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JoeCo bluebox User Manual

Workstation interface recorder
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BLUEBOX

Workstation Interface RECORDER

User Manual

V 1.0 rev 3
Date: September 2016
Congratulations on your purchase of the JoeCo BlueBox Workstation Interface
Recorder (BBWR). This document will lead you through the basics of how to set up
and use the product. The BlueBox BBWR Workstation Interface Recorder has been
designed to be as simple as possible to set up and operate. Consequently you will
find that this user manual is not a long document and can be read from cover to
cover in a short while. However, we strongly recommend that you do read it just in
case there are some aspects of the product that are not immediately obvious.
This manual only covers the BBWR Recorder and should be read in conjunction with
the Quick Start Guide.
More information is available in the LOGIN area of the JoeCo Website
www.joeco.co.uk
. Visitors can gain immediate access to more detailed information
whilst EndUsers, once approved, are eligible for software upgrades and other
downloads.
IF YOU NEED INFORMATION IN A HURRY, REGISTER AS A
VISITOR AND UPGRADE TO AN ENDUSER LATER ON.
© JoeCo Limited 2009 - 2016. E&OE. All rights reserved. All trademarks and names are
recognised as the property of their respective owners
BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0
Page | 1

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Summary of Contents for JoeCo bluebox

  • Page 1: Bluebox

    IF YOU NEED INFORMATION IN A HURRY, REGISTER AS A VISITOR AND UPGRADE TO AN ENDUSER LATER ON. © JoeCo Limited 2009 - 2016. E&OE. All rights reserved. All trademarks and names are recognised as the property of their respective owners BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Box Contents ........................5 Controls and interfaces ......................6 Front Panel .......................... 6 Rear Panel ........................... 7 JoeCo Control for Mac and PC ....................8 Mic/Line Input Controls ....................... 8 Low Latency Input Monitor Mix ..................9 Workstation Output Monitor Mix ..................9 Transport and Master ......................

  • Page 3: Important Safety Information

    Cleaning: Avoid the use of chemicals, abrasives or solvents. The equipment is best cleaned with a dry lint-free cloth. Do not remove the cover to clean the unit. BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0 Page | 3...

  • Page 4: Copyright Warning

    D-type connectors themselves. Tie them to the rack with cable ties. Copyright Warning JoeCo’s recorder products are designed to enable you to record and reproduce material to which you own the copyright, or material which the copyright owner has granted you permission to record and/or reproduce.

  • Page 5: Opening The Box

     Quick Start Guide The BlueBox Workstation Interface Recorder (BBWR) is not a standard multitrack recorder nor is it a digital audio workstation (DAW). It has been designed specifically to act as an audio interface for an audio workstation whilst making a safety backup of every recording in case of computer problems.

  • Page 6: Controls And Interfaces

    (Green for playback ready; Red for record ready). There are also indicators for power, Disk activity and Playback Lockout To the right of the JoeCo logo is the control wheel which has a number of functions explained later. Then there are the main Transport controls [PLAY, STOP, RECORD] with the four other control buttons above [L-R: BACK, MARK, LOOP, MENU].

  • Page 7: Rear Panel

    / line analogue input connectors. The lower three D-type connectors are the balanced outputs. The cable looms should conform to the TASCAM standard for analogue i/o. (N.B. all pin outs are available on the visitor page of the JoeCo website Login area) The 9-pin socket should connect to the JoeCoRemote hardware which allows full control of the unit using an iPad.

  • Page 8: Joecocontrol For Mac And Pc

    The JoeCoControl app for PC and Mac gives the user full control of the BBWR’s inputs and effects. It also gives full control of a 48ch headphone mixer with control of both the local low latency headphone mix on the BlueBox and the headphone mix from your DAW to the outputs of your BlueBox.

  • Page 9: Low Latency Input Monitor Mix

    The Low Latency Input Monitor Mix window allows control of the local Low Latency headphone Monitor Mix on the BlueBox providing Pan and Level controls for each channel of the monitor mix along with familiar mute and solo functions. The resultant mix is routed to the rear headphone socket and is available for a producer or director to listen to the monitor mix during the recording.

  • Page 10: Transport And Master

    How to wire up the BBWR Audio connections If you have also purchased the optional JoeCo Input BreakOut Box (BOBIN), this will have been supplied with three 25way D-sub to D-sub cable looms which plug directly between the upper row of connectors on the back of the BBWR unit and the D-subs on the BOB.
  • Page 11 For connection to your Workstation, plug a high quality USB2-A to USB2-B cable between the USB2-B socket on your BlueBox and the USB2-A socket of your Mac or The BlueBox Recorder line outputs can be switched between Low and Pro levels in the Setup Menu (page 28).
  • Page 12 The drive will be scanned, logged and ready to use in a matter of seconds. If it takes more than 20 seconds to log the drive or the BlueBox reports “WRONG DISK FORMAT”, check that the disk is formatted correctly. The BlueBox can...

