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M-Audio black box User Manual

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Audio equipment should ALWAYS be powered up and down in a certain order. The power amp feeding your speakers should
ALWAYS be turned on last and turned off first. If you turn other pieces of audio equipment on while they are connected to the powered
speakers, loud transient pops will occur which can damage your hearing and your speakers. Always turn on all of your other audio
devices that are connected to your powered speakers BEFORE you turn on your powered speakers. The same is true for turning
things off. ALWAYS turn off your powered speakers BEFORE you turn off any other equipment connected to them. Following this
simple rule will ensure that both your ears and your speakers will function normally for a long time to come.
Hello From Roger Linn
Thank you for purchasing the Black Box, a very exciting product created collaboratively by Roger Linn Design and the great folks at
M-Audio. You may know of me from having invented the first digital drum machines in the 1980s, or from my MPC MIDI Production
Center products with Akai in the 1990s. But you may not know that I'm also a guitarist, and my passion for guitar sound led to my
more recent creation of the award-winning AdrenaLinn beat-synced guitar effects processor (www.rogerlinndesign.com.) Now I'm
very proud to combine many of the best parts of AdrenaLinn with M-Audio's considerable expertise in computer-centric products.
The result is the Black Box.
What is the Black Box? It's a superb amp modeler combined with a unique effects processor that syncs to an internal drum machine.
Plus, it's a complete digital audio interface to your computer. The beat-synced effects are the part I enjoy most: tremolo, flanging,
delay--even looped sequences of filtered tones or arpeggiated notes and more—all playing in perfect sync to the beat or your
recording software. I think you'll find—as others have—that the Black Box will lead you down a path of new musical ideas and head-
turning recordings.
On behalf of all the creative minds at both M-Audio and Roger Linn Design, I'd like to welcome you to the brave new world of the
Black Box.
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the M-Audio Black Box. The Black Box has been designed to inspire any guitarist by providing great-sounding
amp models, drum loops and beat-synced effects. Using the convenience of USB, the Black Box is also a high-resolution 24-
bit/44.1kHz audio interface for your computer, complete with instrument input, microphone input and balanced analog outputs.
Included WDM, ASIO II, and Core Audio drivers allow for easy setup with any Windows XP or Mac OS 10.3.7 or higher compatible
recording application.
As a stand-alone device, the Black Box is primarily a songwriting tool. However, the analog outputs or digital S/PDIF output can be
used to send your guitar's processed signal to other recording devices. The main outputs can be used with powered monitors like the
M-Audio BX5s and the headphone jack can be used with standard headphones. There are 12 amp models, 43 beat-synced effect
types, an independent beat-synced delay effect and 99 different drumbeats to choose from. You can tap the tempo on the Black Box
front panel or use an external momentary pedal like the M-Audio SP-1 to set up your rhythms. All of the effects automatically lock
to the tempo of the drumbeat. This way, the sounds of your effects are always in perfect sync with the drums. A chromatic tuner is
also included.
Even if you are an experienced musician and digital recording enthusiast, we recommend you take a few moments to read through
this owners' manual and familiarize yourself with the Black Box's features and operation. You may also want to refer to your audio
software's documentation, to better understand how the Black Box's features are integrated with the audio program. Your experience
and enjoyment of your Black Box will be greatly enhanced by a good working knowledge of your audio software.
IMPORTANT!
3

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  • Page 1 I think you’ll find—as others have—that the Black Box will lead you down a path of new musical ideas and head- turning recordings. On behalf of all the creative minds at both M-Audio and Roger Linn Design, I’d like to welcome you to the brave new world of the Black Box.

  • Page 2: What's In The Box

    Minimum Computer System Requirements If you intend to use your Black Box as an audio interface with your computer, please make certain that your computer meets the minimum requirements below. See the “Driver Installation” section later in this manual for instructions on use of the Black Box with a computer.

  • Page 3: Rear Panel Connectors

    < Connect an expression pedal, like the M-Audio EX-P, to the Expression pedal jack to control functions like wah effects (5) < Connect a momentary pedal, like the M-Audio SP-1, to the P1 (6) and/or P2 (7) jacks to control functions like Start/Stop (6) <...
  • Page 4 The red Clip LED (18) will light if the input signal is too hot. The best input signal level is achieved when the green LED is solid and the red LED only blinks occasionally. Operation of the Black Box is primarily accomplished by changing presets and drumbeats. Presets A preset is a unique combination of all the settings that affect the guitar sound, including guitar amp models, effects and delay.

  • Page 5: Editing The Parameters Of The Black Box

    Adjusting the Noise Gate The Black Box has a feature called a “Noise Gate” that acts to prevent feedback or noise from your guitar’s pickups becoming noticeable while you are not playing. Once the input signal from your guitar drops below a certain threshold volume level, the Noise Gate automatically turns off the remaining signal completely so that any unwanted noise or feedback doesn’t get through to the...

