User Manual

Modulation vs. Automation
Although both deal with automatic change of MASCHINE parameters, modulation and automa-
tion have to be distinguished. The following table summarizes the main differences:
Modulation Automation
Source of control Internal (e.g., changes
recorded via Auto-write)
External (e.g., an external
MIDI sequencer or an
automation track in your host)
Duration of the change Temporary (until the end of
the Clip)
Permanent
Target parameters At the Sound and Group
levels only (see below)
At all levels (Sound, Group,
and Master)
Nature of the change
(continuous parameters only)
Relative (defines a deviation
to the non-modulated value)
Absolute (defines a new value
regardless of the non-
automated value)
This section describes how to use modulation in MASCHINE — for more information on
using automation, please refer to section ↑8.2.3, Controlling Parameters via MIDI and
Host Automation.
Please note that modulation and automation are not mutually exclusive: You can modulate a
parameter in MASCHINE and automate it (e.g., from your host) simultaneously! As a result,
the parameter value will deviate (according to the recorded modulation) from its moving value
defined by the automation.
Example: Let’s assume that you have recorded some modulation for the Cutoff parame-
ter of a Filter Plug-in in order to create a filter sweep. Since modulation is defined rela-
tive to the non-modulated value, by manually adjusting the Cutoff parameter you can
shift the entire sweep across frequencies. By assigning this Cutoff parameter to a MIDI
control or an automation ID (see section ↑8.2.3, Controlling Parameters via MIDI and
Host Automation to know how to do this) you can create a filter sweep that automatically
moves across frequencies!
Working with Patterns
Recording and Editing Modulation
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