Connecting up an Arturia Minibrute 2 to Helix Stomp and 1010 Blackbox

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builttospillbuilttospill Frets: 456
edited May 2020 in Other Instruments
Emergency call to @octatonic or any other synth 1010 Blackbox people.  Can anyone tell me what I’m doing wrong? Please see added picture. I’m trying to connect up all three, the Minibrute 2, L6 Helix Stomp and Blackbox, I’m hoping to use the BB for drum samples etc and the synth/keys of the Minibrute 2 with added FX from the helix.

I’m connecting from the master out of the Arturia Minibrute 2 to the Helix Stomp’s FX Left Mono input. Then from the headphone out of the Helix Stomp to input 1 of the BB (I’ve also tried the HX Stomp’s Left Mono output)
Basically I can hear the BB via the BB headphone out but I can’t hear the Minibrute 2 Synth or the added fx from the Helix stomp. Can anyone guide me in the right direction? help greatly appreciated. There’s the global settings in the stomp where I can change the ins/outs to instrument or line but not really sure if it’s this? Yep! as you can see I’m completely new to this and it seems quite a steeeeep learning curve.
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Comments

  • octatonicoctatonic Frets: 33725
    That seems super complicated.
    I would get get a cheap mixer.

    But the obvious issue to me seems you are going out of the Helix at headphone level into the BB.
    I would go into the BB at line level, so out of the Helix at Line Level too.

    Even still if you had a mixer you could put the BB's inputs on an aux on your mixer and give you the ability to change the level going in, which would be much easier.
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  • builttospillbuilttospill Frets: 456
    Thanks @octatonic Bizzarely it’s kind of working fine via headphone out on the Helix. But yeah I agree I am making it complicated for myself.  Is it best to use both L&R outputs on the back of the Stomp to the BB and set the stomps outputs to line rather than instrument?
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  • builttospillbuilttospill Frets: 456
    I think a mixer would simplify things here @octatonic can you or anyone can you recommend a good budget small/portable mixer for this purpose? 
    Would something like the Roland GO: Mixer Pro do?
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  • octatonicoctatonic Frets: 33725
    edited June 2020
    Mackie are my usual suggestion here.
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  • FunkfingersFunkfingers Frets: 14320
    edited May 2020
    I have a surfeit of LM-3204 rack units.

    The smart option would be to sync the MB and BB to each other via MIDI. Send their respective audio outputs to the mixer. Add the Helix effect treatments via the Auxiliary send/return sockets of the mixer.

    Ideally, separate the drum sounds across the BB audio outputs to enable different amounts of effect processing to be applied to each.

    Be seeing you.
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  • builttospillbuilttospill Frets: 456
    Hi @Funkfingers many thanks for this, I was thinking of getting a Mackie Mix 8 mixer, it has the Aux send/return which you were talking about and will be useful when connecting up to external fx like my HX Stomp. I’m a complete newbie to MIDI so I really do not know how to approach this. My BB has a few MIDI to mini jack connectors which I’ve not even plugged in yet.
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  • FunkfingersFunkfingers Frets: 14320
    If both instruments respond to Clock synchronisation, try using that for simple, repetitive sequencing.

    Within the respective Global or System parameter menus, set the BB as Master and the synth arpeggiator as Slave. If possible, set both instruments to the same Pulses Per Quarter Note resolution value.

    Mackie Mix 8 mixer … has the Aux send/return which you were talking about
    My knowledge of Mackie products only properly covers their US-made hardware. The dark grey painted stuff.


    Be seeing you.
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  • UnclePsychosisUnclePsychosis Frets: 12879
    edited May 2020
    You don't need a separate mixer, unless you want to do fancy stuff. It would make it a lot easier though. 

    Plug the minibrute "out" into the Stomp "in".

    Take the audio "out" from the Stomp (don't use the headphones, use the "normal" audio out) and plug it into the BB audio in. Be careful with mono/stereo cables etc. 

    Plug headphones into the BB headphone socket. 

