Using Maschine MK3 or Maschine Plus as a Dawless Performance Setup

CyrilBosch96
CyrilBosch96 Member Posts: 5 Member
in Maschine

I'm interested in using the Maschine MK3 as a DAWless live setup for performing long and extensive house or techno sets. Typically, this is done using Ableton Live with a Launchpad and LaunchKontrol XL. However, I want to see if a similar setup can be achieved with the Maschine MK3.

I got the idea after watching Native Instruments video on performing Hybrid Sets with Traktor and Maschine along with a mixer.

Here's what I envision:

  • Scenes as Song Parts: Using different scenes for different parts of the song—such as Risers, Drops, Breakdowns, Bridges, etc.
  • Real-time Control: Manipulating various parameters live, like synth cutoff, synth resonance, envelope release for both synths and drums, reverb, and delay effects to add variety. All these would be mapped as macros.
  • External Gear Integration: Adding an external synth and delay pedal to bring in additional textures, or using an SP-404 to sequence samples over the Maschine, creating unique elements. The SP-404 could also serve as a backup in case the MK3 glitches.
  • Flexible Beat Creation: Writing multiple beats per day within the same project, and over a week, having enough material to perform a one-hour set. This setup would allow for a variety of sounds and the freedom to program new samples on the SP-404 on the fly, making each set unique.

Questions:

  • Has anyone tried using the Maschine MK3 or Maschine Plus in a similar way for a DAWless setup?
  • Do you think this idea would work well for live sets?
  • If you've tried something similar or have different approaches, I'd love to hear your tips, tricks, or ideas!

Thanks!

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Comments

  • olafmol
    olafmol Member Posts: 208 Pro

    Did you check the Loopop video already on YT? It might give some ideas…

  • einfach Felix
    einfach Felix Member Posts: 5 Member

    I'd be interested in this aswell! I think either I have to be missing sth. or Maschine just doesn't fit my workflow…
    I tried different things.
    1st:
    Making multible prerecorded Scenes which i then triggered manually. However this was quite boring and didn't give me a lot of possibilities…
    2nd:
    Creating a Main, Break and Intro Outro Scene.
    I then mapped some Macros to control sounds to control Synths and Samples.
    Also created some Parameter Locks in Order to create Sudden Breaks and Drops.
    I tried muting Pads and Patterns in order to create an arrangement.
    This worked out okayish.. but if I hadn't also bought the Maschine JAM I'd just go crazy with all the menu diving that's necessary to do all this.

    To me all of this has been extremely frustrating because:
    -I cannot make timed mutes on pads. (which would be great if I am using 16 at once)
    -I connot make timed pattern mutes. (Yes you can change the scene, mute them in the upcoming scene and then have your transition, but this is crazy unintuitive…)
    -Setting up macros from the hardware is a PITA because empty spots stay empty if you delete an assignment so you need to connect your PC….
    -The labeling of the macros can be like CUTOFF, CUTOFF, CUTOFF, FREQ and you don't know which one is which….
    -You loose the ability of tweaking macros if you have to go to certain menus.

    To me it seems like the MASCHINE system is thought to be sth. like:
    Create scenes and play them one by one. Maybe wiggle 1-2 knobs if you are fancy. But this is really boring tbh and not what I imagine playing live should be.
    I also have an MPC which has it's own quirks and stuff but at least I can jam with this thing…

    I really hope someone can give me an idea how to create a dynamic live setup with the MASCHINE🔥 Otherwise some lucky guy gets a cheap retailed MASCHINE+ :D

  • Psyearth5
    Psyearth5 Member Posts: 328 Member
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/35807/using-maschine-mk3-or-maschine-plus-as-a-dawless-performance-setup

    You can control multi parameters as Lock States and use them on linear Time Line. I am more than happy with everything that is possible.

    Under MIDI settings on a second page there is 3 main Controls for Lock States, Scenes and Selections.

    Screenshot_20240630-231554-384.png
    Screenshot_20240630-231536-774.png

    My first Live. 6 Tracks and just one track can make interesting part to be 10 and more minutes long. From my experience most important thing it's to adjust Tempo to be something for everyone if it's possible, some personal will feel it slow and others it's maybe to fast and that's it.

    I hope that this helps.

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