THE MASCHINE FLOW TECHNIQUE
1) BASE STRUCTURE (GROUPS)
Each group has a specific role within the system:
[A] DRUMS
[B] BASS
[C] INSTRUMENT
[D] INSTRUMENT 2 / MELODY
[E] FX 1 (Perform FX)
[F] FX 2 (Perform FX)
[G] SYNTHS / POLY SYNTH
[H] AUDIO RECORD (internal recording)
This structure can be expanded depending on your needs.
2) ROUTING (THE KEY ELEMENT)
Instead of sending all groups directly to the Master, a serial processing chain is created.
Example routing:
A → B → C → D → E → F → Master
This means:
- Group A does not go directly to the Master
- Group A feeds Group B
- Group B feeds Group C
- Group C feeds Group D
- And so on until the final group
The last group is the one that finally reaches the Master.
This turns each group into a processing stage.
The sound is no longer played “as is”, but instead goes through multiple stages where it is:
- shaped
- colored
- transformed
- processed in real time
This is what gives the performance its evolving character.
3) ROUTING + EFFECTS
Once the chain is built:
- Each group can host effects
- FX groups (E, F, etc.) act as live manipulation stages
- They can be controlled using Perform FX and touch strips
The result is a sound that continuously evolves while playing.
4) LOCK MODE (STRUCTURE CONTROL)
Usage:
- Activate with SHIFT + LOCK
- Mute all groups except the ones you want
- Store that state on a pad
Example:
PAD 1 → drums only (A)
PAD 2 → A + B
PAD 3 → A + B + C
PAD 4 → all groups
This allows you to build the track structure in real time.
5) FREE GROUPS (LIVE PERFORMANCE)
While everything is running:
Additional groups can be used independently from the main chain to:
- play instruments live
- trigger ideas
- use Poly Synth
- modify sounds with knobs
These groups are routed directly to the Master.
They are not part of Lock Mode and are used for real improvisation.
6) LIVE PERFORMANCE FLOW
The workflow is continuous:
- Enter Lock Mode and change the structure
- Exit and manipulate FX groups
- Switch to instrument groups and play live
- Return to FX for sound manipulation
- Go back to Lock Mode to change scenes
Everything keeps running without stopping.
7) INTERNAL RECORDING
A dedicated group (for example H) is used to record the full output as audio.
This captures the entire performance in real time.
After recording:
- Mute all original groups
- Leave only the recorded audio
This allows you to:
- add new layers
- apply additional FX
- build new sections on top
8) MASTER
The Master is used for final control:
This is the final stage of the system.
FINAL RESULT
This workflow is not DAW-based.
It is built around:
- serial routing between groups
- real-time structure building using Lock Mode
- sound design through live FX
- performance and improvisation
- continuous audio recording
CONCLUSION
This approach transforms Maschine into a live performance system.
It is not just about using features individually, but about building an internal structure within the machine.
It is a different way of thinking and using Maschine.
