MFB Tanzbär Lite, Tanzmaus User Manual
User Manual
Tanzbär Lite
3
User Manual
Content:
Function Overview 4
Connections and initial operation 6
The User Interface 8
Play-Mode 11
Playing with Patterns 12
Manual-Mode 14
Sound Generation 18
Record-Mode 21
The different Modes 21
Step-Record-Mode 22
Patterns with more
than 16 Steps 28
Realtime-Record-Mode 30
Manual-Trigger-Mode /
Manual-Trigger-Record 31
Memory-Functions 34
Setup- / MIDI-Functions 35
Setup-Menu 35
MIDI-Dump-Functions 37
Addendum 38
MIDI-Implementation 38
Impressum 39
MFB-Tanzbär Lite
MFB Tanzbär Lite
MFB Tanzbär Lite
Overview
4 5
Overview
OVERVIEW
Thank you from us at MFB.
First of all, we would like to thank you for having purchased Tanzbär Lite. We appreciate
your choice very much and hope you will have lots of fun with your new instrument.
What is Tanzbär Lite (”Dancing Mouse”)?
Tanzbär Lite is a drum computer, featuring a combination of real analog sound generation
as well as a very sophisticated pattern-based step sequencer. The latter provides individual sound settings of any instrument for every step. This way, you can create very complexsounding beats pretty easily.
Why Tanzbär Lite? Well, rst of all, it is small and cute (would you have thought...?). And
then, in 1950s Germany, this is what a blonde girl with pony-tail and petticoat skirts was
called, dancing along to the exciting and infectious new rhythms of rock‘n‘roll music. History lesson over.
Infectious new rhythms...? Hang on a second...
What exactly is going on inside Tanzbär Lite? Here is a brief overview of its functions:
Sound generation:
• Ten drum instruments with up to four tweakable and storable parameters (real
analog instruments).
• Level pots on all drum instruments plus master volume (not programmable in
memory).
• Individual outputs (for bassdrum, snare, clap, tom/conga and hihat).
Sequencer:
• 64 patterns (four banks of sixteen patterns each).
• Eleven tracks triggering the drum instruments.
• Five LFO tracks for programming pitch modulation (for bassdrum, clap, tom/conga,
cowbell and claves).
• Combination of step number (1 to 32) and scaling (ve settings) allows for almost
all kinds of time signatures.
• A/B pattern toggle
• Roll/Flam function (multiple triggering)
• Chain function (chaining patterns - not programmable in memory).
• Track mute function
• Shufe function (global setting – same for all tracks)
The following functions can be programmed for each track:
• Track length (up to sixteen steps resp. up to 32 steps when A/B function is active)
The following functions can be programmed for each step:
• Step on/off
• Accent level (four settings)
• Flam (multi trigger = am, rolls etc.)
• Sound setting of current instrument
• LFO settings for bassdrum, clap, tom/conga, cowbell and claves (modulation depth,
wave, and speed)
Operation Modes:
Play Mode
• Pattern selection
• Access to sound parameters via front-panel knobs
• Access to play functions (A/B pattern toggle, chain and mute functions)
Manual Trigger Mode
• Triggering instruments via step buttons and/or MIDI notes (with velocity).
• Access to sound parameters via knobs or MIDI controller.
Record Mode
• Programming a pattern in one of the two modes available (Step Record or Manual
Trigger Record)
Synchronisation:
• MIDI clock
Not bad, huh? Of course, it was not possible to place a dedicated control or button for
each function on the front panel. Sometimes, a second function level and pressing some
button combinations is required to access all functions. To make sure you and your Tanzbär Lite will become close friends really soon, we advise you to read this manual carefully.
This will be the best and easiest way to explore your Tanzbär Lite thoroughly - and there is
pretty much to be explored. So we beg you: please bother to read (and understand) this
f...antastic manual.
MFB Tanzbär Lite
MFB Tanzbär Lite
Setup
6 7
Setup
CONNECTIONS AND INITIAL OPERATION
Rear panel connectors
Power
Please connect the 12VDC / 500mA wall-wart here. Power up/down your Tanzbär Lite
using the ON/OFF switch – do not simply pull the wall-wart from the socket if you only want
to turn off Tanzbär Lite. Please unplug the power supply from the wall outlet if you do not
use your Tanzbär Lite for an extended period of time as the wall-wart is still drawing current
and will eventually run hot in course of time. Don‘t waste energy by not using it..
Please use only the power supply originally included wih your Tanzbär Lite
or one with exactly the same specications - please do not mess around
with other external power supplies which do not (or only half-ways) match
our specications! We cannot be held liable for any damage caused by the
use of improper power supplies – don‘t say we didn‘t warn you!