  • Page 6: Adjusting The Amp

    Amp Drive This knob (#2) changes the Amp Drive (0-99) will affect the amount of distortion in the signal. The Black Box has “tons” of gain. If you’re trying to dial in a very heavy tone, start with a setting of (20) and go higher until you find what you’re looking for.

  • Page 7: Editing Effects

    Reinhold Bogner had been designing and building amplifiers long before leaving Germany in 1989. Van Halen entrusted Reinhold to overhaul and revitalize Eddies #1 Marshall Plexi, Eddie was pleased. BOGNER AMPLIFICATION was born. Editing Effects The Black Box has 43 different effects for you to choose from: TREM1 Tremolo 1...

  • Page 8: Effect Descriptions

    Effect Descriptions This section will describe the effects in the Black Box. You’ll find that the Black Box has some very unique effects that you will not find in other effect processors. To get the true feel of the effects, it is recommended that you audition them while the drum machine is on.
  • Page 9 Filter Sequence This is one of the effects that really makes the Black Box unique. You’ll probably be writing a new song based around this sound within minutes of trying it. In this effect, your instrument tone changes in two-measure looping rhythmic patterns of filter tones. As with the Tremolo Sequences, try playing sustained chords at first in order to get a feel for how the rhythm of the sequences best...

  • Page 10: Wah Pedal

    In this effect, a flanger is used with incoming MIDI note values modulating the flanger delay. For example, if you record a MIDI piano track into a sequencer and play that track in to the Black Box as you play guitar, the flanger tone will match the frequency of the notes played by the sequencer.

  • Page 11: Editing The Delay

    Most delay effects make you set delay time in milliseconds (ms). This is useful and the Black Box can do this too. However, it is nearly impossible to try to make a (ms) setting match the tempo of your song. On the Black Box you simply set the delay time using note values.

  • Page 12: Adjusting The Utilities

    We recommend using the M-Audio EX-P expression pedal with the Black Box. The expression pedal must be connected when the Black Box is powered up in order for it to work. Press the Utility key and use the third rotary control under EXP PEDAL on the LCD to assign a function to the expression pedal. Many expression pedals, including the M-Audio EX-P, have a level control.

  • Page 13: Assigning Momentary Pedal Settings

    Black Box (The only key that does not function this way is the UTILITY key). To assign these pedals, simply step on the pedal you wish to assign and hold it down while you press and hold down one of the keys on the left side of the Black Box for one second, then let up on the pedal.

  • Page 14: Windows Xp Setup

    Black Box control panel. You will also not be able to update the firmware of your unit. You can always start by running the unit as a class-compliant device and then install the drivers later to obtain these other features if you need them. However, be sure that your Black Box is not connected to your computer via USB when you begin to install the drivers.
  • Page 15 DAW via USB. This way, if you set your session tempo to 135 BPM, the internal drum machine and beat-synced effects on the Black Box will also follow that tempo. There are a few settings that must be made to make this happen. On the Effects & MIDI tab of the Black Box control panel, you must change the timing source to External MIDI Beat Clock.

  • Page 16: Driver Installation

    Insert the Black Box driver CD-ROM into your computer. If your computer’s “Autoplay” function is on, an M-Audio menu screen will come up. If not, you’ll need to browse the contents of the CD and select “Autoplay.” With the M-Audio menu up, use the Product drop-down menu to select Black Box.
  • Page 17 Your computer will pop up a “new hardware found” message indicating your Black Box is now installed and ready to use. You will see the M-Audio Black Box control panel icon in your system tray (lower right corner of your desktop). Double-click on the icon to open the Black Box control panel.
  • Page 18 Mac OS X Version 10.3.x (Panther) Insert the M-Audio driver CD into your CD-ROM drive and open the CD to view its contents. Click the “Open Me” icon. An M-Audio menu will appear. Use the Product drop-down menu to select Black Box. Then click on “Install.” The installation process wil begin.
  • Page 19 Select a destination disk for the installation, and then click “Continue.” In the Easy Install box, click “Upgrade.” You will need your Administrator Password for the next step. Once it has been entered, click “OK” and then click “Upgrade.”...
  • Page 20 After the computer has restarted connect the Black Box to your computer via USB. The Black Box will now be available in your Audio MIDI Setup. Be sure that the device is shown as “M-Audio Black Box.” If it is only...

  • Page 21: Control Panels

    The delay and filter effects of the Black Box can lock to the internal drum machine tempo or from external MIDI beat clock. Simply left click on the radio button to make your selection. Your MIDI application must be set to send MIDI beat clock out to the Black Box MIDI Port.

