How can I record MIDI notes from my MASCHINE controller in my DAW?

This article explains how to record MIDI notes from your MASCHINE controller directly in your DAW. This can be useful when you want to bypass the MASCHINE sequencer and use your DAW's sequencer to edit the recorded notes while still using the MASCHINE sounds.

  1. Start your DAW and load MASCHINE 2 as an instrument plug-in. Record-enable the track that is hosting MASCHINE 2. In this example, we will use Ableton Live as our DAW.
    AbletonMaschine.jpg
  2. Open the MASCHINE 2 plug-in and load or create a kit.
  3. Click the Channel icon.
    ChannelIcon.jpg
  4. Click the Group tab followed by Input to open the MIDI Input properties page for your Group.
    GroupInput.jpg
  5. Choose Manual for the Key Mode and Host for the Source.
    ManualHost.jpg
  6. Switch your MASCHINE controller to MIDI mode. You can find the button combination for your controller in this list:
    MASCHINE Model MIDI Mode Button Combination
    MASCHINE MK1 / MK2 SHIFT + CONTROL
    MASCHINE MK3 SHIFT + CHANNEL (MIDI)
    MASCHINE MIKRO MK1 / MK2 SHIFT + F1
    MASCHINE MIKRO MK3 SHIFT + Project button
    MASCHINE STUDIO SHIFT + CHANNEL
    MASCHINE JAM SHIFT + headphones button (MIDI)
  7. In your DAW preferences, make sure to activate your MASCHINE as a MIDI device for your DAW to receive incoming MIDI notes. In this example, we are activating the Maschine MK3 Virtual Input under Link / Tempo / MIDI.
    DAW_MIDI_INPUTS.png

Selecting the correct Octave

If you are using the MASCHINE MK3 or MIKRO MK3, the correct octave of the pads is already set. You can directly start playing and record the MASCHINE sounds with the pads of your controller in your DAW. Alternatively, you can program the MIDI notes in your sequencer with the mouse.

For the other MASCHINE controllers, you have to set the correct octave for the pads to play on.

As the root note of the Group inside the MASCHINE Software is set to C1, press GROUP Button C. Now your MASCHINE pads will trigger the Notes from C1 to D#2. This means that when you press your first MASCHINE pad, Sound 1 will be triggered, the second MASCHINE pad triggers Sound 2, etc.

MK2_GroupButton.jpg

To select Group C of the MASCHINE MIKRO MK1 or MK2, hold down the GROUP button and press pad 15 / C.

MikroMK2GroupButton.jpg

You can now play your Kit on MASCHINE and record the notes directly into your DAW. Alternatively, you can program the MIDI notes directly in your sequencer with the mouse.