#129

Looks like you may be able to get it directly from Mike’s webpage. https://michaelkrzyzaniak.com/marshmallow/shop.php?q=Metal+Marshmallow

2 Likes
Friends of norns: gear, accessories, etc
#130

Thanks.

These looks really interesting, and sound great front he demos. I don’t use a contact mic every day, so the battery thing is a little concerning… what happens if it stops holding a charge? In my case I can just see it being dead every time I go to use it :slight_smile:

I might get one anyway and take a chance that I’d use it more since it sounds better than the ones I have…

#131

I was also concerned.

Q: Does it constantly discharge even when nothing is plugged in or is the connector essentially the switch?

A: It continually discharges. It takes about a week to 10 days to fully discharge.

Q: What happens when the battery is no longer holding a charge?

A: Unfortunately the battery is not servicable. However, you will still be able to power it via the USB port and get the same quiet, hum-free operation.

It seems more like a studio item somehow… but you could potentially permanently install it into an instrument for recording/live performance. Maybe you could have it constantly receiving USB power when that instrument needs to be amplified.

I personally think it’s fine this way, with it discharging… because I plan my sampling sessions ahead of time, and I like to be mobile as possible to work quickly.

#132

I’ve been putting the red Marshmallow contact mic to good use, too. No hum at all, as you said. I’ve gotten used to the routine of the sticky tape and mounting putty–really not much of a chore. The sound the mics produce is very 3-dimensional. Truly high gain indeed. I hope Mike restocks soon. Both the white and black are of interest–also another red like you wisely bought.

#133

Has anyone tried the Radial Preamps that are available for piezo/acoustic instruments? They seem to have a good combination of filtering and eq options.

2 Likes
#134

This part is a little concerning, particularly if you use it often (hence going through a power cycle every 10 days or whatever).

I guess it’s assembled via the Apple school of glueing everything shut or something.

Friends of norns: gear, accessories, etc
#136

Yes, I have the same concern. Actually, several concerns. First, being I’d hate to think I’d bought a disposable product for $75. My second concern—and perhaps it should less selfishly be my first—is the prospect of industrial waste, namely that discarded electrical components aren’t the best thing for the environment.

1 Like
#137

I have the ToneBone PZ-Pre from Radial and it works very nicely. Versatile, clean gain, features an FX loop I/O, balanced pre and post EQ output. The EQ is certainly useful!

1 Like
#138

Does it look completely (safely) unopenable? Is it like “not recommended” that you service the battery yourself, or is it like “you’ll fucking break it if you open it up”.

1 Like
#139

has anyone used the marshmallows on a sound system (for processing, more specifically) ? that was kind of my motivation for ordering a red one just now - I’ve been using a homemade contact mic plugged into an interface preamp which has worked successfully, but I’ve still run into feedback issues depending on the venue/speaker/volume situation. I’m kinda hoping that a dedicated pre-amp might reduce feedback issues, though I’m not an expert on these things. sounds like I should at least expect much better sound quality and not have to EQ any hum

#140

This is why I’m looking at the Radial pz deluxe or ac driver since they both have a lot of ways to beat feedback and shape the sound.

#141

oh but I’m sure I can build a digital equivalent !

I think @Rodrigo recommended HISSTools a while back

1 Like
#142

The correct gain staging will most certainly help with feedback issues, as will the mounting position of the microphone itself. Equalization is going to help some as well, depending on the venue.

#143

Reading this comment reminded me about the phase invert function and how helpful that can be for getting rid of feedback with live performances.

#144

i also use a pz-deluxe (for viola.) it’s very nice. fy i, would not expect the ground lift to help eliminate hum unless you are using the balanced (xlr) output.

1 Like
#145

One of the main reasons I would use it would be to get the levels hot enough to use with Norns, so I definitely need some piece of hardware. Currently using my Mackie to boost the signal, eq, and also cut the low end to defeat the little amount of 60 cycle hum I have.

I did some comparing and my homemade piezo, which is hooked up directly to the shielded cable, does much better than the cheap off the shelf ones I’ve tried. I feel pretty good that if I shielded the piezo element itself with copper or aluminum (and grounded that), the hum would be even less or mostly gone.

#146

It doesn’t look as if it’s meant to be opened. Maybe if—when—the battery runs out of juice, I might be willing to perform an autopsy.

2 Likes
#147

I haven’t shared audio recordings online in a long time. What is a nice way to upload some stereo samples I captured with the Marshmallows? I am excited to show what they’re capable of!

#148

you can drag .wav’s or .mp3’s straight into a post if u want

1 Like
#149

Oh, here are some pics of my DIY Barcus Berry preamps (schematics/layout posted earlier in the thread (I think!)).

IMG_9685
IMG_9685.jpeg4032×3024 2.39 MB
IMG_9686
IMG_9686.jpeg4032×3024 2.15 MB

11 Likes