Recording With A Daw (Digital Audio Workstation); Using The Black Box - M-Audio black box User Manual

DSP Firmware
< Copy to Device
When a Firmware update is available (always check the M-Audio website for the most current DSP updates) you must first download
the SYSEX file. When you click the Copy to Device button, a browser window will appear allowing you to select the downloaded
file. Once the file is selected, click OK and the update will install.
About Page
This page contains information on your device. This information will be helpful, should you ever have the occasion to call for technical
support. Clicking on the "Check for driver updates" link will take you directly to our website, if you are currently online.

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. If "Mic" is selected, the dry, unprocessed microphone signal is
recorded on that track. If "DSP Output" is selected, the stereo effect-processed signal of the guitar or mic (whichever is selected as the
FX Input Source) will be recorded to that track. The Guitar, Mic and DSP inputs can all be recorded simultaneously on different tracks.
However, only the input that is selected as the FX Input Source will be able to be "monitored" post-FX processor. For example, if
"Guitar" is chosen as the FX Input Source, you will only be able to monitor the processed guitar signal although you may be recording
both the dry and processed guitar signals simultaneously.

Using the Black Box

The following sections address a number of real-life situations that you may encounter while using your Black Box. These brief
tutorials should help guide you. We also recommend you check the M-Audio website from time to time for other tutorials or FAQ's
that might provide additional valuable information.
Using the Mic and Guitar Inputs
Connect your dynamic microphone's XLR cable to the Mic Input. Connect your guitar or bass's instrument cable to the front-panel
Guitar Input. Adjust the mic and guitar level inputs so that your strongest signals only peak the red clip indicator occasionally and the
green signal indicator remains steadily green while you're playing. Instruments with active pickups or hot "humbucker" pickups will
need less input gain while instruments with passive single-coil pickups will require more gain.
Monitoring Your Inputs for Recording
The Black Box has an Input/Playback knob on the top panel. This is a ratio control of the "balance" between your input signal and
your playback signal. When turned all the way counter-clockwise to Input, only the output of the DSP FX and the dry mic or guitar
signal will be heard. When turned all they way to the right, only the main stereo buss output of the DAW will be heard. When set
anywhere between, a blend of both input and playback signals will be heard.
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