1010 Music Bitbox - Sampler/Looper

[studio460]

For the only spent (I got a second Bitbox on a super-killer Sweetwater deal), I am super f'ing happy with my Bitbox v2 and fxbox as-is. Would it be nice if it did X, Y, or Z? I guess so, but both products as-released are super-products in my book. They both do exactly what I bought them for, and am really, really pleased with both.

[scragz]

I love how Aaron of 1010music is suddenly surprised on his own forum that people would want to import multisamples into the bitbox, and he has no idea about how to do that easily.

I spent a whole weekend trying to get the wav metadata shit working for velocity multisamples using the wav standard and the fields bitbox claims to support. Finally posted asking for a known working sample using the metadata to examine or wondering if maybe the feature doesn't work.... They assured me it works but could not provide a test wav in the correct format..... How do you know it works without tests???

I gave up. I ended up making slices and using velocity for slice selection but it didn't seem to like the long files and would pop and crackle out so I gave up on those too.

[Electro Something]

How many sources can the Bitbox and Bitbox Micro record simultaneously? I see 8 mono inputs?

[scragz]

How many sources can the Bitbox and Bitbox Micro record simultaneously? I see 8 mono inputs?

Bitbox has two inputs and can only record a single stereo or mono sample at a time.

[Peng33]

How many sources can the Bitbox and Bitbox Micro record simultaneously? I see 8 mono inputs?

If you are looking to multitrack in the same form factor (albeit, as a stand-alone unit), 1010 Music's Bluebox can record up to 6 stereo or 12 mono tracks (or any combination thereof) simultaneously.

[enno]

I am trying to figure out if I can "mix in" external audio into my bitbox - not via samples but just playing another voice through the bitbox.

Does anyone know?

Niche usecase but I want to pack a couple of modules into a small case and want to figure out if I can do without a mixer!

[Paranormal Patroler]

I love how Aaron of 1010music is suddenly surprised on his own forum that people would want to import multisamples into the bitbox, and he has no idea about how to do that easily.

I spent a whole weekend trying to get the wav metadata shit working for velocity multisamples using the wav standard and the fields bitbox claims to support. Finally posted asking for a known working sample using the metadata to examine or wondering if maybe the feature doesn't work.... They assured me it works but could not provide a test wav in the correct format..... How do you know it works without tests???

I gave up. I ended up making slices and using velocity for slice selection but it didn't seem to like the long files and would pop and crackle out so I gave up on those too.

Wouldn't it be possible to create a multisample using the on-board process and then check its metadata?

Crap. I was hoping I'd be able to use Reaper to make multisamples on the computer and import them on the Micro.

Also, anybody else having severe issues with crackling at even medium polyphony? I'm on the latest firmware and have set up limits to polyphony per pad to 8, but I get crackling (the unbearable-freaking-the-LEDs-out kind) even with just two pads at a total if 16 notes possible polyphony.

It could be a multisample issue!

[Spacelordmother]

I am trying to figure out if I can "mix in" external audio into my bitbox - not via samples but just playing another voice through the bitbox.

Does anyone know?

Niche usecase but I want to pack a couple of modules into a small case and want to figure out if I can do without a mixer!

You can monitor the live inputs on channel 1 and 2, so -- yup!

[enno]

I am trying to figure out if I can "mix in" external audio into my bitbox - not via samples but just playing another voice through the bitbox.

Does anyone know?

Niche usecase but I want to pack a couple of modules into a small case and want to figure out if I can do without a mixer!

You can monitor the live inputs on channel 1 and 2, so -- yup!

I tried that but didn’t get it to work - what settings do I need for that? Thanks for your help!!

[Spacelordmother]

Set your inputs to audio under the tools menu. Then from the recording screen set "REC MON" to ON.

[rayultine]

I love how Aaron of 1010music is suddenly surprised on his own forum that people would want to import multisamples into the bitbox, and he has no idea about how to do that easily.

I spent a whole weekend trying to get the wav metadata shit working for velocity multisamples using the wav standard and the fields bitbox claims to support. Finally posted asking for a known working sample using the metadata to examine or wondering if maybe the feature doesn't work.... They assured me it works but could not provide a test wav in the correct format..... How do you know it works without tests???

I gave up. I ended up making slices and using velocity for slice selection but it didn't seem to like the long files and would pop and crackle out so I gave up on those too.

Wouldn't it be possible to create a multisample using the on-board process and then check its metadata?

Crap. I was hoping I'd be able to use Reaper to make multisamples on the computer and import them on the Micro.

PP - Aaron has clearly specified the necessary metadata and formatting. It just can't be manually or automatically done in a DAW like Reaper. You have to bounce to an audio editing software like Audacity or Sound Forge. Blehhh

[enno]

Set your inputs to audio under the tools menu. Then from the recording screen set "REC MON" to ON.

Hero - thanks!

[Paranormal Patroler]

I love how Aaron of 1010music is suddenly surprised on his own forum that people would want to import multisamples into the bitbox, and he has no idea about how to do that easily.

I spent a whole weekend trying to get the wav metadata shit working for velocity multisamples using the wav standard and the fields bitbox claims to support. Finally posted asking for a known working sample using the metadata to examine or wondering if maybe the feature doesn't work.... They assured me it works but could not provide a test wav in the correct format..... How do you know it works without tests???

