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Pearl EM1 malletSTATION Adjustable Range Electronic Mallet Controller Demo

USB Mallet Instrument Keyboard Controller with Transposable 3-octave Range, All-weather Soft Silicone Playing Surface, and 3 Assignable Pedal Inputs
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Pearl EM1 malletSTATION Adjustable Range Electronic Mallet Controller
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Next-gen Mobile Mallet Percussion Controller

The Keith McMillan-powered Pearl EM1 malletSTATION makes it possible to play your marimba, vibraphone, and xylophone parts on the same instrument, anywhere in the world. This highly portable universal USB bus-powered controller promises a revolutionary new approach to mallet percussion. Not only can you control your sound libraries from nearly any device — phone, tablet, or laptop — but you can even transpose keys to simplify difficult pieces of music. Keith McMillen Instrument's Smart Fabric Sensor technology gives the silicone pads an extremely sensitive response to soft mallets, boasting lifelike damping and even aftertouch control. The hybrid aluminum and steel chassis is built for travel, and the all-weather playing surface is great for outdoor pit percussion and ensemble performances.

Related Videos: EM1 malletSTATION Adjustable Range Electronic Mallet Controller

Mallet percussion on the go

The EM1 is compact, lightweight, USB powered, and nearly universal, which makes it a great option for percussionists on the move.

Compatible with phones, tablets, and laptops

What Sweetwater loves about Keith McMillen Instruments is their compatibility across multiple devices. The Plug & Play, Class Compliant Pearl EM1 malletSTATION is no different, providing no-fuss support for Mac and PC laptops as well as iOS and Android tablets and phones.

Durable metal frame

You don't need your kid gloves to handle the Pearl EM1 malletSTATION. Its rugged aluminum and steel chassis is built to take the wear and tear of daily travel. Now you can practice and perform whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.

Responsive silicone keys

The EM1's soft silicone keys offer a lifelike playing experience. Velocity sensitivity puts you in control of your dynamics. Effects like mallet damping and aftertouch allow you to augment your performance.

All-weather silicone playing surface

Performing in the rain or heat is no sweat for the Pearl EM1 malletSTATION. Save your heavy mallet instruments for indoor performances and take the EM1 in their stead.

Streamlined and stand mountable

The slim, sleek EM1 malletSTATION can be played on any flat surface, dropped in a keyboard stand, or mounted to a pair of concert stands.

Three expression pedal ports

You're limited only by your sound library when you play out with the Pearl EM1. Three pedal inputs give you tactile control over parameters like sustain, expression, and MIDI parameters. Pedals not included; sold separately.

Pedal and stands not included
The Pearl EM1 is great on its own or paired with traditional percussion.

Pearl EM1 malletSTATION Electronic Mallet Percussion Controller Features:

  • Next-gen Mobile Mallet Percussion Controller
  • Developed by Pearl and Keith McMillen Instruments
  • Plug & Play Class Compliant Device — play your percussion libraries anywhere you go
  • Three-octave range with key transposition — includes 6 gap caps for visual cues
  • Compatible with Mac/PC laptops and iOS/Android mobile devices
  • Responsive soft silicone keys
  • Supports mallet damping and aftertouch
  • All-weather playing surface
  • Rugged aluminum and steel chassis
  • Keyboard and concert stand mountable
  • Three pedal ports for sustain, expression, and MIDI parameters
  • No internal sounds; requires sound library, not included

What is Demo Gear?

At Sweetwater, we're so picky that what we call a "demo" is actually better than what most music retailers sell as "new" gear! Our gear hasn't endured hundreds of people a week plunking away at all the keyboards, fumbling through Stairway to Heaven on every guitar or playing with every fader and knob on a mixer or control surface.

What demo means to us is that we've had it out of the box, or maybe it was in a customer's hands for a few days and isn't "factory fresh" as a result. Every demo item we sell has Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ warranty, and has been tested and verified up to "new" specs by our factory-authorized technicians to make sure it's in perfect working order before we ship it to you.

