The Piece of Gear your DAWLess Studio is Missing (spoiler: it’s a mixer)

[@lesvolga1355]

Thank you very much! Actually it was my comment, so I appreciate your efforts twice as much! ♥️

[@SlowHaste]

Hahah, hello again! I’m glad you ended up watching this one as well :)

[@wayneanderson2866]

That sounds like a really great approach! I originally bought a bluebox last year with the intention of it being a substitute backing track player but I quickly found out that it has no skip or rewind buttons etc….only plays one long recorded track. I like your idea of having it being a sound hub for multiple types of electronic gear (probably what it was designed for). Plus it can free up more channels on my interface or main mixer in a live setup. Great stuff 👍🏼🔥

[@SlowHaste]

Thanks for watching!! Yeah, I think the record controls are moreso intended for capturing a live performance (maybe?). I could imagine bringing it to a gig and then having some fantastic quality recorded audio that you could easily sync with video or something like that!

[@G0nz0uk]

Useful little box, I don't have a mixer atm so will check this out, thanks for the sharing.

[@SlowHaste]

It’s definitely a great little utility!

[@karmatosed7211]

I recently bought a Bluebox as well and I’ve been pretty happy with it. Something extra I felt like ya left out about it is the form factor and how premium of a device it feels like in your hands. To me everything about it’s design is just really nice & feels surprisingly sturdier than I expected. I suppose for it’s price some may think that should be expected but I’ve learned to be more careful than that when it comes to expectations. But aside from its build quality, I love how it allows me to just kick back on my couch and record a thirty minute noodle session or whatever I’m feeling up for without having to touch a computer. Don’t get me wrong I can’t live without my laptop, but sometimes when I’m in a good zone adding a computer sometimes is just about the worst thing to do. Maybe not always, but sometimes. Good video bud was nice seeing someone else rockin a Bluebox.

[@SlowHaste]

Thanks so much for watching & sharing! I totally agree about the build quality - it’s absolutely great

[@hal2098]

I have the Tascam Model 24. not small and not cheap but great to have room for most my gear. and when you're ready for the DAW just switch over 22 channels of interface you're good to go

[@SlowHaste]

That looks fun! I’m glad there are plenty of options out there for expansion in the future :)

[@spiderfingers2005]

I have the Tascam Model 12.. and similarly, not as small as the blue box but great to get away from a computer if you want the option of a Dawless set up.. then.. very easy set up as an interface if you want that too..

[@mauchkimberly]

I have a bluebox too and find it essential. My space is quite small so I have no room for a larger mixer. There are certainly cons with this machine, such as the mini jacks and the way it handles bouncing. But portability, unlimited takes per track (very nice for capturing everything and then breaking out drum tracks) and general simplicity are all important to me. Most of my machines are self contained so I don't really need a mixer to use them on their own. But my small semimodular setup stays connected to the bluebox and I can capture whatever is happening there, which is really convenient. And then I typically have enough space to add 1 or 2 more machines depending on how I'm routing the semimodulars. I could do these things on a larger tascam mixer and it would be easier (and if I had a larger space I would). But as it stands currently, the bluebox is the best fit for my space and needs.

[@remyvegamedia]

Dang this thing seems cool. Comparing this to the Zoom R8 and R12 now. My mobile setup so far is an SP404 MK2 and whatever synth or guitar I have available. Having something to track and organize things in time would be great.

[@SlowHaste]

It’s a really great tool! Still no regrets

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

The blue box seems cool, does it also have a send and return for effects? I use a Roland MX-1 performance mixer myself which is very nice is you also have some Roland gear.

[@SlowHaste]

You can configure a send/return using one of the outputs (likely the cue) to re-route into any of the inputs if you want! No “native” effects send, but you can set one up that way.

[@shifteleven]

Cue can be used, but I think Out2 is the one recommended to use. You go to the mixer, select Out2, and then create a mix you want to send out. 1010music has a tutorial video on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGq8i2t7oNyKaLM

[@georgekay372]

I really need to rethink my audio setup, currently using a cheap Behringer 12 channel mixer. I’ve also got a 16 input audio interface but then I’d need to turn on my Mac and it takes for ever to get going. That little bluebox does look pretty good, but I also have the rack space for a Behringer X32…

[@SlowHaste]

If you have the space, the sky is the limit!! I considered a larger interface, too, but that’s ultimately why I decided to go with an out of the box solution. It’s been great!

