1010Music Blackbox: Review and full workflow tutorial

Here's a full review and workflow tutorial of Blackbox from 1010Music is a standalone hardware sampler, sequencer and looper based on their eurorack modules.
For more synth tips and tricks as well as what to look for gear, check out my In-Complete Book of Electronic Music Ideas, Tips and Tricks (hint: it's in-complete because it's always being updated…):
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TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
0:35 Hardware overview
3:10 Pads explained
5:00 Pad parameters
6:05 Keyboard control
6:55 Choke groups
7:10 Sample type pads
8:30 Clip pads
10:50 Slicer pads
13:10 Sampling
14:00 Live looping
14:55 Sampling CV
16:30 Sequencing
19:20 Sequence params
20:15 MIDI sequencing
21:50 How songs work
25:15 FX
25:50 MIX
26:15 PSET - Presets
26:40 Tools
26:50 Modulation
28:20 Pros and cons
Want to email me personally?
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@aradder]

I keep coming back to this video as I continue to get deeper into the Blackbox. It would be amazing to have an updated workflow tutorial with the latest firmware!

[@joeykaram09]

Seconded!

[@maksimreshetnikov1029]

+1 maybe just about newest features...

[@damienjones7330]

Where are you at? I just bought one and am going to try to learn but I sooo don’t have the right brain, my kaoscilator took me ages!

[@synth-studio]

+1. I keep coming back to this, too. I'd love more of a focus on setting up midi controllers, plus covering all the latest features. One for consideration maybe, Ziv?

[@jeffryarchambeau5441]

Thirded!!!

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

I had asked you about the audio quality...well I got my own BlackBox now and let me say...the audio is fantastic, output and input. Sampling synths directly into the BB is incredible. The preamps are HOT and pro level. This is the best purchase I have made in music gear in the last 40 years. This little box is a wonderful way to add sampling to any studio rig. I am 100% hardware and fits my rig 100%.

[@loopop]

Awesome!

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

The fact that it has a touchscreen and usb hosting is a win win.

[@untoldstory176]

You're in a completely different league when it comes to presentation. almost no longer need instructions for use after this video here. Everything brought exactly to the point. One of the best blackbox presentations on KZbin ever, that will go down in history of blackbox! ,) It would be amazing to have an updated workflow tutorial with the latest firmware! 😅

[@RickyTinez]

Incredible run through, i love how straight forward this one was, but its also 30 minutes. That to me shows how easy it is to use to the amount of things it can do haha.

[@loopop]

Thanks! Yes, they totally nailed balancing ease of use and power on this

[@audiosenpai7579]

Ricky you have a lot of gear. I am finding myself just buying things 😒 I think I'm addicted to buying samplers. Its like I find reasons to buy them hahahaha... How do you determine what sampler you use for projects?

[@illford6921]

@@audiosenpai7579 I'd say you should just mess with some for a day and find what works for what, a more old school one would be good for jungle or old school hip hop but a modern granular one would be good for modern electronic music or ambient stuff

[@callum6224]

@David Harmon what do you mean what

[@callum6224]

@David Harmon I didn’t leave the comment, so ask the other guy

[@artblack01]

No one does a better or more comprehensive review than you do.

[@loopop]

Thanks very much

[@herontotem1065]

I don’t agree with « no one » but yes! English is not my language, and everything is clear an interesting for me! What a great (black) box!!! I didn’t hear anything about it before! 😍

[@KordTaylor]

This is great to just take to a gig in a backpack vs. laptops, etc.. Thank you so much for another great video.

[@robertlee1176]

Your reviews are always thorough. Thank you for showing things in such detail. Would love more FX in this box but it is amazing!

[@Messy_Jesse]

This looks like the perfect device for quickly writing rough drafts! I'm excited to try pairing it with the deluge or op1. Thanks for sharing.

[@DeleswaProductions]

Excellent walkthrough and demo of the Blackbox. Such a feature-packed gem. Loving mine already.

[@winddealer1]

Thanks again for another great in-depth snapshot and reference video of this little portable powerhouse.

[@user-hl5xj2qh8q]

Your videos and gear reviews are some of my favorite out there! Great video, this is the sampler I was looking for!

