MEMOTRON Rack OS v1.
Preface Many thanks for purchasing the Memotron Rack. The Memotron Rack enables you to reproduce the famous sound of the original instrument with highest authenticity. Thanks to latest digital technology, the Memotron Rack is easy to use and most reliable in every stage and studio situation. To become familiar with the Memotron Rack’s capabilities, we recommend you to take a break and study (and internalize...) this manual first.
Table of contents Introduction..........................................................................................................................1 About this manual............................................................................................................................. 1 Symbols used.............................................................................................................................. 1 Marking of parameters...................................................
Operation-System Update / Info-Page.............................................................................20 Appendix.............................................................................................................................21 Product-Support............................................................................................................................. 21 Technical data.......................................................................................................
Introduction Even if you are perfectly used to electronic instruments and studio equipment, it will be useful to read this manual entirely. It will help you to get the best out of your Memotron Rack in shortest time. About the Memotron Rack The Memotron Rack is an advanced sample playback based musical instrument to reproduce a famous, specific and genuine sound in highest audio quality. Thanks to its digital technology, it is most reliable and easy to use.
General safety instructions Please read the safety instructions below very carefully. They comprise some basic rules for the use of electronic devices. Please read all the notes before you start using the device. Suitable location • • • • • • Only operate the device in closed rooms. Never operate the device in humid environments such as bathrooms, washing rooms or swimming pools. Do not operate the device in extremely dusty or dirty environments. Ensure unhindered air supply to all sides of the device.
Controls & Connectors Front POWER: OUTPUT Phones: VOLUME: DATA: ESC: MEMORY CARD: Power switch Headphones-out Master-volume Encoder with click-function to edit menu-driven functions Exits the current menu-page, cancels a function Card slot for insertion of a Compact-Flash-memory-card Rear OUTPUT Left / Right: MIDI In: MIDI Thru: AC In: Stereo audio-out, Line-level, unbalanced. MIDI-Data input Data coming in on MIDI-In jack is transmitted to the MIDI-thru jack. Power supply socket Memotron Rack OS v1.
Setting Up Unpacking When unpacking, please check if all parts are included. If something should be incomplete, please contact your local Manikin Dealer immediately. The Memotron Rack box contains: • • • • • the Memotron Rack power cable this manual one memory card (compact flash) one CD-ROM packed with sounds We recommend to keep the original box for further transportation – or better – purchase a suitable rack-case. Installation We recommend installing it into a 19“rack as it only uses one height unit.
Basic Operation Power On Push the Power switch to switch on the Memotron Rack. The Memotron Rack will need some seconds to initialise and will then be ready for use. ! Attention – First power ON the Memotron Rack and secondly power ON your audio system in order to avoid a cracking noise. Power Off Push the Power switch to switch off Memotron Rack. ! Attention – First power OFF your audio system and secondly power OFF the Memotron Rack in order to avoid a cracking noise.
Menu-driven Functions All other functions of the Memotron Rack are controlled via the menu with the help of DISPLAY and DATA-knob.
The menu overview shows all menu-driven functions of the Memotron Rack. Memotron Rack OS v1.
Track-Menu As already mentioned, the Memotron Rack makes use of sample data to produce its sounds. To play them, these sounds have to be loaded into the internal memory of the Memotron Rack. Tracks contain all sound-data (samples) for a specific sound. The track menu provides functions to load tracks from the Compact-Flash-Card. Next to this, tracks can be saved to a memory card or, if desired, be deleted. Suitable Compact-Flash-Cards can be purchased at Manikin Electronic.
Save Tracks This function is useful to draw up your sound library independently from a computer. Tracks can be saved onto an inserted memory card. Please note that only sample data, not sound parameter and effect settings, are saved as a track. Sound parameters and effect settings have to be saved within a “multi”. Please refer to section “Save multis” on page 12. Before a track can be saved, it has to be loaded into the Memotron Rack's internal memory. Please refer to section “Load Tracks” on page 8.
Initialise Tracks This function is used to initialise the selected track. Sample-data and the corresponding track settings will be erased. Effect settings are not affected. Please select the track to initialise from the sound settings (A, B, C, .. F). Enter the track menu and select “Init Track” and the Init-menu opens up. Choose “No” or hit the ESC-button to cancel the function and jump back into the track menu. Choose “Yes” to initialise the selected track.
Multi Functions Multis can be used to access complete setups that are made up of up to six tracks and their corresponding parameter settings. The functions of the multi menu are "load", "save", "delete", and "initialise". In a multi only the track names and their position on the memory card are stored, not the sound data. This helps to store faster and saves the card’s space. Nevertheless the used tracks must be stored on the inserted memory card while you load a multi.
Saving Multis Use the DATA-knob to browse through the menu levels until you reach the "Sound Settings" page. Select "M:" and enter the multi menu. Selecting "Save Multi" allows you to enter a name for the multi in question. Turn the DATA-knob to select characters and numbers and push the DATA-knob to add them to the multi name. By using [BACKSPACE] you can delete the last character entered. When you are done, use [SAVE] to store the multi.
