1010music Blackbox 3.0 User manual

Blackbox 3.0
User Manual
Apr 21, 2023
This manual still needs another editing and technical review pass. Please
excuse the typos and small inconsistencies.

Page 2 of 123 Copyright 1010music LLC 2023
Blackbox 3.0 User Manual
WELCOME 8
SET UP BLACKBOX 9
MicroSD Card for Storage................................................................................................................ 9
Power...................................................................................................................................................... 9
Standard Power Outlet .............................................................................................................. 9
USB Power Outlet ........................................................................................................................ 9
Output Connections........................................................................................................................ 10
Control the Volume ...........................................................................................................................11
Test Your Setup ..................................................................................................................................11
Connect an Audio Input for Sampling ........................................................................................11
OVERVIEW 12
Navigation Highlights......................................................................................................................12
Display Highlights.............................................................................................................................13
QUICK START 14
Explore PADS ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Explore KEYS.......................................................................................................................................15
Explore Sequences ...........................................................................................................................15
Explore Songs .....................................................................................................................................16
Song Mode and REC | STOP | PLAY Buttons ............................................................................17
Explore Presets ..................................................................................................................................18
To Load a Preset..................................................................................................................... 18
To Save a Preset ..................................................................................................................... 18
To Create and Name a Preset: ......................................................................................... 19
SCREEN NAVIGATION MAP 20
WORK WITH PADS 21
Steps Common to All Pad Modes ................................................................................................21
To Load a WAV File into a Pad: .........................................................................................22
To Set Pad Mode, Loop and End Points on the WAV Form Screen .....................23
To Congure Pad Parameters...........................................................................................25
To Add Modulation to a Parameter................................................................................ 26
Table of Contents

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Blackbox 3.0 User Manual
Global Pad Parameters...................................................................................................................27
Main Parameters ........................................................................................................................ 27
Conf Parameters ......................................................................................................................... 28
LFO Parameters ..........................................................................................................................30
Set Up a Sample Pad........................................................................................................................31
Single Sample Pads .................................................................................................................... 31
Pos Parameters Specic to Sample Pads........................................................................... 31
Conf Parameters Specic to Sample Pads........................................................................ 33
Loop Fading..................................................................................................................................34
Multi-Sample Pads..................................................................................................................... 35
To Load a Sample Bank into a Multi-Sample Pad:.....................................................35
Work with a Clip Pad ......................................................................................................................38
Pos Pad Parameters Specic to Clip Mode....................................................................... 39
Clip Mode and Quantization...................................................................................................40
Tips for Synchronizing Clips .............................................................................................. 41
Work with Slicer Pads..................................................................................................................... 41
Pos Pad Parameters Specic to Slicer Mode ...................................................................42
To Manually Create or Remove Slices ........................................................................... 43
To Use Auto Scan to Create Slices..................................................................................44
To Use Slice to Grid ..............................................................................................................44
To Use Slices to Synchronize Playback of Clip Pads................................................44
Work with Granular Pads ..............................................................................................................45
Pad Parameters Specic to Granular Mode .....................................................................45
Record New WAV Files.................................................................................................................. 46
To record a single WAV le ..............................................................................................46
Work with WAV Files Recorded on Blackbox ..................................................................49
If you are recording WAVs for the current preset .................................................... 49
If you are recording WAVs to build up a library of sounds.................................... 49
Advanced Recording Techniques.........................................................................................50
To Use Resampling to Layer Recordings and Save Effects ................................... 50
To Record a Multi-Sample Bank using MIDI or CV + Gate Automation..............52
To save the values you have congured for a pad back to the WAV le......... 56

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Blackbox 3.0 User Manual
Trim WAV Files ..................................................................................................................................57
Use Clipboard Functions with Pads...........................................................................................58
Manage WAV Files ...........................................................................................................................59
Working with WAV Files on the MicroSD Card................................................................ 59
To Delete, Save As or Rename a WAV File................................................................... 60
To Pack a Preset..................................................................................................................... 61
WORK WITH KEYS 62
Use the KEYS Screen to Play Individual Pads ........................................................................62
To Play a Sample, Granular or Clip Pad With the KEYS Screen ........................... 62
To Play Slicer Mode Pads With Keys.............................................................................. 62
To Select a Scale on the Grid Keyboard........................................................................ 64
To Change Which Pad is Playing on the Keys Screen............................................. 64
Use the Keys Screen with Sequences.......................................................................................65
To Record a Keys or MIDI Sequence Using the Keys Screen Mapped to a
Sequence................................................................................................................................. 65
To Record a Keys Sequence Using the Keys Screen Mapped to a Pad ............. 65
WORK WITH SEQUENCES 66
Sequence Patterns...........................................................................................................................66
To Select the Active Pattern for a Sequence from the Sequences Grid........... 66
To Record a Sequence ........................................................................................................ 67
Record and Play Sequences .........................................................................................................67
To Toggle Song Mode On and Off................................................................................... 67
To Select the Active Pattern for a Sequence from the Sequencer Screen...... 67
To Play Sequences ............................................................................................................... 69
To Edit and View the Notes and Pad Triggers in a Sequence .............................. 70
To Copy and Clear Sequences........................................................................................... 71
To Edit Sequence and Pattern Settings ....................................................................... 72
To Use Sequence Quick Action Buttons ...................................................................... 74
To Adjust Probability and Velocity for Note Events ................................................. 74
To Import a MID le into a Sequence.............................................................................75