    Now open the BB manual to page 24 and 25 where it tells you how to use the audio in: 

    "Send a signal to the audio Input. The source will play through the selected output if the Rec Mon setting is ON or Auto. "


    As an alternative, take the audio out from the BB and feed it into the L/R Return of the Stomp as an 'aux in'. The Stomp manual explains how, but otherwise a quick google will tell you how to do it. This way round, plug the headphones into the Stomp headphone socket. Assuming you don't want to sample the Stomp using the BB this is the way I'd do it. 

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  • builttospillbuilttospill Frets: 456
    You don't need a separate mixer, unless you want to do fancy stuff. It would make it a lot easier though. 

    Plug the minibrute "out" into the Stomp "in".

    Take the audio "out" from the Stomp (don't use the headphones, use the "normal" audio out) and plug it into the BB audio in. Be careful with mono/stereo cables etc. 

    Plug headphones into the BB headphone socket. 

    Now open the BB manual to page 24 and 25 where it tells you how to use the audio in: 

    "Send a signal to the audio Input. The source will play through the selected output if the Rec Mon setting is ON or Auto. "


    As an alternative, take the audio out from the BB and feed it into the L/R Return of the Stomp as an 'aux in'. The Stomp manual explains how, but otherwise a quick google will tell you how to do it. This way round, plug the headphones into the Stomp headphone socket. Assuming you don't want to sample the Stomp using the BB this is the way I'd do it. 

    This is brilliant info @UnclePsychosis much appreciated thank you... coincidentally I have it set up the way you mentioned Including setting up BB to ‘REC ON’ and everything works excellently so far. Re mono stereo cables what should I look out for? is there a possibility that I may be damaging something? I’m using this Hosa cable from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005HGM1D6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uQJXEb8BVBJV6 this goes from the Helix Stomp’s two outputs.
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  • UnclePsychosisUnclePsychosis Frets: 12879
    That cable looks fine. Don't think you can break anything, it's just you want to avoid getting weird effects by mixing up mono and stereo connections.

    Have fun! 
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  • builttospillbuilttospill Frets: 456
    Hi @UnclePsychosis another question, I’m still thinking of going the mixer route but what would you say were the main advantages of using a mixer compared to how I have It set up currently? Minibrute>Stomp>Blackbox 
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  • brucegillbrucegill Frets: 710
    edited June 2020
    How are you getting on @builttospill ??

    looks like we’re going down roughly the same road. Blind (lol). I bought a Moog Subharmonicon on a whim and have loved playing with it way more than I thought I would. Currently just using this and my pedals and occasionally trying (mostly failing) to get my Keystep to work with it. The Blackbox is looking attractive and really useful, almost the missing link for me as the sequencer on the Moog is a little limiting without playing the synth live, so to speak, to get a little more variation in what I’m doing. Keystep and midi just make my head hurt. I just don’t get it. Mixers keep coming to mind too but I can’t really get my head around those either, or how I’d use one and set it all up. 
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  • octatonicoctatonic Frets: 33725
    brucegill said:
    How are you getting on @builttospill ??

    looks like we’re going down roughly the same road. Blind (lol). I bought a Moog Subharmonicon on a whim and have loved playing with it way more than I thought I would. Currently just using this and my pedals and occasionally trying (mostly failing) to get my Keystep to work with it. The Blackbox is looking attractive and really useful, almost the missing link for me as the sequencer on the Moog is a little limiting without playing the synth live, so to speak, to get a little more variation in what I’m doing. Keystep and midi just make my head hurt. I just don’t get it. Mixers keep coming to mind too but I can’t really get my head around those either, or how I’d use one and set it all up. 

    What don't you get about the Keystep?

    Also check out Elektron boxes (esp Digitakt).
    IMHO they have the best sequencers on the market, because of two factors: conditional trigs and parameter locking.
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  • brucegillbrucegill Frets: 710
    edited June 2020
    octatonic said:
    brucegill said:
    How are you getting on @builttospill ??

    looks like we’re going down roughly the same road. Blind (lol). I bought a Moog Subharmonicon on a whim and have loved playing with it way more than I thought I would. Currently just using this and my pedals and occasionally trying (mostly failing) to get my Keystep to work with it. The Blackbox is looking attractive and really useful, almost the missing link for me as the sequencer on the Moog is a little limiting without playing the synth live, so to speak, to get a little more variation in what I’m doing. Keystep and midi just make my head hurt. I just don’t get it. Mixers keep coming to mind too but I can’t really get my head around those either, or how I’d use one and set it all up. 

