Pearl Malletstation EM1 Review

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#Marimbalogy #Musiciannottechnician #Malletstation

[@Marimbalogy]

Happy New Year! Hope you like the review. If you have any questions about the Malletstation, comment below!

[@MichalBobak259]

Hello. I want buy midi controller from pearl. Is it worth? What i have to buy to easy play on malletstation?

[@Marimbalogy]

@@MichalBobak259 Hello. I would not recommend it at this time. (until they fix the issues) You also need a computer with a daw or mainstage with sounds. You can use an ipad and something like sampletank also.

[@Cube-sb9tp]

@@MichalBobak259 they fixed it now

[@KeenMixer]

I recently bought one of these and initially had the same issues with uneven velocities. I just installed the firmware update and ran through the bar regulation set up and it's been working great.

[@Marimbalogy]

Good to hear! I sold mine, so I don't have experience with the update.

[@kargocult]

Thank you !! This is information I really needed before I make a choice.

[@theglockenspiel]

I’m so glad you’re back!

[@ahuman4013]

Still less expensive than an iPhone

[@AndrewTimosca]

It does less than an iPhone too...

[@jack-yn1wt]

@@AndrewTimosca bruh

[@thebayoudiaries8389]

Wow! Very good video. This is the first video I’ve seen on your channel. And you killed it! Subscribed.

[@Marimbalogy]

Thanks!

[@christopherg9806]

I'm really happy you demonstrated the failure of the drum roll, as I momentarily wondered if I could replace my electronic kit at church with a Malletstation to give me more versatility to do both drum set AND tuned percussion ability. Hopefully, improvements to the device will permit this in the future. So thank you for this fair and balanced review. I also LOVED the La Villa riff. "One of us. One of us. One of us..."

[@TimCollinsVibes]

Nice review! Heard "La Villa Strangiato" right away... hehe

[@PecktheTownCrierVideos]

Informative review, thank you!

[@jlclaybourne_drums]

Thank you so much for your honest review 🙏🏽

[@jukeboxfandango]

Terrific review, well done. Lots of detail

[@Marimbalogy]

Thank you kindly!

[@peteralexander3084]

Thanks! Velocity sensitivity is the sole reason we play percussion instrument in the first place, no? Thanks for the heads up! And, yes, you are right; the malletstation could be awesome if it had fully-developed velocity control AND if were not as boxy sounding when it's not plugged in.

[@RichFongheiser]

Thank you, so much! This was very helpful.

[@SalimSivaad]

Pearl supposedly addressed the velocity issue in a firmware update that now includes a velocity calibration protocol. This video was the first (I think) to address the inconsistent velocity issue of the Malletstation (Alternate Mode quickly made their own to show the MalletKat has no such issue). Perhaps you should write Pearl and offer to reevaluate their “fix”...that would be a great follow up to this video. You could ask them to let you send a unit (I know you said you took yours back to the store) with no strings attached re: your review. It would be in their favor to say yes, because even though I *REALLY* wanted a Malletstation (you can’t beat the price...hint, hint Alternate Mode), your honest review definitely kept me from pulling the trigger on a major investment.

[@pleggli]

I have one of those qunexus keyboards. I hade to return 2 of the directly because even with manual per key calibration in the qunexus editor it was impossible to make all keys have equal velocity and pressure response. I decided to keep the third one even if a couple of the keys also wasn't possible to configure for full range. A few years down the line the functionality has deteriorated a lot and I had to stop using it. I have tried to take it apart and clean the pcb and stuff but it just won't trigger on an even minimum velocity anymore. I would personally not trust KMMs sensor technology at all based on my own experience.

[@brianetheredge7323]

I'm looking at all 3 of these instruments (Xylosynth, malletKAT and malletSTATION) to beef up my home studio, and you saved me a grand here...that inconsistency issue is a definite show-stopper. Many thanks for the review!

[@Marimbalogy]

No prob! I've seen reports on the facebook page that there was a recent firmware update that may have helped. I don't have mine anymore so i can't test it out.

[@junkyardlotus812]

welcome back!

[@maorero]

thank you very much, Very helpful!!

