the About splash screen when clicked. This contains version and
software licensing information, and software credits. Click on the About splash screen to close
it.
2. Sidebar button: Toggles the visibility of the Sidebar. For more information, refer to Sidebar.
3. Main menu: Provides access to le, editing, and layout options, including the application menu
bar and links to BATTERY's online documentation. For more information, refer to Main Menu.
4. Kit menu: Displays the name of the currently loaded Kit. The adjacent arrow buttons allow you
to quickly load Kits into BATTERY and operates in two different ways:
•In case the current Kit was loaded via the File Browser or per drag-and-drop, clicking on the
arrow buttons will load the next/previous Kit located in the current Kit's folder. Refer to
Files Browser.
•If the current Kit was loaded via the Library Browser, clicking on the arrow buttons will load
the next/previous Kit located in the relevant Library folder, taking into account the tags
you have used to narrow your selection when loading the current Kit. Refer to Library
Browser.
5. Sync: Determines whether BATTERY is synchronized to the internal clock to the tempo of a
host software application when used as a plug-in. When Sync button is deactivated, BATTERY
follows its own tempo. When using audio les that contain embedded timing information,
such as REX loops, ACID wav les, and Apple Loop les, the loop will play back at the tempo
set with the tempo control. The tempo display provides three input methods for setting the
tempo: clicking and dragging the tempo, double-clicking and typing in the value, or tapping on
the BPM label repeatedly. When tapping the label it will display TAP and act as a tap tempo
button.
6. Selection Follows MIDI Input: Switches cell focus automatically upon receiving MIDI notes
when activated. When a key is pressed, not only will the relevant cell be triggered, but the cell
focus will also switch to the cell, and the cell's content will be accessible in the Quick Access
area. Refer to Quick Access Area.
7. Voice: Displays the number of currently active voices on the left side, and the voice limit
(maximum number of voices allowed) on the right side. Click + drag the number on the right
side to change the voice limit. This setting will be saved with the Kit.
8. CPU meter: Monitors BATTERY's CPU usage.
9. Panic button: Resets BATTERY's audio engine. When activated, the Panic button will stop all
audio from playing immediately.
10. Output Level slider: Displays the levels of BATTERY's outputs. The slider on top adjusts the
overall Output Level of all output section channels. To avoid distortion, you should prevent the
meters from metering in the red. This setting is not saved with a Kit; however, it is saved when
HEADER 8

using BATTERY as a plug-in in a session with a host software, and will be recalled the next
time you load that session.
HEADER 9

6. Main Menu
The main menu provides access to common le and editing options, preferences, audio and MIDI
settings, cell layout, tools (such as Batch Resave), and the Help menu.
To open the Main menu:
•Click the drop-down menu in the Header, then select File.
The Main menu
6.1. File
The File submenu contains standard le options and an entry for accessing the preferences panel.
To open the File menu:
•Click the drop-down Main menu in the Header, then select File.
The File submenu contains the following entries:
•New Kit: Opens a new Kit. (Windows: [Ctrl]+[N] / Mac OS: [Cmd]+[N].)
•Open Kit...: Opens a BATTERY Kit le from a specic location on your computer. (Windows:
[Ctrl]+[O] / Mac OS: [Cmd]+[O].)
•Save Kit: Saves the current Kit under its original name to its original location. (Windows: [Ctrl]+
[S] / Mac OS: [Cmd]+[S].)
MAIN MENU 10

•Save Kit as...: Saves the current Kit under a new name to a specic location on your computer.
(Windows: [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[S] / Mac OS: [Cmd]+ [Shift]+[S].) The subsequent saving dialog
presents you with additional options for saving a Kit:
•Patch Only: Saves the Kit and cell settings along with pointers to where samples reside on
your hard disk. It references samples but does not include them in the le, thus, producing a
smaller le size than if the samples were included. Select this option if your le system is
unlikely to be changed at a later or point and/or if you're sure you will not be using the Kit on
another computer.
•Patch and Samples: Saves the Kit and cell settings, and it lets you specify a directory into
which the samples will be saved. This is a good choice if you want a transportable patch,
for example, when collaborating with another musician. Specify a sample folder with the
Sample sub-directory menu.
•Monolith: Saves the Kit and cell settings and all samples into a single BATTERY Kit le. This
is a good choice if you want a transportable patch, for example, when collaborating with
another musician.
6.2. Edit
The Edit submenu provides access to the Preferences, and Audio and MIDI Settings.
To open the Edit menu:
•Click the drop-down Main menu in the Header, then select Edit.
The Edit submenu contains the following entries:
•Preferences...: Launches BATTERY's preferences panel in a new window. Refer to Preferences
for further information about the preferences panel.
•Audio and MIDI Settings...: Launches BATTERY's Audio and MIDI Settings panel in a new
window. Refer to Audio and MIDI Settings for further information about the preferences panel.
6.3. Cell Matrix
The Cell Matrix submenu allows you to change the layout of the cells. This includes the ability to
apply a preset layout or create a custom conrmation by adjusting the row and column settings.
To open the Usage Data preference page:
•Click the drop-down Main menu in the Header, select Preferences, then Usage Data.
The Cell Matrix submenu contains the following entries:
•Size: Selects a layout preset for the Cell Matrix.
•Add Row: Adds a row at the bottom of the Cell Matrix.
•Delete Last Row: Removes a row from the bottom of the Cell Matrix.
MAIN MENU 11

