Comments on: Mandala 2.0 Shipping: Drum Controller Goes USB for $349

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 09:17:05 +0000

I currently have the Mandala 2.0 IN MY POSSESSION!

Here’s the good and the bad.

Good:
*It’s USB, thus it cuts down the need for converters.
* It is IMMUNE to X-talk. A serious problem for those of you (like me) that use electric and acoustic drums simultaneously. You can smack the back of the Mandala and it won’t make a sound.
* 7 Zones per drum, 5 drums supported… totals 35 samples.
* Can make tons of presets and use various effects.

Bad:
*Currently, unable to trigger two zones simultaneously. I’m talking to tech about this to confirm if it’s supposed to do this or not.
* Rewire isn’t playing nice with Ableton 7 right now (also working with tech on this).
*Software is a tad buggy at the moment. Sometimes have to restart to get things to stick. Luckily, it loads quickly.
*When hit hard, the samples seem like they’re overdriven or clipping even when they aren’t in the yellow or red. Could be due to the distortion effect used.

ABOUT PLAYABILITY:
The pad feels harder than a Roland PD-8. The PD-8 feels rubbery, but the Mandala had a very hard feel to it. This is probably due to the spiraling sensor just below the surface (you can feel them a little if you rub it). It will react to fingers, but it doesn’t really work with a palm. So, you can’t play it like a hand drum.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:31:49 +0000

Could anyone advise me what the playability of the Mandala 2.0 is like, that is does the surface have a lot of give? I ask this as I know a lot of piezzo pads are quite hard surfaces. This makes them jarring on the wrists. It also means they produce a clear audible ‘thwack’ noise when struck with sticks. Thanks in advance for your advice on this matter.

By: chris

chris — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:19:41 +0000

has anyone tried playing the Mandala 2.0 with hands? and brushes? if so, how’s the sound and response?

By: chris

chris — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:19:33 +0000

I like to play snare with brushes as well as hand drums– doumbek and cajon. Am looking for an electronic drum that’ll be easy to set-up and transport, that’ll work for full band performances and can duplicate the (touch sensitive) sound of kit with brushes,hand drums and other effects. (cymbals, timpani, etc)

Have narrowed my selection down to the Mandala 2.0 or the Roland HPD20. What do you recommend?

By: Peter Kirn

Peter Kirn — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:20:55 +0000

Yes, supposedly fingertips work just fine!

By: corporation

corporation — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:38:07 +0000

if this allows for finger tip playing (ala congas), i want some!

By: foosnark

foosnark — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:31:24 +0000

Very cool. Eagerly awaiting some reviews of this thing. If I can play it doumbek-style (’cause I am crap with sticks) they might have a sale here.

By: samu

samu — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:58:44 +0000

Ah… no extra inputs for hh/kick?

By: samu

samu — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:47:00 +0000

I think the DrumKat outranked the SPDs…

Didn’t these Mandala things used to be incredibly expensive? This new version looks… well, necessary. Shame you can only zone it concentrically, though. I’d like quarters, ideally.

By: Dave Dri

Dave Dri — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:11:36 +0000

This is awesome. Wake up Roland! They were the default midi drum stage solution with the SPD range but those are so long in the tooth it isnt funny. Definitely grabbing one… unless Peter, you want to get us an early xmas present?