1010Music BLUEBOX Review // Is it the new king of synth mixers?
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- čas přidán 19. 06. 2024
- If you like the ideas, tips and insight in this video, there's plenty more in my ever-expanding book of electronic music ideas, tips and tricks here:
► Patreon: / loopop
Check out Bluebox prices here: (affiliate links help the channel):
► Bluebox on Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/yDd3W
► Bluebox on Thomann: www.thomann.de/intl/search_di...
► Search 1010Music Bluebox on Amazon: amzn.to/2Iq6VCA
Other gear used in this video:
► TR-6S by Roland
► Microcosm by Hologram
► Microlab by Arturia
► Stands by Cremacaffe
► The funky MIDI cable is by Designacable
► In the Palette case by Intellijel:
► -- Brenso by Frap tools
► -- Sample Drum by Erica Synths
► -- Percussion interface by 4ms
► -- VinCA by Instruo
Here's my video about removing ground loops and noise:
► • 6 simple and cheap way...
Other places I hang out:
► Instagram: / loopopmusic
► Facebook: / loopopmusic
► Twitter: / loopopmusic
► Web: loopopmusic.com
My music:
► Bandcamp: loopop.bandcamp.com
► Spotify: bit.ly/LoopopOnSpotify
► Apple Music:bit.ly/LoopopOnAppleMusic
TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:05 I/O
2:45 Workflow
5:00 View modes
6:05 Input assigns
7:15 Tracks params
9:05 Internal FX
10:50 Using sends
12:40 Duck!
15:10 EQ
16:00 Compressor
16:35 Recording
17:50 Takes
18:55 Pros, 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.
Watched this AGAIN after finally getting myself the bluebox. You're videos are so useful, coherent, nicely paced and informative. Thanks again!
A big YES from me. Great overview Loopie! Thanks! I think 1010 has made a big hit, provided that the audio quality is good. Hey Loop, how is the clipping sounding? Nasty cut, or more like a drive? What’s the noise floor like? What’s the latency?
Thanks my friend :)
1. I couldn't get it to clip with regular audio (it accepts eurorack levels so line level isn't going to do it)
2. Noise is there if you push up gain, but at reasonable recording levels (full volume on a 6S) I saw no noise on the sample. Perhaps they have a noise gate on the recording, I didn't perform a detailed noise test after that. Noise is a problem with ground loops of course like I mention in the video.
3. I didn't make detailed latency tests either, but I looped a send to an input and then the second send to another input and there was very minimal comb filtering, nothing that sounds like a delay, so, latency seems very low
@@loopop thanks mate! Sounds very promising! Can’t wait to order!
This little company has found its niche! Sort of the next gen of what the ELEKTRON boxes did a generation ago...similar styles multi uses overlapping interests and utilities.......GENIUS!
@@loopop I'm not going to pretend I understood all of this. I'm a newbie when it comes to music, synths and eurorack. That said, (or out of the way as you would probably say,) to me it seems like the main advantage of this Bluebox to a more classic mixer is its size, and that a bigger mixer is somewhat easier to operate. But then again, this one seems to have really good effects where you have more control over their parameters and also the ability to record onto a card in the box itself is not something I've seen in many mixers if ever at all. For some the workflow here might be easier or better than using a "normal" mixer. IDK.
I have a few questions that I got some trouble to entangle in my head and that I do not expect to get any answers to here. I put them here anyway for people to read as questions often leads to new questions etc.
-Makes me wonder if, and if they ever make a eurorack version of this, that such a module would or could be used for different things or have different functions in a rack as one often do with other eurorack modules? Like mixing CV for example. I'm also impatient to see eurorackers in the near future use this mixer here on YT.
-Whit the recording function, I wonder if maybe it would be nice or make sense to have clocking and or simple sequencing to play around with the tracks, channels, loops or whatever. Either in the unit itself or inputs for such?
-If this mixer could be used as an instrument in itself like playing on feedback and such that I've seen several people do? Or is this only possible with analogue mixers?
Not to complain or anything but we didn't get a "happy little" (Bob Ross reference) jam at the end this time. From what we heard during the demo, it sounded surprisingly party compared to what I've heard from you before.