•Add Column: Adds a column on the right side of the Cell Matrix.
•Delete Last Column: Removes a column from the right side of the Cell Matrix.
6.4. Tools
Use the following tool to process samples.
To open the Tools menu:
•Click the drop-down Main menu in the Header, then select Tools.
The Tool submenu contains the following entry:
•Batch Resave: Converts a batch of selected samples to make them compatible with BATTERY
4. This is useful if you have old samples from BATTERY 3 or MASCHINE. Follow the onscreen
instructions once you have selected this option.
6.5. Help
This menu provides links to documentation and other sources of information.
To open the Help menu:
•Click the drop-down Main menu in the Header, then select Help.
The Help submenu contains the following entries:
•Launch Native Access: Launches the Native Access application in a new window. From there,
you can manage your NI software licenses and download software updates.
•Online Battery Documentation: Opens a submenu with links to various documentation items.
•Visit Battery 4 on the web: Opens the BATTERY 4 product homepage in your standard web
browser.
•Visit the Knowledge Base: Opens the NI Knowledge Base in your standard web browser.
•About Battery 4: Launches the About splash screen with version and software licensing
information. The software credits are also displayed here. Click on the About splash screen
again to close it.
MAIN MENU 12

7. Sidebar
The Sidebar is located on the left side of BATTERY's interface and contains the Library Browser,
the File Browser, and the Automation page. These are accessed by clicking the respective tab at
the top of the Sidebar.
The Sidebar contains the following key sections:
1. Library Browser: Enables you to nd sounds and Kits in BATTERY's Library, and categorize and
organize your samples and Kits. Refer to Library Browser for more information.
2. Files Browser: Enables you to search your computer's le structure for sound les and Kits.
You can bookmark your favorite locations and import les to BATTERY's Library from the Files
browser. For more information, refer to Files Browser.
3. Automation page: Enables you to assign BATTERY's parameter controls to MIDI controllers
and to automation controls in a host software. For more information, refer to Automation
Page.
Use the Sidebar button in the Header to toggle the visibility of the Sidebar. For more
information, refer to Header.
7.1. Library Browser
The Library Browser provides access to BATTERY's extensive sound library, where you can
categorize and organize your Kits and Samples.
The Library Browser consists of the following key elements:
SIDEBAR 13

1. Kits/Samples: Selects between Kits and Samples. The selected lter displays the list of
available results in the Library.
•Kits: Displays all Kits available in the Library. Narrow your selection with the tags in the
Category window, and select whether to display factory kits or your own user Kits with the
Factory/User buttons.
•Samples: Displays all samples available in the Library. Narrow your selection with the tags
in the Category window, and select whether to display factory samples or your own user
samples with the Factory/User buttons.
2. Factory/User: Selects between Factory and User option to determine what type of Kits/
Samples are displayed.
•Factory: Sets the Selection/Results window to display factory content only.
•User: Sets the Selection/Results window to display user content only.
3. Category window: Provides a two-level tag lter system for rening and narrowing your search
in the Selection/Results window. The second category level appears once a tag in the rst
level has been selected.
SIDEBAR 14

4. Search field: Enables you to search the Library using a specic term, to narrow down the
selection in the Selection/Results window.
5. Selection/Results window: Lists Library content according to your selection.
6. Loop button (circular arrow icon): Continuously loops the currently previewed sound when
active.
7. Preview button (speaker icon): Toggles the previewing function on/off. When active, you will
hear a preview of the sample currently selected in the Browser.
8. Preview Output Level: Displays the output level of the sound being currently previewed in the
Browser.Adjust the preview output level using the slider.
9. Info button: Displays additional information for the item selected in the Selection/Results
window.
10. Edit button: Opens the Edit panel, where you can edit category tags and add further
information to the item selected in the Selection/Results window.
•Category: Allows you to edit rst-level category tags in the left column and second-level
category tags in the right column.
•Properties: Allows you to add additional information to your samples/Kits, and assign a
color to the item's list entry.
7.2. Files Browser
The Files Browser allows you to search your computer's le structure for samples and Kits. You
can bookmark your favorite locations and import les to BATTERY's Library.
The Files Browser consists of the following elements:
SIDEBAR 15

1. Favorites bar: Add locations on your hard drive to the Favorites bar by right-clicking an item in
the Selection/Results window, and selecting the Add to Favorites entry.
2. Navigation bar: Enables you to navigate through your computer's le structure.
•Up (^ icon): Navigates to the parent folder.
•Breadcrumbs navigation bar: Displays the folder hierarchy down to the folder that is
currently open in the Selection/Results window.
•Recently visited locations (clock icon): Opens a list of currently visited locations. Click on
an entry to open it in the Selection/Results window.
3. Selection/Results window: Displays the folder content of the current folder.
4. Loop button (circular arrow icon): Continuously loops the currently previewed sample, when
active.
5. Preview button (speaker icon): Toggles the previewing function on/off. When active, you will
hear a preview of the sample currently selected in the Browser.
6. Preview Output level: Displays the output level of the sample being currently previewed in the
Browser. Adjust the preview output level using the slider.
SIDEBAR 16