Microphonic Soundbox mk2 is a versatile sound design instrument and features active battery powered low noise pre-amps. This is the flagship of the Microphonic Soundbox cosmos and features the most possibilities for sonic exploration on the basis of body sound transmission.

Standalone it's already fun, but its whole potential is unveiled when it's being processed in realtime by live-sampling, loopers and effects. Possibilities are endless and thousands of sound designers and musicians use it in their creative work process.

Facts:
• two channels with internal contact microphones
• battery powered low noise pre-amps (~100x Gain)
• two outputs: mixed mono or channels separated
• channel one can act as pre-amp for external input
• multifunctional holder, based on M3 threaded strips (left side & under Kalimba)
• removable Kalimba
• Soundbox is a hub for external contact mics: use channel 1 as pre-amp on out 1 while play the actual Soundbox on out 2
• output features an attenuator
• power management switches the LED from blue to red when battery goes under 7 volt
• soft grip rubber feet for acoustic decoupling

We recommend to additionally buy the violin bow and rosin for being able to play it properly.

* It is sold without the add-ons on the pictures.

Soundbox History: Manuel from LeafAudio created this instrument in the late nineties and used it on lots of his Xabec albums, in live shows and sound design work. Before we made it public 2017, it had a 20 year long and very personal history.

Microphonic Playground is the newest addition in our series of sound design instruments. Like its bigger sister, the Microphonic Soundbox, it's a playground for sonic exploration of any kind. It can also be your inexpensive entry into the Soundbox world before you possibly upgrade later.

The difference to the Microphonic Soundbox are two things:

1) It is passive, has no active amplification and needs no power supply.

2) It's an open playground with no audio sources or objects built into it, so you are free to attach everything to it what you can imagine, for example our add-ons.

The unit has an audio input and an output. Its audio output can be amplified by the external input of a Microphonic Soundbox and therefore act as an extension. Or it can be amplified by any pre-amplifier, mixing desk or audio interface. Multiple Playgrounds can be cascaded in series. Play it on its own, or extend your Microphonic Soundbox with one or two Playgrounds and some of the new add-ons.

You're free to use it as a platform for sonic experimentation or just convert it into a Bass Kalimba, for example, and leave it that way. Please choose your own way to play with it and let your imagination and creativity guide you.

Facts:

• built in contact microphone

• passive, no power supply needed

• many mounting possibilities for add-ons through five threaded M3 strips

• universal wooden object holder on the side

• four M3 thumb screws included

• 1 audio input, 1 audio output

• multiple units can be linked

• soft rubber feet

• 162 mm x 147 mm x 60 mm (w/d/h)

• 0,244 kg

It comes with a printed user manual, but you can also download it here.

Add-On Pack #1 is made for the Microphonic Soundbox mk2 and Microphonic Playground. We offer it to get you started into experimentation and sound design. Add-On Pack #1 and Add-On Pack #2 complement each other.

Add-On Pack #1 includes:
• 2x Compression Spring (big, small)
• 1x Clockwork Spring
• 1 Pair of Chopsticks
• 5x Wobbly Tension Springs (short)
• 1x Wobbly Tension Springs (long)
• 1x Reverb Spring
• 1x Kalimba Tongue FR4 1,6mm
• 2x Thumb Screws M3x16mm
• 2x Small Magnets
• 1x Rubberband 100x5mm

Add-On Pack #2 is made for the Microphonic Soundbox mk2 and Microphonic Playground. We offer it to get you started into experimentation and sound design. Add-On Pack #1 and Add-On Pack #2 complement each other.

Add-On Pack #2 includes:
• 1x Steel Wires
• 2x Mini Springs 2,2x19mm
• 1x Bamboo Brush
• 1x Tension Spring 58x10mm
• 2x Metal Marbles 6-8mm
• 1x Rubberband 200x6mm

If you want to play the Microphonic Soundbox, we recommend to additionally buy the violin bow and rosin for being able to play it properly and get a much wider range of possible tones out of it.

Our Bass Kalimba Set fits for the Microphonic Soundbox mk2 and for it’s little brother, the Microphonic Playground. It has longer strips than the standard Soundbox Kalimba and therefore sounds deeper. Two of the strips are thicker than the others (1,6 mm instead of 1,2 mm) what results in a further sound variation.

The holes in the strips are ment to face towards the player. You could possibly use it with single hairs of a violin bow or use steel wire to mount something onto it. It’s all about exploration.

Use the included M3 countersunk screws (complete set only) to mount it on the Microphonic Soundbox mk2 or Microphonic Playground. You will need a TX10 (Torx) screwdriver bit.

Length: 120 mm
Width: 9 mm
Thickness: 1,2 mm / 1,6 mm

Our Eggslicer Harp (german: Eier-Harfe) fits for the Microphonic Soundbox mk2 and for Microphonic Playground.
• 1x Eggslicer Harp
• 1x Holder
• 2x M3 Thumb Screws

Brass replacement rods for Microphonic Soundbox mk1 and mk2. It comes with a plastic tube which also can store a violin bow for your travels.
• 2x Brass rods
• 1x Plastic tube

This is a set of two objects which can be used as holders for other objects or to play and strike various things like springs, metal objects etc. The holes have the same spacing like found the Microphonic Soundbox or Microphonic Playground. There is no rule what to do with it, please just check what it wants you to do with it and experiment.
• 1x Saw/Wave big
• 1x Saw small

A set of 4x thumb screw M3x16 for Microphonic Soundbox, Microphonic Playground and many other applications.

A set of 4x rised thumb screw M3x20 including a spacer for Microphonic Soundbox, Microphonic Playground and many other applications.

Cable with rubber-sealed contact microphone in special housing which is electrically shielded. Means: no hum is introduced, only your crystal clear signal. Made for Microphonic Soundbox (which also is a ultra low noise high class amp with 40dB amplification), but you can use it with any mixer, interface, recorder. Usable as contact mic or pressure sensor for modulars. It is rubber coated but not waterproof (it might be, but was not ment as hydrophone).

6,3mm HiCon or 3,5mm Amphenol connector and Sommer Cable Cicada wire. Small diameter, durable jacket, oxygen free copper. Diameter 2,6mm, conductor 0,14mm2, shielding factor 95%, temperature range -30°C to +70°C, resistance 148Ω/km, weight 13g/m. Available in 2 lengths and with 6,3mm or 3,5mm jack.

With this cable you could use both 6,3mm outputs of Microphonic Soundbox and send it to a stereo 3,5mm (TRS) input of devices like 1010music Blackbox etc. If you need other cables, please check our cable section.