[@aquahbeale3289]

Thank you for your Pearl Malletstation review. I am experiencing the same key volume issues you described. Plus I find when playing chords or double stops, not all the notes trigger. When I contacted Pearl, they advised to edit the notes individually (ugg) and to update my software. Well they haven't released any software updates yet. Again, thanks for your videos. Thay are very helpful and informative.

[@Marimbalogy]

Sorry to hear that! I spent a good long time with the editor and just about any problem I fixed with it introduced new problems. Hope you have better luck!

[@keithcrupi9572]

Fantastic review

[@tikidrummerpoi]

You got a like from me strictly because of the “La Villa Strangiato” example...

[@Marimbalogy]

Rip Neil ;(

[@KeenMixer]

I'd be curious to hear if the latest firmware update has resolved the issues seen here.

[@charalmi]

Trémolo como funciona? En el segundo golpe se apaga la anterior?

[@AlexDD]

thanks for the hint!

[@99beatmonster]

great review.

[@AscensionX-uq1mk]

Great review!! Can you do one on the TRAPKAT (the full version with all the sounds etc...) I've been eyeballing that for awhile now, but had the same feeling about it as what you just said about the Malletstation... that it wasn't fully developed yet. They don't even seem to be pushing it that hard... seems like the majority of their focus is on the Malletstation, and that the Trapkat has been pushed to the side. .. Thx :-)

[@Marimbalogy]

If I can get my hands on one!

[@abelmank]

Great video and thank you for the review!! I’m thinking about purchasing this for my jazz playing. My college is usually using our vibraphone at most available times of the day and does not have an extra vibe for me to practice on, so I’m considering this as an alternative to buying a real vibraphone. This would be for practicing and performing gigs Would you recommend? I know you said it wouldn’t be so great for expressive playing but maybe jazz has a different handle.?

[@Marimbalogy]

Honestly, for the price and what you're doing, you may have better luck getting a decent used vibraphone. Because you're going to not only need the malletstation, but a laptop with sounds, and a power amp and monitor set up so you can hear yourself. Once you buy all that, you're in the price range of a used viba or a cheaper student model.

[@rhysmusic1595]

Have you done a new review since the Firmware Update??

[@ramonkey2939]

Awesome video

[@eddysmusic8884]

Hi! I have EXACTLY the same problems, thanks for your video!

[@Marimbalogy]

Do you know if the recent firmware made this problem any better? I don't have mine anymore to test.

[@eddysmusic8884]

Marimbalogy unfortunately it doesn’t. the dampening is still not working properly, pad sensitivity isn’t solved and new a have some spontaneous triggering happening (without touching the em-1) 😡

[@Marimbalogy]

@@eddysmusic8884 I know they were taking the returned ones to study and try to figure out what the problem is. Hopefully they can come up with something because I think the instrument could be really amazing!

[@eddysmusic8884]

Marimbalogy definitely agree on that! i have this problems dropped directly at pearl europe and had some emails with pearl usa for a while .. no solutions until now tough they actually not even admit this problems

[@KevinLovelady]

Heh Charlie. Thanks for this! I'm looking at midi tuned percussion and a friend is building me a bespoke set and we're going to use the MegaDrum trigger module. I'm interested in what mallets you were using on this demo - presumably something pretty soft. I have some vibe mallets which I think will be too hard as I'd like to keep the "knocking" to a minimum.

[@Marimbalogy]

Soft mallets like LS0 or the "late night" mallets would produce less thud!

[@KermodeBear]

Thanks for the review. I saw this product somewhere and wanted more information. The lack of dampening is a huge disappointment - thanks for saving me the cash!

[@dkporter5]

Also, how does the playing surface rebound compare to a real marimba/vibes? last time I played a malletKat it was a little too bouncy for my taste...from what I can glean off the video the EM1 seems to be more natural feeling, but that is pure conjecture.

[@Marimbalogy]

It feels like hitting a practice pad with mallets. It's not as spongy as the MalletKAT.

[@JanErichsonDrums]

Thanks for the review, I wanted to buy one .... but now I am not ... i will wait a while. Tanks man

[@hanskerkhoff1770]

Great test. Do you mind if I would put the video on my website? Btw What is the idea behind the shell (?) on 4.37?