[@hazelbenton9634]

I'm actually basically using the octa for this purpose--it's not as full featured, and is expensive. But I m actively using the octa as a mixer, sampler, and fx unit all at once so, it does kinda feel cost effective

[@SlowHaste]

That sounds perfect! I honestly would be using the octatrack as my primary mixer too if I had picked it up before the bluebox

[@Kleinebombair]

Can i edit on Blackbox the Single tracks from Digitakt, syntakt etc. Or is it one file in Blackbox Thanks for answering and sorry for my Bad Englisch

[@SlowHaste]

You can record each individual input to an SD card and it will save as a separate .wav file!

[@butsukete1806]

And here I ride my bike until I get lost before I even pull any gear out of my backpack.

[@Two-Eyed_Boy]

That's really cool, had no idea that was an option for a mixer with all its added functionality. I use the 404 as a hub that goes into my multitrack since it has an instrument-line input and a stereo RCA input. Devin and I have been practicing a short set for a Loam live stream and a mixer sure would help out! With each song requiring a different table setup it was a little bit of rocket science to figure out how we'll pull it off 🤣

[@SlowHaste]

Oh sick!! When is the stream happening, I’d love to check it out

[@beats4trips]

I use iConnectivityaudio4+ which connect my (dawless) hardware: Akai Force and Digitakt with PC and midi controller. This is a great option too - it sends midi and audio signals both ways. 4 stereo (or 8 mono) inputs on this gear is just enough - this is how I record 4 tracks: bass+kick (2x mono) + 3x stereo: drums/leads/pads directly into my daw. Digitakt has its own master audio channel in my daw. Mixer not needed in that case, or... maybe I am missing a point. I cannot see any point why I should have a mixer right now. FX processing?

[@SlowHaste]

If you feel like you’re lacking effects processing then perhaps it could help, but otherwise it sounds like you have a setup that’s suiting your needs well!

[@beats4trips]

@@SlowHaste right now it's just fine. I've got FX in Ableton which are just enough for me. I do not want to spend more money on my setup right now 😊 Greeting!

[@stereodelay6601]

Hi! I just bought the Bluebox, thanks to your video! Which cables do you recommend to go from 2x1/4 to stereo 1/8?

[@SlowHaste]

I get mine from Amazon. Either ugreen or hosa are usually a safe bet!

[@stereodelay6601]

Thank you! I got the Hosa.@@SlowHaste

[@tendingtropic7778]

it seems cool, but i don't like the mini jacks as inputs. I have the model 1 from playdifferently, that thing is awesome

[@SlowHaste]

Yeah I had to stock up on a few special cables, but they’re definitely useful to have around! I’ll have to check out the model 1.

[@daniel_mana]

how do you connect a microphone and record it to the bluebox?

[@SlowHaste]

You'd just need an adapter to go from XLR to 1/8"

[@ervinpoljak8332]

I love it, just struggling with humming❤

[@SlowHaste]

I’ve heard folks may have an issue with this if it’s plugged into the same power outlet as other gear

[@dracul74]

Curious... do you record guitar into bluebox and if so... what cables do you use? I also play guitar and have been considering a bluebox to integrate with the rc 505 and tr6s

[@SlowHaste]

I do run guitar into the bluebox, through my pedalboard with an amp sim pedal (neunaber iconoclast). With that pedal specifically, I can use an aux cable from the headphone output of the pedal, or a dual mono TRS 1/4” to stereo 1/8” from the stereo outputs of the pedal into the bluebox. Hope that helps!

[@dracul74]

@@SlowHaste thx… I was guessing that, thx for confirming. Any purchase regrets with the blue box?

