Millenium MPS-850 User manual

MPS-850
e-drum module
user manual

Musikhaus Thomann
Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: +49 (0) 9546 9223-0
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.thomann.de
13.07.2018, ID: 428224

Table of contents
1 General information....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Further information................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.2 Notational conventions.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Symbols and signal words.................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Safety instructions.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3 Features................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
4 Installation.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
5 Connections and controls............................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
6 Operating.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
6.1 Functions.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12
6.2 Selecting and adjusting drum kits................................................................................................................................................................... 12
6.3 Playing the drum kit.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
6.4 Modifying drum kits.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 14
6.5 Playing, customising and accompanying songs........................................................................................................................................ 16
6.6 Metronome function............................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
6.7 Fader........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
6.8 Recording functions.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 18
6.9 Trigger settings....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
6.10 Utility menu........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
6.11 Compression......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
6.12 USB stick functions.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 23
6.13 Reset to defaults.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
7 Technical specifications............................................................................................................................................................................................. 26
8 Plug and connection assignment.......................................................................................................................................................................... 27
9 Cleaning............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
10 Protecting the environment.................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
11 Appendix........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
11.1 Voice list.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30
11.2 Kit list........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 36
11.3 Song list................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38
11.4 MIDI implementation......................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
11.5 General MIDI Backing Instrument List......................................................................................................................................................... 41
11.6 General MIDI Drum Kit List............................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Table of contents
MPS-850
3

1 General information
This manual contains important instructions for the safe operation of the unit. Read and follow the safety instructions and all
other instructions. Keep the manual for future reference. Make sure that it is available to all those using the device. If you sell the
unit please make sure that the buyer also receives this manual.
Our products are subject to a process of continuous development. Thus, they are subject to change.
1.1 Further information
On our website (www.thomann.de) you will find lots of further information and details on the following points:
Download This manual is also available as PDF file for you to download.
Keyword search Use the search function in the electronic version to find the topics of interest for you quickly.
Online guides Our online guides provide detailed information on technical basics and terms.
Personal consultation For personal consultation please contact our technical hotline.
Service If you have any problems with the device the customer service will gladly assist you.
1.2 Notational conventions
This manual uses the following notational conventions:
Letterings
The letterings for connectors and controls are marked by square brackets and italics.
Examples: [VOLUME] control, [Mono] button.
Displays
Texts and values displayed on the device are marked by quotation marks and italics.
Examples: ‘24ch’, ‘OFF’.
Instructions
The individual steps of an instruction are numbered consecutively. The result of a step is indented and highlighted by an arrow.
Example:
1. Switch on the device.
2. Press [Auto].
ðAutomatic operation is started.
3. Switch off the device.
General information
e-drum module
4

Cross-references
References to other locations in this manual are identified by an arrow and the specified page number. In the electronic version of
the manual, you can click the cross-reference to jump to the specified location.
Example: See
Ä
‘Cross-references’ on page 5.
1.3 Symbols and signal words
In this section you will find an overview of the meaning of symbols and signal words that are used in this manual.
Signal word Meaning
DANGER! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates an immediate dangerous sit-
uation that will result in death or serious injury if it is not avoided.
CAUTION! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a possible dangerous situa-
tion that can result in minor injury if it is not avoided.
NOTICE! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a possible dangerous situa-
tion that can result in material and environmental damage if it is not avoided.
Warning signs Type of danger
Warning – danger zone.
General information
MPS-850
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2 Safety instructions
Intended use
Drum modules are intended to be used for converting digital trigger signals from drum pads to various percussion sounds. Use
the unit only as described in this manual. Any other use or use under other operating conditions is considered to be improper and
may result in personal injury or property damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from improper use.
This device may be used only by persons with sufficient physical, sensorial, and intellectual abilities and having corresponding
knowledge and experience. Other persons may use this device only if they are supervised or instructed by a person who is
responsible for their safety.
Safety
DANGER!
Danger for children
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and are not within reach of babies and young children.
Choking hazard!
Ensure that children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the like) from the unit. They could swallow the pieces and
choke!
Never let children unattended use electrical devices.
CAUTION!
Possible hearing damage
With loudspeakers or headphones connected, the device can produce volume levels that may cause temporary or permanent
hearing impairment.
Do not operate the device permanently at a high volume level. Decrease the volume level immediately if you experience
ringing in your ears or hearing impairment.
NOTICE!
Operating conditions
This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never expose the device to any liquid or moisture.
Avoid direct sunlight, heavy dirt, and strong vibrations.
NOTICE!
External power supply
The device is powered by an external power supply. Before connecting the external power supply, ensure that the input
voltage (AC outlet) matches the voltage rating of the device and that the AC outlet is protected by a residual current circuit
breaker. Failure to do so could result in damage to the device and possibly the user.