Thanks again for a inspirational demo that gave me more to google.
jonas eggen thanks - I don’t know about their future plans. Yes you can have some fun with the delay though it isn’t an analog style one. Re the jam - yeah not enough time for one this video...
I am sold with this unit, thank you 1010 music for the midi in and out great feature for syncing my FA-08.
OMG this is amazing! I've been obsessing non stop over a new mixer for this exact purpose 🙏😁
this definitely needs a method of moving play-head for scrolling in timeline, loops and multi-takes... otherwise its quite limited for real usage. next thing i would recommend to them is to have possibility of recording the automation of paramters into separate mix sessions and bounce. that would make it "mixing station" on the go.
Thanks for the video as always. I just got my Bluebox and so far it's great. Just waiting for OS 1.0 then I'll publish something. Cheers!
Cheers, you just solved a ground noise issue with my TR6S, removing bus power from PC and plugging directly into power sorted, thx!!
This is great - solves a lot of problems I have in a very small package. Timeline view to start/stop recording on the fly would be killer!
Thanks for the clear overview Loopop! Really looking forward to this one. This will probably replace my Roland MX-1 and I will gain lots of space :) Good move from 1010music!
Wow, this is so tempting! Great product with big promise, good job with the overview :)
awesome reviews, well structured, complete and objective. thank you so much!
Great look at this upcoming mixer - on my radar!
im looking att you Elektron. Where's your mixer? ❤️
I mean... the Octatrack is their mixer no?
@@stuartmccallum91 yes like the amazing octatrack without the sampler but added i/o channels like a cross between this bluebox and analog heat kind of unit. Roland MX 1 Elektron style. That would be something 🤔🙂
I was thinking this same exact idea not too long ago! I hope electron comes out with a dedicated mixer for its devices, similar to Roland’s
I mailed them about that. They said they have gotten requests about it and that they like the idea. A mixer to link their products. Send em a mail so they see its high demand
I’d like an Elektron mixer! I was really excited about this Bluebox, until I finally got one this week and have not been able eliminate ground loops. I have tried most of the tricks. Everything is plugged into one outlet on a power strip. The only thing running off of USB power is the Blue Box. And still almost everything I plug into it has terrible ground noise. Even the channel sends have terrible ground noise when I am using just the one device that miraculously has no ground noise on the BlueBox input. Maybe I got a bad unit? Or is it a design flaw? It seems weird to me that a mixer doesn’t have a properly grounded PSU.
Love my blackbox from 1010 ! Would have loved they release this bluebox before I purchased a mixer with bunch of XLRs I do not care about ! Nice review as per usual !
This is very interesting. I have been entertaining the idea of simplifying my mixer setup lately. Timely. Getting used to the 1/8th inch jacks is probably the biggest hurdle. However, half of my synths already have that as their outs anyway.
Colombo strikes again "just one more thing" great as always legend
an updated version of this video with the new firmware would be cool! Thanks
Great review, thanks!
For live use this is perfect! At home I don't have any problem with using full size mixer, but I don't want to bring it for live performance, because it's big.
Oh yeah! This new device makes an easy decision in my case. I was planning for the Tascam Model 12 which is lovely, but this is even more appropriate for me.
I was looking into getting a small sub mixer to add inputs to my MX-1. I think this would be perfect but use the MX-1 as the sub mixer. Great review by the way.......love your work
This is exactly what I wanted for my Volcas/Boutiques (and my pre-ordered TR-6s when they ship)/PO’s!! And I just got a microcosm as well, so it’s cool to see how well this integrates with most of what I’ll be using. I hope they do a future firmware upgrade to plug in usb midi only devices...either to use midi through the 3.5mm in the front..or just for clock sync. I have the Zoom Arq 96 and it’s usb midi only, and it never gets to play with other gear because I don’t have a computer or host box
HOURA ! I have waited forever for something like this.
Another choice for my 40th birthday gift coming up 😂
Hey! Great Review! Im getting one now. Wich cables/adapters would you recomend? Thanks for your work!