[@havokcc]

I have been waiting a review on this for a while, thanks!!

[@roccoharris]

a year after producing this video, you can rest assured, it's still greatly appreciated. wow!! & this beautiful, black box has only gotten better over these past months. hot dang!! & that recording cv feature... that is bonkers!! so cool!!

[@krxwnvxk3432]

I'm getting one of these as soon as possible. Been loving each video on this bad boy more and more. This is a killer product by 1010 music

[@Blarm]

Great overview as usual mate

[@27arches]

Been looking for this for years! Excellent work

[@satyanpatel6403]

After watching your very intuitive video, I purchased it using your Reverb link above. I've been using a myriad of devices to load samples, and other devices to create weird jams. This fits perfectly above using the Novation Circuit or below a PC DAW for me. I know there are other devices that a similar, but they are either too advanced (electron) or do not fit into what I need (Roland 101, 707). Love the song mode, and chromatic feature. I've gathered samples for well over 25 years and a computer screen just wasn't cutting it for me to load them. Thanks again for the awesome walkthrough.

[@loopop]

Thanks for taking the time to write, and use the link!

[@satyanpatel6403]

@@loopop So after extensive use, and now on firmware 1.4.0 this device is truly amazing for me. The workflow is super easy. It's like an enhanced sp404 with multiple ins out, and the sequence options are really quite intuitive and easy to use. The granular synth is really interesting, but the option to instantly chop up a sample across a keyboard is really fun. The myriad of chord modes is also a great welcome. I hope you get to review this device again with all it's new features. The effects are still the same, but one can easily add more externally.

[@nickkwas7679]

incredible comprehensive overview! love the editing, left no stone unturned, really great stuff dude!

[@loopop]

My pleasure - thanks!

[@midinerd]

Didn't sequence external CV gear after sampling and inspecting the the CV clip - or did I miss something?

[@loopop]

midinerd not sure I understand the question - please rephrase...

[@stevelindstrom3967]

Loopop, dropping in here from "the future" to say thanks so much for this great review and so many others. After KZbin shopping for a sampler /groovebox / nerve-center for the last two months, watching and rewatching your videos - I bought this machine and will no doubt refer to this video often as I get underway with it. For me, it came down to this, a Digitakt, or the MPC One. Ultimately the Blackbox's UX, lean form factor, and very adept use of modern day computing power won the day.

[@stevelindstrom3967]

...update from the future of the future: I returned mine. The sequencer UX made it impossible to tweak any performed sequences -- and if you think *you're* a bad finger drummer -- ha ha, you aint seen nothing yet!

[@Synthikat]

Awesome piece of gear! Thanks for the nice tutorial/presentation.

[@drmccommons]

Perfect! This is exactly what I'm looking for in my DAWless setup. Thank you for the review and demo

[@djvartan]

Getting mine tomorrow. I’ve watched this three times already. Love your channel!

[@robertlee1176]

Your walkthroughs of equipment are always amazing and satisfying. I feel like I am much more educated about the product and can usually workout if it is for me. You keep your explanations very simple and easy to understand. Thank you

[@LaughingBubba]

Thanks for reviewing this awesome little product

[@jimgravesus]

Thanks for making this video. Really well done and thought out. Thanks for the timestamps!

[@midinerd]

When exploring parameter value ranges, I suggest you explore the full value ranges (like in timestretching) for the audience. Even if that exposes bugs or artifacts in the synthesis engine - that's really just a matter of artistic perspective (ya prob know what I mean) BTW thanks for taking the time to put all this together

[@qbwarmdays]

Workflow really on point. Pretty much all the operations. Compact, well featured, robust. Superb choice for gigging. I can see the usefulness for both popular and avant-garde. If Akai had got 1010 to do the UX for MPC Live who knows how good that might have been. I want one.

[@jzno]

Perfect! I hope there will be one with battery and BLE midi in the future 😍

[@truecuckoo]

Nice!

[@dankefurnichts]

I wonder why you still not have this tool? Would this not be a great addition to your OT?

[@ElaMinus]

@@dankefurnichts i have the same question for @cuckoo ! : )

[@dankefurnichts]

@@ElaMinus i sent mine back to thomann cause it's in reality much smaller then it appears in this videos so for me it's not compatible to my workflow.