[@Marimbalogy]

Sure you can put it on your site. Some people call a missed note a "Clam" so I put a picture of one in there because I didn't press the pedal in time and it sounded clunky.

[@photonjiagu]

Results are similar to my experience with the Linnstrument.

[@rainaliao8513]

love the new intro

[@Marimbalogy]

Thanks! Took me awhile to find something that didn’t distort on mobile speakers!

[@Lkease]

I'm currently 3/4ths of the way through my freshman year of college and it becomes increasingly more evident that I need a way to practice at home during breaks, plus I am booking gigs with a couple local high schools playing percussion books for their musicals. I'm currently playing a production of Into the Woods, where there's usually just a couple of bars of mallet instruments, plus I also need instruments like an electronic drum kit for one chart and timpani for another. Obviously it's pretty difficult to fit all those instruments together and I'm considering bringing in a midi keyboard and running patches through my laptop. It'd be way easier if I simply had a Malletstation (or malletkat even) and then having a trap table full of the aux perc instruments i need rather than a gigantic set. Since I'd be using this for practicing at home and musicals, I don't think the midi inconsistencies would be that big of a deal I wouldn't buy an instrument for 1 gig, I would definitely be using this all the time at home and at other musicals, and maybe I could use it while jamming with friends instead of bringing a whole vibraphone over. Thoughts on that? Would it still be worth getting, or is it actually such an issue that I shouldn't bother?

[@Marimbalogy]

I think it could be good for your case. I also heard they are working on a fix.

[@spoon1310]

Hi I am from the Bahamas, and I am interested in buying one.

[@aceln7475]

Have you the time to do a retest of this instrument as of 2023,the video is now 4 years old and I assume the product has evolved a bit since then. It’s just this review is quite damming and it might be time to revisit it.

[@Marimbalogy]

I returned mine because I was so unhappy with it. It's received a couple of software updates, but the mechanical issues persist, mainly the velocity problem. If you need consistent velocities, I would either get a Malletkat or wait for version 2 of the malletstation. If you just need to trigger basic samples, it's good.

[@Depl0rable10]

So I was considering buying one of these for practicing at home (beginner level and the only instrument I have access to is a xylo at school but not during the summer) and I really want to be able to practice more, what would you recommend that I do?

[@Marimbalogy]

What is your budget like? This mallet station requires a computer, tablet, or smart phone to make sound. There are some fairly inexpensive practice instruments like this xylophone www.steveweissmusic.com/product/adams-academy-xylophone/xylophone . You could also go with a cheaper marimba www.steveweissmusic.com/product/adams-3-octave-soloist-padouk-marimba/marimba

[@felixkmgalanti9064]

I have notice that wth hitting my EM1 pads/bars wth no matter how mellow of a mallet, everytime I strike a key it makes such a thumping sound that drives me nuts, and it cannot be my Stand I do not believe as I have the very best poss. If anyone here has the same issue, can you tell me what you use to quiet the racket? If anyone here has a Malletkat, can you tell me if there is any differ?

[@Marimbalogy]

If you put it on a hard surface like a table it will be less. If you have it on a piano stand, you're going to get a lot of resonance like a drum.

[@dkporter5]

Have you reached out to Pearl to see if they have any information regarding the midi velocity inconsistencies you found? I would pick this thing up if it was clear that it is a software and not hardware issue.

[@Marimbalogy]

I have but haven't heard anything back besides setting per bar gain.

[@dkporter5]

@@Marimbalogy just found this product demo from a year ago with a prototype version where the velocity differences don't appear to be as dramatic as the one in your video...what is your take on that? facebook.com/steveweissmusic/videos/10155565889540861/?t=64

[@Marimbalogy]

@@dkporter5 Well he doesn't play very much so it's hard to tell. I played every note piano and every note forte and there were massive differences.

[@CMartinTeach]

@@Marimbalogy Nice demo! Thanks. In this other PASIC demo he doesn't seem to have any issues with the bar damp feature. Did you ask Pearl about that or just the sensitivity/velocity input?

[@Marimbalogy]

@@CMartinTeach I did the test awhile ago, it's possible I didn't have the VST set up correctly for dampening.