Such a perfect compact jam or live hub for electronic musician. Well thought product. and good review ;)
These 1010Music boxes and modules are just killer. Thanks for the review. I'm still maybe going to go for the Tascam Model 16 as a recording mixer with analog goodness and less menu diving but very cool little boxes.
Why not use both. :) I am driving both Tascam DP-24 and bluebox, which sits neatly upon the part of Tascam I hardly use. Looks like it was a bespoke solution. :-)
Glad to find this review, the Sonicstate review left me baffled! 🙀🤪 on top of USB computer interfacing I’d love to see it be able to host a multitrack recording over USB from a class compliant mixer or interface with USB multitrack output. 👍
ooohhh this might be something i will buy. i do have a massive mixer, but getting something like this will be great for on the go stuff.
After updating the firmware you can use it as an audio interface with your computer... however, because of the fail design its actually useless for 2 reasons.
1. Whenever you connect the blue box direct to usb to power (pc or laptop) you get ground noise!
2. Connecting USB direct to pc or laptop, Sometimes the screen freezes and can even crash the bluebox completely.
Best solution, only connect usb via a direct wall plug.
Despite having so many useful featues the blue box fails at the very basic level... ground noise and no power on / off switch.
I sent mine back.
FYI - it needs enough power and most computers don't have it - you need to get a USB splitter and power it from an adapter (I'm not saying it's a good thing BTW)
@@loopop I had to have it powered via wall mains, that was the only way to stop the ground noise. As I said, the firmware update enabling it as an audio interface is a nothing burger lol.. great videos loving your channel btw
If it was an audio interface -> No brainer pickup. At the moment...hmmmm I just don't have a strong use for it personally.
Same here
Super review like always.
Hi. I like the 1010 Bluebox and the comment "and the asd you just skipped" has me rolling 🤣😂🤣❤️💙🖤
Very handy. This would be nice for jamming live without taking up too much space. A preamp like the DMP3 would handle mic inputs. For DAW-free recording of jams I'm using my Korg D1600 (8 mono tracks) so this would be a step up with the current functionality (though transfer from the SD card to the computer via USB would be preferable).
Finally some proper info on this!
I WANT THAT! Here are some questions for an additional video: Is is possible to connect it to an external controller with knobs and sliders like the Novation Launch Control XL MK2? How does it integrate with the 1010 blackbox, what would a workflow with both the bluebox and the blackbox look like?
Maybe a stupid question but really important for me: is it possible to connect this to a smartphone and record Audio + Video synced like the Roland Go Mixer Pro does?
You’re videos are great! I just need to let you know. 😀
This is very cool. If Akai adds external audio i/o support to their Force and MPC lines they will do all of this by themselves, which would solve all my problems, but I think I might need this cool toy.
Akai is right on the cusp! I feel like they are so close to that
Great video as always, excited to see you using Microcosm as it was made by my friends here in Knoxville. Can we expect a full review of it??
Thanks! Probably not a detailed review because I have a bunch of things coming, but it is in fact quite awesome and I do want to explore it further
I knew this vid was coming when I saw 1010music announcement IG post yesterday
Great overview, thank you. One additional firmware wish for the recorder: include the track name (or number) in each take's file name. If everything remains "RC00{N}", probably going to be a nightmare to reassemble in a DAW.
We agree
One thing I’d like to see in these small synth mixers is the ability to stack or link multiple mixers together to expand the system it could use the DANTE or MADI protocol to route the audio throughout the “system”
Yes I know it means adding Ethernet ports to this but it would also add the ability to interface to a studio and pro audio systems in the field
I NEED THIS!
You're a bad boy - I've just emptied the wallet on one!
One firmware upgrade I think would make it a no-brainer is the channel compressor you mentioned (especially with side chaining), I'd happily sacrifice an EQ band if necessary.
And once again, your videos convinced me to buy another piece of gear.
Yes! Finally a compact mixer with stereo fx sends! Much cheaper than a mixpre, only tiny bit more expensive than radial key largo and double the number of tracks! Win!
Seems like a great product. I think going with a breakout-cable would‘ve been a considerable option though
I see myself tracking beats on this and then using it live to play back beats
awesome, that's a lot of value in one box for a eurorack user.
Love how the blooper is just tossed in the corner!
