M-Audio Black Box User Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. M-Audio Manuals
  4. Recording Equipment
  5. Black Box
  6. User manual

M-Audio Black Box User Manual

Hide thumbs Also See for Black Box:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Reloaded: with updated firmware and additional features.

User Guide

English

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for M-Audio Black Box

Summary of Contents for M-Audio Black Box

  • Page 1: User Guide

    Reloaded: with updated firmware and additional features. User Guide English...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    © 2006 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, M-Audio and Black Box are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein...

  • Page 3: English

    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 4: What's In The Box

    What’s in the Box Your Black Box package contains the following: Black Box < CD-ROM containing driver software and user manual in PDF form. < CD-ROM containing Ableton Live Lite 4 GTR and Pro Sessions Drum Loops < Printed Quick Start Guide <...

  • Page 5: Front Panel Connectors

    Connect an expression pedal, like the M-Audio EX-P, to the Expression pedal jack to control continuous functions like wah < effects (5). Connect momentary pedals, like the M-Audio SP-1, to the P1 (6) and P2 (7) jacks to control on/off functions like Start/Stop, < Inc/Dec, etc. (6).

  • Page 6: Top Panel

    Only use the 9V AC 1000ma power supply included in the package. Using an improper power supply can damage your < unit (9). Use a Kensington lock system with the Kensington lock slot to protect your unit from theft (10). <...
  • Page 7 Tap Tempo Key (31) This key allows you to enter the tempo for the drum machine by tapping 1/4 notes. As the effects are beat-synced to the drum machine, this also sets the tempo of the effects. The drums do not need to be playing for the effects to lock to the tempo. This key has another special function: It enables a simple intro or ending to the drumbeat.

  • Page 8: Presets And Drumbeats

    Mix (Input/Playback) Knob (16) This knob is used when recording into a multi-track recording application or DAW via USB. It is a ratio control you can use to balance how much input signal you hear versus how much playback signal you hear from the DAW. When you are overdubbing tracks, you’ll need to hear previously recorded tracks or a click track to play along with as well as your input signal.

  • Page 9: Editing The Guitar Amp And Compression Settings

    Editing the Guitar Amp and Compression Settings Black Box provides 40 highly accurate and dynamic guitar amp models based on the most popular classic and modern amps in existence. We even throw in four bass amps, a few custom amp designs of our own, a fuzz tone and octave fuzz, plus a clean mic preamplifier.

  • Page 10: Amp Descriptions

    Clean mic preamp Note: M-Audio and Black Box are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other product names used are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Avid Technology, Inc. These trademarks of the other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose tones and sounds were studied during M-Audio’s sound model development.
  • Page 11 The following is a description of each of the 40 amps modeled in the Black Box. 1. BASMAN (based on Fender Bassman) The Bassman is a marvelous and very early Fender amp that was embraced by many blues, rock and country guitarists in the ‘60s. With four 10”...
  • Page 12 11. VOKS15 (based on VoxAC15) This smaller precursor to the AC30 produced an understatedly elegant 15 watts of power into a single 12” speaker. It wasn’t exactly a stadium filler but like the 30, it delivered a warm and unique tone that is cherished to this day. 12.
  • Page 13 24. INTENS (same as Black Box version 1’s “LAMOD”) This is the same model as version 1 software’s “LAMOD” (L.A. modern high gain amp). It delivers a very intense, screaming lead tone. Not for the faint of heart—it may make you faint of hearing. 25.
  • Page 14 Note: M-Audio and Black Box are trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. All other product names used are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Avid Technology, Inc. These trademarks of the other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose tones and sounds were studied during M-Audio’s sound model development.

  • Page 15: Editing The Modulation And Filter Effects

    Editing the Modulation and Filter Effects The Black Box has 121 different modulation and filter effects for you to choose from, most of which can be beat-synced to the drumbeats or to an external MIDI clock. It is these synchronized effects—including Black Box’s wonderful filter sequences—that help make this device so creative, fun and inspirational to work with.