[@pcuimac]

The master of gadgets approves! ;)

[@johnnygoodyear270]

@@dankefurnichts Much smaller than it appears? Does this guy have unusually small hands?

[@Wil_Dsense]

Ah, The ability to draw in piano roll notes for midi control of external synths is amazing! and recording into and time-stretching etc all on that touchscreen display! +Song mode creation for ideas/stems and starting solid foundations for tracks whilst being away from comp, can always finish/master inside a DAW later. Excellent demonstration of this, as per.

[@me000]

oh man. i've been waiting for something like this to come along.

[@TheRealHucasys]

Damn.....20 minutes in and I can't take anymore! So awesome...!

[@dualtrx]

Excelent as always. I use the Bitbox made by the same company and i love it. Wish they made something like this for eurorack. This is a mix of their modules but all in one. Great idea.

[@snorrevonflake]

Yea still hesitating to buy either, would love to have the sequencer in the eurorack version.

[@sergiocoretti268]

Great vid man! Helpful tutorial as always ☺️

[@MarcWeertsMusic]

Excellent demo!

[@necrotictrust]

and excelent review. As always. To the point. thank you

[@iChrisArt]

Grate review!!! As always.

[@iChrisArt]

Will you be doing the Percussa SSP any soon?

[@iChrisArt]

Any time soon

[@loopop]

No but maybe later

[@Decoy303]

Really cool to see some people in here like Ricky and Cuckoo in here showing love. All three of you I go to for product info and tutorials. Need to patron all of you. Keep showing Love.

[@eddievanheinous666]

This looks amazing.

[@ildarkinildarkin]

Amazing unit! Thanks for video!

[@WildernessMusic_GentleSerene]

Another fantastic review! Thank you!!

[@mydatause]

Perfect. As always thanks for the spot on review.

[@arobins74]

I was thinking of one of the Eurorack Bitboxes and pulled the trigger on this one. Thanks! I may get the Squid Salmple for my rack later.

[@james9789]

Impressive hardware and your introduction/demo thanks

[@SHINdanny]

THX for the detailed review of this product! Since I love Nanoloop, its workflow & possibilities to work with many different projects, this deveice seems like a opportunity to work with "real" hardware with even more options... ...currently out of stock :(

[@ElectronisoundsAudio]

Thanks for this! 😀 👊

[@saltspringdesign]

what a versatile little unit :) thx for sharing!

[@Estorium]

I need this, really really need this.

[@poppybrosjunior]

you set the gold standard for product reviews. THANK YOU

[@V4D2]

in deed! Both introducing products...and overviewing like a master. Thanks for this ! It's a great piece of hardware.. The worse is that it's $600 ! Damn..

[@Soundtrackloops]

Thanks for the in depth and very thorough demo. We are extremely honored to be a small part of this awesome device with 800 samples from our catalog in it. You did a great job with this!

[@loopop]

Thanks and great job with the on board samples too!

[@hansmuller1980]

nice promotion too...

[@Soundtrackloops]

@@loopop Thanks again

[@klonhead]

Great video! cheers

[@JeffCfreeradiorevolution]

You’re the best on youtube in showing these devices. Thanks!

[@Rojeezyify]

Just wanted to drop a line and say thanks for the informative video.

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

Came back to remind myself how far this thing has come since. Amazing stuff 1010

[@midi-ocher]

I’m on the fence about replacing my Pioneer Sp16 with the Blackbox.

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

@@midi-ocher not sure where you’re based but lots of retailers will do full returns/refunds if you want to give it a shot

[@Onelychild]

Very good review!

[@RegebroRepairs]

This is basically a DAW in very small box. That's pretty cool.

[@evanmonaco8860]

It’s so fast to use! Love this.

[@ipatchphd]

Since I started regularly following your channel, I am now out (check's notes) about $2k in gear spending so far. Thanks :)

[@findingsolutions198]

Lol . Which are your picks?

[@MeerkatMuzic]

Glad it’s got preview files. Nice bit of kit.

[@tomsdffdf1452]

Subbed, liked and ordered! Thankyou sir! I really hope they update effects and automation all around on this thing, the only let down.

