MASCHINE Tutorial: Creative Production and Performance Techniques

Learn essential music creation techniques in this three-part video tutorial series exploring the creative production and performance possibilities of Native Instruments’ MASCHINE.

MASCHINE Tutorial Pt. 1/3: Track Building w/ Justin Aswell

Dubspot Instructor and master finger drummer Justin Aswell takes us through his approach to building the foundations of a track in this first installment of a three-part video tutorial series exploring the creative production and performance possibilities of Native Instruments’ versatile MASCHINE Groovebox. Justin demonstrates how to slice up drum breaks, assign samples to pads, and create drum pattern variations. He then proceeds to record a bassline using a MIDI keyboard to give his breaks some meaty low-end and some synth keys for added flavor. Justin then tops the track off with a Tribe Called Quest vocal sample he chops up and edits while offering some fundamental music production techniques and sound shaping possibilities using MASCHINE’s advanced features.

MASCHINE Tutorial Pt. 2/3: Finger Drumming Techniques w/ Justin Aswell

Dubspot Instructor and master finger drummer Justin Aswell explains and demonstrates the fundamentals of finger drumming in this second installment of a three-part video tutorial series exploring the creative production and performance possibilities of Native Instruments’ versatile MASCHINE Groovebox. From hand position and pad placement to adding rhythm variations and flair, Justin Aswell covers some essential tips for someone who is just starting out finger drumming. Justin then goes in further to offer more complex techniques for those who are already familiar with pounding rhythms on pads. At the end of this tutorial, you should have a good grasp of how to play drum pads with your fingers, and those who are not so new to finger drumming can build on their working knowledge of drum programming to become more efficient.

MASCHINE Tutorial Pt. 3/3: Live Performance Techniques w/ Justin Aswell

Dubspot Instructor and master finger drummer Justin Aswell demonstrates several live performance techniques in this final installment of a three-part video tutorial series exploring the creative production and performance possibilities of Native Instruments’ versatile MASCHINE Groovebox. Learn how to integrate MASCHINE into your live setup while Justin offers some essential performance advice to help you step up your live set game.

Maschine Program

The future of production is here. Native Instruments’ Maschine redefines the intersection of hardware and software, performance and production. With Dubspot’s Maschine program for producers and performers, you’ll go from shaking hands with this cutting-edge music platform to making full tracks and performing your music live.

About This Program

At Dubspot, you’ll learn to produce and perform music with Maschine by becoming familiar with its hardware and software simultaneously. Maschine’s tactile controls map seamlessly to their software counterparts, unlocking an advanced production environment. The first level takes you step-by-step through producing an entire track, covering the essentials of sequencing, synthesis, and mixing along the way. We start making music from the beginning–even if you’re completely new to Maschine, you’ll be making your own beats and grooves within days.

You’ll learn sampling and recording techniques to add original material into your productions, use advanced automation features and cutting-edge effects for sound design, and explore Massive, a powerful synthesizer that’s included with Maschine. You’ll also discover how plug-in instruments and effects can expand your creative workflow, and how additional hardware instruments and controllers can be integrated into your setup. Finally, you will also learn how to integrate Maschine into a DAW as a plug-in effect or MIDI controller, with examples shown in Ableton Live and Logic Pro.