  • Page 16: Modulation And Filter Effect Descriptions

    Modulation and Filter Effect Descriptions Black Box includes a variety of unique beat-synced modulation and filter effects that you won’t find in other products. These unique sounds range from beat-synced versions of classic effects like tremolo or flanging to our innovative random filtering, filter sequences, tremolo sequences and arpeggio sequences.
  • Page 17 Tremolo (TREM1 - TREM3) This is a classic effect where the volume pulses up and down slightly at a selected speed. With a slow speed (8N) and low depth (30) you can achieve a nice mellow effect that can give a guitar track some character. With a high speed (16N) setting and a full depth setting (99) you can get an extreme machine-gun sound.
  • Page 18 Auto Wah (ATOWA1 - ATOWA2) Also known as envelope wah, this effect simulates, for example, a wah pedal that automatically rocks back and forth each time a new note is played. Because of this automatic rocking back and fourth, you can achieve an affect that is simply not possible with a standard wah pedal.
  • Page 19 Filter Sequences (FLSQ 1 - FLSQ20) 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 complements your playing.

  • Page 20: Editing The Delay And Reverb

    Editing the Delay and Reverb The Black Box has a dedicated delay effect with a special advantage—it can automatically sync its delays to the drumbeat or incoming MIDI clock. This is great for creating syncopated delays; setting the delay time to dotted 1/8 notes will create fascinating rhythmic effects similar to those used by U2’s The Edge.
  • Page 21 Drums to Delay/Input This is a special feature that allows you to send the drum machine signal into the delay effect or directly into the input path of the Black Box. The whole idea here is to create interesting drum sounds. Since you can record the output of the Black Box via USB, S/PDIF or the analog outputs, you can now also create a custom drum loop library based on drum sounds created with the Black Box.

  • Page 22: Editing The Utilities

    Reverb On/Off To turn reverb on or off, hold the Utility key for more than 1⁄4 second (just like holding Amp, FX and Delay turns on or off the amp, effects and delay). And one more thing... Reverb/Delay Compromises If reverb is on, delay is limited to a maximum of 625 milliseconds. Specifically: If reverb is on and delay time is increased past a fixed value of 625 ms, then reverb is turned off.
  • Page 23 Noise Gate (Shift: Preset Volume) Black Box includes a noise gate that will silence or reduce any background noise when you’re not playing. This is actually a dynamic expander, gradually decreasing the background noise as you gradually decrease your playing level. In order to accommodate different playing styles and levels of pickup/background noise, there are 9 gate thresholds: GATE 0: Noise gate is disabled.
  • Page 24 For an expression pedal, we recommend using either the M-Audio Black Box Pedal Board, which contains an expression pedal and two foot switches, or the M-Audio EX-P Expression Pedal. Many expression pedals, including the M-Audio EX-P, have a range control knob. This knob needs to be turned all the way up for the expression pedal to have maximum effect range. Turning the knob down limits the lowest value of the parameter you are controlling.

  • Page 25: Assigning Momentary Foot Switch Pedal Settings

    < We recommend using the M-Audio SP-1 momentary pedal, or the Black Box Pedal Board which contains two foot switches and an expression pedal. You may use either “normally closed” or “normally open” foot switches; the Black Box automatically senses which type is connected when power is turned on.

  • Page 26: Accessing The Shift Parameters

    Accessing the Shift Parameters The new version 2 firmware installed in your Black Box contains the following new bonus features: Amp Mid control < Reverb < Compression < Link Drumbeat: Now selecting a preset will automatically call up its assigned drumbeat, which you can change. <...

  • Page 27: Tuner Function

    Tuner Function Tuner Function Pressing the Utility and Delay buttons simultaneously will engage the Black Box’s built-in instrument tuner. This is a tuner sensitive enough for any guitar or bass. Play a note and it will be displayed in the LCD with a pair of arrows to either side. More arrows on the left side than the right indicate that the note is flat;...