  • Page 22: Performance Page

    Presets are saved on the computer as MIDI SYSEX files (.syx). These files can be named like any other file in the Windows or Mac OS. Be aware that the name of the file on the computer has nothing to do with the name of the file in the Black Box. The Black Box has its own naming convention described on page 24 in this manual.

  • Page 23: Recording With A Daw (Digital Audio Workstation)

    When recording to a DAW, the input sources provided by the Black Box software driver are 1 (Left DSP Output), 2 (Right DSP Output), 3 (dry guitar), 4 (dry Mic)—the last two inputs will only be available if you’ve installed the Black Box driver. If “Guitar” is selected, the dry, unprocessed instrument signal will be recorded on that track.

  • Page 24: Troubleshooting

    A mic stand mounting bracket with 4 mounting screws is included in the box. Once the mounting bracket has been screwed into the Black Box, a mic stand can be screwed into the bracket. This can be handy for operating the device at a convenient height while standing up to play, such as in a live setting.
  • Page 25 Contact Us For additional help, technical support is available on our website at www.m-audio.com, where you can fill out our technical support form. Alternatively, you can email us at support@m-audio.com, or contact us by phone at: (626) 633-9055. Technical support is available by telephone from 7am - 7pm PST M-AUDIO U.S.

  • Page 26: Specifications

    Specifications General Sample Rate 44.1Khz Microphone Input Available Gain 40dB Input Range -42 to -2dBu (0.01 to 0.6Vrms) Signal-to-Noise Ratio (min gain) -98dB (a-weighted) Dynamic Range (min gain) 98dB (a-weighted) THD+N (min gain) 0.0049% (-86dB), 1kHz, -1dBFS Frequency response (min gain) +/-0.50dB, 20Hz to 20kHz Impedance 10kΩ...

  • Page 27: Data Structures

    Data Structures Preset Data Structure Byte Parameter Range/Description Amp Drive 0-99 Amp Bass 0-99 Amp Tre 0-99 Effect FX Speed/freq If Speed, 0-14 (8M, 4M, 2M, 1M, 1Mt, 2n, 2t, 4n, 4t, 8n, 8t, 16n, 16t, 32n, 32t) If Freq, 0-99 FX Depth/Key 0-199 (-99 to 0 to 99 in display, for either depth or key) FX wet/dry...
  • Page 28 14-Segment Character Codes typedef enum _SP = 0, _0, _1, _2, _3, _4, _5, _6, _7, _8,_9, _DASH, _A, _B, _C, _D, _E, _F, _G, _H, _I, _J, _K, _L, _M, _N, _O, _P, _Q, _R, _S, _T, _U, _V, _W, _X, _Y, _Z, _ASTERISK, _PLUS, _LEFT_PAREN, _RIGHT_PAREN, _BACK_SLASH, _SLASH, _APOSTROPHE, _LEFT_ARROW, _RIGHT_ARROW, _QUESTION, _UNDERSCORE, _LEFT_SQ_BRACKET, _RIGHT_SQ_BRACKET, _b,...

  • Page 29: Midi Implementation Charts

    Black Box always receives Channel Mode messages on all 16 MIDI channels. The computer “control panel” software application that comes with Black Box has a MIDI input filter to select which or all of the 16 MIDI channels are passed to the Black Box. The following messages are recognized.

  • Page 30: Universal System Exclusive Messages

    Universal System Exclusive Messages Identity Request When Black Box receives this message, it responds by sending an “Identity reply” message. Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) 0111 1110 Universal Sysex Non-realtime message 0111 1111 Device ID, Always 7Fh (“all call”).
  • Page 31 If this message is sent from an external device to the Black Box while a user preset is selected, the preset is stored to the selected preset location. If this message is sent from an external device to the Black Box while a factory preset is selected, the message is ignored.
  • Page 32 Select Preset (Message ID 9) When Black Box receives this request, it responds by making the requested preset number active. This has the same effect as a MIDI Program Change message, except that this message ignores the Black Box’s front panel MIDI Channel setting.
  • Page 33 Request Preset Edit Buffer (Message ID 10) When Black Box receives this request, it responds by sending the current working preset data as a “Transmit preset edit buffer” message. Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) ID 0000 0000 M-Audio ID byte 1 = 0h...

  • Page 34: Warranty Terms

    Preset Save Complete (Message ID 17) After Black Box receives either a “transmit preset” message (ID 2) and the transferred data has been successfully saved to flash, Black Box sends this message. Until it is sent, the Black Box will ignore any subsequently received messages. The external device should wait for this message before sending another message, or the external device should wait one full second before sending another message.

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