On the eve of the Italian presentation of the New Native Instruments products, we meet Massimo D'Ambra, Producer, Musician and Endorser Native Instruments struggling with the preparation of the demo that will see him preview the Komplete 11 software package and the new Hardware Maschine Jam.
Fabio Pesce: Hi Massimo, you are an endorser Native instruments for some time, how have you seen the software house position itself with respect to the evolution of music and musicians?
Massimo D'Ambra: I believe NI is currently the most powerful software / hardware house in the world. They have always innovated and have never stopped in research.
I don't think I'm wrong in saying that even some contemporary “musical genres”, such as dubstep for example, they have drawn a lot of influence and character from synths like Massive.
In recent years in addition to amaze with synth e sample library always state of the art, NI began to produce real "production tools" from Machine a Complete Control, up to the new creature "Maschine Jam".
FB.: So a shift towards a more “played” concept of music compared to typical machines Tractor?
MD: To tell the truth I have seen some DJ really good at Performing with Traktor, and for some years with the advent of files STEMS and the possibility of exchanging parts of songs between them, even the DJ can, if desired, create real live sessions. But it is clear that those who play and produce music need something more than the DJ, they need keys, pads, in short, they need to “play”!
The musician's approach to machines like “MASCHINE” was truly exciting.
Everything you think it should do, it does !! .., of course you need to know its architecture, its functioning, its philosophy, but once you understand this, you are catapulted into a new world.
At first I used it shyly in the studio, I experimented, I understood how to play it beyond “clip launching” or “finger drumming”, in short, “Maschine” is a musical instrument, and I wanted to learn how to play it.
After a few months I couldn't get away from it anymore, so much so that then I started using it also in Live with spectacular results!
Facebook: So “Do you play” MASCHINE live, some examples?
MDA: On the last tour of I (Small) and for example, I used to play entire songs on the MASCHINE pads, without actually touching the keyboard, I created Slices from the Original Stems of the disc and reported them on the path sometimes adding gods delay, sometimes gods smart filters that allowed me to give dynamics to the performance.
Other times I have used the "Scale" function, which gives the possibility to set scales on the pads, in order to "play" real melodic lines, with "Just For Fun" (one of my Power projects Fusion), I even improvise some Solo .. it's fun and creative!
FB.: You already have it on hand Maschine Jam, what's this?
MDA: Maschine Jam is literally "cool"! It is a machine that works great both alone and together with MASCHINE.
At first glance, the 8X8 (64) Pad matrix and the 8 Smart Strips. Both the Pads and the smart strip are Multifunction.
For example, we can use the pads as a "pattern launcher" and then jam from one pattern to another or from one scene to another having everything at hand, or we can use them in the programming phase in a "step sequencer" style, or even play them using the "Keyboard" function.
The smart strips have countless functions, ranging from simple volume adjustment, pan, automation, to the possibility of being able to play them !!!, you got it right, there is a function (Notes), which gives the possibility by swiping the fingers on the smart strips to play groups of notes, .. the effect is hallucinating!
Facebook: The Differences Between Maschine and Maschine Jam?
MDA: well, they are two complementary machines in my opinion, but they also travel very well individually.
Compared to Maschine Studio for example, Maschine Jam doesn't have Displays, .., while Maschine Jam has Smart Strips that Maschine doesn't have.
In fact all the functions of Male Software (which is the same for both Maschine and Maschine Jam) are well handled by both Machines, but it is clear that if I were to do performances where I do a lot "finger drumming"I would opt for MACHINE, while if I had to manage complex songs full of patterns, then in that case MASCHINE JAM it would be the right choice.
Facebook: How is the approach of your fellow “Musicians” towards this world?
MDA: At the beginning I think many did not understand the “musical” potential of these instruments. For many musicians this type of hardware is seen as "DJ stuff" ...
Luckily for me I have always been very curious and fascinated by everything that could give me "Artistic" stimulus. After a few years more and more colleagues keep asking me
insistently on how I use these machines .. they begin to be fascinated ..!
The truth is that you have to have the courage to break away from the black and white buttons, and enter another world ... made of lights and colors.
Playing MASCHINE precludes another approach, but many, in my opinion, do not realize it, personally I would never dream of playing one Steinway with the same approach I play a Moog or a Hammond, each instrument requires a technique and a study.
Facebook: Advice for those who use MASCHINE?
MDA: Lately, among the many functions, the possibility of the internal sampling.
I choose a sound, a synth or a Rhodes piano, and through Komplete Kontrol-S register a Midi riffs in a Maschine Pattern, after which, using the sampling function, I sample the phrase just played, breaking it up on the pads.
Then I start Jammare, freeing myself from my “keyboardist mannerisms” and thinking more about the rhythmic functionality of the samples.
In the end I usually always listen to the two versions, the one played on the keyboard and the one played using the samples on the pads… and, almost always, I choose the second!
Facebook: And who is going to use MASCHINE JAM for? Do you already have some tips?
MDA: Some functions, if used sparingly, can be extremely effective.
I recommend using the "Variation".
"Variation" is an algorithm in which we can set a series of parameters, with respect to which MASCHINE JAM "writes" notes in a "Random" way, I find it very effective on movements of Low and on Hi hat. Another function that I recommend to use is the "Swing". Finish your pattern, or your Song, and then try to “Swing” a single Instrument, a Single Note, or the whole session… The results can be very pleasing!
Recently I have also been using the "Tune”, Which gives me the possibility to write single or whole groups of samples. I often use it on the group dedicated to the rhythm part, generally, going down or up by a few semitones, the overall sound of the song takes advantage of it.
Facebook: What struck you about the new Komplete 11?
MDA: I must say that all the new tools really live up to expectations.
Particularly FLASH e FORM they hit me for innovation e freshness.
Flesh for example it gives the opportunity to drag rhythmic loops inside its engine and through an internal algorithm and based on the transients we have the possibility to activate synths that move rhythmically according to the loop.
Form always bases its synthesis with the help of samples that we can drag into its engine, the possibilities for manipulating the sample are endless to say the least. I tried to work on a simple sampled voice that said "HELLO", after 3 minutes of tweaking I had one of the best synth sounds I've ever heard!
Facebook: Your next projects?
MDA: I am currently working on 3 albums by three different artists, moreover for some months I have taken another studio in Milan and I have started a series of collaborations that are allowing me to expand my artistic circuit.
Stay tuned!
Fabio Pesce