Unplug the external power supply before electrical storms occur and when the device is unused for long periods of time to
reduce the risk of electric shock or fire.
Safety instructions
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3 Features
n550 voices
n30 preprogrammed drum kits
n20 user kits
n100 preprogrammed songs
n2 user songs
nQuick record
nMetronome
nEQ per kit
nPitch, reverb, compressor
nFlexible assignment of pad voices
n6 fader for the volume control of individual pads
nReverb effect, voice tuning
nIndividual adjustment of accompaniment and drum track
nConnections for headphones, AUX, USB and MIDI
Features
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4 Installation
Setup, connecting pads and pedals
Setup and assembly of the pads and pedals are described in detail in the enclosed assembly guide. Finally check that all cables
between the pads and the e-drum module have been properly connected.
Connecting the power adapter
Use the Y cable to connect the supplied power adapter to the [9 V] port of the e-drum module and the hi-hat controller. Then
plug the mains plug into the socket.
Connecting headphones
Connect your stereo headphones to the [PHONES] output of the drum module.
Connecting audio devices
Connect the inputs of your amplifier or active monitors to the [OUTPUT] sockets of the drum module. If you use a mono amplifier,
connect its input to the [L/MONO] output socket of the module.
Connecting a CD or MP3 player
Connect a CD or MP3 player to the input socket [AUX IN] IN of the drum module.
Connecting MIDI devices
Connect external MIDI devices to the [MIDI OUT] or [MIDI IN] socket of the drum module.
Connecting USB devices
Connect external MIDI devices or your computer to the USB port [USB MIDI] of the drum module.
Installation
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5 Connections and controls
Front panel
1 Display
2[POWER]
Main switch. Turns the device on and off
3[MENU]
Button to open the selection menu
4[SAVE]
Button to store settings
5[VOLUME – MASTER]
Overall volume control
6[VOLUME – AUX IN]
Volume control for the AUX input signal
7[VOLUME – PHONES]
Volume control for the headphone output of the device
8[EXIT]
Button to close and exit an open menu
9/
Arrow buttons to select an option
10 [ENTER]
Button to confirm a selection or setting
Connections and controls
MPS-850
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11 [TEMPO]
Button to adjust metronome and playback tempo
12 [CLICK]
Button to turn the metronome on and off
13
Button to start and stop song playback
14
Button to activate the recording function
15 Jog wheel to select a drum kit and quickly set values
16 Fader with switchable assignment for adjusting the volume of individual pads
17 [FADER]
Button for switching the fader assignment
18 [SONG]
Button to open the ‘SONG’ menu
19 [KIT]
Button to open the ‘KIT’ menu
20 [<] / [>]
Arrow buttons to select a drum kit and quickly set values
Connections and controls
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Rear panel
21 [PHONES]
Connection socket for headphones
22 [USB MIDI]
Connection socket for an external MIDI device with USB port
23 [MIDI OUT | IN]
Connection sockets for an external MIDI device
24 [OUTPUT R | L / MONO]
Output for external audio devices
25 [TRIGGER IN – TOM 4]
[TRIGGER IN – CRASH2]
Connection sockets for tom 4 and crash 2
26 [AUX IN]
Input for external audio devices like MP3 or CD players
27 [9 V]
Connection socket for the power adapter
28 [USB MEMORY]
Connection for a USB memory device
29 Multi-pin socket (sub D) for connecting the pads (on the bottom of the device)
Connections and controls
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6 Operating
6.1 Functions
Turning on / off
Check all cable connections for correct fit before turning on
Before switching on, turn the [MASTER VOLUME] control to minimum.
Switch the drum module on or off with the main switch [POWER].
Automatic shutoff
If the device is not in use, it shuts off automatically after a settable time.
To disable the automatic shutdown, use the Utility menu (
Ä
Chapter 6.10 ‘Utility menu’ on page 22).
Adjusting the volume
To set the volume, hit a pad while slowly turning the [MASTER VOLUME] control clockwise.
Reset to factory defaults
To reset the entire drum module to factory settings, turn it off first. Then hold down the [<] and [>] simultaneously and addition-
ally press [POWER] until the display shows ‘Factory Resetting…’.
6.2 Selecting and adjusting drum kits
A drum kit is a compilation in which a certain sound (Voice) and several sound parameters are assigned to each pad. Selecting
different drum kits lets you customise the sound of your drum kit in seconds to the desired music genre. Besides the 30 preprog-
rammed drum kits you can also create, customise and save 20 user drum kits.
Selecting a drum kit
To select a certain drum kit, proceed as follows:
1. Press [KIT].
ðThe display shows the kit list.
2. Use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) or the jog wheel to select the desired kit.
The setting is automatically stored.
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Assigning a Voice
To programme a certain Voice for a pad, proceed as follows:
1. Press [KIT].
ðThe display shows the kit list.