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Blackbox 3.0 User Manual
WORK WITH SONGS 77
Parts of a Scene ................................................................................................................................78
To Manage Scenes ............................................................................................................... 79
To Reorder Scenes................................................................................................................ 79
Keep ..................................................................................................................................................... 80
To Record a Sequence during Song Playback ........................................................... 80
APPLY EFFECTS 81
To Route a Pad to an Effect ............................................................................................... 81
To Modify Effect Parameters ............................................................................................ 81
To Apply Modulation to Effect Parameters................................................................. 83
EQ CONTROL 84
To Adjust the EQ ................................................................................................................... 85
ADJUST THE MIX 86
To Adjust the Sound Level and Pan of a Pad.............................................................. 86
To Mute and Unmute Pads................................................................................................ 86
MANAGE PRESETS 87
To Save Changes to a Preset ............................................................................................ 88
To Load a Preset.................................................................................................................... 89
To Pack a Preset.................................................................................................................... 89
To Clean Unused WAV Files Out of a Preset’s Folder .............................................. 90
To Delete a Preset ................................................................................................................ 90
To Rename a Preset.............................................................................................................. 91
To Save Current Changes as a New Preset .................................................................. 91
Work with Preset Files on the MicroSD Card .........................................................................92
Legacy Presets ..................................................................................................................................92
What will happen to my legacy presets? How do I convert them to the new
le structure? ........................................................................................................................ 92
When will my legacy WAV les get cleaned out of the root folder? ................ 93
TOOLS 94
Settings on the Tools Screen....................................................................................................... 94

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Blackbox 3.0 User Manual
USE MIDI DEVICES WITH BLACKBOX 96
Work with MIDI Inputs ...................................................................................................................96
To Trigger Pad Hits and Sequences with MIDI .......................................................... 97
To Play Notes and Use Common MIDI Modulation Commands on a Pad:....... 98
To Record Sequences in Keys Mode with MIDI.......................................................... 99
To Map MIDI Control Changes to Pad and Effect Parameters ............................. 99
To Clear a MIDI CC Mapping to a blackbox Parameter ........................................... 99
MIDI Triggered Recording ...........................................................................................................101
To Congure Blackbox to Use MIDI Triggered Recording: ...................................101
To Clear a Specic Pad Using MIDI ................................................................................101
To Trigger Recording to a Specic Pad Using MIDI: ...............................................102
To Use MIDI Notes Actions to Record or Clear a Pad..............................................103
Using Song Mode with MIDI.......................................................................................................104
To Trigger Song Scenes with a MIDI Device ............................................................. 104
Summary of MIDI Global In Channel Note Mappings ....................................................... 105
To Disable MIDI Triggered Recording and Pad Clearing ......................................106
Sharing of MIDI Input Channels ............................................................................................... 106
Use MIDI Program Change to Open a Preset ...................................................................... 107
To Enable or Disable MIDI Program Changes ..........................................................107
Work with MIDI Outputs..............................................................................................................108
Use MIDI Out to Play an External MIDI Instrument Along with blackbox .......... 109
To Send MIDI Notes from a Keys or Pads Sequence to an External MIDI
Instrument ............................................................................................................................109
Use MIDI Sequences to Play an External MIDI Instrument ...................................... 109
To Setup a MIDI Sequence and Add Notes via the Touchscreen ...................... 110
To Record a MIDI Sequence Using the Keys Screen ............................................... 110
To Record a MIDI Sequence Using an External MIDI Controller ...........................111
SYNCHRONIZE PLAYBACK WITH A CLOCK 112
Time Units for Display and Sync ............................................................................................... 112
Send the Blackbox Clock Signal to External Devices ........................................................ 112
Congure Blackbox to Follow an External Clock ................................................................ 113
Reset the Clock ................................................................................................................................114
Tap Tempo ........................................................................................................................................114

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Blackbox 3.0 User Manual
POWERING MIDI DEVICES 115
CREATE PRESET TEMPLATES FOR RE-USE 116
To Congure a Pad without a WAV le .......................................................................116
To Add a WAV le to a Template Pad ...........................................................................116
REDUCE ALIASING WHEN PLAYING PADS CHROMATICALLY 117
To Use HighQ Mode to Reduce Aliasing.......................................................................117
PROCESSOR MANAGEMENT TIPS 118
UPDATE FIRMWARE, AUDIO FILES AND PRESETS 119
Switch to a New MicroSD Card While Operating Blackbox............................................. 119
Backup Your Presets and WAV Files ........................................................................................ 119
Install New Firmware ..................................................................................................................... 119
To Install New Firmware ....................................................................................................119
Reset a Blackbox Preset to Factory Settings ....................................................................... 120
TECHNICAL SPECS 121
Onboard Memory ............................................................................................................................ 121
Maximum Sample Length............................................................................................................ 121
Samples Supported ........................................................................................................................ 121
Maximum Number of Voices Supported................................................................................. 121
Pin Mapping for Mini TRS Jack to MIDI 5 Pin DIN Connectors........................................122
STAY UP TO DATE 123
Demonstration Videos and Latest Documentation............................................................123
Latest Troubleshooting Tips........................................................................................................123
Connect with Other Blackbox Users........................................................................................123
Contact Us..........................................................................................................................................123