  • Page 13: Normal Operation

    For each channel you will need to set the input to mic or line input level; enable phantom power if using Capacitor (Condenser) mics; decide whether you need to insert a High Pass Filter (HPF) to reduce low frequency “pops” and plosives; set the BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0 Page | 13...

  • Page 14: Use As An Audio Interface With Local Recording Backup

    This will differ slightly depending on which DAW you have and whether you are using the BlueBox with a Mac or a PC. The MAC OSX version uses Core Audio drivers whereas the Windows version uses the JoeCo ASIO drivers.

  • Page 15: Local Recording

    Mac computers at 96k but it will be determined by your own computer’s performance. Set the sample rate for your project. The sample rate on the BlueBox itself will automatically change the match the sample rate in the DAW. Close the audio preferences window and you are ready to record.

  • Page 16: Playback

    USB disk drive. The BlueBox will try to recover files that have not been properly closed (see Safe’n’Sound Record Recovery - page 39) but there’s no guarantee especially if another operating system has accessed and written to the disk in the meantime).

  • Page 17: File Names

    The BBWR names the audio files it creates as follows: nnn-tt.WAV Where nnn is the take number (between 001 and 999) and tt is the track number (between 01 and 24). BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0 Page | 17...
  • Page 18 [01 - 24] of this take in this folder with this new Take Name. [Note: It is important for the BlueBox to keep the nnn-tt prefix so that it knows which audio files belong together as a Take and which track is to be played out of which output. It also helps some DAWs to place the tracks in their playlist in the correct order / position for playback.]...

  • Page 19: Renaming Tracks

    “Ctrl-01T” and then type “George” before pressing “Down Arrow” and then “Sandra”, etc. and you would end up with files named: 001-01.Scene1-George.WAV 001-02.Scene1-Sandra.WAV 001-03.Scene1-Jimmy.WAV 001-24.Scene1-Daphne.WAV The next Take might contain files named as follows: BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0 Page | 19...

  • Page 20: Playback And Virtual Sound Checking

    Playback and Virtual Sound Checking If you are using the BlueBox Recorder for Playback or Virtual Sound Checking you may need the ability to Loop around certain sections of the audio, such as a chorus. This is where the MARK and LOOP buttons are primarily used.

  • Page 21: Monitoring

    The mix can be quickly adjusted on the monitor page of the JoeCoRemote or can be adjusted more laboriously in the Monitor MENU on the BlueBox itself. ???? The data wheel will alter the volume of the headphone output (when not in the MENU).

  • Page 22: Summary Of Combined Front Panel Controls

    Enter LOOP mode at next MARKER or immediately if no subsequent MARKERS In PLAY/RECORD MARK Set a MARKER at current time In RECORD Mark the start of a new TAKE Page | 22 BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0...

  • Page 23: Using The Menu

    To enter the menu, press the MENU button in the Control section of the front panel. Setting up adjustable parameters This list may not be exhaustive as JoeCo is constantly improving its products and may have added features to the software since this document was authored. However, BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0...
  • Page 24 Edit take updates template: when ticked the template will be updated when you edit a track name. Take Select... This loads the Take Select Menu allowing you to select Takes for playback. The options are: Page | 24 BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0...
  • Page 25 BlueBox models may have digital options or the ability to input audio from your DAW rather than from the analogue inputs. Within this menu, you can change the input source for the BlueBox in sets of 8 channels allowing you to select an input source from which audio will be recorded.
  • Page 26 (i.e. act as a timecode Master). The standard BlueBox does not chase timecode or lock to it. If you require synchronous playback you will need the BlueBox Player option which allows playback to be triggered in sync with incoming timecode.
  • Page 27 24bit unless you’re really short on disk space or your post production requires 16bit. Control... The BlueBox Recorder can accept commands from an external control device such as a console or hardware controller. Remote Mode: The BBWRWR can respond to open loop MIDI Machine Control (MIDI MMC) protocol commands for transport controls and track arming/disarming.
  • Page 28 TC rejam after split “jam-syncs” the reader after every time you split a recording with the REC button. TC start starts record automatically starts a recording when the BlueBox sees incoming timecode. TC restart splits record will start a new take when there is a discontinuity in the received timecode.
  • Page 29 Please note that if you are overloading the mic amps, you will be overloading the A-D converters on the BlueBox. Digital distortion is not pleasant to listen to and will probably render your recording useless. You may not notice it live but you will hear it on the recording.
  • Page 30 Reuse next takename will use the same take name for each subsequent recording Folder (^f): Displays the current folder’s name and allows you to rename it. Note though that the BlueBox will always record into a folder named with today’s date so Page | 30...
  • Page 31 Disk Manage... This allows you to set up certain parameters regarding how you use the disk. It also allows you to format a USB2 disk drive for use with the BlueBox Recorder and with any Mac or PC based workstation.