Passive aggressive treatment... Lol...
Great video! I've always been surprised why there aren't more mixers this small on the market!! Even to the extent where they could be built into to a midi keyboard so if you are a hardware person you get a built in mixer into a midi keyboard without having to purchase a separate mixer? I've only been into synths and stuff for about 3 years so if there is something like that out already then I'm still naive!
same here and the current offerings are limited and weak. This looks like a real game changer.
I'd really love a per track compressor, that's the only big thing it's missing for me IMO.
noise gate would be useful too
i want "tanh" type overdrive per track
oh that is _beautiful!_
interesting!
echo your requests for SD card reader over USB / Audio interface features.....
I was hoping it would have sidechain / ducking built in....
That would be an amazing addition if it's ever possible - currently seems like a challenging thing to solve for a hardware setup with synths and drum machines.
If it can send MIDI via USB that would be amazing. I use my Expert Sleepers FH-1 as my main CV clock, everything could be clocked and recorded to separate tracks. Seems more practical for my needs compared to the ES-9.
Great review! :) I did not find the manual online. Is it possible to do regular bouncing like with the old HD multitrackers? Let's say bounce Tracks 1-6 to 7 and 8 stereo while setting EQ, Pan, FX live? That would be great.
looks ideal for a Volca setup
niche thing, but seems badass
Finally got one of these. I'm in an apartment with limited space, and even more limited desk space. Freed up so much space on my desk. That alone made it worth the cost. All the functionality with it as well just makes it that much better.
One thing I would like to see in terms of functionality is the ability to set a default track configuration for for new projects. My desk is pretty static, so not having to set the tracks up again every time I create a new project would be a time saver.
Try the new Save As Template feature, which should help you out.
@@1010music yep, I saw that. Can't be happier! Phenomenal work!
Please please let this usher in a new era of active desktop mixers 🙏🏽
I think an adat version would make a lot more sense for most people. It would let you use better converters and you wouldn't need to do a ton of plugging and unplugging to get switch between tracking on the device and tracking in the daw.
it's the Zoom L8 or the Blue Box for me...50/50 ...not sure I want to change most of my cables to 3.5mm for the Bluebox...Great detailed review..
does the zoom have MIDI? Their R12/24 does not and thats a dealbreaker for me
great review, looks like a great product, ticks more performance/mixer/recorder boxes than many larger and more expensive digital mixers. Only bit i wanted to know more about/ I assume is the built in effects are recorded baked into each individual channel, or are they just on the master channel? It has to be per channel right in 2021!? Also as you have ability to do multiple overdub takes it looks like these are all saved and named on the SD, could it possibly record a separate 'take' file pre and post int fx? so if you are jamming all your hardware and you twerk your sends maybe a little too much you can use the clean one?
Instead of whining in advance, take a closer look at the bluebox. You will realise that it actually can do things you thing to miss. First, the fx are actually recorded per track if you tell the bluebox to do so. There are the usual routing options at your disposition, too. Let alone the compressor, which is actually hardwired to the master - on the other hand, it's up to you to switch the compressor off by default/in template, record all clean and compress in the post.
@@aljen9611 whining or just asking questions? I took many a close look and it wasn't obviously possible 11 months ago but I do know theres been firmware updates by now. Thanks
Thanks for the video! Great as always! I was wondering, the modular case you have there (intellijel) do you have a list of all components in there? Is there a video of yours with this box? Thanks!
My pleasure - see details in the description
My prayers have been answered. I was pining over a Zoom L12, but the size was really putting me off. This doesn't have the physical faders that I'd like to have, but not having all the extra mic inputs and whatnot taking up so much space will be a perfect solution for me. Now...to find out, the price, and if I can even get my hands on one. :P And of course, thank you for the great vid, as usual.
On second thought, the price they are asking for this is too high. The Zoom L12 still ticks more boxes for me and it's a full blown USB interface to boot.
Niiiice, but really this is the ideal box for easy multichannel/quadraphonic mixing since with a touchscreen you can use x, y pads to pan in 2 dimensions instead of hardware restrictions of panning knobs, and they have plenty of outputs. So yeah hope they think about adding that
Well, you could set up a quad mix pretty easily having two sets of stereo outs to different speakers but some kind of applet that would let you cross fade different channels to different stereo mixes for spatialization effects via x,y pad would be legit!
