Reloaded: with updated firmware and additional features.
Table Of Contents English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hello From Roger Linn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What’s in the Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Minimum Computer System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Version 2 Firmware Inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Front Panel Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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.
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.
However, we didn’t stop there. We also added a number of 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. < Tempo Source: Now you can select one of three sources for the playing tempo: the preset’s assigned tempo, the drumbeat’s assigned tempo or the global tempo.
< 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). Top Panel Drumbeat Increment (up arrow) key (23) Black Box has 100 fixed drumbeats, numbered 00-99. Pressing this key will show the current drumbeat number and name for three seconds; pressing it again within this time will select the next higher drumbeat number.
This key has another special function: It enables a simple intro or ending to the drumbeat. To hear a simple intro of four 1/4 note hi-hats before the drumbeat starts, press Tap Tempo before pressing Start/Stop. If the drumbeat is playing, press Tap Tempo before pressing Start/Stop to automatically stop the drumbeat playing at the exact beginning of the next measure. Amp Key (22) Pressing the Amp key brings up the four AMP menus in the LCD; AMP, AMP DRIVE, AMP BASS and AMP TREBLE.
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. Adjust this control to fit your needs.
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. This represents a tremendous library of cherished guitar tones from which to choose, and will definitely allow you to find the sound you need for your songs. Black Box also provides an audio compressor.
Amp Descriptions Here’s a list of the amp names and the original guitar amps they were modeled after: 1. BASMAN Fender Bassman 2. DLXREV Fender Deluxe Reverb 3. TWNREV Fender Twin Reverb 4. DELUXE Fender Deluxe 5. CHAMP Fender Champ 6. MAR 45 Marshall JTM45 7. PLEXI Marshall Super Lead Plexi 8. MAR800 Marshall JCM800 9. MAR2K Marshall JCM2000 10. VOKS30 VoxAC30 11. VOKS15 VoxAC15 12. JAZZ Roland Jazz Chorus 13. HIWHAT Hiwatt DR103 14.
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” speakers and very sweet 40-watt power amp distortion, this one is worthy of the high prices the originals fetch. Excellent clear as well as overdriven, our hats are off to Leo and the guys. Incidentally, this was the amp that Marshall virtually copied in designing their early amps. 2.
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. JAZZ (based on Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120) A classic transistor amp? You bet. This was a very popular unit for its shimmering highs, full range and loud, clear tones.
25. BIGMID (same as Black Box version 1’s “UBER”) This is the same model as version 1 software’s “UBER” (Bogner Uberschall). Since our new and improved UBER model better represents that fine amp, we kept this one but changed its named to better reflect its true nature.This model delivers a very solid and powerful midrange lead tone to cut through a mix. 26.
37 SWR500 (based on SWR SM500 bass amp) The SWR-500, upon which our model is based, is the successor to the world-famous SWR400, chosen by professionals for its welldefined tone and graphic EQ. SWR amps have great, versatile sound and high, consistent quality and we’re proud to include it in the Black Box’s arsenal. 38. FUZZ (fuzz tone) This amp and stomp box hybrid gives you the sound of vintage fuzz tones like Fuzz Face with bass, mid and treble controls. Think “American Woman” and create your own classic.
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. When you press FX, the lower part of the screen will display the following four control parameters: EFFECT, FX SPEED (or FX FREQ), FX DEPTH (or FX KEY), and FX WET/DRY.
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. To hear these synchronous effects in their best light, we recommend that you audition them while the drum machine is playing .
Auto-Pan (PAN1 - PAN4) This effect automatically pans the signal left and right at the selected speed, with four variations. Tip:Try PAN2 at a speed of 8M, causing your guitar sound to switch between speakers exactly every four measures; it’s like “trading fours” with yourself.
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. A perfect example of this effect can be heard on the guitar solo in the song, “What I Am,” by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians. Instead of a speed control, this effect has a “frequency” control.
Arpeggio Sequences (ARPG 1 - ARPG20) This effect definitely pushes the weird/cool meter to the limit. It accentuates specific musical notes in two-measure patterns. Even if you play muted strings on the guitar, you’ll still hear the generated note sequence because the sequence’s notes are actually generated in response to your playing. The note sequence is fixed and does not change depending on what you play, however you can transpose it up or down.
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. And setting the delay time to one measure enables simple looping; you play one measure then solo over it on the second measure when it comes back.
Delay On/Off To turn delay on or off, hold the Delay button for one half second. When off, the Dly Off icon will appear in the LCD screen. Reverb Time (Shift: Delay Time) This permits the selection of one of five reverb times: < RVTM 1 (tiny) < RVTM 2 (small) < RVTM 3 (medium) < RVTM 4 (large) < RVTM 5 (huge) This is a Shift parameter. To view or adjust it: 1) Press the Delay button and select column 1. 2) Double-tap the Delay button to enter Shift mode.
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: 1) If reverb is on and delay time is increased past a fixed value of 625 ms, then reverb is turned off.