I gave up. I ended up making slices and using velocity for slice selection but it didn't seem to like the long files and would pop and crackle out so I gave up on those too.

Wouldn't it be possible to create a multisample using the on-board process and then check its metadata?

Crap. I was hoping I'd be able to use Reaper to make multisamples on the computer and import them on the Micro.

PP - Aaron has clearly specified the necessary metadata and formatting. It just can't be manually or automatically done in a DAW like Reaper. You have to bounce to an audio editing software like Audacity or Sound Forge. Blehhh

Scripting it on Reaper would habe been too easy! Any link to the requirements? I'll try Audacity, thankfully it's the other audio software in my computer.

[scragz]

I love how Aaron of 1010music is suddenly surprised on his own forum that people would want to import multisamples into the bitbox, and he has no idea about how to do that easily.

I spent a whole weekend trying to get the wav metadata shit working for velocity multisamples using the wav standard and the fields bitbox claims to support. Finally posted asking for a known working sample using the metadata to examine or wondering if maybe the feature doesn't work.... They assured me it works but could not provide a test wav in the correct format..... How do you know it works without tests???

I gave up. I ended up making slices and using velocity for slice selection but it didn't seem to like the long files and would pop and crackle out so I gave up on those too.

Wouldn't it be possible to create a multisample using the on-board process and then check its metadata?

Crap. I was hoping I'd be able to use Reaper to make multisamples on the computer and import them on the Micro.

PP - Aaron has clearly specified the necessary metadata and formatting. It just can't be manually or automatically done in a DAW like Reaper. You have to bounce to an audio editing software like Audacity or Sound Forge. Blehhh

Pretty sure the way it works on bitbox created multisamples is with XML files in the presets. I only have OG Bitbox so I can't look at what the created multisamples are to copy off that. I tried hitting New Multi -> Rec and it just crashes the whole OS.

They clearly specified the metadata but I made samples in the correct format and it doesn't seem like bitbox reads the velocity values for single note velocity multisamples even though it says it should.

Those inst chunks are pretty obscure parts of the spec and when they are used it's usually for splitting up the notes, not velocity.

[vytis]

Bitbox mk1, latest firmware here. Having some trouble trying to figure out how to record loops in sync with a clock from Pamela's New Workout. My recordings don't loop beautifully like in the video demo. They aren't cut to the right length (say, 2 bars).

Here's how I have it set up:
- PNW is sending a steady gate at x16 to Bitbox clock input.
- Bitbox recording to one of the slots. Length: 2 bars, Rec Quant: 1 bar (I've tried 1/2, 1/4 etc).
- Hit record, it does its counting and stops recording. The loop is there, but it's something like 20% longer than 2 bars and doesn't loop nicely.

No doubt this is user error. What am I doing wrong? Wrong clock? Wrong settings?

Thanks in advance.

[Electro Something]

If you are looking to multitrack in the same form factor (albeit, as a stand-alone unit), 1010 Music's Bluebox can record up to 6 stereo or 12 mono tracks (or any combination thereof) simultaneously.

Yeah that's exactly what I'm going for. A shame the Bluebox isn't eurorack.

[vytis]

Here's a follow up to my previous investigation...

After a bit of head scratching I've managed to get it all working. I am now able to record perfect loops which are in sync with each other.

What's changed:
- Pamela's New Workout set to PPQN: 04
- PNW set to output a gate at x1 (instead of x16)
- New FAT32 formatted 32GB microSD SanDisk card (before I had a 128GB Samsung card, exFAT)

I can now record 2 bars, quantized to 1 bar. Sync is great.

Perhaps this will be useful to someone else unable to sync to analog clock.

[SOPiiAC]

Anyone that owns a Micro wish they had the MK2 instead? Vice versa? Trying to decide between the two and it is hard.

[enno]

I'm on the MK2.
For me the main "pro" is the large screen, very nice to navigate, particularly when chopping up samples
On the other hand, I rarely use more than 8 samples for playback. So in that respect I could have saved some money and HP and gone with the micro.

[1n]

My BB Micro runs pretty hot. It eats power, which probably accounts for the heat. It seems like heat is distributing throughout the case, which is probably what you'd want to happen. Has anyone experienced overheating?

Other than wondering about this - I'm new to digital modules - I love it. Easy to record and playback and fits in perfectly.

[tuttle]

I read that lowering the screen brightness reduces power consumption. I did that with mine when I got it and it doesn't get excessively hot. I'd be interested to know if it makes a difference.

[1n]

I read that lowering the screen brightness reduces power consumption. I did that with mine when I got it and it doesn't get excessively hot. I'd be interested to know if it makes a difference.

Thanks! I'll try that. I just moved it from a Palette case to a 4MS pod and it seems not to run as hot in there.

I'd have preferred a Blackbox, but if I had a spare £500 I'd probably live somewhere more comfortable...

[nexgen23]

The mk2 and mikro have been out since April 2020, and there's absolutely no "here's the workflow for accomplishing x" on the site or forum.

This is one of the things that frustrated me about BB Mk2, that and the fact that there is no MIDI out pushed me to possibly sell it. I am multi-sampling with Disting EX and going to be using an Assimil8or for sampling duties soon (plus wavetable synthesis). I love the concept of Bitbox/Synthbox though. I wish Mk 2 could be more like Blackbox (MIDI out, built in sequencer, etc), but I can understand them not wanting to cannibalize their product line.