They should follow the design language of the OP-1 and have the knobs be different colors that would match elements on the screen interface
Thanks you covered all key points. I hope they watching, because this Bluebox already needs a update. Like how you don’t have a power button 🙄. I was seriously interested in buying this because I love compact hardware stuff. You spend good money to at least have it right. Well looks like I’m sticking with my IPad music work flow.
I never understood from the beginning of time whenever I began to incur in music; why monopolize the cables if the ideal would be to encourage industry rather than sales - - I'M S♡ GLAD T♡ SEE THIS COME TO FRUITION; PEOPLE NEEDED A BREAK FROM SPENDING $500 on cables JUST FOR A HOBBY!! 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇
Doubling the width with a slightly wider screen like the new mpcs would still be small and leaves space for implementing the improvements you mentioned.
Oh man. This is something everybody needs with small setups. I own a Bitbox, and is great. Glad that 1010 is getting bigger and bigger. :D
What i'm missing in this box is an ADAT in/out, that would make the bluebox compatible as an expansion to other cards, or add more inputs to the bluebox computer. 6 Stereo is great.
Also a compatibility with iPad would be nice and PC ofcourse, like any other multitrack mixer.
Totally agree regarding ADAT out, I think that would be super useful to a lot of people, maybe even more so than it having standalone capabilities.
Ooh yeah, this would be an amazing ADAT option for synth users. And it's a nice format. You can put this next to your synths, 1 ADAT to your interface and everything is nice and neat. Keeping an eye on how this develops 👌🏻
this!
The eBook is reason alone to become a Patreon supporter of this channel!
Thanks so much for the comment and support!
Finally! A dedicated synth mixer (well, other than Roland’s).
Hey, which Roland mixer are you referring to?
this is 4 times smaller than the mx1
@@lostipod12 mx-1
Thank you all.
Well, correct me if I am wrong, but the Roland mx-1 has only 6 analog track input channels (4 mono, 1 stereo), the rest are AIRA, USB and digital channels. AIRA host ports are only for AIRA machines, so, it is in my opinion a kind of a partial eyewash.
It has though a working audio interface (18 channels) to the PC.
Wow, finally a mass produced 3,5mm TRS mixer. I guess it will save at least 200 EUR in those expensive 3,5mm - 6,3mm cables. :) The audio I/O multitracking DAW feature would be really great. Do they consider that feature? Well, multitracking on SD and then export should be a valid workaround. :) Thanks a lot for a great review!
Wish they continued to support it. Fast forward to 2022 - still no audio interface, no spectrum analyser and no looper for live jamming.
We may soon get those additions now, matching the new “eurorack” variant of BlueBox…
best youtuber seriusly
Still hoping for a Roland MX-2
A per-track tuner would be nice (I'd use it with eurorack). That and per-track LFOs, I would personally find super useful. Some additional effects could be handy as well. I'm saving for this as is anyways.
Agreed regarding the tuner! Please email 1010music so they hear it from someone else too... (lfos too but I think that’s a stretch considering the goal of the device)
@@loopop it's definitely a stretch, but I can only hope. Will email them right now, thanks!
Good perspective on the mod Ziv. You are right. Much more useful with an interface to line level. Question: where do you put all this stuff?
I recently scoured the internet looking for something like this. Best I could find was TC Helicon Blender. Its good...but this is exactly what I was looking for.
Same as me.. I nearly bought the blender. Glad I didn't now
I bought the Blender - it's a bit plasticky (though not really anymore than my Modal Craft 2.0 - but it does give me 6 x stereo inputs to Cubase. No sends or FX either. If the Bluebox could act as an audio interface I would buy it tomorrow.
@@sulate1 yeah blender is decent, but I prefer to have disk recording over USB audio. Only reason I was about to buy the Blender was because of its function as six channel stereo mixer which is my 1st priority. I wouldn't of ever used it as a soundcard. The BlueBox having disk recording is just gravy, and 4 band eq, reverb, delay 😍 also I have a blackbox and it has very good sound quality so I expect the same from BlueBox. The ability to have mono channels is great too because I have a few mono synths, and also the 3 outs with different sub mix is really nice for send FX to my guitar pedals.. BlueBox ticks all the boxes for me
This is brillant !!!
