Playing Bass with Marbles - Testing 3 New Ideas

[@Wintergatan]

Sometimes my thumbnails feels like those AI commercials for the Willy Wonka Experience

[@MicheleeiRettili]

ahahahah noooo martin 🤣🤣🤣

[@jaysoneway]

It can always get more Willy Wonka or Dr. Seuss. I used to be in a junk band. Each instrument had to be 25$ or less and completely DIY. We had a bedframe upright kit, 5 galon jug fretless bass, soda bottle lapsteel. Toy pianos are the most precious thing in a junk band, the old mechanical ones with the multicolored bells most. We had to view all the anamotronics as homework. Lets make a hardcore punk trash machine band together Martin, we have the experience required. We can take it to Wastland festival and engineer it to function while covered in sand.

[@D---3]

billi bonkas? 😮

[@gcextol8129]

😂

[@BlameItOnGreg]

Except they’re real!

[@RobBulmahn]

If I had to choose a starting point, I'd probably base a design on a piano, which is doing a fundamentally similar action, and has had centuries of refinement.

[@jerrylim6722]

better yet, just take couple sections of a normal piano action and rebalance the keys to be able to function from just the force of a marble falling on it, and just call it done for the drafting phase...

[@dominicsaavedra5113]

I went looking for this before commenting the same thing. Another thing that's nice about the piano action is they already solved the problem for being able to play at different volumes on the fly by changing the distance they key can travel to reduce the transfer of momentum.

[@gregdizer5262]

I agree. Also why do martin wants to use a regular bass guitar ? He could also use an independant string for any note he wants to play, like a piano. Guess he would have to use many microphones, but what the hell ?

[@dominicsaavedra5113]

@@gregdizer5262 That's a good point but I think that would involve even more design work. One would have to come up with a mount and tensioning system for the strings. I think it would be much easier and also more visually interesting to retrofit or recreate piano hammers on a base guitar.

[@Serostern]

​@@gregdizer5262 to be fair, if you want to make it easy, just use a synthesizer.

[@odw32]

I love how much fun you're having since you recently (re-)discovered that fun is a "must have requirement". Seems like you're keeping the best of both worlds: A rigorous scientific approach with lots of testing; But mixed with plenty of energy, creativity, crazy ambitious new ideas and playfulness.

[@faceunmasked]

Time will tell, but seems like Martin has unlocked something really magical here

[@thomasbecker9676]

Nothing he does is scientific. The scientific method is codified.

[@leparp5424]

​@@thomasbecker9676So what is the universal code for all scientific research then? You seem to have a very narrow view of what is science, which wouldn't actually include most (even experimental) scientific research done today. He is doing engineering, not scientific research per se, but he still uses a scientific methodology which delivers scientific knowledge.

[@thomasbecker9676]

@@leparp5424He doesn't use scientific methodology, nor is he an engineer. Science requires a clear hypothesis, and a clear plan on how to test that hypothesis, as well as unbiased review of the results. Nothing Martin does is clear. Most of us learned about the scientific method in grade school.

[@miwiarts]

​@@thomasbecker9676 I don't know what your problem is. Problem: The hammer hits too hard, causing the bass to sound unpleasant. Hypothesis: If I have a mechanism that acts like a human finger, then the sound will be softer. Plan: 1. Iteratively design a mechanism that follows the motions a finger would. 2. Implement a softer material to mimic the softness of a human finger. Q.E.D.

[@antonymitchell3385]

Those harsh hits are due to the hard plastic hammers, the strings will vibrate against them and provide a hard sound, I imagine some padding would make the attack softer, like using a hard/soft beater on a bass drum pedal.

[@DanLocks]

Like a piano hammer. in fact... just try a piano hammer. maybe the whole mechanism.

[@Bbeaucha88]

I was the genius who suggested the hammer jammer design! I hope it is carved on my tombstone as my greatest accomplishment (even if Martin doesn't pick that design).

[@EaglePicking]

Thank you for your service, genius.

[@Bbeaucha88]

@@EaglePicking I accept the burden of my giant brain so others don't have to!

[@extraintelligence]

Not only a genius, but magnificently humble too.

