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What is the Mandala™ mk2.9?

The Mandala mk2.9 is a plug-and-play high-definition electronic drum and synthesizer for your PC or Mac. The Mandala detects both WHERE and HOW HARD you hit it and triggers and controls a proprietary set of instrument and drum samples included with its Virtual Brain software. There are also plenty of software audio effects for endless sonic possibilities. You can even load in your own sounds and play any 3rd-party musical software you might already have! It is important to note that the Mandala is a class-compliant USB MIDI controller that requires no special drivers for Windows or OSX. This means you can simply plug it in and control any available MIDI software just as you would with a MIDI keyboard.

How is it different from other drums?

By detecting both the position and velocity of each strike the Mandala can produce exponentially more sound variations than any other electronic drum available.  Of course that complexity is up to the user as one can set a single Mandala to be anything from a snare to a piano or guitar to a full drum kit by way of its zone configuration options.

What do I get when I buy the Mandala mk2.9?

You will receive one HD Mandala Drum pad with USB port, the Mandala Virtual Brain software (PC and Mac) including sound library, a 6ft. USB cable, and a bonus download containing more than 1500 accurately sampled hits of an authentic Black Beauty® snare drum…and a special application to play them!

What kind of timing can I expect for delivery?

We are currently shipping within 2-3 days of your order being placed.
For shipping in the U.S. we use UPS which offers a wide range of delivery options. Choose Domestic UPS Ground service for any single unit Mandala purchase and your shipping will be FREE!

For international shipping we use U.S. Postal Service Global Express Mail.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we do ship internationally. Synesthesia Corporation ships internationally via the US Postal Service Global Express. For Mandala Drums we charge a flat rate of:

$50.00US for Canada
$70.00US for all other international shipping

International shipments may be subject to Customs examination in the destination country. For information on Customs regulations in your country please contact your local postal service or customs agent commonly found in your local phone book.

How will the Black Beauty sound library work?

Your Mandala mk2.9 will come with a special feature that allows you to turn it into a very special drum. Sound engineers at Synesthesia have painstakingly digitally sampled more than 1500 strikes on a Black Beauty(TM) snare drum. When you load the Hi-Def 'Beauty' application and start playing your Mandala it will become, before the eyes of your audience, a Ludwig Black Beauty snare drum.

What do I need to play the Mandala?

You need a PC or Mac with 1GB of RAM and a DVD drive. The Mandala proprietary software runs on Mac OS X, Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.  Set your Mandala pad on a stable surface or mount it on standard cymbal hardware or a snare stand and play away.  Skill not required. The amazing range of the Mandala will adapt to any ability or style.

What are the inputs and outputs of the system?

Mandala mk2.9 has one USB port that connects its patented sensor technology to your PC or Mac -to take advantage of most major music software packages, as well as the included Virtual Brain and HD Snare playing software.  An optional audio interface connected to your computer will lower any latency you may detect and also open up more sonic capabilities of the software while playing the Mandala. ASIO4ALL (Windows only) is an amazing free audio driver which can greatly reduce latency without the need for an audio interface. Any Intel based Mac will hum along just fine right out of the box using its built-in Core Audio capabilities.

Can I load my own sounds into the included Virtual Brain software program?

Yes!

Does it have Tablas?

Yes! …along with more than 600 other drums and instruments in its proprietary sample library.

How many Mandala Drums can I play together…a whole kit?

Yes.  If you have multiple USB ports or a powered USB hub you can configure any number of Mandala pads using the Synesthesia Mandala Virtual Brain software package to create the drum kit of your dreams.  Save your configuration as you explore your options.

Is this drum just for professionals or can a beginner use it?

Mandala drums have been tested and used by top professionals both in the studio and on world tours but that does not mean that an absolute first time drummer cannot sit down and be entertained for hours by the musical and sonic features of the Mandala. A long list of out-of-the-box factory presets allows endless exploration.

What does the Mandala pad detect?

The pad detects both the impact position and velocity of your strike on the pad surface. The position sensitivity is the unique feature that allows the Mandala its amazing range of sounds from synthesized effects to acoustic emulation.

How many zones can I configure on a Mandala pad?

The Mandala drum can detect more than 1000 different strike positions on a single pad.  For your convenience this data is used to define UP TO SIX strike zones and 128 CONCENTRIC DATA RINGS for effects control from the center to the edge of the pad. The choice of configuration is all yours.

Does the Mandala have factory presets?  Can I save my custom setups?

Yes the Mandala Virtual Brain software comes with more than 100 preset configurations for you to play while you familiarize yourself with the possibilities of the instrument.  Personally created preset files can also be shared from user to user.  For the veteran musician familiar with music software such as Logic, Native Instrument’s Battery 3 and many others, the possibilities will seem infinite.

Where can I purchase a Mandala?

The Mandala is available in our online store. (The Mandala can be demoed and purchased in person at http://bedrockla.com.)

Will the Mandala be available in a store near me?

At this time the Mandala mk2.9 USB is only available through our website. Selling direct from our website allows us to offer the lowest possible price. With shipping costs and customs regulations this may not be the best policy for our international customers. To mitigate these issues we are in talks to supply major distributors in Australia, the United Kingdom and the European Union. However, no timetable has been set.

Is there a return policy?

Yes your Mandala can be returned for a full refund within 15 days of receiving the product. Synesthesia also provides a one year limited warranty on parts and labor guaranteeing against factory defect.

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Mandala Drum is a trademark owned by Synesthesia Corporation

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