User Manual User Manual Content: Overview Scales and What is Tanzbär...? 4 Pattern Lenght 22 User Interface 6 Store Pattern 23 Clear Pattern 23 Setup Backside 7 MIDI Frontpanel 8 MIDI Clock 24 Step-Output 24 Play Modes Drum Expander Mode 24 Manual-Trigger Mode 10 SysEx Data 25 Play-Mode 10 MIDI Controller 25 Soundengine CV/Gate, Sync 26 Instruments 14 Setup Functions 28 Record Mode Modes Overview 17 Appendix Pattern Programming 18 MIDI Implementation 30 Synth-Tracks 21 3 Overview MFB Tanzbär MFB Tanzbär Overview OVERVIEW • Bend (pitch modulation - only DB1, BD2, SD, toms/congas) • Flam (multi trigger = flam, rolls etc.) • Additional sound parameter (on selected instruments) Thank you from us at MFB. The following functions can be programmed on each step (CV tracks): First of all we would like to thank you for purchasing Tanzbär. We appreciate your choice • Step on/off (output via MIDI note-on and +/-gate) very much and hope you will have lots of fun with your new instrument. • Pitch with 3 octave range. Output via MIDI-notes and CV • Accent level (on bass track only) What is Tanzbär (”Dancing Bear”)? • 2nd CV (on bass track only) Tanzbär is a drum computer, featuring a real, analog sound generation and a very sophis- Operation Modes ticated, pattern-based step sequencer. It sports some advaced circuitry of the MFB drum Manual Trigger Mode units MFB-522 and MFB-503, as well as some features that are completely new to MFB • Triggering instruments via step buttons and/or MIDI notes (with velocity). instruments. • Access to sound parameters via knobs or MIDI controller. What exactly is going on inside Tanzbär? This is a brief overview of its functions: Play Mode • Pattern selection Sound generation: • Access to sound parameters via knobs • 17 drum instruments with up to 8 tweakable and storable parameters. • Access to play functions (A/B pattern toggle, roll, fill, and mute function, plus some • Level pots on all drum instruments, plus master volume (not storable). more) • Individual outs (in pairs except claps). • Simple synthesizer with one parameter each for lead and bass sounds. Record Mode • Programming a pattern in one of three available modes (Manual, Step, or Sequencer: Jam mode) • 144 patterns (on 3 sets resp. 9 banks). • 14 tracks triggering the drum instruments. Synchronisation • 2 tracks for programming note events (output via MIDI and CV/gate). • MIDI clock • Combination of step number (1 to 32) and scaling (4) allows all kinds of time • Sync signal (clock) and start/stop input or output; output clock divider signatures. • A/B pattern toggle Not bad, uh? Of course, it was not possible to place a dedicated knob or button for each • Roll/Flam function (multiple triggering) function on the front panel. Sometimes, a second function level and some button com- • Chain function (chaining patterns - not storable). binations are necessary to access all features. To ensure that you and your Tanzbär will • Track mute function become friends really soon, we advise you to read this manual carefully. This will be the best and easiest way to explore your Tanzbär thoroughly - and there is pretty much to be The following functions can be programmed on each track (drum instrument): explored. So we beg you: please bother to read (and understand) this f... manual. • Track lenght (1 - 32 steps) • Shuffle intensity • Track shift (micro delay of entire track via MIDI controller) The following functions can be programmed on each step (drum instrument): • Step on/off • Accent level • Sound setting of current instrument 4 5 Overview MFB Tanzbär MFB Tanzbär Setup Functions The User Interface CONNECTIONS AND INITIAL OPERATION As has just been mentioned, most of Tanzbär´s buttons cover more than one single function. Depending on the selected mode, the function of the buttons may change. The Rear panel connectors following figure will show you which modes and functions are related to certain buttons. Power Please note that this is just an overview. You may use it mainly as an Please connect the 12V DC wall wart here. Power up/down Tanzbär using the ON/OFF orientation guide. The complete set of functions and the necessary switch. Please pull the power supply from the wall outlet if you do not use the Tanzbär operating steps will be explained later in the text. Please feel free to read on. anymore. Please use only the included power supply or one with exactly the same specifications - no exceptions, please! / (Shift) MIDI In1 / MIDI In 2 / MIDI Out Start/Stop Shuffle-Fctn select / confirm Tempo Tempo Sound-Parameter Please connect MIDI devices here. MIDI keyboards and drum pads should be connected to MIDI In 1. MIDI In 2 handles MIDI clock data exclusively. Via MIDI out, the Tanzbär 2.Fctn-Level transmits note date of all tracks. Audio Outs Tanzbär features one main audio out and six additional instrument outs. The latter are stereo jacks which put out two instrument signals each - one on each channel (except the Clap – this is a stereo sound). Please hook up the outputs with insert cables (Y-cables). For Clap, please use a stereo cable. If you plug a cable into an instrument