Elektron Machinedrum: Basic Beatmaking Session

basic techno/house beatmaking with Elektron Machinedrum, starting from a blank kit and pattern. A handful of useful sound generators are explored, as well as some of the voice architecture, with a focus on the master FX; a crucial aspect of Machinedrum sound design
0:14 EQ output gain commentary
0:48 TRX-BD (TR-style bassdrum)
1:50 Gatebox Reverb
4:27 P-I Tom (physically modeled tom)
5:37 Rhythm Echo
6:20 Master EQ
7:06 Dynamix Compressor
7:58 CTR-EQ (control EQ machine)
8:33 Slides
10:11 P-I HH (physically modeled hi-hat)
11:39 filtering hi-hat
14:23 EFM-CP (frequency modulation clap)
17:44 GND-SN (sine wave machine)
21:46 track-specific slide
23:26 dialing in gated reverb
24:15 clipping the compressor internally/clipping input of EQ
the Machinedrum sysex file for this session is available at - / machinedrum-uw-3-26708590
prior to editing this video I had never spent time analyzing the Machinedrum audio output this closely, and the interaction between the compressor, EQ, and master volume - I actually discovered in some testing after I shot the footage that I can crank the output level of the Machinedrum far beyond what my RME interface is able to accept even on its 'hi-gain' input setting - I'm starting to think the Machinedrum is designed to avoiding clipping on the way out in the traditional digital sense - looking at the waveforms (and based on what I hear) it seems almost like there is a soft saturation or limiting that was implemented to prevent any harsh digital clipping - but I would need to perform tests where I significantly attenuate the signal coming out of the Machinedrum - it clipped the inputs of my audio interface long before I could tell if it clipped its own output DAC. Using aggressive compressor settings you can get a very squared off and clipped signal, but it's clearly not clipping on the way out, it's getting clipped inside the MD between the compressor and the EQ- and it still sounds a bit different than typical digital clipping on the way out of a DAC
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[@markstrauss9365]

Excellent video. I feel like if the MD came out in 2019 people would think it was revolutionary.

[@maxmarco]

thank you! very forward-thinking design - among so many other great aspects, the classic/extended switch and the concept of abstracting patterns from kits is something I really want to see re-visited

[@aikighost]

I really hope the do an elektron DIGIDRUM little square with similar programming some time soon.

[@maxmarco]

elektronauts forum seemed more than a bit disappointed when the M:S release didn't turn out to be some sort of digidrum - for myself I'd likely still be holding out for a real-deal MDUW mk3 :D

[@ALYOUTUBERZ]

still their best drum machine

[@nandoblondemobydick5438]

Analog Rytm 8 MKI & II can do all that stuff and lot more :-) but enjoyed the video cause it´s a very good info which is aplicable to the most of Elektron devices (i.e. you can load your own tones in Rytm 8 and whatever sampled material if it is not too long, for what i know MKII can resample or at least sample from a source), i´m myself Elektron performer and learning the tools from 2011 +/- Octa & Rytm MKI Max as very good tips (he focus in synthesis a lot and that´s very good), a great touch in the Elektron team is that anybody use the tools as it´s own style and way, we are all learn from others, cause there are so many possibillities in each instruments that make impossible to know them all, there is always a new tip to learn

[@IlanLanz]

This is by far the best demonstration of the MD online. Thank you for this video!

[@CosmoStraaf]

Thanks for the MASTER class!!love it!!

[@MIDERA]

This is really awesome. Very useful!

[@MrJackcracks]

So happy to this video. Big thanks, Max. Please make more!

[@toslinked]

great stuff, the old elektrons are amazing instruments to lose yourself into 16 step patterns, working on it is just like meditation. a shame they have become so very expensive.

[@adroc9101]

Max, I come back to this every so often for tips / inspiration and I have to say - DAAAAAMN brother, you have such a command with this box! Thank you for doing this.

[@Steve81M]

Just picked one up and found this video to be amazingly helpful. Your knowledge of this awesome little box is seriously impressive. I look forward to checking out more of your content! Thank you!

[@STORMIE.]

honestly that beat could go on and on... so hypnotic! GREAT stuff man, in depth and all, bravo!

[@jazzitsw6875]

Thank you for this great video. it covers a lot of ground and adds knowledge even to the long time user. hopefully you find time to do more.

[@mueta9648]

very helpful. sick jam

[@Lev0702]

A masterclass on the Machinedrum. Thank you!