MIDI In / MIDI Out
Please connect MIDI devices here. Via MIDI In, Tanzbär Lite receives MIDI clock, MIDI
notes, and controller data as well as program change data. When connecting a MIDI
keyboard or MIDI drum pads here, sounds can be triggered live in realtime. Via MIDI Out,
Tanzbär Lite transmits note data of all tracks, MIDI clock, and song position pointer data
as well as program change data. Incoming MIDI information is put through to the MIDI Out
socket (Thru function).
Audio Outs
Tanzbär Lite features one main audio out using a 6.3mm (1/4“) stereo jack and ve additional instrument outputs. The latter put out individual signals of bassdrum, snare, clap,
tom/conga, and hihat (e. g. for external processing). These are 3.5mm (1/8“) mono jacks.
Rimshot, cowbell, clave and cymbal are only available from the master out.
When plugging a cable into an instrument output, this instrument will be disconnected from
the main out.
Please connect Tanzbär Lite‘ main output to an audio mixer, soundcard, or amp before
powering up Tanzbär Lite..
To avoid a cracking or thumping noise, please power up your Tanzbär Lite
rst, then your sound system.
Please avoid excessive volume levels – your eardrums and neighbors will be
eternally thankful to you.
Wall
ward
MIDI keyboard
MIDI
clock
MIDI notes,
controller data,
program change data
MIDI notes
12V DC
Audio
Power
outlet
MIDI sequencer
MIDI
sound source
Audio mixer
MFB Tanzbär LiteUser Interface
8 9
MFB Tanzbär Lite
User Interface
THE USER INTERFACE
As mentioned already, most of Tanzbär Lite‘ buttons cover more than one single function.
Depending on the selected mode, the function of the buttons will change.
The main purpose of the function buttons (left-hand side) is selecting the operation
mode (Play or Record), selecting patterns and banks as well as starting and stopping the
sequencer and toggling between the A/B parts of a pattern. These are dual-function keys
(except the Select key).
The Step keys (lower row) are also dual- or even triple-function keys. Depending on the
operation mode, they change their function. In Play mode, they mute tracks and control
various playback functions (e.g. shufe, pattern length, scale, and A/B toggle).
In Record mode, they are used to program the step sequencer. Apart from that, there is
an additional sound parameter hidden behind them which cannot be accessed directly via
the sound controls. The Step keys are also required when it comes to storing, clearing, and
copying patterns.
The Shift key (bottom left) accesses the „shift function“ resp. second function of the other
keys. On the front panel, the shift functions are always labelled in a darker font so make
sure you put your glasses on (or turn on the ood lights).
Depending on the dedicated function, the shift function works in two different ways:
When a shift function only has two settings (e.g. on/off), or when all available values can
directly be accessed in the next lower level, simply hit the shift key and keep it depressed.
Now hit the desired step key to toggle between the two possible settings or enter the desi-
red value. For example, the start/stop function and the selection of the four Accent levels
works just this way.
OH
LED lights up
press Shift +
hold
press step key
(e.g. „Accent 1“)
Next, there are shift functions that access another level of possible value settings. It takes
an additional function level to access them. They include, for example, the shufe intensity,
the step number of the tracks resp. pattern length („Last Step“), and the scale function.
In this case, please select the desired function using both shift and step keys rst. Then
select the desired parameter value, again using a step key. The example below illustrates
the adjustment procedure for the shufe intensity (Step key 1).
1. Select shift function: Press and hold Shift and press Step key 1. Shift will be ashing
and the step with the current shufe intensity setting lights up.
2. Release Shift (ashes continuously) and select the desired value by hitting a step key.
The step keys now correspond to the parameter values 1 - 16.
3. To exit the shift function, simply hit Shift again – done.
OH
OH
OH
press Shift +
hold
release
Shift
press step key
(e.g. „Shuffle“)
press step key
(e.g. „3“)
LED with current value lights up
(e.g. „1“ = no shuffle)
1. Select shift function
2. Select parameter value
LED flashes
LED flashes
LED with new value lights up
press Shift
3. Exit shift function
LEDs off
To determine whether the parameter setting/value of a shift function is
selected directly or requires an additional step to be selected, the shift LED
will either be ashing intermittently or not. In the rst case (direct access),
the shift LED will stay dark, in the second case (hidden function) it will be
ashing.
11
MFB Tanzbär Lite Play Mode – Playing the Tanzbär Lite
MFB Tanzbär LiteUser Interface
10
The following gure will show you which modes and functions are related to specic
buttons.
Please note that this is just an overview. You may use it mainly as an orientation or quick programming guide. The complete set of functions and the
operating steps necessary will be explained later in the text. Please feel free
to read on.
OH
Level controls (not storable)
Tempo
Function keys
Shift
Access to
dual/sub functions
Sound parameters
for:
- bass (BD)
- snare (SD)
- clap (CP)
- tom/conga (T/C)
- cowbell (CB)
- claves (CL)
- cymbal (CYM)
- hihat (HH)
Step keys 1-16 to:
- select Pattern (in Play mode)
- mute track (in Play Mode) / select track (in Record mode)
- select / set / erase steps (in Record mode)
- select sub functions (+ Shift)
- sequencer functions (shuffle etc.) (in Play mode / Record mode)
- add. sound parameter, LFO parameter (in Record mode)
- memory functions
- setup functions (MIDI etc.)
