Frequently Asked Questions - Pearl Malletstation EM1 User Manual

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I'm getting a delay from when I hit malletSTATION until I hear
the sound in my speakers or headphones. How do I fix this?
Some computing devices have less than ideal sound cards
built in for audio use. If you're having an issue with latency
(a noticeable delay between the impact of your stick/mallet
and the sound coming out of the device), you may need to
look at adjusting audio buffer settings in your software, or
potentially use an external USB audio interface. This delay
is not occurring from malletSTATION, it is with the audio
device or software being used. Consult your device/software
manufacturer for more information on this adjustment.
I plugged in my malletSTATION and it isn't making any sound.
What's wrong?
It's highly likely that nothing is wrong! The malletSTATION is a
MIDI controller, which means it doesn't actually make sound
on its own. Instead, it sends MIDI messages, which are used
to control other sound generating software/hardware. A
seemingly minor distinction, but is actually quite important
to understand.
Just open up any audio software that is able to respond to
incoming MIDI messages and, depending on the software,
malletSTATION should start working right away. It's possible
there may be more steps required to properly configure an
application to respond to an attached MIDI device — please
refer to the software's documentation if this is the case.
Can I use more than one malletSTATION at a time?
Yes! You can use as many malletSTATIONs as you can keep
track of (up to 16). It would be helpful to put different presets
on each device that send on different MIDI channels, or
that send different notes and control messages to avoid
confusing the software or hardware you intend to control.
We typically recommend no more than 2-4 per sound
source/device, due to latency issues with most sound
sources when using many MIDI devices.
Do I need a computer to use my malletSTATION?
No! With the optional KMI MIDI Expander you can send MIDI
data to any device that uses a 5 pin MIDI connection. You can
connect to a USB host and a MIDI Expander at the same time
(the data is mirrored between the two).
What implements can I use to play my malletSTATION?
The malletSTATION is able to be played with mallets, sticks, or
any other implement that you prefer.
My malletSTATION is sending unexpected messages. Is
something wrong?
Probably not! Be sure that the malletSTATION is in the same
orientation you plan to play it in when you power it up. Also,
make sure no objects are on the bars when you plug in
malletSTATION, as the device auto calibrates when it boots
up, and any objects (mallets, music, headphones, etc) will
throw off that calibration.
How do I connect to a Mobile Device?
To connect to an iOS device, we recommend using an Apple
branded Camera Conection Kit (USB to Lightning adapter). To
connect to an Android device, you should use a USB OTG cable.
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