[@djshiva]

There are so few Machinedrum videos. SO great to see a new one!

[@maxmarco]

thank you! I have plenty of ideas for more of them :) :) :)

[@ScRpD]

Very nice video. Just got a hold of a MD and trying to wrap my head around everything. Helped a lot!

[@warrenmusic]

I was literally dancing at a few points in this video and making audible “ughhhhhh”s. Incredible just riding along with your workflow.

[@redshift4707]

a lot of cool stuff going here,quality vid Sir!

[@maxmarco]

really appreciate it, thank you!

[@tlatsegms]

Amazing⚡️

[@patrizio7]

Another excellent MD tutorial Max. Knowledge = Banging music

[@maxmarco]

thank you! every video I make on Machinedrum I learn something new but I almost always end up with even more questions! hah!

[@fischergreen4134]

Great video I've just put mine back to work after a few years of music in the box I had forgotten lots if feature so this is very helpful

[@phil71x]

Enjoy your very informative walkthrough a lot. Thanks The sound capability of this machine is great.

[@maxmarco]

my pleasure, thank you!! Machinedrum is definitely full of magic and special red sauce xD

[@medardfischer]

This is really terrific. I love my MD but have always felt I'm not digging into it deep enough. You've totally inspired me to spend more time with it. Thanks very much.

[@maxmarco]

that's awesome! I'm really glad this video was a good enough demonstration to encourage people to dig into their MDs a bit more, thank you!!

[@bobv5580]

Thanks for this; i just got my MD and this really got me started on some basics as well as deeper stuff. Very helpful!

[@maxmarco]

my pleasure, that's fantastic to hear! I really need to make some more videos on MD soon and do my part to keep them off the used market :D

[@SONICrider]

WoW - what a cool musical tutorial - I use this machine in my modular set up and use it in almost each arrangement. You gave me some new ideas :-) Thanks!! (dine read about the audio output)

[@titustwimbly1]

Recently picked up machinedrum. This video is incredibly helpful and inspiring. Thanks!

[@maxmarco]

thank you! really great to see all the MD love on this video!!

[@zeropointrebel7989]

Perfect timing....I've just digged out my MD to give it some love. Best tutorial for the MD I've seen and represents perfectly how building a groove on it has a sculptural quality. Once you understand that it starts to open a lot of doors . Subbed and looking forward to your future explorations.....

[@maxmarco]

thank you!! I still have lots to learn about this awesome machine, going to spend some more time with it soon myself 👍👍👍

[@MichaalHell]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks! I’m gonna have a look when I sit in front of my MD as well!

[@maxmarco]

thanks man! every time I dig deep into Machinedrum I am rewarded handsomely :D

[@nthirteen]

Love it. Thanks.

[@Cochese]

thanks, thanks!!! great video!

[@giuseppemaggialetti8692]

Thanks for sharing, dude. I've had a machinedrum mkII since November and still what I know is just a glimpse of its capabilities.

[@maxmarco]

thanks for watching man, really appreciate it! I learned a bunch of new things even just making this video! :D

[@francoisklarinet]

i never thought that the love of my life would be a machine

[@germanaffair2387]

We recently bought a second hand Machinedrum Sps1 MK2 to add to our performance tools and this video helped us a lot having a better understanding of the tool before finally deciding. Really inspiring and helpful stuff. Big thanks man :)

[@maxmarco]

thank you! definitely need to make more beatmaking and sound design videos with MDUW, amazing device for quickly generating ideas and grooves

[@dfcomposer]

Great video! Thanks a lot!

[@levinsonl]

this is really a quality video! the equivalent of dynamic stretching as compared to static stretching. I like how you jammed out in a coherent way that was easy to watch. It inspired me to take another look at the reverb on the MD which I never appreciated before. Cheers.

[@maxmarco]

thank you! Machinedrum reverb is very old-school sounding to me, in a good way, but it can be a bit tricky to get just right depending on what you're trying to do with it

[@dpomn9311]

amazing video man

[@maxmarco]

thank you!! I have to give the machinedrum most of the credit though! :D

[@peirama2]

its "easy" to knowing something but its not easy showing and explaining it. respect max and cheers from greece :)

[@leescanlan4995]

This is such a good video. Honest to goodness beat making

[@maxmarco]

thanks a lot!! planning to make more of these for both Machinedrum and Octatrack (already have the next OT one in the works)

[@badloop]

I've been using the MD since 2007 and this video still taught me a thing or two :)

[@maxmarco]

awesome! so many ways to get great sounds and have fun with MD it is not necessary to know them all :D

[@badhombre2484]

lovin' the spice, max

[@adamvandenberg6177]

Thanks for this video!