Initialise Multis This function will initialise a loaded multi from the Memotron Rack’s internal memory (RAM), that means all corresponding track parameters and effect settings will be erased or reset to their default values. After selecting "Init Multi", a warning message will pop up. Select "No" or push the ESC button to cancel the initialisation of the multi and return to the multi menu. Selecting "Yes" will execute the initialisation of the selected multi.
Storage Device Functions To change a memory card, the Memotron Rack’s necessary function can be accessed from the multi menu and the track menu. Changing the Memory Card This function will disconnect an inserted Flash Card from the Memotron Rack’s internal processor and mount a new one. First, enter the sound settings and select the multi (M:) or one of the tracks (A, B, C, .. F). From the multi or track menu respectively, please select "Change Card". You will be asked to insert a card.
Sound-Settings The sound settings contain multi and track names as well as various parameters with which you can tailor each track to your personal needs. The following parameters can be adjusted on each of the six tracks: Volume: 0 ... 127 volume of the track Attack: 0 ... 127 fast or slow attack-phase of the sound Release: 0 ... 127 fast or slow decaying sound after release of key Panorama: L64 ... C00 ...
Blending Tracks (Mix) Like with the Memotron Keyboard, the Memotron Rack offers the possibility to blend tracks. To control the blending effect you can use the mod-wheel of a master keyboard or the ABC-controller of a Memotron keyboard. While each track of a Memotron keyboard is assigned to a fixed mix position, you can define in which mod-wheel position each track of the Memotron Rack can be heard.
Effect-Setup The Memotron Rack features an easy to use Effect-Setup, which clearly increases its sonic capabilities, especially in a live-situation. The Effect-Setup offers 15 different effect-algorithms: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
MIDI Setup The MIDI-Setup controls all functions that are used to play the Memotron Rack from a suitable external MIDI-device (e.g. master-keyboard or a MIDI-sequencer such as the Manikin Schrittmacher). The following parameters can be edited: Parameter Range x_Channel 1 ...
Tracks Positioning Usually a track comprises 35 sounds that can be played in the range from ”G 3“ to “F 6“. In the Midi settings each track can be positioned by means of the parameter ”Place“ while its tonal range can be restricted by the parameters “First“ and “Last“. With “Place“ you can define the first key on the keyboard where the first sound of a track can be heard, while “First“ defines the lowest and “Last“ the highest audible sound of a track.
Operation-System Update / Info-Page Manikin Electronic permanently improves its products and tries, where ever possible, to implement features based on suggestions and ideas of musicians. To keep the Memotron Rack on its latest technical level, Manikin Electronic will launch operationsystem updates from time to time. These updates can easily be installed from the memory card. The procedure is close to simply loading a track (see chapter ”Load Tracks”, page 8).
Appendix Product-Support If you would like to ask any questions concerning your Manikin Electronic-Product, there are four ways to contact us: 1. Send us an email. support@manikin-electronic.com 2. Send us a telefax. +49 (0) 30 – 63 49 49 51 3. Send us a letter. Manikin Electronic Lipaer Straße 5 D-12203 Berlin Germany 4. In very urgent cases, please call us. +49 (0) 30 – 63 49 49 50 Memotron Rack OS v1.
Technical data Power Supply Nominal voltage Maximum power consumption Connector : : : AC 100V - 240V / 50Hz - 60Hz 12W Standard IEC-Type Connections MIDI Line Out Headphones : : : In and Thru Left, right (1/4” Plug, mono) Output (1/4“ Plug) Dimensions and weight Dimensions (width / height / depth) : Overall weight : 483 mm x 44 mm x 265 mm 19” x 1,75" x 10,5” 2,5 kg 4,2 lbs Disposal This device has been manufactured RoHS-conforming in compliance with the requirements of the European parliament an
CE This product has been tested and found to comply with the following Harmonised European Standards: EN 55013: 2003, CENELEC EN 55020: 2003, EN61000-3-2: 2000 and EN 61000-3-3: 1995 + corr. 1998 FCC Information (U.S.A.) 1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY THIS UNIT! This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this Manual, meets FCC requirements. Modifications not expressly approved by Manikin Electronic may void your authority, granted by the FCC, to use this product. 2.
MIDI Implementation Chart Model: Memotron Rack Function ...
Glossary Aftertouch Most modern MIDI keyboards can generate Aftertouch messages. If you press down on a key while it is already playing on such a keyboard, this aftertouch generates MIDI messages. This can be used to add an expressive volume swell to the sound character (e.g. vibrato). CD-ROM Removable ”Read Only Memory” data storage device. Compact Flash Card Removable, read- and writable data storage device. Keeps data permanently.
there was no standard for linking several sound generators and so MIDI was a considerable improvement. From then on it became possible to link all devices using easy and always identical connection cables. The basic steps are: A transmitter is always connected with one or several receivers. If, for example, a computer is to play a synthesizer the computer is the transmitter and the synthesizer the receiver.
System Exclusive data System Exclusive data represent the access to the innermost part of a MIDI device. They enable access to data and functions which are not represented by any other MIDI messages. ”Exclusive“ also means that the data indicated here only apply to one single type of device. Each device has its own System Exclusive data. The most frequent applications for this data type are the transmission of complete memory contents as well as the complete device control by means of a computer.
