Playtime Engineering blipblox my TRACKS Owner's Manual

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TRACKS

blipblox

Owner's Guide

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Page 1 TRACKS blipblox ® Owner's Guide...
Page 2 © 2024 Playtime Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved. The Blipblox®, packaging, manual and logo are the intellectual properties of Playtime Engineering, LLC. Playtime Engineering, LLC, 1459 18th St., #357, San Francisco, California, USA 94107 Designed in San Francisco, California, USA. Produced in China. www.blipblox.com...
Page 3: Table Of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION SETUP START PLAYING RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX EVERYTHING AT A GLANCE 5X5 PLAY PAD MODES TRACKS + CONTROLS FX - ADDING EFFECTS TO A TRACK AUDIO SAMPLING WORKING WITH SETS RECORDING A CLIP MIDI FUNCTIONS CONFIGURATION MODE UPLOADING NEW SONGS AND SETS WARRANTY - Purchases made in USA...
Page 4: Introduction
INTRODUCTION Welcome to the world of music production! The myTRACKS is a fully functional music studio that has been simplified, so anyone can create detailed, layered music compositions. Inspired by classic grooveboxes and modern software-based audio workstations, the myTRACKS uses snippets of audio, called Samples, and 4-bar loops of melodies, called Clips to create songs.
Page 5: Setup
SETUP Included in this package Blipblox myTRACKS — USB-C to USB-B adapter cable. This cable can be used to connect to external power, or a computer for USB — MIDI and downloading new sounds and sets. Four (4) AA batteries —...
Page 6: Start Playing Right Out Of The Box
START PLAYING RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX Making Sounds Using Play Modes The 5x5 PLAY PAD is where you play notes (individual sounds, accessed through note mode) and launch clips — (drum patterns and sequences, accessed through clip mode). You can switch between 5x5 PLAY PAD modes by tapping the MODE button. —...
Page 7 You can change the tempo of the clip using the TEMPO 5 6 controls. – – Clips are organized into sets and you can create your own clips. Both are covered later in this Guide. Time to Play! Tap the 1 button to turn on the myTRACKS. Adjust MASTER VOLUME using red knob.
Page 8: Everything At A Glance
EVERYTHING AT A GLANCE 1 POWER BUTTON Tap to turn on the myTRACKS. @Hold to turn off. • Flashes yellow - batteries are low or low-voltage rechargeables. • Flashes red - not enough battery power to operate. Selects which track’s notes are sent to MIDI out. 2 MIDI BUTTON FX1 AND FX2 BUTTONS Tap to set the effect for FX1 and its related lever.
Page 9 3 RECORD Tap 4 to start playing the selected clips. Turn clips on and off while in PLAY mode. Tap again to stop all clips. Tap 3 to start recording notes played from the pads. @Hold 3 button to turn on a 4 PLAY/STOP BUTTONS metronome.
Page 10: 5X5 Play Pad Modes
5X5 PLAY PAD MODES The myTRACKS is designed to switch seamlessly between three play modes. For example, a user can change a drum pattern using the clip mode, then quickly switch to the note mode to play individual notes over the drum beats. Note Mode Tap the MODE button until it turns purple.
Page 11: Tracks + Controls
TRACKS + CONTROLS On the myTRACKS, there are five numbered colums in the 5x5 PLAY PAD. The first track is dedicated to drums, labeled with the !. The other tracks are labeled 1-4. Each track has a set of controls: a black volume knob, 5 PLAY PAD buttons, an FX button and an INSTR button.
Page 12 No active FX - no light. — FX1 active - will glow the same color as the main FX1 button. — FX2 active - will glow the same color as the main FX2 button. — FX1 and FX2 active - will flash between the colors on FX1 and FX2. —...
Page 13 Full Instrument List and Descriptions If you are interested in learning the color codes for each of the 48 pre-loaded intruments or instruments included in an uploaded instrument pack, go to the Product Center at blipblox.com or scan QR Code: FREAK button Press the FREAK button (either tap quickly or hold down continuously) to trigger different notes in a chaotic, random pattern across all tracks.
Page 14: Fx - Adding Effects To A Track
FX - ADDING EFFECTS TO A TRACK An FX processor changes the signal of a sound and modifies the waveform. The myTRACKS FX processors are controlled by the levers. This feature is a great way to add new texture and interest to a built-in or sampled sound in real time.