2. Press [MENU]. Use the arrow buttons ( / ) to select the option ‘VOICE’ and press [ENTER].
ðThe display shows the voice list.
3. Hit the respective pad to activate it.
ðThe display shows the name of the currently assigned voice.
4. Use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) or the jog wheel to select the desired voice.
The setting is automatically stored.
6.3 Playing the drum kit
Like on an acoustic drum kit, the pads respond to different playing techniques and dynamics. All pads are velocity sensitive. Some
voices change their timbre depending on the punch used.
nDrums
With the snare drum we distinguish between Head and Rimshot.
– Head
Strike the head only.
– Rimshot
Simultaneously strike the head and the rim or only the rim of the pad.
nCymbals
We distinguish the following cymbal zones:
– Bow
Play in the area between the edge and the bell of the cymbal.
– Bell
Play the bell area of the cymbal.
– Edge
Play at the edge of the cymbal.
– Choke
Choke Play is possible with Crash and Ride cymbals but not with the Hi-hat. To do so, stop the sound of the Crash and
Ride cymbals with the hand at the edge of the cymbal immediately after hitting it.
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nHi-hat
With the Hi-hat we distinguish between Hi-hat pedal change, open Hi-Hat, closed Hi-hat, Hi-hat pedal and Splash.
– Hi-hat pedal change
When the pedal is pressed in different positions, the voice changes when hitting the Hi-hat pad (similar to an acoustic
drum kit).
– Open Hi-hat
Strike the Hi-hat pad without pressing the pedal.
– Closed Hi-hat
Strike the Hi-hat pad with fully pressed pedal.
– Hi-Hat pedal
Press the Hi-hat controller pedal to generate a closed sound without striking the Hi-hat pad.
– Splash
Play the Hi-hat with fully pressed pedal and then open it suddenly.
6.4 Modifying drum kits
Selecting a drum kit
1. Press [KIT].
ðThe display shows the kit list.
2. Press [KIT] again to go to the User Kits section.
Customising a drum kit
You can assign a special sound to each individual trigger of the drum kit and set multiple sound parameters.
1. Select the desired drum kit with the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]). The selected drum kit is immediately active.
2. Use the arrow buttons ( / ) to select the parameter to be changed.
3. Use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) or the jog wheel to change the parameter value.
Parameter, display Meaning Value range
KIT NAME Drum kit selection Preset: 1 … 30
User: 31 … 50
VOLUME Volume of the pads of the drum kit 0 … 16
EQ HIGH Boost / cut of the high EQ frequencies –12 dB…12 dB
EQ MID Boost / cut of the mid EQ frequencies –12 dB…12 dB
EQ LOW Boost / cut of the low EQ frequencies –12 dB…12 dB
Operating
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Customising Voice parameters
Voice parameters always refer only to a single pad. For example, if you change the volume of the snare drum, the other pads are
not affected.
1. Press [KIT].
ðThe display shows the kit list.
2. Press [MENU]. Use the arrow buttons ( / ) to select the option ‘VOICE’ and press [ENTER].
ðThe display shows the voice list.
3. Use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) or the jog wheel to select the pad or play the pad whose parameters you want to adjust.
4. Use the arrow buttons ( / ) to select the parameter to be changed.
5. Use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) or the jog wheel to change the parameter value.
Parameter, display Meaning Value range
TRIGGER Trigger KICK, SNARE, SN-R, TOM1, T1-R…
VOICE NAME Voice assigned to the trigger. The voices U01…
U99 can be loaded from a USB stick. 1 … 550, U01…U99
VOLUME Volume 0…16
PAN Trigger position within the stereo signal (pan-
orama right / left) –8…8
PITCH Pitch –8…8
REVERB Reverb 0…16
DECAY Decay –5…0
PAD SONG Pattern, Style 1 … 100, Off
Customising and storing user kits
The existing preset kits can be used as a basis for user kits. The user kits can then be stored in the device memory.
1. Press [SAVE].
ð‘Rename Kit’ and the number and name of the first user kit appear on the display.
2. Change the name as desired. You change the letter on which the cursor is currently located with the jog wheel, you move
the cursor with the arrow keys ([<] / [>]).
3. To save, select the option ‘SAVE’. To cancel, select the option ‘CANCEL’.
4. Use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) or the jog wheel to select a user kit. Press [ENTER].
ðThe display briefly shows ‘SAVE OK!’ . The changes to the settings take immediately effect.
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Any unsaved changes will be discarded when selecting another kit or the device is turned off.
6.5 Playing, customising and accompanying songs
Style selection
Your digital drum module features a total of 100 preprogrammed songs with different styles: 70 patterns, 6 hits, 24 taps and 2
user songs. You can play the songs and accompany them on the drum module. A song contains a drum part (containing the
rhythm in which you play the pads) and an accompaniment part (percussion and melody). The volume of both parts can be
adjusted separately.