  • Page 28: Connecting Your Hardware To The Computer

    The Black Box is a class-compliant device for both Windows XP (SP2) and Mac OS X 10.3.9 or 10.4.4 and above. “Class-compliant” means that there is no need to install M-Audio software drivers on your computer in order to achieve minimum functionality.

  • Page 29: Using The Black Box With The Computer

    Using the Black Box with the Computer As a stand-alone device, the Black Box does not require connection to a computer. Many users may never hook their Black Box up to a computer and be perfectly happy with it. For those of you who wish to use the audio/MIDI interface features of your unit . . . read on.

  • Page 30: 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 31 Your computer will display 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 32: Mac Os X

    Mac OS X 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 will begin.
  • Page 33 The Read Me box will appear next. This box contains important information on changes that may have occurred since the writing of this manual, so be certain to read through it. Then click “Continue.” You will then be presented with the License Agreement. Click “Continue,” and then click “Agree” if you agree with the License Agreement.
  • Page 34 Select a destination disk for the installation, and then click “Continue.” In the Easy Install box, click “Upgrade.” User Guide ♦...
  • Page 35 You will need your Administrator Password for the next step. After you enter it, click “OK” and then click “Upgrade.” On the following box, click “Continue Installation.” User Guide ♦...
  • Page 36 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 listed as “Black Box,”...

  • Page 37: Control Panels

    Control Panels A description of each function follows the screen shots. Effects & MIDI Page Effects Input Source Only one source at a time can feed the effect processor. The default setting is “Guitar.” In stand-alone mode, the input source is ALWAYS “Guitar.”...

  • Page 38: Presets & Firmware Page

    In this field you can adjust the latency buffer size you wish to work with. Smaller buffer sizes result in lower latency (“latency” refers to the time it takes for your input signal to pass through your audio software and appear at the outputs), but smaller buffers may not function well with slower systems.

  • Page 39: About Page

    This page contains information on your device including the installed firmware and driver versions. This information will be helpful if you ever have the occasion to call for technical support. Clicking on any of the links on this page will bring you directly to the relevant sections on the M-Audio website, if you are currently online. User Guide...

  • Page 40: Recording With A Daw (Digital Audio Workstation)

    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.

  • Page 41: Troubleshooting

    Manager button. Click the plus sign (“+”) next to “Sound, Video and Game Controllers,” and locate the M-Audio Black Box listing. If you see a question mark or exclamation point next to it, or if you don’t see the M-Audio Black Box listed, you may need to reinstall the driver software.

  • Page 42: Warranty

    Warranty Registration Thank you for registering your new M-Audio product. Doing so immediately both entitles you to full warranty coverage and helps M-Audio develop and manufacture the finest quality products available. Register online at www.m-audio.com/register to receive FREE product updates and for the chance to win M-Audio giveaways.

  • Page 43: 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 44: Midi Implementation Charts

    MIDI Implementation Charts Channel Mode, System Common and System Real Time Messages Channel Mode Messages Black Box always receives Channel Mode messages on all 16 MIDI channels. The computer control panel software application that comes with the Black Box has a MIDI input filter to select which or all of the 16 MIDI channels are passed to Black Box. The following messages are recognized.
  • Page 45 System Common messages Status Second Third Description 1111 0010 0vvvvvvv 0vvvvvvv Song Position Pointer – LS Byte then MS Byte. Used to remotely set the starting position within Black Box’s filter and drumbeat sequences. Because the sequences are only two measures, incoming positions above two measures are reduced to give the correct position within the two measure sequences.

  • Page 46: Universal System Exclusive Messages

    General Information ID (sub-ID #1) 0000 0010 Identity Reply ID (sub-ID #2) 0000 0000 M-Audio ID, 1st byte = 00h (indicates ID follows in next 2 bytes) 0000 0001 M-Audio ID MSB = 01h 0000 0101 M-Audio ID LSB = 05h...