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Tech Specs

  • Type: MIDI Mallet Controller
  • Pads: 43 x Silicone Keypads
  • Presets: Custom mallet dampening, aftertouch modes, user defined 3.0 octave range
  • MIDI I/O: USB
  • USB: 1 x Type B, 1 x Mini-B
  • Pedal Inputs: 2 x 1/4" (switching), 1 x 1/4" (expression)
  • Expansion: Optional KMI MIDI Expander for 5-pin DIN
  • Software: Plug & Play compliant device (iOS requires Apple Lightning to USB 3 adapter)
  • Power Source: USB bus power
  • Height: 1.6"
  • Width: 49"
  • Depth: 12.6"
  • Weight: 16.25 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: EM1

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Customer Reviews

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Outstanding

Bought this for my wife, the percussionist of the family. She absolutely loves it. It works just as described, and is super easy to set up - she's not one for technology as a general rule, and she has no problem using it without my help. I noticed another review talking about some problems. All I can say is that we're not having any such troubles. I would suggest making sure the firmware is up-to-date; otherwise, it's probably an issue with whatever computer and/or software you're using. Recommended!
by Sweetwater Customer on

Very Neat

Very cool lil controller. I use it with my iPad. Simple & easy. The MalletStation with the IK sample tank is all you need.
Very well built. I will throw a little dis at pearl though(not the product but the company). Anything instrument that costs a thousand dollars should come with a dust cover and at least a gig bag.
by Kip from Seattle on
Music background: Life long music lover. Blackmore rules

Get what ya pay for.

This thing is certainly OK for a sub $1k MIDI box. Good construction and decent design in any general sense. Where it falls down is on the actual playing performance expectations. Even with all the latest firmware and software, the response one would expect from a GREAT mallet controller is simply not there. Just to be clear, for a professional percussionist with demanding material and reasonably high expectations regarding responsiveness and repeatability, there is simply far too much seemingly random variation in surface playing response. Something which, after much troubleshooting, experimentation, and technique adjustment, is positively maddening when it apparently CANNOT be ironed out. Just to qualify my option and viewpoint: I have been using electronic percussion in performance and recording since the late 70's and have dealt with every successive generations triumphs and failures. This thing would haven a minor miracle a decade ago... These days, maybe not so much. Look. I'm still hanging onto it, But hey! I've still got my Synare Tympani and Simmons SDS7 kit as well. HOHOHO.
by Tim Gilles on
Music background: Persistent gainful intersection with music performance and recording for roughly 3.5 decades in NYC metro.

Bit disappointing

The concept of the Malletstation is great. I previously owned a Malletkat and had a lot of issues with it due to the heat and humidity here in Queensland, Australia. I like the ease of programming of the Malletstation (via computer) and the ease of the connections (one USB connection to iPad). However, I have a lot of problems with it when I play 2 notes at the same time. One of the notes seems to cut in and out. This happens with a few different notes. I also get extra notes sometimes when playing, and the level of the notes (loudness) seems to vary a lot. Needless to say this is very frustrating as I would like to use it as a professional instrument. After the issues I have had with the MalletKat, I wonder whether there is an electronic mallet controller that actually works well and is consistent... I guess I will need to save up for a while if I want to buy a xylosynth next.
by ZK on
Music background: Marimba and percussion

Extreme limitations for PC version updated

I received my first Mallet Station with excitement until I used it. There were major sensitivity issues, so Sweetwater was kind enough to send me another one. I have the same issues with the replacement one. I am in a Malletsation group on Facebook and *everyone* is having issues with sensitivity, notes not sounding, notes sounding on their own, and two or more notes sounding at the same time. The "tweakable" sensitivity of each bar is not a solution. This product is almost useless with PC, and was specifically designed for a MAC (even though there is a PC version and a Mac version). If you have the PC version YOU CANNOT ADJUST THE SENSITIVITY WHILE YOU PLAY ON ANY BAR! You can only "guess" at what you should try, then reboot the software in order to hear the results. Considering there are 200 possible sensitivity settings for each note, this is basically an impossible task and takes forever just to try to adjust ONE bar. It seems to be intentionally designed only for the use of a Mac and Mainstage. Putting the pitch bend and modulation control on the right side, instead of the industry standard of putting those controls on the left side of every other electronic keyboard made, was a very poor decision! I DO NOT recommend this product if you are a PC user! The concept of the Malletstation is a good one, but there were way too many sensitivity and compatibility issues at the present time. The vibe bar dampening mode does not work consistently I have had a Zendrum Pro XXL 5 octave controller for 3 years. These have some sensitivity and program issues which now seem not so bad after owning a Malletstation. I have several of these same issues with the Keith McMillen Bop pad as well.
I am very disappointed with this product and Keith McMillen products overall. I hope they can resolve these many issues with software redesign. I wanted to buy 3 for my studio and percussion ensembles. I am glad I tried just 1 before making that commitment.
by Chip Hancock from Chattanooga on
Music background: Professional teacher and musician
See also: drum multipads, Pearl, Pearl Electronic Drum Controllers & Multipads
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