[@Bbeaucha88]

@@extraintelligence I know right? You would think it would be hard being this awesome and humble at the same time but I seem to handle it better than anyone else!

[@Avetho]

You. I like you. You sound like a magnificent person.

[@MorningDusk7734]

check out piano hammers, they are designed for dynamic volume based on impact strength.

[@EaglePicking]

Sure, but the marbles always have the same impact strength, unless you drop 'm from different heights and that would require more marble lanes. Changing the sound by adjusting the springs is a good idea, although it does mean feature creep.

[@bassenji5565]

But isn't the impact strength always the same on the mm3?

[@DjesonPV]

​@@bassenji5565 Unless there is a lever with adjustable damping of the marble fall pads (pull spring or cushioning)

[@TXTrojan]

@@EaglePicking but maybe you are on to something here, adjust marble heights as well. a lot going on but that's what the human body does

[@Bohrit0]

The siliconband he used to dampen the xylophone coud be reused here i think

[@Khantia]

Beware! The marbles bounce trajectory may also change along with the spring tension. So you may need a more reliable "collecting" system than what the MMX had.

[@jarbarsi]

The MMX collection system didn't work when conditions stayed the same, I'm sure he's already fully prepared to redesign that part from scratch tbh.

[@lupeters213]

"The floor" is the collection system.

[@guicky_]

@@lupeters213 that could very well work, just put the whole machine on top of a giant funnel and call it a day

[@WobblyBits_X]

The timing of the notes as well. A tighter spring is going to be less willing to fall under the marble, making its travel time a bit slower. Overall, I think trying to have variability in a single mechanism will introduce too many problems that could be solved by just adding a second bass (or third) with a different mechanism. Tune each to play in the same timing with their different mechanisms and have no additional issues with timing, catching, or complexity, just a few extra tracks on your programming drum.

[@buidelrat132]

You're not crazy, you're cool. Or at least you're my kind of crazy. Thanks for sharing.

[@JackofNothingess]

Crazy, I was crazy once...

[@Smilliztho]

Or you’re kind of cool…

[@alexandermcclure6185]

@@JackofNothingess Were you put in a round room to die? Or was it a rubber room with rats?

[@blar2112]

The more stuff you add between the marble and the instrument the less tight the music will be, undoing all the gate work.

[@MomradG]

Can we have a "this design... Is shit" gif? Best expression ever

[@Chips_and_Gears]

I can see so many edits of martin throwing all kinds of things

[@dannyneumann4547]

Some thoughts: 1) harpsichords have a "plucking mechanism" that uses a different system than a groove -- worth looking into in case you do want to go that route. 2) You can alter the volume of piano keys, which depend on a lever mechanism, by pressing them farther up the key. 3) The lever striking mechanism could use some felt (again like a piano) for a cleaner attack. Cheers. Great video.

[@Saixoz]

The mechanical finger definitely sounds nicest! The last one still has the sharp note at the start, which is unpleasant.

[@RupeeRhod]

the last one sounds more like bass played with a pick, which has its place.

[@454Casull]

But it also doesn't have the rubber wrapped around the tip, unlike the other option.

[@brianj.841]

I'm worried about response time. He really needs to keep the hammers close to the strings.

[@Palerider1942]

I like both of them, you have the soft fingered bass and then the hard almost slap bass. brings a nice funkyness to the bassline

[@WilliamNyberg]

​@@brianj.841 as long as it's consistent he can program in some latency compensation.

[@iraravid]

Different approach: go back to dropping marbles on the strings, but have two levels of marble paths. you can have a lever deciding if you want to drop them from the 'first floor' or the 'second'

[@Squant]

You wouldn't have to limit it to two heights if you had one path you could smoothly raise and lower.

[@DaftFader]

I don't think he just wants to be able to play quiet passages. In music you often are playing a quiet note followed by a louder one followed by a quieter one etc. to give groove and movement to the part. This is partly what I think he's aiming to achieve, and not just blocks of solid volume be them blocks loud or quiet.

[@jeremiesalgat1284]

Changing the height alors change the timing, so it wouldnt be possible to just adjust it. You would need à programming for each height, and I think it would be à nightmqre to programm. And it would also be difficult to collect the marbles.

