Blackbox "punch-in FX" implementation

[jayneural]

Here's the way I believe it would be most appropriate to implement very requested additional effects on the Blackbox.

A "punch-in"/instant FX mode workflow is probably the best for this device.

The UI would work this way :

(added a sketch for you to visualize it)



- it would be an additional page on the current "FX" section

- on the left : two columns of 6 to 8 punch-in FX to select from

- on the top right : a square "kaos pad" style X-pad zone with X/Y axis

- on the remaining space of the bottom right : a "quick resample" section, with a "RESAMPLE" button, a "TARGET PAD" and a "DURATION" (in bars) selectors that would instantly resample the FX and load it into the selected target pad. To avoid mistakes, only the pads that don't have samples loaded already will be available from the target pad selector.

- you activate the punch-in FX by taping it with your thumb and sliding another finger on the pad (that's the reason why the X-PAD it's ergonomically placed on the top right)

- a "latch" mode toggle button would allow you to activate an FX and freely slide your values on the pad with just one finger or navigate to other pages while keeping the FX active

- all punch FX UI will be MIDI-mapable for use with an external controller.

In terms of routing :

- each FX would have a setting to route the pads you want to be affected by it (maybe accessible through an an extra page has the same UI but shows the routing setting in place of the FX name)

- for performance matters : there would be only one active bus and hence simultaneous punch-in FX possible, that will apply as per the routing settings of the selected FX (by default, all pads).

Given the performance limitations and hence the only one additional FX bus, I added this idea of "quick resampling to a pad" for the user to easily be able to use that feature live, hence the "resample" button and settings suggested on the UI. That would bring a bit of the SP404 style of performance to the Blackbox and would creatively overcome some of its hardware limitations.

Type of FX and their parameters :

- BITCRUSH (X = resolution / Y = filter cutoff)
- BEATMASH (X = resolution, Y = filter cutoff, similar to Roland's MC-101/707 scatter)
- PHASER (X = length in beats / Y = filter cutoff)
- FLANGER (X = length in beats / Y = filter cutoff)
- ECHO (X = length in beats / Y = filter cutoff)
- FREEZE (X = length in beats / Y = filter cutoff)
- GATE (X = length / Y = bliss noise)
- VYNIL STOP (X = length in beats / Y = filter cutoff)

In my suggestion, all of the FX except gate would be combined with filter on the Y axis on the X-PAD, but I'm not an expert in FX, if there are other more appropriate Y parameters, they could also be used in place of filter. The gate fx with a bliss noise is a quite popular FX in DJing applications, I think it would bring a great DJing touch to a performance with the Blackbox.

Such punch in/instant FX feature would immediately make of the Blackbox one of the best choice for sample-based live performance, maybe combined to a MIDI controller for more tactile feedback. For production situations, ability to record automation of the FX in a sequence or section instead of resampling a loop would be really convenient.

I really believe it is the year of FX for the Blackbox firmware as it's been constantly a very requested feature since the release of the product.

Please let 1010music teams know if you like this idea of implementation on the comments below and share your own suggestions/wishes.

[Klaustrophil]

- on the left : two columns of 6 to 8 punch-in FX to select from

- on the top right : a square "kaos pad" style X-pad zone with X/Y axis

- on the remaining space of the bottom right : a "quick esample" section, with a "resample" button, a "target pad" and a "number of bars" selectors that would instantly resample the FX and load it into the selected target pad. To avoid mistakes, only the pads that don't have samples loaded already will be available from the target pad selector.

Bro this is wayyy too fiddly for the XY pad. The bluebox implementation of the equalizer is already hard to use and that's twice as much space. I'd rather suggest to use as much of the screen as possible. FX selection could be an momentary menu accessible by holding the Info button (alternatively just press it for a static menu). This would make more room for this menu too and would even give room for additional parameters to control.

My first guess for the routing config would be a similar control as the pad selection for a sequencer but of course with multiple selections possible. But tbh, this control is kinda crappy because you don't see any names of the pads and it's fiddly. Of course this could be improved by making the menu as big as possible and add the pad names. Maybe it will be still a bit hard to read but better than nothing.

[jayneural]

Totally valid point indeed. Maybe the pad doesn’t have to be just 1/4 of the screen on the top right but maybe bigger, and the FX selection buttons grid can be smaller and maybe only on one column so as to let more room for the pad and leave a bit of room on the bottom right for those instant resampling controls.

I hope other than that you like the punch-in/instant FX concept

[jayneural]

Bumping this up just to see if I'm the only one wanting this FX implementation

I've edited the original post with a sketch of the UI I imagine for this as I realize my description in text wasn't making it easy to visualize the concept.

[Georges]

If they were insert fx, that would be very cool. As send fx they are less interesting and the delay/reverb pair makes most sense.

[jayneural]

Haha actually no, the only FX units I have are an SP404 mk2 and a NTS-1

So PAS would be pedal trigger support ?

[Georges]

Effects pedals come with a free-of-charge addiction to acquire even more pedals :-)

Joke aside, if the blackbox’s effects could be used as a live effects device, the above feature request would open up a whole new world.

[jayneural]

Oh ok Pedal Acquisition Syndrom

well, then if we could route the input into the Punch-In FX, that would make it a whole new use case for sure.

[_monomakes_]

This would enable some great dub!
Although I fear the list of effects is too long. I'm thinking of CPU constraints, sadly.

Less is more

[jayneural]

In this implementation model, the FX aren’t necessary cumulated. And if they are, they would be linked to the same bus, to which you would route the pad sounds you would like to be affected.

So if the Blackbox can handle one additional FX in terms of CPU, there isn’t any reason this wouldn’t be possible.

Possibly if CPU is a real constrain, when using this mode, the Blackbox’ polyphony pool could be limited to less voices than the current 64 so as to be able to handle one additional bus of FX.

[byrdinbbylon]

+1 to this or any other creative way to add FX