Tanzmaus
User Manual
Content:
MFB-Tanzmaus
User Manual
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
Sample Pool 38
MIDI-Implementation 38
Impressum 39
3
Overview
MFB Tanzmaus
MFB Tanzmaus
Overview
OVERVIEW
Thank you from us at MFB.
First of all, we would like to thank you for having purchased Tanzmaus. We appreciate your
choice very much and hope you will have lots of fun with your new instrument.
What is Tanzmaus (”Dancing Mouse”)?
Tanzmaus is a drum computer, featuring a combination of real analog and sample-based
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 complex-sounding beats pretty easily.
Why Tanzmaus? 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 Tanzmaus? Here is a brief overview of its functions:
Sound generation:
• Seven drum instruments with up to seven tweakable and storable parameters. (ve
real analog instruments, two sample-based instruments with a total of 32 selectable
samples).
• Level pots on all drum instruments plus master volume (not programmable in
memory).
• Individual outputs (for bassdrum, snare, clap, tom, and one sample-based
instrument).
Sequencer:
• 64 patterns (four banks of sixteen patterns each).
• Nine tracks triggering the drum instruments.
• Five LFO tracks for programming pitch modulation (for bassdrum, clap, tom and
sample instrument).
• 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 BD, tom, sample 1/2 (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.
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 Tanzmaus 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 Tanzmaus thoroughly - and there is
pretty much to be explored. So we beg you: please bother to read (and understand) this
f...antastic manual.
4 5
Setup
CONNECTIONS AND INITIAL OPERATION
Rear panel connectors
MFB Tanzmaus
MFB Tanzmaus
Setup
Power
Please connect the 12VDC / 500mA wall-wart here. Power up/down your Tanzmaus using
the ON/OFF switch – do not simply pull the wall-wart from the socket if you only want to
turn off Tanzmaus. Please unplug the power supply from the wall outlet if you do not use
your Tanzmaus 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 Tanzmaus 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, Tanzmaus 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,
Tanzmaus transmits note data of all tracks, MIDI clock, and song position pointer data as
well as program change data. Incoming MIDI information can be putted through to the
MIDI Out socket (Thru function).
Audio Outs
Tanzmaus 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, and
sample instrument 1 (e. g. for external processing). These are 3.5mm (1/8“) mono jacks.
Rimshot and sample instrument 2 are only available from the master out.
MIDI
sound source
MIDI notes
MIDI sequencer
MIDI
clock
Audio
MIDI keyboard
MIDI notes,
controller data,
program change data
12V DC
Wall
ward
When plugging a cable into an instrument output, this instrument will be disconnected from
the main out.
Please connect Tanzmaus‘ main output to an audio mixer, soundcard, or amp before powering up Tanzmaus..
To avoid a cracking or thumping noise, please power up your Tanzmaus rst,
then your sound system.
Please avoid excessive volume levels – your eardrums and neighbors will be
eternally thankful to you.
6 7
Audio mixer
Power
outlet
MFB TanzmausUser Interface
MFB Tanzmaus User Interface
THE USER INTERFACE
As mentioned already, most of Tanzmaus‘ 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.
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.
1. Select shift function
press Shift +
hold
LED flashes
press step key
(e.g. „Shuffle“)
LED with current value lights up
(e.g. „1“ = no shuffle)
2. Select parameter value
release
Shift
LED flashes
press step key
(e.g. „3“)
LED with new value lights up
press Shift +
hold
3. Exit shift function
press Shift
LEDs off
To determine whether the parameter setting/value of a shift function is
press step key
(e.g. „Accent 1“)
LED lights up
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.
8 9
MFB TanzmausUser Interface
MFB Tanzmaus Play Mode – Playing the Tanzmaus
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.
Tempo
Sound parameters
for:
- bass (BD)
- snare (SD)
- clap (CP)
- toms (TT)
- sample instruments
(SP1 + SP2)
(Data
add. sound parameter
per instrument)
PLAY MODE
First of all, let´s have a go at some demo patterns to give you an idea of what Tanzmaus
can do. At the same time, we will learn how to ”perform“ on the Tanzmaus – 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.
Tempo
+ Snd
add. sound parameter
1 - 4 / 8 / 16
1 - 4 / 8 / 16
A/BToggle
Selects pattern A/B-part
manual / auto
-/-
Level controls (not storable)
+ Shift
Play/Stop
Function keys
Function
Hidden
sound param.
- / -
Realtime
Rec mode
Select fctn.
Play mode /
Step Rec mode /
Man Trig mode
Bank
selection
Pattern
chaining
Pattern selection
Pattern
A/B-toggel
10
Shift
Access to
dual/sub functions
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.)
In Play mode the Rec/Real LEDs have to be off !
(if necessary, press Rec/Real key)
Sound parameter
+ Shift
Play/Stop
Save current
sound setting to pattern
Function
Access to hidden
Sound-Parameter
Reload sound setting
Function keys
from current pattern
Bank selection
Pattern chaining
Pattern selection
Pattern A/B toggel
Shift
11
Step keys 1 - 16
Access to dual/sub functions
Track mute
Scale
Scale (time signature)
32th. / 16th.-triplet /
16th. / 8th.-triplet / 8th.
1 - 5
Last Step
Pattern lenght
1 - 16 steps
1 - 16
Shuffle
Shuffle intensity
1 - 16
1 - 16
+ Shift:
- Function:
- Value range:
- Select with
step keys:
MFB TanzmausPlay Mode – Playing the Tanzmaus
MFB Tanzmaus Play Mode – Playing the Tanzmaus
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
Tanzmaus 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:
Select bank: Select preset:
hold Shift +
press Patt/Bnk
Patt/Bnk LEDs:
Bank 1
hold Patt/Bnk +
press Step 1-16
Pattern 1
to
(MFB-presets by Yapacc)
Pattern 16
Pattern 1
Bank 2
to
Pattern 16
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 Tanzmaus. 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 / rimshot, TT
- tom, SP1 / 2 - sample instruments 1 and 2).
• 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!
Bank 3
Bank 4
Pattern 1
to
Pattern 16
Pattern 1
to
Pattern 16
We will have a closer look at the sound parameters in the next chapter – stay tuned (no
pun intended).
12 13
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