[@mdoerkse]

He already talked about the idea of changing the high without changing the timing for playing the chimes. But I don't think in any of the plans is there the idea to program different velocities for different notes. It's a cool idea but would add a ton of complexity. In this video he just mentioned having a lever to adjust the volume, so it is more like a fader on a sound board, not individual notes with different volumes, unfortunately.

[@johanrojassoderman5590]

If you were worried about playing in time before, the softer notes on the pivoted hammer seems to add quite a lot of delay, increasing with the softness. It also seems like it might be difficult to make it play anything fast since it bounces against the input mechanism after playing, possibly causing it to miss input. As others have already mentioned, and the first thing I thought of when I saw the hammers: it might be a good idea to look to pianos for inspiration. Also, to remedy the attack being too harsh, I would experiment with the drop height to decrease the potential energy and find a maximum acceptable level for the sound comparison.

[@artghushelw]

Martin: from first principles Martin: no dumb design requirements Also Martin: muting strings, slap, hammer-ons, soft and hard notes

[@Grombags]

Love this. Just seeing and listening to you play music on something as simple as a bass guitar is always so cool.

[@diegojosésilvabarroilhet]

You'd be amazed how non-simple bass can be

[@philiprioux7767]

Seems like the second version of the first option is approaching a piano design. Check out the harpsichord as well!

[@mikeciul8599]

That reminds me, I've seen harpsichord action before, but I'm still not sure I understand how it works. I think it's like this (referring to WIkipedia): The plectrum is mounted on a "tongue" that allows it to swing out of the way on the way back down. But it still touches the string I think, just gently. The main difference is that the jack stays up as long as the key is held down, and when it comes back down, a damper lands on the string. So the sound of the plectrum going the "wrong way" is just part of the end of the note.

[@valdir7426]

no that's the 3rd. good thinking on the harpshichord

[@jacobv_]

I think there is something really magical about seeing a large steel ball bearing bouncing off of the strings of the MMX Cyberbass. It blew my mind that a marble could accurately hit those strings and fly off predictably. It definitely earned it's name! When I see the pads and hammers and springs from this video, it's very obvious how it works and seems like it is clearly going to be very reliable. It just doesn't have the same magic. While I do think soft hits are a good requirement, I think it's too early to decide against direct marble hits.

[@Ezox2408]

in an ideal world, id love there to be 2 basses: 1. with mechanical fingers/taps keeping that sexy groove just as Martin wants it 2. OG Cyberbass with metal balls flying everywhere for that "solo" feel where shit kinda goes chaotic

[@JohnDiamond-vv9jr]

I honestly think the ability to change the dynamics makes up for not having the ball bearings hit the string directly- dynamics can add a lot of life to music

[@lwky]

I agree. Maybe a layer of rubber above the strings that softens the impact of the marble for a more pleasant sound? You could engage/disengage it like the soft pedal on a piano.

[@mojorn8837]

I’m glad I’m not the only one who marvels at a latch system like the one at 5:39. I noticed that is how my sunglasses holder worked in my car a long time ago and it blew my mind. Pushing up opens it and then push back up closes it back up.

[@electropuff6098]

That attack sounds great,like bass slapping

[@barredrockbrown8721]

I really like the marbles playing directly on the bass. Maybe some way to dynamically shift the height the marbles fall from to control the volume?

[@Nessinby]

I love that you're accounting for the natural "accidental" sounds like the slap. There's so many obviously over-processed synthesized music that removes little details like that which makes songs feel human. Chopping out the singer breathing, the amp humming, the strings singing.. Even the mechanical noises of the marble machine is an instrument in and of itself.

[@8bitarmory846]

second design really feels like something out of Animusic

[@ebi_tempura]

Very simillar to the both the fingers in resonant chamber, and the fingers in future retro

[@Bourinos02]

Rubber could probably fix that issue though...

[@ericvandenavond8748]

It almost reminds me of Acoustic Curves.

