Complete Guide to Maschine MK3

NI’s latest Maschine controller has elevated the device to whole new levels, transforming it into one of the most incredible platforms for making music. On this comprehensive course by certified trainer Rob Jones, you’ll learn every aspect of both the MK3 controller and Maschine software, as well as learn a multitude of techniques for creating many different styles of music with them.

The tutorials begin with a detailed look at how to make patterns with the pads, working in the default pad mode as well as keyboard, chord and 16- velocity modes, explaining the various benefits of each one. Rob then teaches the ins and outs of soundslots in Maschine, by building a kit from scratch, before getting more advanced with Maschine’s Sampler, showing how to record and edit your own samples, slice up loops and lots more.

There is also a thorough exploration of Maschine’s instruments and effects, with lessons on both Drum and Bass Synths, as well as the entire range of built-in effects. Additionally, the course includes tutorials covering more advanced signal routing and effects usage, teaching how to modulate parameters and set up send effects, and also how to use Maschine within DAWs like Ableton Live and Logic Pro.

Signing up to the course provides immediate access to over 4 hours of tutorials, written notes, Maschine projects and 250MB of bonus samples. Before signing up, check out the free sample modules for an example of the tutorial content, which will have you mastering NI’s legendary music-making tool in no time!

Sample Module

Modules

Module 1 - Intro to Maschine

This module provides an overview of the Maschine software and hardware, to demonstrate the extent of its capabilities, showing both completed projects with arrangements and brand new projects for setting up and getting going with pattern creation.

Module 2 - Pattern Creation Part 1

This module starts to teach how patterns can be created, predominantly by playing in events with the hardware pads, as well as some important event parameters like velocity and timing.

• Lesson 1 - Pad Mode Pattern Creation 1
• Lesson 2 - Pad Mode Pattern Creation 2
• Lesson 3 - Software Pattern Editor

Module 2a - Pattern Editing in Events and Step Modes

A demonstration of how to edit patterns on the hardware, after recent software updates removed the Arranger button shortcut. Arranger button fully explained in Module 5a.

Module 3 - Soundslots

This module teaches some soundslot fundamentals, by showing how to build up your own kit in a group, consisting of various drum and bass samples, which are edited and sequenced into a groove.

• Lesson 1 - Adding Drums and Creating a Break
• Lesson 2 - Editing Soundslots in Sampler
• Lesson 3 - Adding Bass and Finishing the Kit 

Module 4 - Pattern Creation Part 2

This module continues looking at pattern creation, focussing this time on the additional pad modes, including step, keyboard and chord, as well as 16-velocity mode.

• Lesson 1 - Step Mode
• Lesson 2 - Keyboard and Chord Mode 
• Lesson 3 - 16-Velocity Mode

Module 5 - Scenes and Sections

This module shows how scenes and sections can be used to create different fixed combinations of patterns, either for jamming with different loops or laying out an arrangement of a song along a timeline.

• Lesson 1 - Scene Mode
• Lesson 2 - Section Mode 
• Lesson 3 - Unique and Auto-Length

Module 5a - Changes to Arranger Mode

An explanation of how the Arranger mode changed on the hardware in a recent software update to include Ideas and Song modes, and remove pattern editing facilities.

Module 6 - Sampling

This module teaches how to record and edit your own samples, including single hits and loops, either from external sources or internally within your project.

• Lesson 1 - Recording Oneshot Samples
• Lesson 2 - Recording Loops
• Lesson 3 - Slicing Samples
• Lesson 4 - Stretching Samples

Module 7 - Effects

This module runs you through how to apply effects processing to sounds within Maschine, be they individual soundslots in a group, whole groups or the master output, so all groups simultaneously. As well as providing a guide to the range of effects on offer and how to use them, this should also help to further develop your understanding of the Plugins section of the software.

• Lesson 1 - Guide to Machine’s Effects
• Lesson 2 - Adding and Editing Effects with MK3

Module 8 - Drum Synth & Bass Synth

This module is a guide to using Maschine’s two synths, for designing and creating your own drums and bass. There is also a demonstration of using the step editor to create a 303 bassline, to accompany the drum break, which is embellished in the next module.

• Lesson 1 - Drum Synth
• Lesson 2 - Bass Synth

Module 9 - Advanced Effects and Routing

This module teaches some more advanced effects techniques, including modulation, meaning both automating of effect parameters into patterns and also onboard effects themselves, as well as setting up send effects and using sidechains.

• Lesson 1 - Modulating Parameters with MK3 
• Lesson 2 - Envelope and LFO Modulation 
• Lesson 3 - Step Mode Modulation 
• Lesson 4 - Send Effects 
• Lesson 5 - Sidechaining 

Module 10 - Macros & Performance Features

This module shows how the various performance-related controls on Maschine can be used to add expressive elements to your music.

• Lesson 1 - Macros 
• Lesson 2 - Lock Snapshots 
• Lesson 3 - Smart Strip 
• Lesson 4 - Perform FX 

Module 11 - Using Maschine in the DAW

This module shows how Maschine works running as a plugin in the DAW, to highlight the differences and ways it can be used.

Features

• Learn every aspect of MK3 hardware and software
• Over 4 hours of quality tutorials
• Detailed written notes
• Maschine projects from every lesson
• 250MB of Bonus Samples