The choice for guitar players willing to take the dip into the digital world of effects and amps are increasing each yr . M - Audio ’s entry into this food market go snugly between computing gadget software program and larger , less roving stomp box ( effect pedal ) devices . The Black Box is a hardware gadget that supply guitar amp and effects simulation . It allows guitar player to take on through a mixture of simulated amplifiers and summate an almost endless array of customs effects .
There is a heap to like about the Black Box — especially its seamless integrating with your musical instrument and the Mac , its simpleness of role , and the variety of effects you could incur by using it . With its USB connecter to the computer , the Black Box was easily acknowledge by all of the software package lotion I used with it , including Logic Pro 7 ( ) , Cubase SX 3 ( ) , and GarageBand 3 ( ) . The Black Box also come with a mastery panel that allows users to upload and download presets , as well as an port to update the microcode .
The unit of measurement comes with a variety of connector method acting making it a snap to connect to an instrument and then hook up to the calculator or other output gimmick : It has a 1/4 - in guitar input , a 1/4 - inch headphone jack , balance 1/4 - inch outputs , a S / PDIF ( Sony / Philips Digital Interface Format ) digital output signal , an facial expression pedal point jack ( for stop up in your favourite effects foot lever ) , and a dynamic mic stimulus .
It also has the large sieve of any guitar - colligate machine I ’ve ever used , clear it very leisurely to see what you are doing . The screen focus on three main items — the preset routine , the amp character ( for example Plexi ) and the effect condition ( on or off ) . The large silver screen come in really handy when you are edit out presets . While editing , for example , you could see clearly what effect you are adding or adjust . Plus , you get a alive speech sound prevue while you are work with the burden .
A late firmware update for the equipment made a huge divergence in the operation and functionality of the product . When I first starting using the Black Box , I thought it was good , but very circumscribed — it featured 12 ampere models and many issue , but it still was n’t enough to get the spirit I really want .
The firmware update boost the routine of amps from 12 to 40 and added reverbs , condensation , and new pitch contour options , for a total of 121 effects . The addition are compelling — the fresh amps included some staple fibre of rock music like the Fender Deluxe Reverb , Marshall JCM 800 , Roland Jazz Chorus , and Peavey 616 MKII .
While some of the effect vocalize more processed than I would wish , the majority of the gist like Chorus and Flanger murder the mark . I was very impressed by the JCM 800 amp model — I await one of these amps to give birth crunch , and a pot of it . This new amp pretending did just that , allowing me to build presets capable of achieving the tone I wanted , complete with a nice angelic position for pinch harmonic ( that squeal speech sound on the strand ) without an undue amount of feedback .
The Black Box has a amount of 200 presets—100 manufactory set and 100 substance abuser - editable . I do n’t think I would use the legal age of the presets for most of the acting and recording that I do , but there were some very nice strong , white sounds ruffle in with the crunchy presets that I play the most . Other presets seemed to focus on strange sounds — but I ’m sure these would be right for some musicians .
you’re able to edit the presets directly on the Black Box via a complete set of button and controls — as opposed to edit them on the computer and uploading them to the gimmick when you ’re done . Scrolling through and redaction effects or amp models could n’t be unproblematic — just fall into place on a push to enter the Edit mode . store your change is a bit more of a challenge because you have to score two button simultaneously . This get me a few headaches because when I ’m edit a preset , I ’m also strumming the guitar on my lap so I can learn what it sound like . Given the choice , I would much rather have one dedicated Save clit .
The Black Box also has a built - in membranophone auto that include 100 mill brake drum pattern and syncs to tap tempo or an outside MIDI clock . As metal drum machine go , the one include in this twist certainly do its intent , but if you ’re looking for something other than a recitation shape , you ’ll probably want to go with some drumfish loops from a company like Beta Monkey Music .
Macworld’s buying advice
M - Audio ’s Black Box is a beneficial addition to your appeal of guitar based musical result . It ’s lightweight and stocky enough to take with you on the road , and offers much of the tycoon and options you ’d expect from a much larger gadget .
[ When not emulating Zakk Wylde , Jim Dalrymple isMacworld.com’snews music director . ]