[@maxmarco]

thanks for checking it out! :) :) :)

[@MPTYmusic]

So interesting, I use a really different approach/technique on my machinedrum...Thank you for sharing!

[@maxmarco]

thank you! every time I sit down MD I always want to try to do things a bit differently than I have before, the design really encourages new perspectives!

[@LUCIDLINES_MIXED_MEDIA]

@@maxmarco This is the very best part of using Elektron machines. They are very flexible, inspiring but also dead cold as well :) I need a lot of work to make it sound right for my ears.

[@pintfetzer3461]

Thx for this vid :) And..... Nice Sound man!

[@trevor4835]

Your voice and delivery really remind me of Flashbulb’s YT channel, Benn and Gear. Thanks so much for sharing the prowess of this machine with us, you rock!

[@maxmarco]

thanks a lot! have enjoyed Benn's videos more than a few times 👍👍👍

[@javilara6909]

Nice video BRO!!!!

[@killahkay2112]

This thing is Awesome ...

[@nandoblondemobydick5438]

i loved the begining of the video when you use the reverb and you get the rumble Techno classic sound, after it becomes too messy in effects to my taste but great at all

[@MeshMachine]

Thanks for posting this. I love the Machine drum. My favourite trick on the machine drum is using midi loop back (midi cable plugged into in/out ports) and using a midi machine to randomly generate Tom hits using the LFO. I centre the midi track note on the mid Tom and set the LFO destination to note and the depth to generate +2 semitones either side. I repeat the trick for the hats. The triggers on the midi track can then be used to syncopate the rhythm. I keep the rest of the tracks fairly straightforward.

[@maxmarco]

thanks for checking it out! MD owners unite! :D that's a great trick! I detailed a basic use case for that approach, with demos of slightly more involved setups, and discussed some of the quirks I discovered in an older MD video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6DNnaSMltdrbck - I also have another video where I demonstrate using that trick to probabilistically trigger a RAM record machine - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ronCp2esYqikgdk - will be re-visiting some of those techniques in the future for sure!

[@matejmoravec]

Thanks!

[@Spasmomen]

You've earned a new subscriber! A friend of mine has an analog rytm, analog four x2 and an octatrack. I have a machinedrum and a keys. I'm often jealous of the beats he can make on the rytm, I always found the MD to be too metallic. But damn, you sure know how to rock it.

[@maxmarco]

thank you!! With Machinedrum it takes a bit of work to find the sweet spots, and it can be touchy to finesse properly even once you do find one, but it's worth it!

[@ArctaProductions]

This thing is incredible for techno. I've had the MD for a couple weeks and I find that every time I use it I make some insane grooves within a few minutes and go to town with a ctrl all machine

[@maxmarco]

MD sometimes feels a bit like easy mode for certain types of techno and house grooves... but if you're not careful it quickly becomes cheesy mode! xD

[@wantonwanwan0606]

Really enjoyed this :) Amazing walkthrough! Will there ever be a part2?

[@TheDavidKettle]

Using the main eq on a machine was cool tip never tried that before

[@maxmarco]

the control machines are a big part of MD magic - I don't use them enough myself!

[@BrunoWiebelt]

a lot of feel in the manipulating of the sounds , and very good explanation

[@maxmarco]

thanks Bruno! Machinedrum is pretty amazing for quickly generating and sculpting ideas

[@PeteyPeteee]

nice video. love the MD and would never part with mine. think the fridge would have to go first!

[@user-ty3ws4ni4g]

Good Mashine

[@rokutis669]

unbelievble i have MD for 2 years and never knew about CTr EQ

[@maxmarco]

great for sound design! using LFO to modulate it can zipper a bit tho, not that it's always a bad thing :D

[@LukaszBieliz]

It may sound weird but I'm an owner yet still not the user. I feel this vid will finally turn me into one.

[@maxmarco]

that's not weird at all, and I totally get that - I have to say that's pretty much exactly why I made this kind of video, thank you!!

