Matryoshka has two buttons to control the speeds/functions. These are actually a little hard to see until you look closely. Directly under the buttons is a raised "RS" symbol. These things can also be felt when you run your fingers across them. They are located right under the neck and at the beginning of the wide base. Basically, the buttons are in the mid-section of Matryoshka. For me, they're convenient enough. I haven't had trouble changing them or using them, but when I want to change speeds, I have to take the toy away from my body and look closely at them. If you're eyes are bad, you may struggle just a bit.
Before I go on, I want to say something important. Do NOT use Matryoshka anally! I haven't ever used anal toys so I know little about it, however, I do know that Matryoshka's flared base is not going to keep it from going all the way inside! I wanted to say that is because it was brought up just a while ago. Someone said that it'd be good for anal. It is NOT an anal toy and if you're looking for that then I suggest purchasing a toy intended for that purpose. In the user manual, it says to never try Matryoshka anally! Now, back to business...
WORKING THE BUTTONS
When Matryoshka arrives, it's set in travel lock mode. To turn it on you need to hold down both buttons for longer than 5 seconds and it'll unlock. The LED light will light up and it'll start working. To lock it back, hold down both buttons for 5 seconds. At times I've had to hold down longer than that in order for it to lock. This locking feature means you're safe to travel with Matryoshka without it turning on by accident. It also ensures that curious fingers don't turn it on. This is a good feature for those of us with small children, but adults may be able to figure that part out.
When charging for the first time you, let it charge for 8 hours. Afterwards, charge time will require two hours and Matryoshka will run for 2 hours. I may have timed it wrong, but I was sure I had it running for a good extra 30 minutes the other day.
To turn Matryoshka on, press either of the two buttons. It has an LED light that looks red or pink and it'll light up when it's turned on and it blinks while charging.
To turn it off press down either button. The manual says to press either button "continuously." We assumed that meant over and over, rather than holding down. We tried everything and it would not turn off. It was stuck in ON mode! Finally I placed it back on the charger in order to turn it off. That was the only way it would turn off for the entire day! Later the next day, I tried turning it off and pressed the button "continuously." That didn't work so I did what I did the last time and held one button down *constantly* for 5 seconds. That turned it off. The manual should have said hold the button down, not continuously press the button! Either way, it was a bit finicky the first time and holding it down or holding them both down or even pressing continuously, it wouldn't turn off until put on the charger. If this happens, remember to put it on the charger to turn it off.
SETTINGS
Matryoshka has 5 different settings. Press the second button to change the intensity levels. Using that button will make the intensity levels go up and down.
Use the top button to change the vibrations from a constant vibration to a "wave" pattern, and then to the 3 different pulses. The "wave" pattern can also be described as escalating. No matter which vibration I choose, they're all strong, but pulses do little for me. The escalating was interesting, but wouldn't get me there completely. If you enjoy pusling and escalating then I believe you'll enjoy Matryoshka's version of these very much.
The vibrations are the strongest that I own. I don't require extreme power, but to actually orgasm, require specific vibrations and a decent strength. Buzzy, high pitched vibrations get me nowhere. Deep and rumbly are often too muted to excite me and many slicone vibrators are too muffled by the silicone for me to feel them. Example: Snuggle Puss and Cleo! I'm always hesitant about buying expensive silicone due to that, but I was able to breathe better when I felt the vibrations of Matryoshka. Nothing's muted or too rumbly. It's the most pleasurable out of my collection. The vibrations are penetrative and the closest thing they resemble is Cleo only this is much stronger. It's stronger than it looks! They feel so strange! It's so penetrative and strong that I can feel them in my thighs while the toy is on my crotch! Using the strongest settings enable me to feel them all over my crotch and booty. I've noticed it feels like the vibrations are felt in my head sometimes. I've no idea how to explain how that is. It's not intense, but I notice them throughout my body. When It's on my crotch and my partner touches my legs, he can feel the vibrations in my legs!
I'm pretty sure the motor is located in the tip. I'd hoped the base would be as strong too, but I can barely feel most of the vibrations in the base when it's on my crotch. However, holding it by the base causes my hands to be numb. Thankfully though, it doesn't numb my precious bits! That's a huge plus since my partner likes to perform oral after we play with a vibrator and it's annoying when I'm all numb from the vibrations. We're able to use Matryoshka for long periods of time and then go directly into oral sex without me being numb! I'll talk more about how Matryoshka performs during oral sex later.
One more thing that I love about Matryoshka; it's absolutely whisper-quiet! The vibrations feel loud so I was shocked at how quiet it is! While my partner and I are on the bed and I'm holding it, he can't tell it's on. This would be the perfect clitoral vibrator for dorm girls. When I place my finger on the neck or base, the noise changes! It sounds strange and I suppose it's due to the tiny size. The vibrations don't change when I apply pressure, but the sound does.
Matryoshka is the quickest for getting me "there." Besides a dual-action vibrator, this takes no time and I'm there. Many times, it'll be too intense for direct clitoral stimulation.