Function
Hidden
sound param.
Select fctn.
Play mode /
Step Rec mode
Pattern
selection
Pattern
A/B-toggel
+ Shift
Play/Stop
- / -
Realtime
Rec mode
Bank
selection
Pattern
chaining
PLAY MODE
First of all, let´s have a go at some demo patterns to give you an idea of what Tanzbär Lite
can do. At the same time, we will learn how to ”perform“ on the Tanzbär Lite – that is, how
to play back patterns, modify them, and how to tweak sounds.
To play back and tweak pre-programmed sounds and patterns, we need to go into PLAY
MODE.
The following gure shows an overview of the Play Mode and its functions.
Please bear in mind this is just an overview. You may use it mainly as an
orientation – all the necessary operating steps are covered in detail in the
following text – please read on carefully.
OH
Tempo
Function keys
Shift
Access to dual/sub functions
Sound parameters
Function
Access to hidden
Sound-Parameter
Reload sound setting
from current pattern
Pattern selection
Pattern A/B toggel
+ Shift
Play/Stop
Save current
sound setting to pattern
Bank selection
Pattern chaining
In Play mode the Rec/Real LEDs have to be off !
(if necessary, press Rec/Real key)
Track mute
Step keys 1 - 16
Shuffle
Shuffle intensity
1 - 16
1 - 16
Last Step
Pattern lenght
1 - 16 steps
1 - 16
Scale
Scale (time signature)
32th. / 16th.-triplet /
16th. / 8th.-triplet / 8th.
1 - 5
A/BToggle
Selects pattern A/B-part
manual / auto
-/-
+ Shift:
- Function:
- Value range:
- Select with
step keys:
+ Snd
add. sound parameter
1 - 16
1 - 16
MFB Tanzbär LitePlay Mode – Playing the Tanzbär Lite
12 13
MFB Tanzbär Lite Play Mode – Playing the Tanzbär Lite
To enable Play mode, please hit the Rec/Real key. Both LEDs above
should be idle now.
In Play mode, you can play back patterns. The following functions are
available:
• select patterns
• start / stop the sequencer
• adjust tempo
• mute tracks
• tweak the sound settings using the associated controls
• set the shufe intensity
• select pattern length („Last Step“)
• select scaling – only available when sequencer is stopped
• toggle between pattern parts A and B
Selecting patterns
Tanzbär Lite offers four pattern banks with 16 patterns each – 64 patterns in total.
Bank 1 contains great beats created by Berlin-based techno wizard Yapacc. If desired,
the content of Bank 1 can be overwritten (for example when you believe your beats to be
smarter). Banks 2, 3, and 4 are waiting for great creations of your own.
The following gure shows how to select banks and patterns:
Bank 1
(MFB-presets by Yapacc)
Pattern 1
Select bank: Select preset:
Pattern 16
to
Patt/Bnk LEDs:
hold Shift +
press Patt/Bnk
hold Patt/Bnk +
press Step 1-16
Bank 2
Bank 3
Bank 4
Pattern 1
Pattern 16
to
Pattern 1
Pattern 16
to
Pattern 1
Pattern 16
to
Starting / stopping the sequencer
• Hold Shift + press Play. The sequencer will start.
• Hold Shift + press Play again. The sequencer will stop.
Adjusting tempo
• Turn Tempo control.
There is no tempo readout on Tanzbär Lite. The value range of the control covers approx.
30 BPM to 180 BPM.
Muting tracks
• Press Step keys.
When in Play mode, the tracks are directly muted using the corresponding step keys, me-
aning Step 1 = bassdrum, Step 5 = clap etc. LFO tracks can also be muted. In this case,
the pitch of the corresponding instrument will not be modulated anymore. The LED of a
muted track will glow at reduced brightness.
You can decide whether mutes will be stored in a pattern or not when using
the Save Pattern function for permanent saving. Please use the Setup function #8, described on page 34 of this manual.
Tweaking sounds
• Turn sound parameter controls.
By moving the 19 sound parameter controls, you can tweak the sounds of the seven inst-
ruments in realtime just as you fancy (BD - bassdrum, SD - snare, CP - clap, TT - tom, CO
- conga, CB - cowbell, CL - clave, CYM - cymbal, OH - open hihat, HH - closed hihat).
• Press Select to reload the sound settings stored in the current pattern.
• Hold Shift + press Select to store all edits of a sound in the current pattern.
Attention: The sound settings previously stored in the patterns will be overwritten.
There is no undo function so you better think twice!
We will have a closer look at the sound parameters in the next chapter – stay tuned (no
pun intended).
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