[@BrancoArgenta]

It feels like Joe Pera is talking to me About Machinedrum

[@dobermanpuncher8636]

Quality video on the MD, instasubbed. Learned a lot. 2 y MD user.

[@maxmarco]

hey thanks a lot!! I keep finding there's always something new to try with the Machinedrum, amazing design!

[@ChazSeamus28]

Your pretty good with this music beat making kinda stuff

[@maxmarco]

thank you! always something new to learn :)

[@TristanBaldi]

HI, thanks for the awesome video... Absolutely stunning material! I'm confused about the version you're using here... I read here and there in the comments it's an UW? I'm about to buy a used SPS 1 MKII, and wonder if apart from sampling, and playing samples, it can do all the wonderful things you do in this vid? I'd love your help on this! Thanks again for this great video!

[@snorpechumgalimp8943]

Only difference is the UW can sample.

[@s90210h]

Adding just a touch of very fast delay modulation can make the signal just that touch more fuzzy, like a slight degradation effect.

[@maxmarco]

that's a great idea! thank you! my main targets when modulating the delay are usually the filters so adding that on top would work quite nicely sometimes

[@calixtetayoro5719]

Came here after watching the new comb filter video and discovered some MD videos I had seen before and this one that I just discovered. Thx for the great videos! Will sub now. Question: I'm about to purchase a used MD and wonder which one you advise.

[@maxmarco]

thanks a lot! MDUW+ mk2 is the primo machine, the sampling engine really blows the possibilities wide open. MDUW mk2 without +drive would also be ok - non-UW is a fantastic instrument but can't go into outer space quite like the UW but some people simply don't care for the sampling workflow/sound and prefer just regular MD (I often see regular MD paired with Octatrack). Even Mk1 MD is a pretty crazy instrument - although apparently there is a bug where the LFOs can't modulate the MIDI machines like I have shown for probabilistic setups on MD. Amusingly I find the minor aesthetic difference of the regular MD to be a bit more pleasing though :D (all-black border around the screen on non-UW)

[@calixtetayoro5719]

@@maxmarco Thx for the advice. I'll start looking for a MDUW+ mk2 and follow your path to outer space :)

[@maxmarco]

if we get all the MDs off the used market perhaps Elektron will be forced to make a MDUW mk3 :) :) :)

[@calixtetayoro5719]

@@maxmarco Though on earth "sky's the limit", it might be another story in outer space ^^

[@PintoRadMan]

propah!!!!...... 1 question though....does this apply for the mk 1?

[@theuntouchables808]

Ez Boss . Was Wondering if you could clear up Some question I have about this ... who better to ask then someone like you who has mastered this machine... So I've Started making a Dent in My papers on My MD ... I Had This Great loop going ... I'm still not 100 certain How to save patterns ( do i just hit bank "C" button ? ) ... So I turn of the MD tuned it back on and the Loop was still there ... Really happy with it ... thinking I got a Tune I can Finish on Pattern C1 ... Any way When Back to listen to All the Other Patterns A1-C1 and when I got to C1 the It was gone .... any idea what I did wrong ??? I tried all the other 64 kist but seems like its gone... So to save A Pattren on MD ... i need to Save The Pattern & save the Kit ??? please let me know if I lost this Loop . thank ...

[@mariopak4817]

please make a session with the x.08 firmware. :)

[@killahkay2112]

Finally got our hands on one of these ... such an amazing piece of Gear . I am axing troubles Syncing it to other Drumachine ... ( Tanzbar - Brute & impact ) Please help or point me in the right direction .

[@outlier5844]

If its tightness you need, get a multiclock by erm. Its not cheap but once you have it you'll wonder how you got on without it.

[@killahkay2112]

@@outlier5844 Cool I'll look into that .. For some reason Mine doesn't Sync It'll emit Midi timecode but not take any ... Luckly it's a lot tighter then Aruria so i should be fine to finish off projects in the daw.

[@JimBo-jf2qp]

Is this the MKI or MKII? Thanks!

[@ronsone8373]

Octatrack and machinedrum OR octatrack and digitakt?

[@karolcelinski8077]

Does it support random triggs? If it does, it is no brainer for me :). If only i could get one...