out, the sound is cancelled from the main out. Please in Record-Mode: - Track-Selection - Step-Selection - Function-Selection (with Shift) - Parameter-Values Sound-Parameter connect Tanzbär‘s main out to an audio mixer, soundcard, or amp, before you power Tanzbär up. • BD Out left: Bassdrum1, right: Bassdrum 2 • SD/RS Out left: Snaredrum, right: Rimshot • HH/CY Out: left: Open/Closed Hihat, right: Cymbal • CP/Clap Out: the attack transients are spread across the stereo field Step-Buttons in Play-Mode: - Pattern-Selection - Instrument-Selection (Man-Trg-Mode) - Function-Selection (with Shift) - Parameter-Values • TO/CO Out: three Toms / Congas spread over the stereo field • CB/CL Out: left: Clave, right: Cowbell select Pattern (in Play-Mode) (Per-Step-Programming): - Accent - Bend-Function - add. Sound-Parameter - Flam-Function in Record-Mode select Mode (in Play-Mode) chain Patterns Pattern A/B toggel / copy Pattern - Accent (for Rolls) - - Roll-Function Function-Buttons in Play-Mode: 6 7 Setup Functions the mainaudioout. features,youwillneednothingbutthepowerconnectionand Tanzbär‘s exploremostof To transmitted orreceivedhere. and gatesignalsofbothnotetracks.Nexttothis,astart/stopsignalclockis On panelconnectors Top anzbär‘s • • • • • • • T Sync: Start: Gate2: Gate1: CV3: CV2: Output CV1: top panel Sends orreceivesclo Sends orreceivessta Output ofgatesignaltrack2(basssynthesizer) Output ofgatesignaltrack1(leadsynthesizer) Output ofpitchCVtrack2(basssynthesizer) Output ofpitch-CVtrack1(leadsynthesizer) Analog-Sequencer Audio-Mixer you of filter-control will Sync find its Start CV/gate ck signal rt/stop signal MIDI-Clock MIDI-Notes CV track 8 MIDI-Notes CVs interface. 3 Gate 12V DC (bass MIDI-Soundmodule It synthesizer) MIDI-Keyboard MIDI-Sequencer outputs Analog-Synthesizer Power- Supply control Wall-Outlet voltage MFB Tanzbär (CV) MFB Tanzbär which wewillexplorelateron. programpatternswewillgointotheRecordMode To TRIGGER MODE. f0 MANUAL playbackandtweak pre-programmedsoundsandpatterns,weneedthePLAY/ To patterns, modifyingthemandtweakingsounds. thatis,playing Tanzbär, At thesametimewewilllearnhowto”perform“on can do. Tanzbär First ofalllet´scheckoutsomedemopatternstogiveyouanideawhat TRIGGERMODE PLAY/MANUAL The following figure following text.Sopleasereadoncarefully. orientation –allthenecessaryoperatingstepsarecoveredindetail mayuseitmainlyasan You Please notethatthisisjustanoverview. Step/Instrument Acc/Bnd Sound Roll/Flam Chain A/B Shuffle Select (Button) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (Note) Track- Accent-Level starts enables enables A/B- enables Knob-Rec (Function) (for Roll-Fnkt.) Mutes Knob-Record Roll-Fnct. Pattern- Toggle Shuffle- Reset shows LED aus Chaining Selection PLAY-MODE Pattern LED an an Pattern- as above as above as above as above as above as above no (closes (closes LED off Selection (closes (closes Function Pattern- Pattern- Pattern- Pattern- overview Selection) Selection) Selection) Selection) Rec/ManTrg triggers Accent-Level no as above no no as above no LED green Instruments (when triggered) Function (enables Function Function (enables Function LED aus Play-Mode) Play-Mode) of MANUAL-TRIG the Pattern MODE LED an Play 9 LED red Enables PLAY-MODE (see above) RECORD-MODE Mode 5. Switches Pattern Chaining on/off: (Access via Rec/ManTrg + 1. Pressing the Step/Instr-Button mutes Tracks resp. Play Mode–PlayingtheTanzbär Step/Instr-Button) Instruments (red LED = Mute). - Hold Chain + press Steps (no LED response yet). Corresponding Pattern Chain is temporarily stored. 2. Repeatedly pressing Acc/Bnd toggles between three - Press Chain to playback Pattern Chain. and Accent-Levels (LED off/green/red). Accent affects Roll-Fnct. 6. A/B Pattern Toggle: 3. Starts Knob-Record-Fnct.: - Press A/B to toggle Pattern. LED colour displays A-Part resp. its - Enable with Shift+Step11. Press Select. Function is available if B-Part. desired. Now record knob movements: Enable automatic toggle with Shift+3. functions. 11/A# - Hold Sound + press Instr to select Instrument. - Press Sound to start recording. The LED flashes up to the next 7. Enables Shuffle Selection ”1“ and lights continously during the next following bar. - Press Shuffle (all Step-LEDs flash). Shift CP - Tweak Soundparameter Knobs during one bar. - Select Shuffle-Intensity with Step 1-16. Knob Rec (- Store Pattern if required) - Press Shuffle to confirm and leave function. Press Shift-Button to 4. Switches Roll-Fnct. on/off. Press Instr-Taster to generate Roll. open Sub-Functions of Select resolution: 8. Recalls stored Parameter Values of the current Pattern. Step-Buttons - Hold Roll/Flam + press Step 1-4 (16th, 8th, 4th, 1/2 Note). Play Mode – Playing the Tanzbär MFB Tanzbär MFB Tanzbär Play Mode – Playing the Tanzbär Manual Trigger Mode Please note: After powering up, Tanzbär has to be set to PLAY MODE in order to play patterns back (press Rec/ManTrig, LED has to be OFF). Then Audition of sounds select a pattern (press Pattern, Step button, please see above). Right after powering up, Tanzbär‘s MANUAL TRIGGER MODE is active. The LED ”Rec/ManTrig” constantly lights up green.