4 Essential Tips for NI Maschine 2.3

1 - Use the New Limiter

This tip is simple: Don't use the old Limiter mode anymore. The new Limiter mode called “Transparent” is a vast improvement over its predecessor. As you lower the threshold, you will notice that you can increase the overall perceived volume significantly without distortion or all of your bass being sucked up. Just because you can push the Limiter really hard doesn't mean you should though; use some restraint and refrain from squashing your master output.

The new Limiter mode called “Transparent” is a vast improvement over its predecessor.

Keep in mind that this Limiter mode has been redesigned to sound better while still having a low CPU footprint and very low latency.

2 - New Reverb Algorithms

The new Reverb algorithms sound really fantastic, especially noticeable when the reverb times and room sizes are increased significantly. I find that triggering a very long reverb tail is a good way to test the reverb's quality.

The new Reverb in Maschine 2.3.

Try using a short, staccato vocal sample with a very long reverb setting. Tuning the vocal sample up or down, or playing it in Pad Mode, will provide different tones. Essentially just using the reverb tail as an ambient wash.

3 - Arpeggiator Hold

The new Hold function for Maschine's arpeggiator provides a new opportunity for live performance on Maschine. Now you can lock the arpeggiator and have it play melodic patterns while your hands are free to modulate parameters or add effects.

The new Hold function for Maschine's arpeggiator provides a new opportunity for live performance on Maschine.

For best results, load a synth lead on a Sound and make sure to lock the Pad Mode into a Scale. This way, you can ensure that the arpeggiator will stay musically relevant while you turn knobs. For more interesting rhythmic patterns, adjust the arpeggiator's Sequence settings and switch the type to “Order Played”.

4 - Drum Lab MIDI Transpose

Drum Lab is a fantastic drum instrument in Komplete Select, which is included for all Maschine users. However, using drum programs mapped to General MIDI keyboard standards aren't always fun to use with Maschine's 4x4 pad layout.

You can “trick” Maschine into using a single VST instance on one Sound, while triggering the different keys form the other 15 Pads. The benefit here being that you obviously can play drums from the pads, but also that you can sequence a pattern and have the individual shots laid out in the Pattern Editor.

You can “trick” Maschine into using a single VST instance on one Sound, while triggering the different keys form the other 15 Pads.

To set this up, go to the Channel page > Sound level > Output and page right to the MIDI tab. Now you can select the Destination (the Sound within that Group hosting Drum Lab) and then adjust the Transpose parameter to reflect the proper note value to trigger the specific drum you want (i.e., kick, snare, hat). Repeat this for all the pads you wish to use, and then color code and save the Group for future use.

Learn more about Maschine 2.3 in Matt Cellitti's course at AskVideo.