[@LavendelBrei]

This feels like feature creep. The last bass sounded great for certain types of music. Martin, if you need this instrument to play every genre, it will keep growing. I like the ideas for different slap mechanics but I would suggest you set some more realistic goals on what is achievable and what marbles are good at. An 808 doesn't sound like a real drum kit but lots of good music was made on it.

[@jacobcusumano6952]

I disagree with this. The last video, he made it clear that his main objective was to make a cool machine, and a machine that simply performs its goal isn't cool if there isn't artistic freedom. Also I agree with him that the music needs to be dynamic, and this testing is the only way he can achieve that

[@youdonegoofed]

@@jacobcusumano6952 a paypiggy disagrees :o

[@Wolfboy607]

I'm not really here for the world tour anyway, i can't afford to see live music. Maybe i'd prefer the machine to never be finished, then we get more engineering content from martin. You hear me, martin? this is your boulder, push it up the mountain for our entertainment. forever!

[@jakedixonmusic]

holy cow this is so cool. A fully marble-controlled bass

[@LuizEnger]

Option 2 sounded the best imho. You could think of a way of changing the impact force of the marbles on the lever, to alter between soft and hard.

[@MultiAndAnd]

Martin, I know that 1) you are busy working on the machine 2) it's not like one can command a musitian to play. However, it would be cool sometimes to have a video where you play even with normal instruments :P We are here for the music too!

[@bobibiboo]

The artifact we ear with the hammer design is the hard slippery plastic sliding on the cords. I suggest trying again with a small rubber pad at the end.

[@Onthewayover]

Great sounds! Don't forget usability! That's a lot of functions to fit on a programming wheel. Rooting for you!

[@bastian1847]

2 minutes in, I vote for B. The fact that it plucks the string instead of hitting it makes it a much more natural sound

[@riuphane]

Honestly the finger like one seems the most fun to me, but i do see why you picked the one you did. Then follow up with a dampener and it'll be really interesting!

[@silver2dragon1313]

Oh My... Music from Martin. I think he should always have 20 to 30 seconds of music in these videos.. ;) Very interesting on the designs for the bass playing.

[@Jono.]

That second elliptical-return linkage with the spring is so cool. I love that. I took a “design of planar machinery” course where we learned how to design linkages to follow wild output arcs like this. Coolest class. A lot of it can be done by hand, amazingly. This has me excited to see the machine!

[@nialltracey2599]

Hmm... I think the direct marble playing had a unique charm. It managed to combine synth vibes with acoustic sound in a weirdly steampunk kind of way. Maybe most importantly, it was really something unique.

[@jonasdaverio9369]

But the lack of dynamic is probably pretty off-putting for stage performance

[@Nessinby]

​@@jonasdaverio9369this, while I agree it has a definitive sound, it's also a very monotone sound. Having that variation would make the machine a lot more interesting, even if it's a ton more complex as a result.

[@1815dmitriy]

It also was more spectacular and more "mechanical".

[@nialltracey2599]

@@1815dmitriyExactly -- a marble machine should be a spectacular mechanical machine. The closer it gets to something a human could do on an instrument, the less of a unique voice it has. If you can make a machine sound like human musicians, the value of live music is diminished. What's the value of the mechanical instrument over high-end sample-based VSTs?

[@lucidmoses]

The finger versions is going to be a maintenance nightmare over time. However, Maybe you have a Ver 2 of it. Have you tried the hammer ones with the same rubber finger end? That may get rid of some of the string squeak you get at the start.

[@Richard.Andersson]

Another option to make the third option to play softer or harder would be to have different amounts of "backstop" behind the string. So when the hammer hits the string, the string can only bend until it hits whatever is behind the note. When you play by hand you can bend the string a lot, creating a lot of tension in the strings because you tension it sideways where there is nothing stopping you.

[@ramuDotZip]

Not sure how reliable it would be implemented on the full machine, but I absolutely love how the second design looks and sounds. Plucking the strings with a tiny arm gives it a lot of charm and makes it feel "alive" in a way

[@BleughBleugh]

Just the right amount of lunacy on this! How many channels will you need to automate that guitar like you want!! Wow…has anyone ever done it before like you want? You may well be the first person dumb/genius enough to do it…and the first person insane enough to try do it with marbles!

