There seems to be a process that most new (or even potential) Eigenharp players go through that they find challenging and or upsetting. This is quite unfortunate and unnecessary. I hope this post helps.
The first thing is: Don't PANIC
This is a big purchase. You did your homework. You have a list of ways you want to use it in many applications. You've been told, yup, that is possible. Now you want to know how and you keep being frustrated. Don't PANIC
Here are some thoughts and suggestions that might make you much happier and let you have some fun.
First: Get the latest software.
It ships with the current stable software. Virtually every player uses the current testing version and many use the experimental versions. Download *only* the software not the resources. Loading them does not remove the older versions so, if you should have an issue just step back.
Second: set aside, for the moment, your goals...
....and explore what the Eigenharp does by itself and how it is controlled. This is fun, rewarding, and removes a layer of complexity so that you can focus on your goals later.
Third: Learn the instrument as a stand alone thing
There are two dimensions to this. Controlling the instrument, playing the instrument.
The booklet is a reference to the instrument while the video tutorials give initial "how to" information.
Watch the videos, read the booklet, work through the booklet trying each control overlay. You won't remember them all but you will know how to find them and those that you use will quickly become familiar.
Here is one reasonable progression to follow. These are *all* covered in the video tutorials:
A) The first thing you need to know is how to select the instrument to play... focus on that and then select the piano in split one and play it for a while. It will be set for C major so, if you want to use some sheet music find a couple of songs that you like in C with no accidentals. Here is a mapping of the keyboard in C major. Get comfortable with the key layout and, most importantly, the sensitivity of the keys. The piano is a good starting point because it is not sensitive to pitch and yaw.
B1) Second, work on changing the root and scale. This will give you many more songs to play and is great for just noodling and improvising. I'd suggest staying away from chromatic for a bit. The downside is you won't have access to accidentals. The upside is that you can't accidentally hit 'wrong' notes while improvising.
B2) Try some of the other pre-loaded sounds. Particularly the cello which is very responsive to control input. At the same time, explore some other splits and using multiple keygroups.
C1) Third, work on loading your own AUs and Soundfonts. You will find that many such instruments are designed with a keyboard in mind and they use all sorts of techniques to make the sound more variable and lifelike. On an Eigenharp, you can do this yourself using pitch, yaw, and pressure so be sure to try some sounds that you previously felt were static and flat. You will find them a good match.
C2) Try some stand-alone modules or HW synths. This will require you to set up a MIDI path and that will be specific to you system and the SW you choose to use. On a Mac I use MIDI Patchbay
D) Explore the drummer and try some looping. This is great fun and will give you some experience with playing on several smaller keygroups.
E) Work with a focus on chromatic settings. Try out the scripts to lite the root keys (they help a lot). Here is a chromatic keyboard mapping. I left this to last but this is a matter of personal choice. If you are a keyboard player you might be more interested in this than improvising in scales but one of the great powers of the instrument is improvising in scales and looping.
Personally, I'd do all the above without using stage initially. Stage is easy and quick but it takes you away from the instrument and your arrangement. It is great for making a setup but not so great for actually playing. So, if you start with the keyboard control mechanisms you will be all set to play in a way that might be a longer journey if you rely on stage.
Finally: Re focus on the goals you had in the first place. All the stuff above will be out of the way and you will be familiar in an overall way with the instrument
