Microphonic Soundbox Mk2
Create otherworldly sound textures by exciting springs, wood and other materials through bodysound vibrations.
Explore Microphonic Sound Textures by Touch
The Microphonic Soundbox is an instrument for experimental sound creation. It features a resonant wooden body equipped with contact microphones, battery-powered low-noise preamps and a variety of sound-generating surfaces, including springs, rods, textured panels and a kalimba. Use it standalone to create textures and samples or pair it with delay and loop-based effects for evolving soundscapes.
The Soundbox features a range of playable surfaces and objects that allow the creation of unheard sounds and textures. The main components are:
• Two metal rods – you can excite them with a stick or similar to get bell-like sounds, or play them with a bow to create ethereal–metallic tones. Pitching recordings down reveals deep metallic drones.
• Three metal springs – pluck, pull or whip them to produce vintage reverb-like spring sounds.
• Sandpaper surface – scratch it with different objects and materials to create sounds ranging from soft whispering to harsh scraping noises.
• Kalimba with 5 strips – play harmonic melodies or use the freely tunable mechanism to explore microtonal tunings. Transposing these recordings down can create low bass patterns.
The Soundbox is designed to be modular, featuring M3 threaded strips that allow additional objects to be attached using thumb screws.
To pick up the vibrations created by the surfaces and objects, two contact microphones are built into the instrument. One is placed at the centre for the kalimba, rods, springs and sandpaper. The second is positioned at the side to capture sounds from attached objects.
The internal preamp is specially designed to amplify contact microphones, delivering low-noise amplification with precise detail – allowing you to boost even the smallest and quietest objects and turn them into cinematic, gigantic soundscapes.
Two Channels, One Input, Two Outputs
The Microphonic Soundbox offers two independent amplifier channels and a 1/4″ input for external contact microphones, enabling extended routing options. The Microphonic Playground can serve as an extension as well to multiply your sonic possibilities.
Output 1 provides a mono mix of both channels. Using Output 2 alongside Output 1 splits the channels, allowing the Soundbox to be played on one output while the second one functions as an amplifier for an external contact microphone.
Expand the Soundbox with Add-ons for New Sonic Dimensions
The Microphonic Soundbox is designed for experimentation and for playing with different objects, materials and surfaces. You are free to use whatever you like to develop your own signature sounds. To help you get started, we’ve developed several Add-on Packs that create interesting sounds straight out of the box.
Mechanical Data:
Height / width: 261 x 150 x 583mm
Weight: ~770 g
Fres: 4.6 kHz
Zres: 200 Ω
Battery: 6LR61 or 6F22 – 9V
Preamp
Gain: ~100x / ~40dB
Input impedance: 3,3 MΩ
Output impedance: 1k Ω
One external input (deactivates one contact microphone)
Two outputs channels: mixed mono or channels separated
Contact Microphones