I almost exclusively record longer takes into the Blackbox, between 32 to 128 bar loops, quantized with the Blackbox setting to those exact bars. I record dry unless the fx are actually part of the sound’s inherent character, which is often the case with the delays from the Prophet 12, for example, and the Prophet is nine times out of ten, my recording source. Any other sound sources that I can’t sample directly into the Blackbox, I just copy paste to the card.
I usually build a track from there, and then resample stuff with the hardwired inputs through a small set of Chase Bliss pedals. Once that’s out of the way, I usually work only with the Blackbox for some time, to put a track together. I always use the sequencer per pad, it allows for interesting ways to modulate and create random elements even with fairly simple samples, and always use the Song mode to move elements in and out in a more coherent way.
I’d say I spend about 20% with Blackbox + other gear and 80% with just the Blackbox, when I write a song. I only use my own samples. I’m not a sample snob, but I usually don’t know what to do with someone else’s material, so it just doesn’t take my anywhere to work with loops or sequences I didn’t make myself.
I should add, I use the Blackbox internal tools a lot to shape the sound of my recordings. The filter, granular section, slicer with random applied to it, cycled loops, auto beat tweaks and pitching, they all work really well to add character. I don’t use much reverb or delay generally, but the onboard ones are good for expanding the room, if it’s called for - albeit sliiightly on the weak side as far as volume goes.
Figured I could post this here as well, I suppose. Another Blackbox creation, part of a follow-up (or continuation) to my last EP. Lots of Blackbox granular going on here on the synth pads. Hope ya like it -
What is your workflow/configuration for longer sets? Do you switch presets?
I put a chain of track stems together just for fun but they can’t playback at the same time obviously. this way i can save sample slots for different parts of recorded stuff tho.
If i wanted to go crazy i would make parallel samplechains where each wav contains parts of different songs in the same order and could have a prepared track per sequence. Then leave some space for live looping and a multisample for example…
If you’re gonna do a lot of editing in the piano roll, the MPC is obviously a better choice here: because of the screen size, it’s easier to edit. For the Blackbox I use a stylus.
Thanks for the explanation @circuitghost. I’m the same way regarding samples–always my own, unless it’s TR drums or something.
I find it interesting that only 20% of your process involves the hardware. From the Blackbox videos I’ve watched, I got the impression it doesn’t provide too many modulation options. I understand the menu-driven stuff, like pitch shifting/granular/slicer, etc… how do you use the sequencer for:
interesting ways to modulate and create random elements even with fairly simple samples
Also - nice track! I like the incidental sounds in your music that remind me of someone shifting in a chair… did you record those with a mic? They help create an intimate atmosphere to the piece.
Another question! This may be difficult to answer, but from a sound design perspective, how much credit would you give to the Blackbox vs hardware?
I’m trying to determine the extent to which I’m hearing the beautiful tones of a prophet, through really nice effect pedals, into a really really nice mixing console.
[edit: of course 100% of the credit goes to you…good tools used well… but you know what I mean]
Well, yes, in a way. I record all my field stuff with the Deluge, actually. It has an onboard microphone which somehow captures sounds just the way I like them, and the sampler then normalises that recording. So you get a very specific character, which works for me.
As far as giving credit to the Blackbox goes - and thank you for the 100% remark - the Blackbox refines what’s already working quite well. If I’d split it up, maybe it would go something like this -
Prophet stands for the overall character and tone of each piece. It’s a very nuanced instrument, so it translates well in a context where you start to mess with it.
The Chase Bliss stuff brings the warmer and intimate stuff to the table. The mono resampling, vibratos and flutters, cracked filters and stuff. But especially the Generation Loss can be quite harsh, so if the source material isn’t friendly, you can easily destroy something if you’re not careful.
And the SiX just opens it all up. It doesn’t sound bad from the Blackbox, but in comparison, there’s this bright and clear presence and the space and room it expands, when you run it and sum it through the SiX. A bit like looking out a dirty window. View’s still great, but then someone shows up and cleans it (that’d be the SiX in this context) and makes it wider, and boom, your view just improved significantly.
