Vic Firth Robert Van Sice Keyboard Mallets Very Soft

Vic Firth's Robert van Sice Keyboard mallets belong to the Articulate Series and are engineered for performers seeking warmth and resonance in low register voicings. Van Sice's signature design prioritises tonal depth over articulation, making these mallets ideal for chorale work and sustained melodic passages where clarity must yield to rounded, full–bodied sound. The very soft construction determines head composition and density, directly influencing frequency response and dampening characteristics.

The M111 model sits within Vic Firth's keyboard mallet range, a category spanning multiple hardness grades to accommodate vibraphone, marimba, and pitched percussion contexts. Very soft mallets absorb impact energy more readily than standard or hard variants, resulting in reduced high–frequency content and extended note sustain. This construction suits ensemble settings and studio recording where blend and tonal cohesion outweigh rhythmic definition. The Robert van Sice signature reflects decades of applied experience in keyboard percussion performance and arrangement.

Low register chorales–the primary application context identified in technical documentation–demand mallets that permit resonant decay without metallic overtones or transient noise. The very soft construction addresses this requirement through material selection that prioritises compliance over durability, a trade–off familiar to percussionists working extended keyboard parts in orchestral and chamber contexts. Replacement frequency may increase with regular use, particularly on harder bar surfaces.

Features

• Vic Firth Articulate Series signature keyboard mallets.
• Robert van Sice design for warm, rounded tone quality.
• Very soft construction for low register and chorale voicings.
• M111 model designation for consistent identification and reordering.
• Reduced high–frequency content and extended note sustain.
• Suitable for vibraphone, marimba, and pitched percussion applications.
• Ideal for ensemble and studio recording contexts requiring tonal blend.
• Material compliance prioritises resonance over attack definition.