Page 15: Audio Sampling
AUDIO SAMPLING The myTRACKS can instantly record audio with its built-in microphone, and then play it on a pad. There are two different modes for recording audio. Single-pad mode, and full-track mode. Single-pad sampling places the recorded audio on a single play pad. You can place a sample on any of the 25 PLAY PADS.
Page 16 Tips for making your audio samples sound great • The mic on the myTRACKS is designed to be sensitive to sound. It is not neccesary to yell or make sounds close to the mic. • The myTRACKS automatically optimizes the sound level of an audio sample to the ideal level. So if you yell, it will decrease the level and if you whisper, it will increase.
Page 17: Working With Sets
WORKING WITH SETS A set contains all of the musical elements needed to produce a song. This includes the 25 melody and drum clips, the instrument and effects assignments for each track, octave shifts, effects settings and tempo. Within a set the 25 clips and notes are matched in a single musical key and style to ensure they sound good together.
Page 18: Recording A Clip
RECORDING A CLIP The myTRACKS comes loaded with hundreds of built-in clips (accessed in clip mode). You can also record your own clips that can be added to a set. The myTRACKS works on 4-beat, 4-bar loops. After 4 bars, recorded notes will start playing back.
Page 19: Midi Functions
MIDI FUNCTIONS MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Created in the 1980s, MIDI is a connection standard that allows thousands of different electronic music devices to communicate with each other. 5-Pin DIN MIDI OUT The myTRACKS features a 5-pin DIN MIDI OUT port. This allows the myTRACKS to control music devices including a Blipblox, other synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, or any other instrument that has a MIDI IN port.
Page 20 If the base MIDI channel is set to 1: Track 1 is sent on channel 1 — Track 2 is sent on channel 2 — Track 3 is sent of channel 3 — Track 4 is sent on channel 4 —...
Page 21 the myTRACKS sends MIDI clock signals, it does not respond or sync to incoming MIDI clock signals over the USB-C interface. MIDI CC The myTRACKS can also send the values of the two FX levers and 5 volume knobs as MIDI Control Change (MIDI CC). This is turned off by default.
Page 22: Configuration Mode
CONFIGURATION MODE Use the Configuration mode to change setting on the myTRACKS. Once settings are applied, they stay applied through power cycles. To enter configuration mode Turn the myTRACKS off. Hold down the MODE button while turning the myTRACK back on. The top two rows of buttons will glow blue or green.
Page 23 Configuration Legend Volume Reducer Blue = default full volume. Green = reduced volume levels. — Simple LED Blue = LED button lights will blink and dance normally. Green = LED flashing and other visual — activity is reduced for sensitive users. Disable Auto Shutoff Blue = myTRACKS will automatically power off after 30 minutes of standby.
Page 24: Uploading New Songs And Sets
UPLOADING NEW SONGS AND SETS The myTRACKS can be updated with different instrument sounds, and different sets. New sounds and sets are available at blipblox.com. What you'll need to upgrade: Mac or PC. Note: Some older computers may not support WebUSB and will not work as an updater. Google Chrome or MS Edge (Safari and Firefox are not compatible).
Page 25: Warranty - Purchases Made In Usa
Playtime Engineering dealer and continuing for the following period after that date for one (1) Year.
Page 26: Warranty - Purchases Made Outside Of Usa
Engineering. Accordingly, additional statements such as dealer advertising or presentation, whether oral or written, do not constitute warranties by Playtime Engineering and should not be relied upon. This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights, which vary from one jurisdiction to another.
Page 27 © 2024 Playtime Engineering, LLC. All rights reserved. The Blipblox®, packaging, manual and logo are the intellectual properties of Playtime Engineering, LLC. Playtime Engineering, LLC, 1459 18th St., #357, San Francisco, California, USA 94107 Designed in San Francisco, California, USA. Produced in China. www.blipblox.com...