Synesthesia Releases The Mandala 2.0 High-Def Drum & Synthesizer

(Click for a close-up)

A new kind of synthesizer, the Mandala 2.0 packages a musical range so wide it simultaneously offers players the top of the line, most accurate model of a physical drum (via 3,000 professionally created, proprietary samples of the Black Beauty Snare Drum) — along with a library of sounds derived from more than 100 other instruments.

It plugs into a PC or Mac with just a USB cable, and its easy-to-use software comes with more than 100 presets for out-of-the-box functionality. Players also can create their own configurations as they explore and discover its astonishing audio range.

One pad can accommodate from one to seven different zones of sound — each of which can be configured as a separate instrument, with an array of specialized settings. Players can have a snare, a bass and a cymbal (or a harp, marimba or organ, or any other instrument) — all in the same drum head, all at the same time. One Mandala can act as one drum, as an entire drum kit, or as an eclectic combo.

Advertisement

The Mandala is a huge step beyond conventional drum triggers:

• Every hit gives you a Note with Velocity AND a Strike Position for HD sound control
• Surface detects 128 strike positions from center to edge
• 128 strike velocities from soft to hard with no false triggers
• Multizone configuration allows mapping of up to 7 zones per pad
• USB interface with easy, yet powerful 'Virtual Brain' software for Mac or PC. Play along with your favorite songs in iTUNES!
• Includes original sound library with scores of instruments, or load your own samples
• Tons of out-of-the-box presets to get you playing right away
• Connect multiple Mandalas to your computer to form a kit
• Also works seamlessly with Logic, Battery, BFD, Live, Reason, GarageBand, etc.

Each Mandala is hand-crafted and thoroughly tested before it is shipped. The e Mandala 2.0 retails for $349, and is available online.

For more information, visit their web site at www.mandaladrum.com.