[@lesterfalcon1350]

Aftertouch is part of a the same keypress. So I'd expect you need to strike and hold the note down. Not strike. release and the press again, which it will read as a second strike. *SonicCouture btw, rather than SonicCulture

[@AntonyCube98]

Nice video! What about the sustain pedal for the vibraphone sound? Is it included?

[@Marimbalogy]

It is not included. I happened to have a MIDI pedal from my midi piano.

[@AntonyCube98]

Thank you very much for the answer! :)

[@dkporter5]

do we know if any of the velocity issues mentioned in this video have been corrected with software or hardware updates by pearl?

[@Marimbalogy]

I don’t think the velocity issues have been addressed. There are a number of people online saying theirs is “fine” but they aren’t actually measuring the data coming out of the thing and they are using very simple samplers and VST’s. I’ve tested 4 of these and they all had the issue. I don’t have mine anymore so I don’t know if a firmware update improved the situation.

[@gabrielpearson]

Marimbalogy the firmware update DID NOT fix the issue. If one wishes to use anything more than the most basic sample pack, this thing is dog shit. I say that as I sit here looking angrily at it.

[@dkatwood]

Hi, Marimbalogy. Great video. We are having the exact same issues that you are. Have you heard any more from Pearl about whether this is a hardware or software issue? I love the overall design of the unit and the fact that it is supposed to be plug-and-play -- I really don't want to get into adjusting gain and all of that (should come from the factory dialed in and ready to play). I'm calling the seller tomorrow to discuss replacing or returning this unit...

[@Marimbalogy]

They sent me a nice email with a bunch of suggestions that I've already tried. I sent them as much data as I could. I returned mine to their headquarters so we'll see what they come up with.

[@dkatwood]

Thanks for the speedy reply, Marimbalogy! I just tried a factory reset followed by a firmware update through the editor software and no luck. I was excited to see a firmware update and hoped it would solve the problem. However, I was disappointed when that didn't remedy the problems -- it points to a hardware problem (which is a bigger issue). Bummer. Also, the unit has recently started not connecting consistently to our (new) MacBook Pro (switching USB ports seems to solve that one) recently. One more question, did Pearl send you a replacement unit? I'm considering asking the seller to send me a replacement to see if the first one was just a bad build.

[@Marimbalogy]

@@dkatwood I tired 3 units, then gave up. Returned mine.

[@dkatwood]

Yikes, I just read that in your posts on the MS User Facebook page. Three units. That's disappointing. I really want to love this thing, but the velocity inconsistencies are all I can hear now. I'll see how Matt responds to my posts on FB, but I think the unit is going back based on what I've read from you and other users. Thank you very much for the quick replies.

[@joshvadas5500]

I NEED the music to that Green Hill Zone arrangement! Please!

[@Marimbalogy]

It's currently a Logic file. I'm working on reducing it to a duet.

[@joshvadas5500]

@@Marimbalogy Oh, alrighty. If you're OK for it, I could grab a MIDI, arrange it for 3-4 players in Musescore and shoot it back to you....? No promises on time frame though; just a hobbyist.

[@Marimbalogy]

@@joshvadas5500 Sure! Send me an email.

[@JJStylies]

I had a weird issue triggering notes at the same time, often not registering for some reason Dont know if that's on my end or not though.

[@Marimbalogy]

If I hit the board at full stick height, it would sometimes trigger more than one note. I did occasionally have notes not fire as well!

[@michaela71]

SnizzleMcSquizzleShizzle The EM1 can have crosstalk issues with very hard strokes. This can be corrected by lowering the crosstalk number in the general preference pane in the editor. Also, you don’t have to hit the instrument hard. Tone is not affected by how hard you hit the instrument or by what you use to strike the bars.

[@TexasEdition]

Another like for the La Villia riff

[@Marimbalogy]

Rip Niel.

[@adjesbr]

I recognized la villa strangiato´s sounds, while he is checking the sounds...Peart still rules...:)

[@dr.p3637]

Amen brother, "A Lerxst in Wonderland..."

[@michalmachac680]

Does anyone know how to retune the Malletstation to 432Hz? In what program does it work? Thank you.

[@Marimbalogy]

The malletstation isn't in a particular key, but the DAW or sampler that it's plugged into is. I would start there.