[@maxmarco]

thanks for checking out my video! :) the MDUW is pretty awesome but unfortunately it doesn't support conditional triggers that are on the newer Elektrons, however with some clever tricks you can do quite a bit of probabilistic and generative sequencing. I outline an approach for random/generative triggers on Machinedrum and some of the quirks encountered in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6DNnaSMltdrbck - and I also demonstrate using this technique with the RAM record machines, for probabilistic re-sampling in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ronCp2esYqikgdk

[@MrSTAYUP33]

any thoughts on geting the mk1 or 2? i notice that there are more 2s and they are cheaper but i assume thats because they made more. thanks

[@maxmarco]

when I was shopping around I never saw a mk2 unit that was cheaper than mk1 except maybe UW mk1 vs mk2 non-UW. fanciest version is MDUW+ MK2. the mk2 units that don't have +drive or are non-UW (which by default I believe does not have +drive) will be cheaper

[@maxmarco]

this thread should be helpful www.elektronauts.com/t/the-different-machinedrums/58537

[@MrSTAYUP33]

@@maxmarco if you are going with the non sampling option, on either unit, is there just any reason not to get the mk2, if say they are the same price -- the prices im looking at are on reverb

[@maxmarco]

mk1 has 32-step maximum pattern length vs mk2 64-step. mk2 also has higher quality audio i/o - more info in that thread I linked - personally I wouldn't buy a mk1 unless it was an amazingly good deal

[@Daybreak_Enterprises_TV_]

Man could you imagine if they made a "Digidrum" that was basically a reissue of this box in Digi form factor? I would trip out and buy 2. I want one of these so bad but they are hard to find!

[@maxmarco]

seems like they'd be kind of silly at this point not to try and cash in on the nostalgia, but in a lot of ways the Digitakt and Digitone are already modern and streamlined spiritual successors to the MD design

[@Daybreak_Enterprises_TV_]

​@@maxmarco Woulda been cool if they just put the MD synth engine, or some kind of synth engine, in the DT and called it the MD mk3. They call it a drum computer and sampler, but really its just a sampler and midi sequencer. I have no idea why they even call it a drum computer. They don't call the OT a drum computer. I would go as far as to say its false advertising.

[@maxmarco]

yeah, I definitely see where you're coming from - conceptually the Octatrack is more of a general-purpose 'tape style' sampler whereas Digitakt is focused more towards usage with one-shots so I assume they were trying to communicate that the design is intended mainly as a percussion sampler/sequencer, but using the term 'drum computer' is certainly rather misleading and inaccurate

[@Daybreak_Enterprises_TV_]

@@maxmarco I rarely see MD for sale, thats how you know a piece of kit is really good. I want one so bad.

[@CDA43]

wish I knew what machine drum this was

[@maxmarco]

my MD is a mk2 UW but everything I do in this video can be done with any version of the MD

[@Jkeane1337]

If I already have an octatrack I'm debating if the differences between the mk1 and mk2 machine drums are really a big deal, I kind of just want it as a drum machine since I already have a octatrack and don't need the sampling aspects as much, help me max Marco, help me, the mk1's are significantly cheaper.

[@maxmarco]

As far as I know it's essentially the same instrument, but 32 step patterns instead of 64 step patterns. It's also maybe a little crunchier - the mk2 has improved audio i/o specs. The sampling features of mk2 UW are very cool and fun but at least for me the real meat of the machine doesn't have much to do with the sampling aspects. Mainly w/ mk1 I'd be concerned about the age and condition, some are quite old now

[@Jkeane1337]

@@maxmarco thx max Marco, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a mk1 at a decent price

[@maxmarco]

👍 I think a mk1 would definitely give you a good handle on if Machinedrum is for you or not, and you can always upgrade to a mk2 if you really love it - good condition non-UW mk2 units are sometimes available for reasonable prices

[@Kissed1982]

well now i regret selling my mk1 a few years ago...

[@slowns]

Is this the uw or the standard one?

[@maxmarco]

all of the capabilities and features I demonstrate in this video are found on the standard Machinedrum. The unit I"m using in the video is an MDUW but if there were any UW-specific features utilized I would have included 'UW' in the title of the video

[@slowns]

@@maxmarco thanks

[@midinerd]

7:50

[@maxmarco]

love the master EQ on MD; the fact that it's possible to modulate it brings things to another level! Easy to get popping/zippering artifacts from modulating the parametric band with an LFO when the Q is turned up though - the parameter slide apparently interpolates the necessary in-between values whereas LFOs do not

[@jonnyhead]

Great machine, good vid.... But man you gotta fix that voice fade it's unbearable my ears are sensitive 😏