[@timehunter9467]

I’m excited to see what happens with the bass, it’ll be nice to hear different playing styles for sure.

[@norman_cuppatea]

I love the tone and look of that bass. Well done now I want a new bass!

[@Alluvian567]

Love it, some pretty nice mechanisms there and exciting sound!

[@joeburrow4290]

This is one of my favorite episodes in a while. Really good work Martin!

[@ThomasBaxter]

That riff Martin plays on the Bass sounds like "Ocean Pearl" by 54-40 (at least for the first couple phrases)

[@BloomThat]

Originality doesn't exist, everything is derivative or luck 😅

[@randomdude1rd1]

3:45 it looks to me like the string might be hitting the pickup, which produces a similar sound in my opinion

[@joshcurtis3752]

I hesitate to say it, but if tightness is one of your considerations, you need to test each new marble interface for tightness.

[@rachelrodgers9171]

Your groovy inventions and ideas never cease to amaze me. I'm intrigued and find it quite mesmerizing to listen to the end result. You belong in the Guness Book of World Records or Ripley's Believe it or Not.

[@Operator713]

The double-pivot model will almost certainly not be able to play both fast and tight. It looks like the second pivot point was bouncing too much. If you play fast, I don't think it will have a chance to return to its neutral position, so the timing will suffer. I'm sure you will test for this. Looking forward to it.

[@zisumevoli96]

Yes this is aweosme!! I would love to see the a mechanical hand that can move along the neck 🤯

[@JohnErikMills]

Martin, it's so good seeing you having fun with the creative process again. Stepping back and working on your goals for the project was the best thing to have happened. I worry about the packaging for the TOT actuator but perhaps if you have four separate base guitars each with one string packaging would be less of an issue... but then how would you play the notes? Its a trick puzzle to put together. Hats off to you my friend.

[@vickystrudwick3939]

Came for the mechanism testing, stayed for the groovy sounds at 12:37 :-D

[@pileofstuff]

Ocean Pearl by 54-40 Did not expect to hear Martin playing a '90s Canadian song.

[@angaudlinn]

I can only see the nightmare concerning tightness with that second "finger design" since the strings have different thickness etc.

[@jarbarsi]

"This design is shit, we don't need it." And friends, this is why we prototype :D

[@valdir7426]

I wish I could prototype in CAD/print to 3D and test so fast and with such ease (3 different versions no less)

[@thomasbecker9676]

That's all Martin will ever do until enough people realize he has no intention of finishing another marble machine.

[@Inimigor1]

7:00 "This was so fun to figure out" This is half the reason we like to watch the machine getting built!

[@nako9790]

Those design sounds really promising, I am only have concerns about the speed at which it can play notes ! It seemed to require some time to play a note and being back in position (both 2nd and 3rd design). I think this can be investigated to choose between 2 and 3

[@petropzqi]

This is the video I have been waiting for. Let's gooooo ❤

[@BassoSDmon]

happy to see you back man

[@ChickenScratch]

This bass is going to sound so funky! I love it

[@BirthquakeRecords]

These are some of my favorite contraptions yet

[@abhijaman4792]

can't wait to see how this one will turn out ten years later.

[@BillBadMule123]

I love your channel I've been watching your videos for years

[@karasekjh]

I love the fact that I can watch your videos with my ears.🙃😊🤗

[@Oliver-rh5bv]

The Second version (Ol' Tony`s one) is very close to a ball-pen with trigger. I like this one.

[@lordofthewest]

Other people have mentioned using a piano as reference for the hammer, but its also good reference for dampening notes. You probably are planning on programing sustain using the profiles, but either way, i hope you are able to make the percussive muting sound, since that dead note slap has so much character.

[@KnotXackly]

Martin is like the version of me in my dreams who can play any instrument perfectly with it sounding extremely natural and very good.

[@Panthersman52]

I’m a fan of the hard sounds from the first design of the marble machine x

[@rexmcstiller4675]

5:04 I like how the notes are pressed from behind and not a construction on the front.

[@ragesuper7858]

I think your original bass with the marbles hitting the strings is super cool. Why not use a Bowden cable to adjust the volume control of the bass for soft or loud notes?