[@michalmachac680]

Okay. Thank you! But does anyone know of a paid program for the MacBook that can change the frequency of the input MIDI instrument from 440Hz to 432Hz?

[@wholesalemonkeyfarm]

Good vid! Found you off link in AM's latest newsletter/email...Here's my $.02... Like all KMI stuff, the software & on device mapping & setup kinda sucks. But it's just midi, so there's tons o VST's and utilities to allow more complex mappings. My bottom line is this is the cheapest midi performance controller when you based it on $/shit-to-hit ratio per square foot... Short of banging on a LaunchPad with sticks... Which is "not recommended" (tm)... It's not perfect, but it's "worth" $999 in my opinion... Just another data point...

[@Marimbalogy]

Thanks! I think in it's current form it functions fine as a basic midi controller, but until the velocity gets figured out, it does NOT work well for playing mallet samples.

[@hansjckerkhoff]

I own both of them, MalletKAT and Malletstation, and there are a couple of solutions to the items you mentioned. But on the other hand there are a few problems you didn't mention too. The biggest one is that Pearl doesn't react on any of my questions.

[@Marimbalogy]

Omg I did t see that ending coming ;)

[@hansjckerkhoff]

@@Marimbalogy BTW. I shared your video on my website. Is that alright with you?

[@Marimbalogy]

Sure!

[@michaela71]

I’m not sure what’s going on with the dampening. I haven’t had a problem with that feature on mine. I can even reliably dampen with my fingers as well as with the mallet. It does rely on the pedal being down and works with sounds that have a short release curve. It sounds like you were using a vibe sound that had a long release time. As for the different bar sensitivity that does seem like an issue with your model. There is a difference in reliably striking a bar with a stick at the same velocity from stroke to stroke and pressing a key on a keyboard. There was a video on the Alternate Mode site comparing velocity curves. Even on the MalletKat the player had varying velocities when playing at different volumes on a single bar. The MalletKat in their test did have a broader velocity curve than the EM1 though not sure if they tried different velocity curves. From an auditory perspective your first scale didn’t have much perceptible difference from bar to bar.

[@Marimbalogy]

You can hit two keys the exact same and one will give a velocity of 30 and the other 72. That is HUGE. I expect some small inconsistencies with stroke etc, but that is just too much. Also an important note is that several bars on the malletstation would not come anywhere close to 127 velocity unless I cranked up the sensitivity so far that it would not play quiet anymore. You can see from the MalletKAT comparison video that theirs goes from 1-127 with ease while the malletstation does not. They note this in their tests. I tried 3 different Malletstations and they all had the exact same issues with bar inconsistencies.

[@michaela71]

Marimbalogy I still feel like more could have been done to “dial in” the per bar gain. What about mallet dampening? While it is something you have to feel out on the instrument, in the same way you won’t have half-pedaling with a binary sustain pedal switch, I haven’t experienced it just not working as you demonstrated, nor have I heard any other reports of it. It is dependent on a sound not having a long release time, such as how the glockenspiel or tubular bells are programmed by default in the ESX24 Mainstage sampler.

[@Marimbalogy]

@@michaela71 How do you calibrate your bars? I hit each note at my max volume and many didn't hit close to 127, so I slowly adjusted the bar gain until it got to at least 120. Problem was, the bar would then not play soft anymore. As far as dampening, I was using Kontakt 6 with the Vibraphone VST from Sonicoulture. It supports dampening though. It would work sometimes but not always.

[@michaela71]

I'm not sure with your unit. I have a few bars that are not as sensitive, and some that were too sensitive and had crosstalk problems. But the issue was cured with bringing the ones that weren't sensitive by adjusting the gain to about 1.65, and the ones that were over sensitive to 0.35. I'm not using anything to measure velocity, just my ears. The dampening issue again I'm not sure. There is a dampening setting in the EM1 editor, and there is a bit of correlation between this and velocity sensitivity with the device knowing the difference between a dampen and a regular stroke. Your extended example seemed like you were using a patch that had a long release time and not having the pedal down, like a glockenspiel patch. Dampening only works with patches that have a long sustain but short release time, like piano or vibes with pedal up.

[@cxrecords9934]

what do you recommend for a midi mallet controller?

