Synesthesia Unveils “Virtual Brain” v1.50 with New User Interface Designed for Multiple Pad Configuration

‘Most Mandala players are using more than one Mandala in their acoustic kits. This update to the software is a direct response to user requests.’ says Mandala inventor Vince De Franco

  
 
LAUREL CANYON, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Responding to a surge of multiple Mandalas being shipped out to players who are integrating them into their acoustic kits Synesthesia felt it was time to make things even easier and more compact for those using more than one pad.  The new Virtual Brain v1.50 was developed from requests made by Mandala players and has been tested extensively in multipad experiments with Danny Carey of the rock band TOOL.  Mr. Carey is an endorsee of the Mandala and uses the same Mandala pads that are available to the public.  

The new “Virtual Brain” v1.50 software is available now to anyone via free download from the company’s website at http://mandaladrum.com.  Even without buying the Mandala, anyone can download the software and tinker with it – on its own, or with other PC or Mac-compatible musical devices.

New features include:

• Master Window and Pad Windows combined into one Main Window
• More user friendly for multiple pad connection and multiple pad control of program
• Onscreen pad zones light up upon strikes
• Double the amount of preset hotkeys
• Added preset changing via external MIDI program change
• Greatly reduced load time for full kit (multiple Mandala) presets
• Added ability (PC Users) for Mandalas to control the Virtual Brain and 3rd party programs simultaneously with MIDI Yoke (free download from http://midiox.com)
• Automatic audio level safety when changing presets
• Virtual Brain starts on last used preset
• Added visual of exact strike ring position over swirl logo
• Added screen jump edit button for laptops when more than 4 zones active
• Number of voices now saves with every preset

 
The Mandala has been recommended as a sound controller for content creators and studio musicians who want to experiment with a range of sounds from the melodic to the percussive.  However, says company president Luke Henderson, “We find ourselves competing with electronic drum kit makers.  Our customers are creative musicians who make their own presets and take their Mandalas on stage.”

The Mandala works seamlessly as a USB MIDI controller with most major music software such as Battery 3, Reaktor, FXpansion BFD, Ableton Live, Propellerhead Reason and Apple GarageBand.  Synesthesia also offers a special set of free presets and HD snare players for Battery 3.

Synesthesia is also producing a series of video tutorials for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.  The company will make them available on its website and on YouTube later this year.  The series of videos will walk users through the entire process of using the Mandala – from physically connecting the drum to a computer, to using the EZ software, to setting up advanced audio techniques using the pro version of the Virtual Brain software.

The Mandala 2.0 retails for $349, and is available online at http://mandaladrum.com.  Each Mandala is hand-crafted and thoroughly tested before it is shipped.  Synesthesia also offers a discount to Dual Pack buyers from mandaladrumstore.com and will issue a $50 rebate with proof of a multiple pad purchase from MusiciansFriend.com.