Modulating Synths and Effects in Ableton Live Using a Mandala Drum and Pure Data

I noticed that no one has posted anything on YouTube about this yet. While working with my new Synesthesia Mandala Drum this weekend, I managed to figure out a way to route the radial MIDI control signal data from the drum into Ableton Live. This allows me to modulate instruments and effects while moving around the head while retaining the ability to trigger multiple notes from the Mandala's standard zones. What is shown here is just a rough example of what is possible.

Links to things mentioned in the video:

Pure Data (PD): http://puredata.info/
IAC Driver (for OS X): http://www.thecovertoperators.org/Videos/the-iac-driver-osx
MIDI Yoke (for PC, untested): http://www.midiox.com/
Synesthesia Mandala Drum: http://synesthesiacorp.com/
Ableton Live: http://www.ableton.com/

Also, if you want more general information on things related to adding an electronic drum rig to you acoustic drum set, I wrote a lengthily article on the topic:

http://morganhendry.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/adding-an-electronics-rig-to-an-...

Apologies for some of the sync issues in the video...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ableton Live
• Synthesizer
• Synesthesia
• Mandala
• Drum
• Drums
• Ambient
• Electronic
• Sound
• Pure
• Data
• PureData
• PD
• IAC
• Driver
• MIDI
• Yoke
• ox
• Experimental
• Noise

[Mandrake7171]

@analogdrummer Try this, from the LIve FAQ: Turn on MIDI Map Mode in Live. Select the parameter you want to control. Press and hold the surface of the MIDI device [Mandala]. Turn off MIDI Map Mode. Release the surface of the MIDI device [Mandala]. /// Pretty sure the Mandala sends Note On then Position Continuous Controller when you press it, then Note Off when you let go, so this just might work.

[analogdrummer]

@Mandrake7171 I gave it a try last night, and, unfortunately, it still defaults to the note on message as opposed to a control signal. The control signal doesn't even show itself.

[Mandrake7171]

Cool. Thanks for your tutorial.

The Mandala outputs a standard MIDI note (like quickly pressing a MIDI keyboard key) and a MIDI continuous controller value (like data from a MIDI keyboard's mod wheel) every time you hit it, so why do you need to use Pure Data and IAC? If the Mandala is selected as a MIDI controller in Live's prefs then the note and controller MIDI data from the Mandala goes directly into Live just like it would if you were controlling Live using a MIDI keyboard.

[analogdrummer]

@Mandrake7171 You are correct on the note part: I've been able to assign all six zones with just Ableton Live. It's the MIDI continuous controller value that I couldn't figure out. It's not just for the Mandala Drum either: I've tried to use older MIDI controllers in Ableton with the same result. Also, I don't see how you map a knob to the radial position on the head without PD, as hitting the head will generate a MIDI note that overrides the CC. Is there a way to get CC with just Ableton?

[Mandrake7171]

@analogdrummer Yeah I checked and the Mandala sends the position controller value just before the note. That actually makes sense. The controller message should come first so that the parameter it is mapped to will already be set when the note message comes through and triggers audio. Otherwise there may be an audible glitch. I don't understand why Live doesn't allow manual MIDI mapping. I've never been a fan of any 'MIDI learn' feature. I'm going to ask the Mandala guys about this.