[@Marimbalogy]

What are you using it for?

[@BenjaminMeunier]

Hello, does anyone knows if à firmware fixed the sensor unreliable sensibility issue ?

[@Marimbalogy]

Many people have reported that they are happy with the most recent update, but no one has posted any actual data to show that all the bars can reach 127 velocity and low levels of velocity evenly. I’d test it but I returned mine!

[@BenjaminMeunier]

@@Marimbalogy thnaks for your answer. M'y concerns are almost about the strokes values irregularities you shown in the vidéo. A lack of midi dynamics is somehow à good thing (in some situations :-) (i speak usually french)

[@whalienxd5219]

i really want to get one but is so dang expensive! i really wanna get one so i can practice for drum corps at home. the only things that’s holding me back is the price :(

[@whalienxd5219]

i’m not really worried about the dampening, velocity and dynamics really because i have a friend with an actual vibraphone, it’s just to practice and better my skills with sitereading, hand technique, and note accuracy.

[@mumbolina]

La Villa Strangiato!!

[@photo-m]

Did you test the MalletKat?

[@Marimbalogy]

I was talking with a rep about them possibly sending me one, I'm waiting to hear back :) I played on one at PASIC years ago.

[@lokologico]

Will you review a MalletKat? :)

[@Marimbalogy]

I'd like to, but I have no way of getting one currently. Unless someone sends me one :)

[@lokologico]

@@Marimbalogy honestly, I have one gathering dust. I am contemplating selling it on reverb or ebay... however I'm all the way in Canada.

[@ryanpritchard6956]

Sensitivity problems have been fixed with the latest firmware update

[@Marimbalogy]

Thanks for the reply. I’ve yet to see someone do the calibration thing and actually measure if they can get a velocity of 127 on every key afterward. I returned mine so I can’t test it out! Have you measured this?

[@mattfack17]

In addition to what Marimbalogy is asking, I still fear that the dampening problem is still there?

[@Cube-sb9tp]

The person who hit dislike thought it said dis I like

[@Paddymysterio1]

on a Vibraphone you use a Pedal to end the Tone

[@masterlionheart]

Well, I' guess I'll keep saving for a MalletKat, and continue with my midi keyboard for now for writing purposes, but I feel I write better stuff playing mallet instruments.

[@Marimbalogy]

I noticed that the mallet kat has a sub 2000 dollar model now. bit.ly/2s2aG5C

[@Centttttt60]

If you want something with a bit more intuitive controls and wooden bars, but less features you could check out the Xylosynth www.wernick.net/. I got myself a 5 octave one. However I am still a beginner. You can check my channel for videos or look online (maybe for the band ONI if you are into metal like me ^^) if you want so see it in action ;-).

[@TheAyotteMan]

I just returned my mallekat Grand 8 last week (had it 2 weeks). Unfortunately, I was having technical issues and I couldn't get a hold of anybody that seemed to understand the technical aspects of the instrument. The only one that is knowledgeable is the owner and he's too damn hard to get ahold of. So basically, their service was a big let down...

[@Centttttt60]

@@TheAyotteMan I had contacted both Wernick (Xylosynth) and Alternate Mode (MalletKAT) - initially I was planning on getting a MalletKAT, due to the lower price - and Wernick was waaaaay quicker with their response. Also after I had gotten the instrument, Wernick were quick to help out, when I needed something. 👍 Edit: Obviously I am a bit biased now, but at this point I have gotten so used to the look and feel of the wooden bars that I wouldn't want to trade it for anything else (that has rubber/synthetic bars), haha 😉

[@Marimbalogy]

@@Centttttt60 How do the features and playability compare with the malletkat?

[@Kaledrums]

Some La Villa Strangiato eh?

[@Marimbalogy]

The GOAT

[@jasonreeve5012]

Just got a malletstation and sent it back. Some of the bars don’t work at all out the box. This is despite firmware updates and using the editing software. Terrible quality. Unusable.

[@Marimbalogy]

sad to hear!