However, I should add that if I had the source material and the Blackbox only it would still make for being able to write great music. The granular, pitch shift, auto beat, slicing and stuff, really brings its own character to the mix as well.
I’ve read this thread with interest, and blackbox seems like a perfect fit for me. Having trouble justifying it though because I already have stuff that does what it does, just in separate packages. Wherein lies the rub, I can never really bring it all together workflow-wise.
It’s portability, feature set and its limitations really feel like they would let me bring together (and most importantly USE) all the separate stuff i do, making synth patches, weird stuff with drumbrute and meris hedra, acoustic guitar noodling and so on. At the moment, sure I can plug in a portable recorder and capture sounds, but if I’m honest I’m never going to chuck them in a DAW and chop them into something useful or load them as samples in Maschine.
For those of you who have/had one, does it help you to get more tracks made? To me its limitations from the number of available samples/sequences to the file structure seem very brain friendly.
My dilemma is though that for about half the price of a blackbox i could add an audio interface to my ipad pro and with something like beatmaker 3 and audiolayer for auto multisampling just about replicate the portability, feature set and workflow.
The problem is, would I be missing the blackbox special sauce?
I’m not looking to start an argument of which is better because x can do more than y, it’s more a question of ok, I can replicate the hardware and feature set for less money, therefore is the blackbox user interface worth the extra coin?
If I knew how to turn my iPad mini into a Blackbox, I would. Mostly because the iPad has its own battery and a way better touch screen. But the Blackbox does have knobs. Can’t beat knobs
It’s because hanging a soundcard/audio interface off of an iPad sucks in terms of ergonomics. It is awkward. The Blackbox is self-contained and compact. Unless USB audio is involved (for the sampling source), the iPad with an audio interface will never feel as smooth or comfortable - or like an integrated instrument.
Trust me, I’ve been thinking a out this issue since the Blackbox came out, and had my finger on the “buy” button at least three times. Always closed the browser and walked away, though.
Yes, it does help get more tracks made. The question is, which track do I finish next? There are so many good ideas floating around that it’s hard to pick. But, that’s a personal matter. As a sampler, the black box dominates. I feel that I have so much control of my content and I know where to find it for future use. Because sampling is so easy and fluid, the ideas keep coming. I find any product that puts up road blocks between you and your library will ultimately kill the creativity/ fun in making music.
I don’t think an external audio interface is much of an issue.
Most people that use the BB in their setup usually use it anyway.
It’s more about the knobs and GUI specially being designed for it.
A MIDI controller separate from the device itself will feel less direct.
Having controls and screen close to each in one device feels more logical.
Them knobs… would add korg nanokey studio whatsit thingy for knobs via bluetooth midi, but mapping is a pain
I agree, it generally does. In this specific case I was looking at the Steinberg ur44c, which is a similar footprint and can apparently be bus powered from a usbc ipad pro. I have the magic keyboard (with its extra power input) and was literally thinking of attaching that to the top of the interface with rubber bands… so way less dongle misery than usually goes along with an ipad setup.
Yeah, i think this is the biggest appeal overall. I’m super sensitive to road blocks, like if i pull a few piece of gear out to play with, but then find i need to go and grab something else or solve some technical issue it just kills it for me. I think while the ipad road could do all the things, it would take more mental energy to do them.
My holdup on the Blackbox is in the finishing part. The product’s inability to export stems is a mystery. Everyone calls the Blackbox a sketch pad, and if that’s the intent, then there should be a frictionless way to move from sketch pad to DAW.
I guess that’s where we differ. I don’t spend much time editing in a DAW. I record my tracks live and then do some final level adjustments in Audition with an ozone plug in. I keep it simple.
For context, I use BB with my Digitakt and this has been working very well. A lot of sample collecting happens on the BB, and I do sketch out ideas on it. But ultimately I like to sequence it with the midi tracks on the Digitakt.
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