< GATE 0: Noise gate is disabled. < GATE 1: Noise gate is on at lowest threshold.Very sensitive to soft picking, OK when very little background noise and pickup hum exists. < GATE 9: Noise gate is on at highest threshold. Least sensitive to soft picking, but best rejection of high background noise and hum. This is a Shift parameter. To view or adjust it: 1) Press the Utility button and select column 1.
Expression Pedal Assign This allows you to assign the function of the expression pedal. This assignment is saved with each preset.
The Black Box has three pedal connections on the back panel. One of these is for an expression pedal and the two others are for momentary foot switch pedals. To learn how to assign an external expression pedal, see “Expression Pedal Assignment” in the “Editing the Utilities” section. The two inputs labeled “P1” and “P2” are for momentary foot switch pedals.These pedals can perform the same functions as the keys on the left side of the Black Box.
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. < Tempo Source: Now you can select one of three sources for the playing tempo: the preset’s assigned tempo, the drumbeat’s assigned tempo or the global tempo.
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; more arrows on the right side than the left indicate that it is sharp.
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. Minimum functionality means that you will be able to record the processed guitar sound in most standard DAW applications, including Ableton Live Lite 4 GTR.
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. Latency One of the major issues that people often experience with computer-based recording is “latency.
Driver Installation Windows XP (SP2) NOTE: Do NOT connect the Black Box to your computer until you have run the installer application and completed the 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. Then click on “Install.
English The installer will copy the necessary files to your computer’s hard drive when you click on INSTALL. During the installation, you will be prompted with a message warning that the driver software has not passed Windows Logo testing Select “Continue Anyway” and proceed with the installation. Once the installer has finished copying the files, you will see the “Installation Successful” screen. Click FINISH.
Skip to the Control Panels section following the Mac installation instructions. 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. Click “Continue.” Click “Continue” when you see the Welcome screen below.
English 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.
Select a destination disk for the installation, and then click “Continue.” In the Easy Install box, click “Upgrade.
English 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.
Your M-Audio drivers will install.You will then see that the software was successfully installed. Click Restart. 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,” the unit is still being recognized only as a class-compliant device. Try reinstalling the driver if this happens. Go to “System Preferences” in the Apple Menu.
Control Panels English 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.” When connected to the computer you can change the input source to “Microphone.” This allows for some crazy vocal effects. Left-clicking on the radio button will make your source selection.
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. The default buffer size setting is 256. This setting may adequately serve your purposes, but if you wish to, you can experiment with lower settings.
Copy from Device Presets are saved on the computer as MIDI SYSEX files (.syx). When you click the OK button for the Export Preset, a browser window appears allowing you to select a location to store the preset file. Once the location is selected, you click OK and the selected preset is stored to the computer. This file 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.
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.
The Black Box has been designed to give you high performance and professional quality audio. It has been tested under a wide range of systems and operating conditions. In the real world, however, there are a nearly infinite number of possible operating scenarios, any of which could affect your system’s performance. Much like owning an automobile, “your mileage may vary.
Warranty Warranty Terms M-Audio warrants products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, under normal use and provided that the product is owned by the original, registered user. Visit www.m-audio.com/warranty for terms and limitations applying to your specific product. 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.
General Sample Rate English Specifications 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 Available Gain 30dB Instrument Input Line Outputs Input Range -28 to +12dBV (0.04 to 4.
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.
Status Second Third Description 1111 0010 0vvvvvvv 0vvvvvvv Song Position Pointer – LS Byte then MS Byte. English System Common messages 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.
Universal System Exclusive Messages Identity Request When Black Box receives this message, it responds by sending an “Identity Reply” message.
Transmit Single Parameter (message ID 1) The external device sends this message to Black Box in order to change a single parameter within the preset edit buffer or Main parameters data structure. Black Box does not send this message.
Request Stored Preset (Message ID 5) When Black Box receives this request, it responds by sending the requested preset as a “Transmit Preset” message.
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 Black Box’s MIDI Channel setting in the control panel application.
Transmit Preset Edit Buffer (Message ID 11) This message is sent by Black Box in response to a “Request preset edit buffer” message. It is also received by Black Box, allowing an external editor to overwrite Black Box’s preset edit buffer.
This message is sent by Black Box in response to a “Request Main Parameters” message. It is also received by Black Box, allowing an external editor to overwrite Black Box’s settings.
Copy Factory Presets to User (Message ID 19) This message instructs Black Box to copy all factory presets to the corresponding user presets. Also, all main parameters are reinitialized to their default settings.
English Data Structures Preset Data Structure (unique for each preset) Byte Parameter 0 Amp Range/Description 0-39 (See manual for list of amp names) 1 Drive 0-99 2 Bass 0-99 3 Treble 0-99 4 Effect 0-120 (see list of effects in manual) 5 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, TLK
Main Data Structure (Global settings) Byte Parameter Range/Description 0 Active Preset 00-99 (factory presets), followed by 100-199 (user presets) 1 Active Drumbeat 00-99 2 Guit/Drm Bal 0 (G50) to 50 (EQU) to 100 (D50), plus 101 (SEP) 3 Footswitch 1 asn Foot switch 1 assignment.
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.
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