[@dem4xed]

This is amazing 😍

[@BoringStranger]

Super helpful as always!

[@KabsterMaster]

THIS CHANNEL IS AMAZING!

[@merrymonkey5172]

I’m really digging this one, it’s compact but it has a lot of utility.

[@paulburkhart2619]

Just watched for the 3rd time. Great video. They should implement a "pad mode" where you can use the buttons as trigger pads. Love me some pads.

[@loopop]

I know.... told them that too...

[@stevelindstrom3967]

I mean, there are eight pads...right there...almost too easy right?

[@DanieleGiannattasio]

This is just great!

[@lostcrow]

Am I right in guessing that there is only 1 bank of 16 pads? The blackbox NOT having sample banks for the 16 pads is a massive deal breaker and, for the price, very limiting.

[@sjcongo]

Yup looks alright 😍 so small but so powerful

[@op-1g.s]

Very interesting man. 👍🏽

[@csjreactor]

This tutorial was so good that 30 min later I've bought it!

[@nebuladus7850]

Wwoww these are wonderful times for electronic music💜🙏🎹thxsomuch💥

[@transforminggravity15626]

That is awesome 👍

[@ntrsnofficial8328]

And i m so happy with my 4 seconds sampling on my Roland s220 and a bit more with my tx16w

[@fakshen1973]

I have the 1010 Toolbox. Entering notes can be a bit of a pain sometimes. I'm considering a stylus because I have big fingers as well. What 1010 really gets is making access to parameters quick and intuitive. The learning curve is always very low and no damn hidden button press combinations that's the bane of a lot of digital modules. I think on the forums 1010 alluded that some of the features from BlackBox might wind up where they can in the Eurorack modules. I believe they stated that the processor in BlackBox is more advanced than that of the Series 1 and Series 2 boxes. I'm holding off for BitBox II. They'll want to do something in Eurorack with this.

[@chatolars]

Ah!!! Expected this one for weeks!! Thank you

[@jackpijjin4088]

GOOD LORD I NEED THIS

[@nelltremagne2169]

O man the chopping 😭 this thing looks sick

[@metabeard3788]

holy menu dive batman

[@baqcasanke]

Metabeard exactly what i was thinking

[@floydc9482]

I'd pay $400 for it. I'd definitely go $600 with a dedicated controller with keys and pads! Great review and product!!! Thanks!

[@Salvolama]

Very nice!!

[@UberSynth]

You see that list of topics you have on the left side, maybe you could colour or highlight the topic you're on as you go down the list through the video. Good review. Peace ✌️ out people

[@UberSynth]

@Atlsynth yeah because I'm looking at the eye candy being demonstrated especially when it's elektron gear! To glance at the text on the left I'm looking to see what subject he's on for the eyes to be easily drawn to ✏️ a colour would be cool 😎 it's just an Idea nothing more. If he can't do it he can't do it.

[@tiltil9442]

On the other hand: dragging the video progress bar will give you pretty accurate Timecode info and, hence, chapter orientation. No need for colours whatsoever.

[@n_o_]

@@tiltil9442 i agree, no need to spend the extra time. his is already a standard-setting format

[@Decoy303]

As if the timeline wasn't enough. 🙄

[@djformalin]

Top review, thx 🎼

[@milk_bath]

This is outrageous.

[@nashatkins8883]

Can you do a video on the update please? Thanks! Love this in depth description! Wondering how the black box compares to the deluge.

[@LuCrow528]

Amazing box. Great demonstration.

[@renebohne]

I tried it at Superbooth. Excellent sound quality and the USB host feature makes this a very interesting box. After power-up, it loads the first preset in the list (in alphabetic order) if I understood correctly.

[@loopop]

yes

[@trevor4835]

you rock dude

[@MariusGarage]

Incredible machine

[@jedgould5531]

Fine demo

[@rafaelikenaga]

Be nice if there was a follow up video after all the updates BB have got! :)

[@jellebolijn]

This would be cool indeed :)

[@e-conrecords4665]

I want this!

[@krakou2]

Finally a live recording song mode: listen Elektron etc...

