Pearl malletSTATION EM1chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Velocity inconsistency is the most repeated frustration across owners and reviewers. Numerous commenters describe identical mallet strokes producing wildly different MIDI velocity values, with some calling it a 'show-stopper' compared to the MalletKAT's more reliable response. A firmware update and bar calibration protocol reportedly helped some users, but others say the EM1 remained 'basically unusable' even after calibration, and several ask years later whether the issue was ever truly fixed.

Build quality and reliability concerns surface repeatedly among long-term and new owners alike. One long-term user went through four units, citing chassis flex causing double-triggering, dead pads, and eventual rubber key separation after two years of normal use. Others report bars that simply don't work out of the box despite firmware updates and editing software, sending units back and calling the quality 'terrible.' These reports raise real concerns about consistency in manufacturing and long-term durability.

Dampening and sustain-pedal behavior work for some but confuse many others. Several commenters ask how dampening or the sustain pedal functions for vibraphone-style sounds, with one noting it relies on the pedal being down and works best with short-release sounds rather than long-release vibe patches. Others report an inability to sustain with the pedal at all, and one calls the lack of dampening 'a huge disappointment,' suggesting the feature's behavior is inconsistent or unclear to users.