1010Music Blackbox Sampler Sequencer
Great box for the price (US$599), well, just a great little device period. Solid build, great support from the manufacturer thus far, does what it says on the packet very well, and regular firmware updates continue to add functionality and improve workflow.
Blackbox streams 24bit/48k direct from SD card (able to convert virtually any .wav format on the fly) and the sound quality is great (admittedly I have only transferred wavs from my computer, I’m yet to use the jack in for sampling directly into the unit).
For a hi quality playback device that runs off a USB recharging brick (or USB- AC plug) for hours and hours it’s fantastic. Your USB controller can plug directly into it’s USB port and USB powered devices can power off it (so long as it’s power requirements aren’t exorbitant.) I was using my QuNeo as a pad controller for hours with a low quality $15 USB power pack and still had plenty of juice left in the tank.
Usabilty
Blackbox can run up to 16 midi or 16 audio tracks or any combination. Each of the 16 sequencers are capable of running at odd time signatures independently, meaning one could be running at 4/4 while another at 7/8 by adjusting the ‘step count’, although in song mode your sections are limited to the 4/4 grid as of (firmware 1.2 beta.)
It has 3 stereo outs (which can be treated as 6 mono outs) plus headphones out (hardwired to be a sum of all the other outs). Recording then looping it back while running a sequence is a piece of cake.
The sequencer has a song mode that is quite usable, although editing notes in the sequencer is a little clunky for me, but it’s possible that’s due to my shortfalls, not the fault of the device . Has baby ableton vibe about it almost like a clip view. Sequences can be odd lengths and there are some random elements that can be dialled in to add some chaos to your sequencing. The analysis of a loop, slicing and placing the slices chromatically on the keyboard is REALLY easily.
It must be noted that the midi and audio connections are all mini-jacks (2 MIDI Adapters – Male 3.5mm TRS to Female 5 pin DIN are supplied) and the unit has midi in and out, no through connection.
Developments
This thing has just come out but the makers are very pro-active, engaging with users and implementing wishlist features very quickly. It seems like there’s updates monthly ATM, adding functionality and workflow improvements.
Yeah, it’s not a computer running a DAW, an Octatrack or an MPC, but they already exist if you want one. Sure, like everything there limitations, it’s not gonna be all things to all people, but presently the glass is half full for me when it comes to this unit.
This is a great little reinvention of the wheel, and VERY intuitive to use.
Key Features
- Streams long samples from the microSD card with a max sample size of 4 GB, which can be many hours
- 1 stereo audio input and 3 stereo audio outputs, plus stereo headphones output
- 16 note polyphony: Up to 4 notes per pad for samples, 2 notes per pad for clips and slicers
- 16 samples, 16 sequences and 16 song sections per preset
- Supports 1 and 2 channel WAV files with 16, 24 or 32-bit resolution at any sample rate (48kHz preferred)
- 24-bit ADC and DAC
- USB MIDI Device In and TRS MIDI In can trigger samples, notes and sequences
- TRS Clock In and Out, and TRS MIDI Out for synchronizing with additional instruments
- USB powered – can run off a USB power block or wall outlet
- Dimensions: 5.5″ x 5″ x 1.25″ (14 cm x 13 cm x 3 cm)
You can check out 1010music’s Blackbox in more detail here: https://1010music.com/product/blackbox