[@paulroberts324]

Soft or loud is more about the timpre or charachter of the notes, not about the absolute volume. Think of it like how a whisper would sound different than someone yelling at an equal volume.

[@rgb3304]

You're reinventing the instrument commonly known as a piano Marten.

[@Nessinby]

It happens, accidental reinvention to solve a common problem happens constantly I've discovered.

[@vlognblog.]

I have been checking on this channel since the original marble machine, it's so cool to see the projects and progress!

[@thomasbecker9676]

Lol, "progress."

[@austin4x]

I think, at this point, we can all safely assume the completed revised marble music machine project will be forever ongoing, yeah? I had a 10 year old that's now leaving for college. Some people who were in high school at the time the original came out are now doctors. 😂❤ *THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT, HEROES AND WARRIORS*

[@Ekitchi0]

It feels like the scope of the project is increasing exponentially. How many instruments should the marble machine be playing by itself and to what extent for each instruments? With all the bass variations mentioned in the video, just playing the bass would be a whole marble machine worth of work. Maybe sticking to vibraphone and drums is good enough for the marble machine, a separate musician can play the bass. The question of how many instruments and which instruments should be part of the design requirement process but I haven't seen it (maybe I missed it).

[@jacobcusumano6952]

I disagree with this. In his last video, he made it clear that he wants to have fun with the project, because that's the most important part of any piece of art. If it's not fun, it's not cool

[@DjesonPV]

Maybe add in surplus of the vibraphone : a xylophone, a marimba, a kalimba, a synthetiser, a full tailed grand piano. (It's a joke)

[@augustolsson9248]

I agree. Make the marble machine compact and cool. Play fewer instruments and have a band play the rest. How FUN is it to be alone on stage?

[@Ekitchi0]

@@jacobcusumano6952 Yes fun and cool is part of the requirements but it still has to work and be feasible. It's always going to be more fun with one more instrument, but then it's just never going to be built. I think Martin needs to carefully select the few instruments he want's his machine to play.

[@John_Weiss]

Increasing exponentially, you say? What's the doubling-time, then? What is the quantity doubling? Sorry, but "exponentially" doesn't mean, "very very very … [× 1 bajillion] … very very very". It means, "following the exponential function, with doubling-time _"_ … and I don't see a doubling time or a quantity here. The concept, "exponential", has _ZERO_ synonyms, and only a mathematical definition. If we bleach the word, "exponential", we remove that concept from the language … and the human inability to understand the behavior of the exponential function is already threatening our species with extinction. We can't lose that word.

[@Grid21]

I love watching these videos, and all I can think is "It's Animusic, IN REAL LIFE!!!" Wayne Lytle would be proud.

[@akapype]

part of fun of the original MM bass was in seeing the machine and you teaming together to play the bass. I think that mean I'd go for mechanical finger (for disco mechanical) and direct drops (for iconic MM bass sound), and leave the muting and tapping and slapping to the human hand helping the machine to make music out of the instrument.

[@TeroOhranen]

Sick lil’ groove with that bass!!! Loved it!😍

[@purepix_fr]

i think you're in a right way ! playing an instrument isn't only "touch" it ! with this experiment it's obvious that you need different ways to play with the strings... have you considered reading the MIDI protocol to nail "all" the variables you need ?

[@garlicwaffle6146]

This was the bestest bass test

[@ellabun]

The whimsy is back! Everything in this vid is satisfying to watch and looks awesome

[@Jono.]

I work as a mechanical engineer at an electric vehicle company. One of the parts I previously did design work on utilized a very similar pin rack mechanism like the one shown. We called it the “heart track” because you can tune the shape and ours looked a bit more like a cartoon heart. Fun to see it here too

[@thomasbecker9676]

You're an engineer and one of the MM cult? What brand EV so I know to never ride in one?

[@BRADBOGLE]

I love watching your progress- this is amazing work you’re doing with marbles. I have a vision of your future -Elemental Machine utilizing Earth Wind Fire and Water instruments…YOU CAN DO IT MAN!