  • Page 47: System Exclusive Messages

    Black Box does not send this message. Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) ID 0000 0000 M-Audio ID byte 1 = 00h 0000 0001 M-Audio ID byte 2 = 01h 0000 0101 M-Audio ID byte 3 = 05h 0000 0001...
  • Page 48 When Black Box receives this request, it responds by sending the requested preset as a “Transmit Preset” message. Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) ID 0000 0000 M-Audio ID byte 1 = 00h 0000 0001 M-Audio ID byte 2 = 01h 0000 0101 M-Audio ID byte 3 = 05h 0000 0001...
  • Page 49 Program Change message, except that this message ignores Black Box’s MIDI Channel setting in the control panel application. Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) ID 0000 0000 M-Audio ID byte 1 = 00h 0000 0001 M-Audio ID byte 2 = 01h 0000 0101 M-Audio ID byte 3 = 05h 0000 0001...
  • Page 50 It is also received by Black Box, allowing an external editor to overwrite Black Box’s preset edit buffer. Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) ID 0000 0000 M-Audio ID byte 1 = 00h 0000 0001 M-Audio ID byte 2 = 01h 0000 0101 M-Audio ID byte 3 = 05h 0000 0001...
  • Page 51 Black Box’s settings. Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) ID 0000 0000 M-Audio ID byte 1 = 00h 0000 0001 M-Audio ID byte 2 = 01h 0000 0101 M-Audio ID byte 3 = 05h 0000 0001...
  • Page 52 Status Description 1111 0000 System Exclusive (SysEx) ID 0000 0000 M-Audio ID byte 1 = 00h 0000 0001 M-Audio ID byte 2 = 01h 0000 0101 M-Audio ID byte 3 = 05h 0000 0001 Black Box family code LSB (always 01h)

  • Page 53: Data Structures

    Data Structures Preset Data Structure (unique for each preset) Byte Parameter Range/Description 0-39 (See manual for list of amp names) Drive 0-99 Bass 0-99 Treble 0-99 Effect 0-120 (see list of effects in manual) FX Speed or FX Freq This parameter is either FX Speed, FX Freq or unused, depending on which effect is selected: 1) FX Freq is active if one of the following effects is selected: RNFI4-RNFI24, RNFL4-RNFL24, ATOWA1-8, WAHPDL, TKBOX1-6, FIXFLT, FIXFLA, TLKPDL, SCIFI1-4, FLSQ1-20, and all 6 MIDI effects at end of list.
  • Page 54 Main Data Structure (Global settings) Byte Parameter Range/Description Active Preset 00-99 (factory presets), followed by 100-199 (user presets) Active Drumbeat 00-99 Guit/Drm Bal 0 (G50) to 50 (EQU) to 100 (D50), plus 101 (SEP) Footswitch 1 asn Foot switch 1 assignment. Legal codes are: 33: Increment Drumbeat 34: Decrement Drumbeat 36: Increment Preset...

  • Page 55: 7-Bit Data Packing

    7-Bit Data Packing The general data packing scheme for Preset and Drumbeat Data Dumps groups 7 bytes of data, stripping off the MS bit of each, and packing these MS bits into an additional byte. 7 bytes of internal memory yields 8 bytes of MIDI data. Assuming 7 bytes of memory data are: AAAAaaaa Memory byte 0...

  • Page 56: Technical Support

    M-Audio USA M-Audio Germany 5795 Martin Rd., Irwindale, CA 91706 Kuhallmand 34, D-74613 Ohringen, Germany Technical Support Technical Support web: www.m-audio.com/tech e-mail: support@m-audio.de tel (pro products): (626) 633-9055 +49 (0)7941 - 9870030 tel (consumer products): (626) 633-9066 fax: +49 (0)7941 98 70070...

This manual is also suitable for:

Black box reloaded

Table of Contents