    What don't you get about the Keystep?

    Also check out Elektron boxes (esp Digitakt).
    IMHO they have the best sequencers on the market, because of two factors: conditional trigs and parameter locking.
    Many thanks. Funny enough, I was literally just looking into Digitakt. Conditional trigs look great! 

    I think the Blackbox might be more suited to my needs though. I want to sample various instruments and sounds, sequence and build a song - I think the Blackbox might be better at that than the Digitakt? Digitakt looks better for sequencing though. I Might have that wrong?

    Keystep is pretty simple yet just goes over my head. In fairness I’ve not tried it much into logic to trigger instruments in the DAW - I’ve been trying to get it to play the Moog through midi. I know nothing about midi so it’s all a bit of a learning curve. I don’t know what it is, we just don’t get on. I just need to pull my thumb out and spend some time watching some tutorials. The sequencer and arpeggiator just don’t do what I want. Like I say, I know it’s me, not the Keystep. 
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  • builttospillbuilttospill Frets: 456
    Hi @brucegill sorry for the late reply and thanks for asking.  The 1010 Blackbox is a brilliant sampler/sequencer, I love mine but I am still still learning its many features etc, the granular stuff is lots of fun. I did the sensible thing and printed the 70 + page manual. I just need to go through it slowly and methodically.
     I was very close to purchasing the Digitakt but the BB seemed like the right choice. 
    There are some brilliant video tutorials on the 1010 music site that do make things a little clearer. I went a bit crazy during lockdown with a Helix Stomp, Arturia Minibrute 2, iLoud Micro speakers and now a Mackie 8 channel mixer but I’ve not even had a chance to set it all up. I figured the mixer route would be the sensible way to link everything up, it would give me more control over levels and I can be bit more creative with things. I wanted a mixer with Aux send/FX Send so I can send FX from the HX stomp back to the individual channels. Midi? pah! I’ve not even touched that yet probably because I’m just too scared. So far I run the Minibrute 2>Stomp>BB and this works really well.  I use the BB as a drum machine and for playing random sequences over the top of synth stuff.
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  • brucegillbrucegill Frets: 710
    @builttospill thanks mate. I took the plung and got a Blackbox. Thinking I’ve made an error to be honest. If this ever sinks in, I’ll be amazed. That Manual is ridiculous. 
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  • octatonicoctatonic Frets: 33725
    brucegill said:
    @builttospill thanks mate. I took the plung and got a Blackbox. Thinking I’ve made an error to be honest. If this ever sinks in, I’ll be amazed. That Manual is ridiculous. 
    It is a dense workflow.
    Keep at it.
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  • brucegillbrucegill Frets: 710
    octatonic said:
    brucegill said:
    @builttospill thanks mate. I took the plung and got a Blackbox. Thinking I’ve made an error to be honest. If this ever sinks in, I’ll be amazed. That Manual is ridiculous. 
    It is a dense workflow.
    Keep at it.
    Is the digitakt any easier? 
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  • octatonicoctatonic Frets: 33725
    brucegill said:
    octatonic said:
    brucegill said:
    @builttospill thanks mate. I took the plung and got a Blackbox. Thinking I’ve made an error to be honest. If this ever sinks in, I’ll be amazed. That Manual is ridiculous. 
    It is a dense workflow.
    Keep at it.
    Is the digitakt any easier? 
    Considerably.
    Just having buttons per step makes it a lot easier.

    It is still a complicated device though, but less complicated than the other Elektron boxes.
    If the BB is difficult then avoid the Octatrack, it will bend your noodle.
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  • brucegillbrucegill Frets: 710
    Bend your noodle. Hahaha. Many thanks. 

    Thinking the digitakt with the subharmonicon might be more fun to play together (not looked into this so only talking ourloud). I’m finding the black box a bit like being on a really shit, old computer. 

    Either digitakt or get a Dfam and have fun that way. One thing that I’m loving about the subharmonicon is playing it rather than just setting up a sequence and press play. That said, I’m liking long slow drones out of the subharmonicon and layering Abstract guitar over them. The Lyra 8 was on my list as well but not right now. 
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