[@THEAMYGDALA]

There is song mode in Analog 4 MKI

[@krakou2]

@@THEAMYGDALA i was talking about live sections. At 24mns

[@THEAMYGDALA]

@@krakou2 link?

[@krakou2]

@@THEAMYGDALA @24:00

[@krakou2]

Akai Force has something similar. You can even live play fx during the recording of a song. Back in the 90's the 309 could do the fx thing

[@mCKENIC]

Thanks for the wonderful video! Im about 85% madly in love with this - its almost perfect for what I'd want. Would like more fx and midi ccs as modulation sources for stuff like loop start/end etc. And I know this is SO superficial but I absolutely HATE the gui... but everything it does is bloody wonderful! Watching to see when/how this develops. It could become everything Ive been looking for! Thanks again.

[@loopop]

Thanks! Regarding the GUI - I have to say that, putting the design aside which is a matter of taste, this and other eurorack modules by 1010Music excel at usability - things are "where they're supposed to be" which makes coming back to them after a while as well as exploring and learning their features quite easy.

[@mCKENIC]

@@loopop Thanks for taking the time to reply! I agree 100%. Function, learning the UI and ease of use 1st and the more I research this the more I like it. Id rather it do its thing well than look fancy and be buggy/non-intuitive. Im spoiled with things like smplr and the op-1 and this has a MS Excel 97 look to me... but I could live with that :-) Cheers!

[@mCKENIC]

Oh and Aiff import too please 1010Music ... the thought of batch processing every sample I have to make em .wav *shudder*

[@rinkobamoto2452]

@@mCKENIC What about the Pitching, is it fine enough, will there be any update to the pitching resolution, as well as will there be scale templates applicable to the realtime pitching?..... and lastly I definitely concur the need for more organic FX (not cheesy bitcrushing/distortion stuff, but stuff useful for sample manipulation and mangling), and midi ccs for modulation

[@christoroppolo8742]

Look Gaz Williams lookalike is in the advert for the zombie movie prior to this too! Lol ! I already ordered my 1010 cant wait ! Awesome as usual tutorial! Peace Christo 👽🎶🐕😉☮️

[@oliviermissal8739]

My god i need this soooo bad

[@inthefade]

I've been looking for a suitable replacement for my mpc-1000 for about two or three years. I didn't expect it to be this format, but I think this will work quite well and does everything I need. What a nice small package.

[@sergeastorms67]

I thinking the same thing.

[@rorz999]

Paired with a suitable MIDI controller it's perfect

[@djdigital3806]

The Blackbox would be perfect for my DJ setup.🤔 I wanna hook that puppy up with my Krog Wavestation EX🎹

[@miguelgjesus]

Just went and buy one after watching this video a few times. It’s surprising small in a good way and super intuitive. Also the screen response is really fantastic, no lag at all which is great since you don’t have rubber pads to use. Thanks for the amazing video!

[@Luke-tg2ko]

Hello Miguel, I have an AKAI MPC LIVE, but for my taste the piano roll sensitivity is not good, this is the main feature I need. Is the 1010 piano roll sensitity and workflow good? Have you had the occasion to compare it to the MPC LIVE?

[@miguelgjesus]

OldSkool Synth Boy I’ve had an MPC controller before, but the one that was mostly a controller, so the piano roll was in the software, so in the laptop screen. The Blackbox has a very small screen instead. Sure, you can zoom in to see and input the notes, but it’s not really something I use that much unlike you would in a MPC. Think of the Blackbox as a step above the Electribes but not trying to be an MPC. In the end I use it the most to load loops and immediately sync them to the tempo while triggering other drum sounds

[@Luke-tg2ko]

@@miguelgjesus thank you so much. Honestly I'm thinking to sell my MPC Live and buy an Ipad with some piano roll apps and a portable midi controller (akai mpd mini MKII or Arturia Minilab), I never did fall in love with MPC cause the not so much fast and accurate piano roll editing side...Thank you so much for your advise!

[@miguelgjesus]

OldSkool Synth Boy I went for that actually, I am using Korg Gadget a lot and the workflow is great. Only issue is for warped loops you have to go through the hassle of using and converting to the recycle format, so the blackbox is much nicer for that.

[@Cemental]

Thanks!