Synesthesia Mandala Instruction Manual

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Mandala

Instruction Manual

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Page 2: Introduction
Thanks again for your support. I am confident you’ll find the Mandala Drum an exciting vehicle with which to tap into your undiscovered sonic potentials. Sincerely,...
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Scale Patterns……………………………….……………… PT VI. Editing Global Settings……………………………………. Reverb/Delay Page………………………………………………… 22 Chorus/Flange Page……………………………………………….. 4-Band EQ Page…………………………………………………… Parameters Page………………………………………….………... Position Controller Page…………………………………………... Velocity Controller Page………………………………………….. Foot Pedal Controller Page………………………………………... Options Page………………………………………………….. …... 26 Instrument List…………………………………………………….. Drum Set Table…………………………………………………….. MANDALA SAFETY……………………………………………… 29 IMPORTANT NOTES……………………………………………..
Page 4: I. Features
PT. I - FEATURES The Mandala Drum and Brain was conceived from a need for an electronic MIDI trigger with unprecedented sensitivity to human motor precision and individual performance styles. The Mandala Package features: • The Drum Pad, which is a dynamic multiple control zone...
Page 5: Ii. Brain Panels
LCD Display – This is the window through which you communicate with the Mandala. It’s main functions are to display realtime data as you play and to show you Edit Pages full of Zone Parameters which you can adjust to customize Preset Programs and sculpt new User Programs Scroll Knob/Switch –...
Page 6 A second push will ferry you back to the MANDALA REALTIME page. Button – Pressing the Button creates a cursor that serves two main functions: a solid/underline cursor allows the Scroll Knob to advance through Zone Parameter Options, and a blinking cursor enables the Scroll Knob to adjust parameter values within each option.
Page 7: Rear Panel
Be ready to quell complaints from uptight neighbors. MIDI Out – This jack enables the Mandala to carry out its most exciting feature: controlling external synths, samplers, computers etc., which is an original inspiration for this technology’s genesis.
Page 8: Iii. Quick Start
Connect the included Dual Footswitch to the Dual FT jack on the Brain. Power up the Brain. Make sure the volume knob is up on both the Mandala Brain and your mixer/amplifier. You should see preset 000 Shobbz Wuz Hear on the LCD Display.
Page 9: Iv. Modes And Function
PT. IV – MODES and FUNCTION PAGES The Mandala Brain operates in 3 separate Modes. These Modes utilize 14 Function Pages. Modes 1. Realtime Mode: Displays all strike information as you play and is your doorway into all other Modes.
Page 10: Realtime Mode
MODE 1: Realtime Mode This Mode consists of the MANDALA REALTIME page (which is the Mandala’s default Startup page) and the SAVE page. MANDALA REALTIME Page When you power on the Brain, this default startup page tells you the name of the currently loaded Preset and the number of its location. This...
Page 11: Changing Presets
(Instead of using the Button and the Scroll knob you can always just step on the right switch of the included Dual Footswitch to automatically load the next preset in the Mandala Brain’s memory… or press the left switch to load the previous preset.) When you are ready to start warping the Preset’s impressionable young...
Page 12: Saving Presets
SAVE Page Saving Presets: From the MANDALA REALTIME Page, hold the Button down until the ‘SAVE? Y/N’ option appears. Use the Scroll Knob to select ‘Yes,’ and then scroll through the presets until you find your desired location. Push the Button once. The cursor will move from the chosen location number to the character spaces.
Page 13 - Press the button at your desired page and thereby enter into EDIT MODE. - Press the scroll knob once in order to return to the MANDALA REALTIME page. As you turn the scroll knob in Navigation Mode you will move...
Page 14: Zone Description
OK, wait a minute. Before we go any further, let’s make sure nobody is scratching their heads wondering: So what’s the deal with these ZONES? A Zone is a concentric division of the Drum Surface that can be assigned its own Instrument, Parameter Settings, and MIDI channel, if desired.
Page 15: Edit Mode
- REVERB/DELAY - CHORUS/FLANGE - 4-BAND EQ - PARAMETERS - POSITION CONTROLLER - VELOCITY CONTROLLER - PEDAL CONTROLLER - OPTIONS The following serves as a description of each of these pages as well as a tutorial on programming the Mandala:...
Page 16: Zone Setup Page
ZONE SETUP Page This page displays the number of zones used in the chosen Preset. Changing the number of Zones: -Make sure you’ve pressed the button to get from Navigation Mode to Edit Mode in order to begin changing the number of zones. -Use the Scroll Knob to set the desired amount of zones (up to seven).
Page 17: Edit A Zone's Settings
To edit a particular zone’s settings: -Use the Scroll Knob to select the Zone’s INSTRUMENT page. -Press the button once. The navigation arrows will vanish and a cursor line will appear under the Instrument’s location number. -Use the Scroll Knob to move the cursor line to any of the other parameter options.
Page 18: Mod Page