[@BRADBOGLE]

First thought after that comment…you aren’t really using marbles you’re using steel ball bearings right? Aka BBs…What if there were different sizes and materials? How would a rubber or cork ball strike the string and how would a soccer ball strike a snare? Could ball material/size perhaps limit the need for complicated mechanisms?

[@valdir7426]

super interesting mechanical design. the 3rd one is basically the same principle as a piano hammer. (there's a marble-less machine potential somewhere as well by the way but that's another project)

[@NobilisReed]

The look of the Fingering trigger is very cool. Maybe not visible in concert but the music video would look great. Animusic had plucking fingers!

[@RedHair651]

I love the combination of a finger and a slap

[@mappedgraphics]

The third version looks like a piano action, though the hammer on a piano pivots on a fixed point. The part that pushes up on the hammer is called a jack stand. There is a let off screw that is adjustable so that the hammer isn't pushed into the string, just up to it. Martin probably knows all of this, I just haven't worked on pianos in a while so I'm excited I remember it. Action geometry is wild. Also, whippons.

[@Totial]

martin improvises 3 chords on the bass and my brain goes into hibernation mode

[@roycsinclair]

The swinging hammer may also be tunable by adjusting the position of the weight on the hammer, in the video you showed it glued in place at the end of the hammer but by moving it further from the end you can emulate a change in the effective weight which would change the note generated. Of course the fun part is going to be figuring out how to change the notes dynamically though worst case you simply have different hammers on each string for each variant of the note.

[@rorywalker6685]

Nice one! With the second design, the track could push the ‘finger’ to mute the string above just as bass players do!

[@WouterH.]

Don't forget! With the hammer design, adding more spring tension will delay the note, so it won't be tight anymore!

[@acekoolus]

I do have a soft spot for the cyber bass I think it looks so cool, but I can see how this is an easier way to do it verses having a custom bass.

[@SkorjOlafsen]

"Self-flushing baño". 🤣

[@ChuckSploder]

I've never heard a Swede yelling before, that caught me off guard XD 11:06

[@terjejosefsson]

Don’t try to have a boding cable tensioning the arm to create hard or soft hits. Duplicate the arms and have one channel for hard and one channel for soft hits. But then again, this might take away the creativity and spontaneity from a performance on stage.

[@Artemka2009_SB]

What if u use 2nd AND 3d design for both soft and hard sound without switching tension on just one? (2nd for soft and 3d for hard)

[@PiercingSight]

Piano action is exactly what you're looking for!

[@goldenshatter]

That is amazing bass at the beginning really hits my speakers

[@tiagotiagot]

11:04 For changing intensities, what if you had something similar with the old design with the balls directly hitting the strings directly, but you changed the angle of attack, to have a more horizontal flight of the marbles for lighter notes and and more vertical for stronger? (either changing the path of the balls, or pivoting the bass itself at around the line where the balls hit, changing relative motion, without affecting the original drop trajectory, just the bounce)?

[@ElliottTwilley]

Love the plucking design, you might be able to get tighter music if you reverse it though, where it pulls the string and releases as the marble hits. You could also then adjust volume by changing how far back it pulls the string. With this design you could also do sustainment notes by holding the arm away on the pull back which could be done by a marble

[@PotatoClips]

Can't wait to see someone's overengineered solution to program the bass playing volume. It could either be a parallel set of pins that lock in a volume shift, or have the length of the programming pin charge up a marble fall and spring tension.

[@ianjohnson182]

For the muting, since that needs to last longer sometimes, you could just have the new programing pin raise up a thing which pulls a boden cable, the pulling of which lowers a muting finger on the string. Just because it's a marble machine, doesn't mean everything has to be actuated by a falling marble. That wasn't how muting worked on the first one, after all.

[@haqvor]

The last variant reminds me of the hammers on a piano. When you strike a key the hammer is sent on it's merry way to eventually hit a string very briefly. Depending on how hard you hit the key the hammer moves at different speeds and produce different volumes and harder or softer sound. Not at all saying that the piano hammer is the right inspiration for this but it is a problem that was solved long ago. Personally I think that the finger emulating second variant sounded the most natural.

[@AdamAdams1436]

11:37 sounds like me after i try to do anything in life... 😂😂