Page 8 of 123 Copyright 1010music LLC 2023
Blackbox 3.0 User Manual
WELCOME
Welcome to the blackbox user manual. Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you want
to get a quick overview of the basic features of blackbox, please check out the Quick Start
Guide. You can nd it in the box with your blackbox, or on the blackbox support page at:
https://1010music.com/blackboxdocs
If you are ready to get more detail about a specic feature or learn more of the
capabilities of this portable sampling studio, then this is the document for you. We will
get into more detail about setup options, explain the features in each of the screens, get
your MIDI connections working, move les around and cover some tips to get the most
out of your blackbox.
If you still have questions after reading this manual, join our forum at forum.1010music.
com. You can specically get blackbox support at:
https://forum.1010music.com/forum/products/blackbox/support-blackbox
Our support team and other users are out there to help you and to exchange ideas about
how to get the most out of blackbox. Registered forum users can also get the latest
rmware with new features and bug xes in the downloads section of the forum.
Registration is free, but you will need to provide an email address.
Before you get started, you may want to check for rmware updates for your blackbox.
Learn how to do that in Update Firmware, Audio Files and Presets section near the end of
this document, or in the YouTube video at https://youtu.be/jiu5tJFYiVE. This document
covers version 3.0 rmware.
Pads Keys Sequences
FXSong Scenes Mixer

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Copyright 1010music LLC 2023
Blackbox 3.0 User Manual
SET UP BLACKBOX
You have probably already plugged in your blackbox and started to play with it. Let’s
make sure you have everything set up properly so you can follow along with the manual.
Blackbox stores all of the samples and presets on the microSD card. Before you can use
the blackbox, you will need to insert the microSD card, connect to power and connect to
one or more outputs. You can then also connect an audio input for recording.
MicroSD Card for Storage
Take the microSD card out of the plastic case, Ain the
gure to the right. Insert the microSD card, with the text
facing up and the notched edge to the right, into the
MICRO SD slot, S, on the front panel. The card reader is
spring loaded. Push the card in to remove it when
needed later. Leave it in for now.
Power
Blackbox needs to be connected to a 2 amp power
source, using a USB cable designed to carry power. You
can plug it into a standard power outlet or a USB power
supply. Either way, you will insert the square end of the
USB Power cord, B, into the POWER connection on the
back panel. The connection is snug to ensure that the
device stays plugged in during use.
Standard Power Outlet
If you are plugging directly into a standard power outlet,
slide the appropriate two or three prong connector, E,
onto the USB power supply, D. Then connect the atter
end of the USB power cord, B, into the USB connection
on the power supply. Bluebox will turn on as soon as the
power is connected.
USB Power Outlet
If you are using your own USB power supply, plug the
atter end of the USB power cord into a 2 amp USB
power supply, such as a USB outlet or a USB battery
AA B CD
What Comes in the Box
S
MicroSD Slot

Copyright 1010music LLC 2023
Page 10 of 123
Blackbox 3.0 User Manual
Output Connections
Connect speakers or headphones to the 3.5 mm stereo
audio outputs on the back panel. To start, we
recommend connecting external speakers or
headphones to the PHONES jack, since all outputs are
routed to the PHONES jack and you can control volume
from blackbox. All of the audio jacks are stereo 3.5mm
connectors. This makes for a total of 6 audio outputs (3
Audio Out jacks x2), stereo headphones, and a stereo
input. The audio output will be at Eurorack levels which
is +/- 5 volts. This is louder than a consumer electronics
line level, so you may need a mixer to connect with
consumer electronics gear.
NOTE:
►Not all USB power supplies are created equal. Make sure your power
supply can provide 2 amps of power. The USB power supply included
with blackbox will do this.
►Not all USB Type B cables are the same. Some are made only for data,
while others are designed to carry power. Blackbox comes with a USB
Type B power cable. If you want to replace it with a longer cable, be
sure it is rated to carry power.
►You can take the microSD card out and reinsert while blackbox is
powered up.
►When you plug blackbox into a USB power bank, keep in mind that
these power banks do not send information to blackbox about how
much power is remaining. There may be a low power indicator light on
the power bank itself. Blackbox will not give you a warning when power
is low, so be sure to save your presets before the power bank runs out.
►Some batteries may not be sufcient to support a USB MIDI device in
addition to blackbox. See Powering MIDI Devices below for more
information.
Back Panel