Mandala Drum Forums

Is the mandala usb pad compatible with the iconnect midi interface?

It is a device you can use usb (no din midi) midi controllers without a computer.

Does "class compliant midi usb" means no software is required other than the music software?

The idea would to use mandala > usb/midi converter (iconnect) > hardware synth or ipad etc.

Thank you.
Mat

Yes class-compliant USB MIDI means the Mandala is a standard USB MIDI controller that needs no special drivers and can control any MIDI software. Thanks for posting about the iconnect MIDI interface. I didn't know that existed! The Mandala would most definitely be compatible with that device. You could then connect the Mandala directly to any MIDI instrumen or sampler (like a Boss Dr. Sample!) without having a computer connected at all. Very cool. Thanks again!

Ok so with mandala v2.0 one should configure zones in Control Burst then the pad would be used standalone.

What is replacing Control Burst in mk2.9?

The mk2.9's MIDI output configuration is fixed, and the adjustments
are now to be made in the software you are controlling. Each zone
outputs a note number and the software you are controlling is where
you set your number of zones by optionally using ranges of notes to
trigger samples. Only MIDI channel and position controller # are
adjustable settings for the pad (in the VB3 prefs).

When using the Mandala mk2.9 as a MIDI controller the pad outputs:

C3 (note 60) = center zone
C#3 (note 61) = mid-in zone
D3 (note 62) = mid-out zone
D#3 (note 63) = edge
E3 (note 64) = rim
F3 (note 65) = Xstick

The new pad can operate on any MIDI channel you choose in the VB3
prefs. (saves to internal memory)
You choose the MIDI controller # for the position readout (0-127
center to edge) in the prefs too. (saves to internal memory)

Velocity output is uncurved with the new pad so there is no more
velocity MIDI controller. You just use the actual velocity as a
controller now when using the pad as a MIDI controller for other
software.

So in my no computer rig projection, the mandala

can:

-be used midi only
-trigger up to six samples/midi notes per pad.
-send six different ccs position on 1 to 6 different ccs

cannot:

- have velocity trigger different midi notes on the same zone
- send messages on six different midi channels (zone 1 = midi channel 1, zone 2 = midi channel 2 etc)

Thanks for the communication

Mat

Well, your 'cans' and 'cannots' are almost accurate, and some of them depend on whether you will be using a Mandala v2.0 or a mk2.9. With the 2.9, almost all of the pad's onboard MIDI configurability has been locked in place. With the 2.0, a lot of little things can be adjusted, which for some people can lead to major confusion and that's why it is now locked in place with the 2.9. It's really only necessary to be able to configure the software or the pad, not both.

It's more like this:

Mandala v2.0

can:
- be used MIDI only
- trigger up to 7 MIDI notes (concentric zones) per pad
- send one MIDI controller of your choice which represents position 0-127 from center to edge
- send its MIDI notes and controller all on separate individual channels if desired
- trigger up to 128 MIDI notes (concentric zones) per pad [if controlling a program like Battery 3]
- have velocity trigger different samples in the same zone [if controlling a program like Battery 3]

Mandala mk2.9

can:
- be used MIDI only
- trigger up to 6 MIDI notes (4 concentric zones + rim + xstick) per pad
- send one MIDI continuous controller of your choice which represents position 0-127 from center to edge
- send its MIDI notes and controller on a single MIDI channel only
- trigger up to 128 MIDI notes (concentric zones) per pad [if controlling a program like Battery 3]
- have velocity trigger different samples in the same zone [if controlling a program like Battery 3]

Re: "iConnect MIDI" discussion initiated by ROZZBUD, with contributions from MPLAYER1 and LAUNCH54321

Guys,

Including Mandala Drum inventor Vince De Franco's Mandala Drum web-Forum postings, the contributions you've made to this thread here on the new Mandala mk2.9 Forum are absolutely the best I have read.

• Practical
• Straight forward
• Concise
• Highly informative
• Positive in attitude

Thank you

Would this mean it could be plugged into a device such as an iPad and used to control synth or sampler apps?
What would you expect the limitations of this be?
Also, have you at Synthesia ever considered creating a "light" App version of the virtual brain so it can be used in conjunction with an iPad?

Yes it can be plugged into an iPad and used to control any synth or sampler apps that accept MIDI. If there are limitations they would be related to how fast the iPad can output sound once it is hit with MIDI data!

awesome discussion. i'm looking for ways to remove my laptop from the mix. This might be it.