This is essentially each zone’s Main page, and is found in the Navigation Mode menu. Choose this page to access each zone’s additional EDIT Pages. Instrument/Location #: Scroll through all instruments stored in the Brain* Note: if you opt to employ any of the scales on the MOD Edit Page, this parameter allows you to choose the scale’s root note MIDI Channel: all Zones are assignable to any MIDI channel from 1- 16 (MIDI channels default to matching Zone numbers)
Page 19: Scales Page
0 = full Left; 64 = Center; 127 = Full Right ZONE EDIT Page 3 – SCALES This page shapes the Mandala’s tonal dimensions. You can set which scale or mode each zone will orient to [see the list below], and for the tonally (and atonally) inclined, you can use multiple zones to literally create new scales and modes.
Page 20: Scales
Patrn: assign a contour pattern (literally, a linear shape) to your chosen scale’s sequence of notes. (See list) Rg: program the scale’s tonal range by deciding how many notes you want to fit into the contour Here’s an example of a zone’s SCALE Edit Page setting: Scale: Major (let’s use the key of C for this example)* Steps: 1 –...
Page 21 2. Up Rep: (low–>hi, low–>hi, etc.) 3. Downwave : (hi–>low–>hi, etc.) 4. Down Rep : (hi–>low, hi–>low, etc.) 5. Fullwave Up : (mid->hi->mid->lo->mid, etc.) 6. Fullwave Down: (mid->lo->mid->hi->mid, etc.) 7. Velocity Up: the harder you hit, the higher the scale note you trigger 8. Velocity Down: the harder you hit, the lower the scale note you trigger 9. Random: any strike triggers a random note in the scale;...
Page 22: Vi. Editing Global Settings
PT. VI – EDITING GLOBAL SETTINGS All Global Settings affect all Zones in a Preset. Reminder: You’ll need to be in Navigation Mode to scroll through each of these pages. (If you don’t see those navigation arrows on each side of the screen, make sure the cursor is solid, push the Scroll Knob down once, and the magic arrows will appear.) REVERB/DELAY Page Each Reverb Type has its own preset value settings.
Page 23: Chorus/Flange Page
CHORUS/FLANGE page Each Chorus Type has its own preset value settings, so again, keep this in mind when you fiddle about… Type: Chorus1, Chorus2, Chorus3, Chorus4, Feedback, Flange, Delay, Feedback Delay Time: 0–>127, pedal Feedback: 0–>127, pedal Rate: 0–>127, pedal Depth: 0–>127, pedal Send Volume: 0–>127, velocity, position, pedal Effect Volume: 0–>127, pedal...
Page 24: Parameters Page
FOR OPTIMUM USAGE OF THE MANDALA AS AN EXTERNAL GEAR TRIGGER use only NOTE ON messages from your Mandala Brain (set ntoff = 0) and use your external gear’s ADSR to set the length of your sound. Also, see MIDI PRIORITY setting below.
Page 25: Position Controller Page
POSITION CONTROLLER page This refers to the location of a strike on the Drum Surface, which can be divided into 128 rings from center to edge. Range: center = 0-127; edge = 0-127 Controller#: 0-127, pb, cp (channel pressure) MIDI Channel#: 1-16 VELOCITY CONTROLLER page The velocity of a strike can be used as a controller with 128 levels of intensity.
Page 26: Foot Pedal Controller Page
FOOT PEDAL CONTROLLER page Continuous controller footpedal (recommended are Roland FV-50 or Ernie Ball Volume Pedals) can change values as you play. Range: heel = 0-127; toe = 0-127 Controller#: 0-127, pb, cp (channel pressure) MIDI Channel#: 1-16 OPTIONS page Velocity Boost: 0->127 –...
Page 27: Instrument List
INSTRUMENTS 001. el.piano 1 043. charang lead 085. crystal 002. el.piano 2 044. bass + lead 086. tingly bell 2 003. harpsichord 1 045. fantasia pad 087. ice rain 004. clavi 046. warm pad 088. saw wave 005. celesta 047. polysynth pad 089.
Page 28: Drum Set Table
DRUM SET TABLE (MIDI Channel 10) Note Sound Note Sound kick drum 2 ride cymbal 2 kick drum 1 hi bongo side stick low bongo snare drum 1 mute hi conga D#1 39 hand clap open hi conga snare drum 2 low conga low floor tom high timbale...
Page 29: Mandala Safety
AC adaptor......................• Do not attempt to repair the unit, or replace parts within it. Refer all servicing to Synesthesia Corporation......................• Never use or store the unit in places that are: • Subject to temperature extremes (e.g., direct sunlight in an enclosed vehicle, near a heating duct, on top of heat-generating equipment);...
Page 30 012c • Immediately turn the power off, remove the AC adaptor from the outlet, and request servicing by Synesthesia Corporation when: • The AC adaptor or the power-supply cord has been damaged; or • Objects have fallen into, or liquid has been spilled onto the unit;...
Page 31 ......................• Before using the unit in a foreign country, consult with Synesthesia Corporation......................101b • The unit and the AC adaptor should be located so their location or position does not interfere with their proper ventilation.
Page 32: Important Notes
IMPORTANT NOTES Power Supply • Do not use this unit on the same power circuit with any device that will generate line noise (such as an electric motor or variable lighting system). • The AC adaptor will begin to generate heat after long hours of consecutive use.
Page 33 • Unfortunately, it may be impossible to restore the contents of data that was stored in the unit’s once it has been lost. Synesthesia Corporation assumes no liability concerning such loss of data. • Use a reasonable amount of care when using the unit’s buttons, sliders, or other controls;...