[@SlowHaste]

@@dracul74 none at all - I got it used for an okay price on reverb, and although I’m not using most of its functionality, it does what I need it to! Some folks have complained of ground loop hun/noise, but I’ve never experienced that. I always use a separate outlet for it and have everything else (iMac, elektron boxes, lights, chargers) plugged into a separate surge strip.

[@dracul74]

@@SlowHaste thx!

[@supremeciroc]

When recording into your DAW, are you able to record the individual channels from your Digis or is the Digitone one stereo file and the Digitakt is its own also? Thanks!

[@SlowHaste]

I have the Digitone running into the Digitakt usually, and then that output goes into the mixer - it’s just one stereo channel going into the DAW! I’ll use another input if I’m playing around with modular / guitar, and would overdub that if I wanted it to go into a final version of a track in Logic

[@jayjayjay391]

Another awesome vid 🙂👍 I wanted to ask do you know how to sync the digitakt with the op1?

[@SlowHaste]

Thank you!! You would need an external MIDI host to sync them

[@jayjayjay391]

@@SlowHaste I have a Kenton would this work? Or maybe I can use Ableton I just don't know how 🙂

[@SlowHaste]

@@jayjayjay391 it should work!! I’m not sure on the specifics of how to set it up though, as I’ve never used a MIDI host :/

[@chrisbartholomew8772]

I started out using an ipad as the brain for my Dawless setup and sequencing everything from there. Those loads of amazing sequencer auv3s but trying to setup global pattern changes/performance recall was a nightmare. I've recently switched to a single hardware sequencer (the toraiz squid). It's not perferct, but having all my midi coming from one place really reduces friction and now I record all the midi at the same time so I can always go back an edit/add soft synths later if needs be!

[@SlowHaste]

That sounds like a great setup! MIDI can be a royal pain, but it can also accomplish so much that nothing else can do

[@hudspace]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve owned a Bluebox for a while, but only just recently bought my first audio interface. I’m curious how you integrate the Bluebox with your audio interface?

[@SlowHaste]

I just run a stereo output into the stereo input of my interface! It’s super simple and gets me the sound I need

[@hudspace]

@@SlowHaste thanks for the response! But you said you aren’t using the Bluebox to record…so with this setup, are you somehow still able to multitrack record in your DAW?

[@SlowHaste]

@@hudspace so the bluebox can record WAV files directly to an SD card - that’s what I was referring to when I said I didn’t record with it, sorry if that wasn’t clear!

[@hudspace]

@@SlowHaste nah I think you were clear enough, I’m just new to audio interfaces and DAWs and probably just asking ignorant questions 😝

[@SlowHaste]

@@hudspace hahah it’s all good, no worries!!

[@edwardferry8247]

Thank you for this. Tascam and Mackie have these multi channel mixers that split your channels (inputs) for further DAW processing. This looks intriguing because of the form factor. I get 12 inputs with the Tascam and higher audio quality (at least in terms of numbers, probably not detectable to the ear) for around $700, the blue box seems a tad expensive by comparison. Food for thought however. Hmmm 🤔

[@deekod1967]

Similarly I use a Zoom L12 Livetrack mixer, however if 1010 did a box with mic pre-amps now that would be interesting..

[@tiffanzsolti]

Do you think BlueBox can fit into a studio where there is already an Octatrack?

[@SlowHaste]

100%! I have both

[@briancivitello1884]

How does it sound - can you reach a good output level without distortion ? How is the character of the audio ? sorry if this is not the best terminology to ask the question, new to this but I love your channel.

[@SlowHaste]

Yes, it absolutely can! The sound is very transparent to my ears, and I haven’t seen/heard of any negative comments on audio quality in other reviews. Thanks for watching!

[@briancivitello1884]

@@SlowHaste thank you so much for the quick reply, really considering this purchase. Two more question - can you bounce down tracks into a new clip ? Can you scrub through audio ?

[@SlowHaste]

@@briancivitello1884 I’m not certain as I typically don’t use it to record WAV files, but that info should be on the product page/manual on 1010’s website!

[@floncyb5436]

Great content

[@SlowHaste]

Many thanks!

[@FlyingPetschman]

xone px5 - 1 channel from an to pc - 3 for Elektrons