Current set-up
I'm currently using a Pearl malletSTATION controlling Soundiron Jazz Vibraphone Kontakt Library, hosted on Mainstage (using an edited version of the Mainstage set from Pearl/Musekinetics for proper MIDI mapping of the malletSTATION). I'm running this Mainstage set on a Macbook Air from 2023 with 24 GB of ram.
Non-tech set up:
I just use a keyboard stand for the malletSTATION and have it at the lowest possible setting to play seated if needed.
My music stand is a cheap one off Amazon/Walmart that folds into a case.
I prefer a plastic sustain/switch pedal over the piano style sustain for longer gigs
I also use a cheap, retractable stool to place my laptop near the malletSTATION.
Vibes Sample Library Recommendations
Below, you'll find two of my vibraphone sample library recommendations, complete with recording and a bit on the sampled instruments.
Soundiron Jazz Vibraphone
Soundiron's Jazz Vibraphone library is for Native Instrument's Kontakt and Decent Sampler, so you're not stuck with one option to play the virtual instrument.
Sampled Instrument(s): a 70s Musser & “Custom” Pearl/Adams 4 octave (for sure) and possibly using smaller/regular sized head mallets (i.e. Balter Blues [the vibes kind], Burtons, Good Vibes mallets).
You can read more about this sample library and purchase it using the link/button to the right.
I happen to have a promo code “MAMACITA” for a 5% discount. It's not much but it cuts a couple dollars off your purchase. This discount works for any product on the Soundiron site.
Full disclosure: I do get a percentage of the sale (at no cost to you) but I'm also giving you a discount - so everyone wins! Please consider supporting me by using the code so that I can continue to help the masses for free.
Soundiron happen to have made the onboard sounds of the EM Pro (the malletSTATION with the soundcard and extra, optional octaves).
In the video above, you'll see/hear a recording of the same samples from Soundiron within the EM Pro.
Soniccouture Vibraphone
Soniccouture's Vibraphone library is just a NI Kontakt instrument.
Sampled Instrument(s): This is clearly a Yamaha vibraphone, and by close listening and perusing the product page's recording session photos, said vibraphone was played with the Balter Blue vibes mallets (that were/are a part of their cord vibes mallets series).
I currently have no affliate link with Soniccouture but here's the product page: https://www.soniccouture.com/en/products/26-percussion/g46-vibraphone/
Oh! I do happen to have a copy of a license to download this product and am willing to send it to some for $100 - just reach out to me. [I received the second license when purchasing a bundle from Soniccouture that included these samples after I already purchased a copy individually - no foul games here].
This is a recording of myself using the Soniccouture Vibraphone library at a gig with the venue's malletSTATION.
This is a good reference because the bassist got a recording of the interface outputs from my laptop, so its a direct sound from the sample library in this recording.
Mallet Station Clips
Various videos from different performances featuring the use of the Pearl MalletStation.