[@felixkmgalanti9064]

"Some general feedback from the information in the review. My impression is that this is the first mallet keyboard MIDI controller that the reviewer has played on. He assumed that mallet MIDI controllers are "plug and play" devices. They are not. Comparing it to the sound and feel of an acoustic instrument generated the same response we would get from a pianist who had never played an electronic keyboard being asked their opinion after playing one for the first time. "it doesn't feel or sound exactly the same and there are things I can do on the acoustic instrument that I can't do on the controller..." He makes no effort to adjust anything other than a quick run through key velocity settings and then continues to use mallets that are too soft for the instrument. He then complains that there is simply too much tweaking needed to make it work. (I would LOVE to see him unbox a malletKat, plug it in, and start playing!). The point is that all of the mallet keyboard controller options currently available take some setup and tweaking to be friendly to each individual player, all of them. This is not a whole lot different than electronic drum sets. Different playing styles and feels must be accounted for in the software setup. The MalletStation certainly does have some firmware issues that need to be resolved and he correctly points out that it is not a hardware issue. In the meantime, in almost all cases other than a defective instrument, which Pearl replaces in a heartbeat, there are adjustments that can be made. Bottom line, there is currently no other controller at anywhere near the price point that does anything close to what the MalletStation does. The vast majority of the "problems" users report are corrected with editing functions already in the software. At the same time, it ain't perfect. If you demand perfection from your controller, you don't have any options. The closest you can get is to pay over twice as much and spend six months to a year learning to tweak that controller to your liking, or simply get the vibeKat and limit yourself to the internal sounds while adjusting your playing methods to the instrument rather than the other way around. If you want to be able to access pretty much any sound you wish from a mallet keyboard controller and don't mind doing the change and adjust work on a laptop stationed next to you, invest $1,000 and a few weeks of your time setting up a MalletStation to your liking. If you wish to do the same thing but want additional control and tweaking of your setup, on the fly, directly from the keyboard, invest $2,300 (or more if you wish) on a malletKat product. If you are looking for a mallet MIDI controller to replace your acoustic instrument for solo recitals...save your money, none of them come close."

[@Marimbalogy]

Look, I like the price point. But that can't be used as an excuse for basic functionality that isn't working. For reference, I've taught computer music for a number of years and I have a lot of experience with midi devices. I tried using multiple sticks and mallets on the instrument and the ones I used in the video were the ones that worked the best. The biggest issue that could not be fixed, no matter what setting was adjusted is the velocity problem. You CAN NOT get all the bars to output a max velocity without sacrificing their ability to play soft equally as well. I did much more than just "a quick flyby of velocity" I tried many of the curves, sensitivity, scaling, crosstalk, and velocity on a per note basis. I changed every possible setting in the software that could be changed. Nothing fixed the problem. Many other people are having these issues as well as you can see from the facebook group page. So like I said, it's a great price point, but for 1000 dollars, it better have an equal midi response to my 100 dollar midi piano which can play notes with a 127 velocity if I hit it hard enough.

[@onventwithurmomp2200]

Shit vibraphone. Thanks for saving people a grand. Good review.

[@JohnJohn-ir5hw]

Hi, Charlie. At 4:26 you really berate yourself. You shouldn't. Be positive. Learn to play a smooth buzz on the Malletstation. Then, you'll actually be able to play a smooth buzz on the snare drum.

[@KhanflomahInstrumentals]

Your keyboardist can do this with a free VST at this point... this is an over priced idiot box

[@Marimbalogy]

I've seen this used to great effect with vibraphone players who want to trigger sounds with their mallets back and forth with their instrument. I think "idiotbox" is a silly and unnecessary insult. Some people will find use for this, some people would be better served with a midi keyboard.

[@KhanflomahInstrumentals]

how many of these stupid things do they sell at a whopping 1200 and up? its literally a bunch of samples, on a controller that doesnt do an EIGHTH of what a normal keyboard controller can do. they saw that a real marimba costs thousands, so they figure, "well we will just make OURS 1200 bucks then" well hello? KONTAKT should charge 1000 dollars for ALL Steinway VSTs, since a REAL piano if far far more. And lets not forget Drum VSTs.. thats a lot of drum kids.. So they should be about 12k since you get all those acoustic sets. THIS can fail with a power surge, or a spilled cup of coffee. ITS NOT a marimba. PRICE IT AS WHAT IT IS... a one trick pony controller..