  • Page 32: Software Updates

    Format... This option allows you to format a USB2 drive, ready for use with the BlueBox Recorder, which will also be compatible with any Mac or PC based Digital Audio Workstation. When you enter this part of the menu, you will first have to Select the partition that you want to format: The BBWR defaults to partition “none”...
  • Page 33 Download the new update file from the JoeCo website directly into the root folder of a USB2 hard drive or a FAT32 formatted memory stick (note small memory sticks or Pen drives are often formatted with FAT16 which will not work).

  • Page 34: Linking Multiple Bluebox Recorders Together

    96 channel / 96 kHz recording. Each BlueBox Recorder will still require its own USB2 disk drive as only 24 channels of data will be recorded to each drive. This will also provide benefits in post production as many popular DAWs will only play back a limited number of tracks from each external drive.
  • Page 35 Slave units is proprietary and does not conform to the SPDIF protocol) You then operate the Transport Controls of all the linked BBWRs from the Master unit. Please note though that the headphone monitoring for each unit will still appear BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0 Page | 35...

  • Page 36: Using A Ps2 Keyboard

    Playback Lockout on the Slave units to Manual. Using a PS2 keyboard The BlueBox Recorder can accept a standard 102 key PS2 style keyboard. Most mini keyboards are not currently supported, especially those that require some set up drivers to be installed on the PC. The most consistently reliable keyboards we have found are the Microsoft 500 style PS2 keyboards which can be obtained in most countries for around US$10 (£6).

  • Page 37: Troubleshooting

    (like anticlockwise wheel turn) Troubleshooting We are confident that the BlueBox Recorder will give you long and reliable performance but in case you have difficulties, here are a few things to try before you call your dealer or distributor.
  • Page 38  Check the cable looms feeding into the BBWR Some channels not audible  Check TRS jacks in console insert points  Check loop through TRS jacks on BBWR Page | 38 BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0...

  • Page 39: Safe'n'sound Record Recovery

    BlueBox during a recording, Safe’n’Sound will try and recover the files as soon as the drive is plugged back into a BlueBox Recorder.

  • Page 40: Summary Of Alert Messages

    "BAD TAKE FILE"; displayed if PLAY or RECORD is pressed on a corrupted take file "CAN'T FIND TAKE"; displayed if PLAY or RECORD is pressed when the selected take is not available Page | 40 BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0...
  • Page 41 A source of digital audio is not correctly plugged in “DIGITAL SLIP” A source of digital audio is not properly synchronised with the BlueBox and is slipping with respect to the chosen clock source “REF CLOCK MISSING” The external reference clock is not providing a valid clock signal BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0...

  • Page 42: Joeco Conditions Of Use

    2. Risk and Limitations of Product Use You, the User, expressly acknowledge and agree that: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, use of the JoeCo Software is at your sole risk and that Page | 42 BLUEBOX WORKSTATION RECORDER - User Manual v1.0...
  • Page 43 JoeCo Products must not be used for purposes that could infringe a copyright held by a third party or could, in any other way, be illegal. Any such use is entirely at the risk of the User and JoeCo and its authorised distributors and resellers have no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any claim arising from such use.

  • Page 44: Software Licence Agreement

    Product under a temporary evaluation arrangement with its owner (which may be JoeCo or one of its authorised distributors or resellers), for a period determined by the owner, where the owner has...
  • Page 45 JoeCo software or services could lead to death, personal injury, or severe physical or environmental damage. Any such use is entirely at the risk of the user and the user must hold JoeCo harmless for any claim arising from such use.
  • Page 46 Upon termination you will cease all use of the Software and destroy or return any copies of the Software to JoeCo. Sections 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of this Licence shall survive any such termination.

  • Page 47: Warranty Information

    You acknowledge that, in agreeing to the terms of this Licence, you have not relied on any representation, undertaking or promise given or implied from anything said or written by JoeCo or by an authorised JoeCo distributor, reseller or representative prior to entering into this Licence except as expressly stated in this Licence.
  • Page 48 The purchaser will have the option (exercisable within thirty days of notification by JoeCo) to pay this fee and have the Product repaired and returned, or not pay this fee and have the Product returned un-repaired at their expense.
  • Page 49 A waiver by JoeCo of any default shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent default. No waiver by JoeCo of any of the terms of this Warranty shall be effective unless it is expressly stated to be a waiver and is communicated to you in writing.

  • Page 50: Product Returns

    Please note that any Product returned due to incorrect delivery must be in a resalable condition to receive a credit note. Any Product which is returned to JoeCo or to one of its distributors or resellers without authorisation, i.e. one for which an RMA number has not been issued by JoeCo, will be returned to the purchaser at the purchaser’s expense.

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