1. Press [SONG].
ðThe name and number of the current song appear in the display.
2. Use the arrow buttons ( / ) to select the parameter to be changed.
3. Use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) to change the parameter value.
4. Press to play and stop the songs.
Parameter, display Meaning Value range
NUMBER Number of the song. n1…60: Patterns
n61…70: Percussion Loops
n71…76: Hits
n77…100: Taps
n101…102: User songs
ACCOM VOL Accompaniment volume 0…16
DRUM VOL Drum kit volume 0…16
Operating
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Song playback from USB stick
The drum module first displays the music files recognized in the ‘SONG’ directory on the USB stick. But you can switch to any
other directory on the medium. From each directory, the first 99 music files are displayed.
Requirements for the music files:
nMIDI: SMF 0, track number less than 16, PPQN 480 maximum, file size 128 kB maximum.
nWAV: Bit rate 1536 kbit/s maximum, sampling frequency 48 kHz maximum
nMP3: Bit rate 320 kbit/s maximum, sampling frequency 48 kHz maximum
If you want to play music files that do not meet these requirements, an error message will appear in the display.
1. Press [SONG].
ðThe name and number of the current song appear in the display.
2. Press [SONG] again.
ðThe display shows the list of WAV, MP3 or MIDI files detected on the USB stick.
3. Use the arrow buttons ( / /[<] / [>]) to navigate in the list.
4. Press [MENU] to open the ‘SONG’ menu.
Use the arrow buttons ( / ) to select the option ‘USB FOLDER’ to change to another directory on the USB stick. Confirm
with [ENTER].
5. Press to play and stop the songs.
6.6 Metronome function
Press [CLICK] to turn the click function on and off again. When the Click is running the indicator LED of the button is flashing.
Settings
1. Use the arrow buttons ( / ) to select the parameter to be changed.
2. Use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) or the jog wheel to change the parameter value.
All changes are immediately effective. Exit the Settings menu by pressing [CLICK] again.
Parameter, display Meaning Value range
TIME SIGNATURE Emphasis on beats 0 … 9/2, 0 … 9/4, 0 … 9/8, 0 … 9/16
VOLUME Click volume 0 … 16
INTERVAL Beats per measure 1/2, 3/8, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12, 1/16
NAME Name and number of the corresponding Click
voice METRO, CLAVES, STICKS, COWBELL, CLICK, VOICE
OUTPUT Click output for headphones only or also for the
line output PHONES, ALL (PHONES+OUTPUT)
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Changing the tempo
1. Press [TEMPO].
2. Use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) or the jog wheel to change the click tempo.
3. Confirm with [ENTER] or wait three seconds to reactivate the originally set tempo.
6.7 Fader
The drum module offers six separate faders that can be used to directly adjust the volume of individual pads, the song, or the
click. The faders have double assignment. To change from one assignment to another, press [FADER]. The two control LEDs next
to the faders indicate which assignment is currently set.
Fader label Assignment 1 Assignment 2
[KICK] Kick drum –
[SNARE] Snare –
[TOM] Tom 1, 2, 3, 4 –
[HI-HAT] Hi-hat Drum module
[CRASH] Crash 1, 2 Accompaniment
[RIDE] Ride Click
6.8 Recording functions
This feature allows you to use the drum module for recording. You can record your own drum track with or without an accompa-
nying song. The recording can be stored in one of the two user songs as a MIDI file directly in the drum module or stored in an
MP3 file on a USB stick.
Recording preparation
1. Before recording, set the parameters as desired: Tempo, kit, emphasis on beats, beats per measure and song as accompani-
ment.
2. Press .
ðThe display shows ‘REC’ .
3. If no USB stick is connected, you can use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) to choose whether to save the recording as user song
1 or 2.
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Starting and stopping recording
1. When the unit is ready to record ‘REC’ ), press or play a pad.
From the ‘SONG’ and ‘KIT’ menus, you can switch to recording standby directly. To do so, just press .
ðAs long as the recording is running, the control LED of the button lights up, the display shows ‘RECORDING’.
2. To stop recording, press .
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6.9 Trigger settings
Adjusting trigger settings
The touch responsiveness can be adjusted to your needs and preferences by the settings of this menu.
1. Press [KIT].
ðThe display shows the kit list.
2. Press [MENU]. Use the arrow buttons ( / ) to select the option ‘TRIGGER’ and press [ENTER].
ðThe display shows the list of trigger parameters.
3. Use the arrow buttons ( / ) to select the parameter to be changed.
4. Strike the pad whose parameter you want to modify.
5.
For non-changeable parameters, the display shows ‘–’
Use the arrow buttons ([<] / [>]) or the jog wheel to change the parameter value. Please note the information in the table
below.
Operating
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Other Millenium Control Unit manuals