More excellent content. Nice 1 fella. Do you think multi-tracking into a DAW is something that could come in an update?
Ah. I wrote that before the very end of your vid. So, no plans for it - but still, do you think that's something they would do? It would clearly make the device much more attractive. For me, anyway.
They've been really good at adding features to black box, so at least they listen. But you should never buy something in hopes the mfg will add a feature later. That is a great way to be disappointed.
Great! 😎👍🏼
Can you add tracks on top of the 6 (or 12 mono) in a song afterwards or is it limited to the takes?
As with many people here i think multi USB audio and sidechain compression would win me over to buy this.
Been looking for something like this for ages 👍👍👍 oh but minijack is a shame. Any thoughts on sound quality eg converters vs other digital mixers?
I wonder if you could get a launchpad pro custom mode to give you "block" level controls. Calc has done some interesting integration with the octatrack.
wonder if there any plans to add more effects types. when I first saw this I was hoping to be able to apply different fx per channel. a 12-input minijack mixer is exactly what I want, though, so this is super promising. especially if they can manage to add multitrack audio interface support
One thing i know for certain about Aaron and 1010 music is that there will be upgrades and updates , so i would bet serious money that more fx and other things are in the works .
I don’t remember latency being mentioned, maybe I missed it. If using it as a straight up mixer with a few effects etc...
Nice!!!!
would be superb , if it would multitrack into DAW in the future , anyway a small device on desk, not drawing dust inside faders etc ,
Great video! Is there also an eq for the main out? Like a basic mastering?
Thanks and yes
Did you ever try the k-mix? How does it compare?
A "mixer that you always hoped someone would make.". What an accurate description. For the last months I have been looking at the smallest possible mixer, with 3.5mm jacks, operating at 5V, only to find that the thing I wanted wasn't being made, so I was already buying parts to build what I need. Et voila! There it is! It's exactly that and a bit more.
The only drawback is that (Jan 4, 2021) the Bluebox isn't shipping yet. I guess I have to be a bit more patient. Hurry up, will you!?
Sorry for the delay. We expect to receive units here in the US by January 8, 2021. We will ship to retailers after that.
@@1010music Thanks for the update! It's okay. I'll get an automatic email as soon it becomes available at my retailer (JustMusic, Germany. Be sure to send them a few.. ;) ).
I like it as a mixer, but I was hoping it would be an alternative to an expert sleepers ES-8.
Can you use this to play backing tracks in a live setup and sync this on a tempo click track?
It's great! Though i don't really know if i need something like this. I always thought that if you perform live at venues there's supposed to be a sound guy with mixer that tweaks your sound there to sound good in current room/venue. So i would assume that they prefer you not to have a mixer of your own. Cause less manipulations can be made with just master stereo channel. Does anything i said make sense? I have 12ch mixer at home but if i needed to carry one to a venue i would definitely go for 1010 blue box.
Hey thanks for the awesome preview/review. You mentioned it has 6 outputs meaning each stereo out can be split like the inputs?
Thanks and sort of - you'll need to make the split using panning, which is global for all three sends, so it's not really 6 addressable individual outputs, though you could get 6 different feeds going with creative routing, panning and muting. I didn't try it though...
Sold! I’m tired of staring at my 24 track monster mixer with xlr connectors and so many knobs I never use. That thing takes 1/4 of my desk! Sayonara!
lol, I feel the same way, although I need the24 track, I just ordered this because the desktop is getting awful crowded!
Can you send program change For different projects ? Can you hook an usb midi controller like nanokontrol?
Not currently but I believe they’re working on midi support
midi control over mixer parameters by CC or NRPN would be nice. also recording its midi input & playing this back (unedited) would be useful, either to automate itself or simply to repeat a live midi performance. at that point, it becomes reaper-in-a-box.
You can control most parameters via MIDI CC. You will need to use an external sequencer for automation.