Leading up to the release of the new Mandala Drum V3 I've been able to spend time updating the old Virtual Brain programs like I mentioned might happen in a previous post. The Virtual Brains are not for the new V3 drum but rather for all the existing mk2.9 and v2 players who requested an update over the years.
Head to https://synesthesiacorp.com/downloads for a version of each program which has now been adapted to work on Macs running up to and including Monterey (MacOS 12.5). I verified that it works on machines ranging from a Mac Pro (5,1) running Mojave (OS X 10.14) to a Mac Mini (i5) running Monterey (12.5) to an M1 Pro MacBook Pro running Monterey (12.5). Let me know any issues you might have and I'll make adjustments if necessary.
After you unzip the download, place the Virtual Brain app in your Applications folder and move the entire Mandala Virtual Brain Support folder to /Users/Shared. The program won't operate properly if you don't take those steps. Macs are very particular about where things need to be these days. You'll also have to allow the app to run by going to System Preference>Security & Privacy after the first time you try to open it. Then it'll open as expected every time.
Keep in mind the new V3 drum that's coming soon won't include any software such as the Virtual Brain. The V3 is a controller meant to run all your favorite existing hardware and software (Ableton, Native Instruments, Logic, Superior Drummer, Synths, Pipes, 5-pin MIDI, etc.).
Virtual Brain for Mac Updated for Monterey
Re: Virtual Brain for Mac Updated for Monterey
Will the V3s have the 4 trigger zones (excluding the rim ones) on the surface of the pad like the 2.9 has? And without a virtual brain program will effects still be able to be added based on things like velocity or position? I’ve never owned a mandala and my only experience with electronic drums has been on a Roland ekit so I’m unfamiliar with how I would best approach running the mandalas (or any edrum) through a DAW or sampler, but I’m super excited to figure it out!
Re: Virtual Brain for Mac Updated for Monterey
Yes the V3 will have 4 trigger zones on the surface just like the mk2.9 has, as well as the underlying 0-127 center-to-edge strike position resolution and additional continuous controllers. The V3 is a MIDI controller which outputs MIDI data in the form of notes with velocity and continuous controllers (all with 0-127 resolution) every time your strike/press its rims or strike/press/slide on its surface. You can assign that MIDI data to any parameter in any of your most familiar plugins, standalone software, or hardware. For example, you could assign velocity to a filter frequency cutoff so the harder you hit a zone the more open the filter will be, or you can assign center-to-edge surface strike position to the wet setting of a reverb so the closer you hit to the edge the more reverb the sound will have on it. You could also assign the Surface Slide or Surface Pressure controllers to any effect parameter so the amount of continuous pressure you put on the surface or the act of sliding a stick on the surface will translate to an effect parameter just like turning a knob or rocking an expression pedal as you play.
You don't have to use all those controllers if you don't want to though. Sometimes you might just want to be triggering sounds, so each of those controllers can be turned on or off with the V3-Utility-App and the settings are saved in internal pad memory.
You don't have to use all those controllers if you don't want to though. Sometimes you might just want to be triggering sounds, so each of those controllers can be turned on or off with the V3-Utility-App and the settings are saved in internal pad memory.