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Introduction
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technoBox2 Manual
technoBox2 is the next version of our popular technoBox adding many asked for features such as dual 303s and drum machines, export recordings of songs and SoundCloud integration. A performance page has been added which allows access to the most commonly used controls on one page. The drum machines now allow you to load your own samples (via iTunes). technoBox2 runs on iPad and retina displays with crisp native resolution. This app requires as minimum iPhone 3G S but runs best on iPhone 4 and iPad or equivalent iPod touches. iOS 4.2 or greater is required. It is recommended to reboot your device before using technoBox2, as with any resource hungry app.
The main GUI in technoBox2 is split into two parts: The control section which is always in view and a machine editor section, which differs depending on which machine is currently in view. Manipulating the controls
Playing back a song To play the song double tap the
Playing individual patterns To play individual patterns, tap the
Stopping the sequencer If the sequencer is playing, tapping the same button again will stop the sequencer. Note that it is possible to switch between Play Song and Play Pattern without stopping the sequencer. Each sequencer position is exactly one bar long. To sequence a song simply select the sequencer position and then select the patterns for both the synth and drum machines you wish to play back for that position. It is possible to record pattern switching in realtime when in song mode playback, however some editing may be required afterwards. A song can be a maximum of 1000 bars.
The controls from left to right are:
Patterns selectors
The pattern selectors are organized into two rows, one for the synth patterns and one for the drum machine patterns. To select a pattern simply tap the pattern you wish to edit or play. The patterns are grouped so that each twelve selectors select patterns for both synths and drum machines. Synth module
Each synth pattern is made up of 1 to 64 steps (s16 steps by default). Each step has a pitch and some modifiers such as down, up, accent and slide assigned to it. One step at a time can be edited and the digits in the lower right corner denote which step is currently being edited. The step can be changed by using the left and right arrow buttons. The synth has 8 knobs that alter the sound in various ways. The synth is modelled after the classic 303, so many of the knobs have the same meaning except waveform which allows a mixture between saw and squarewave.
The synth buttons have different meaning depending
on if Normal state (no shift):
Shift state:
The drum machine consists two sound sets (808 and 909) and 11 parts (for a total of 22 sounds) with 16 steps per part.
Pattern and sound controls
The controls from left to right are:
Instrument part selectors:
The open and closed hihat parts are mutually exclusive, meaning that the closed hihat will cut-off an open hihat, just like on the original 808 and 909. Note: If you select a different sound set or load your own samples into the drum machine the part labels may not be correct. A good tip is to keep sounds similar to the label name loaded into the right part. The pattern has 16 step triggers, each with three states:
Sound selector
With the sound selector you can select sound sets or individual sounds for the currently selected part. There are two built-in sound sets: 808 and 909. Selecting these sets will cause all the instruments for all parts of the drum machine to be set. Loading your own samples into the drum machine
Here you can add .aif/.wav samples. technoBox2 only
support uncompressed 44.1kHz 16-bit .wav/.aif but you should be able to
use Audacity or similar soft convert in case your samples are in another
format.
The Effects section consists of a Phaser, a Distortion unit with two types and a Delay. There are On/Off controls for each machine which allows the effects to be applied to any or all of the machines. Effect settings
Phaser
Distortion
Delay
Note: Rapidly changing the delay time can cause weird noises or clicks
The Performance panel allows easy access of the most commonly used parameters for both synths and drum machines. This panel also holds the controls for setting the song start/end markers, loop and tempo.
Before recording a performance, set the Start and End markers and the tempo. Then select Record and make sure it is on. Start the sequencer with the Play Song button. When the sequencer reaches the end marker the sequencer will stop and the Record button will go off. Now the song is recorded to a file (record.wav). Note: You can also use Play Pattern to record a live performance, but you will have to stop the sequencer manually.
Your recording has now been saved to your computer, where it can be processed further. Uploading and Sharing performance A performance can be uploaded to SoundCloud and shared directly. The first time the upload button is pressed you will be prompted to Log Into SoundCloud or create an account. If you don't want to upload at this time you can switch back to technoBox2 by task-switching (double click the home button).
Once you have created an account and authorized technoBox2 with that account your User name will appear on the Connect with SoundCloud screen. Once you are logged in and authorized technoBox2 will not require you to log in again until you've logged out. Now simply press Upload and your track will begin uploading to SoundCloud. When the progress bar reaches its maximum the upload is complete. If you wish you make your track public slide the Make public slider to the right.
In this view you can manage your sessions by loading, saving and deleting them.
Transferring sessions from technoBox1 It is possible to load technoBox1 sessions into technoBox2. To do this make sure you are using the latest version of technoBox1 (1.5.3 or later), resave the session and use the File Sharing in iTunes so save the session to your computer. Then import the same session into technoBox2. Note: technoBox1 has only one synth and one drum machine the session might not play back exactly the same in technoBox2. |
Song Play button. The
play button will light up and the Sequencer position display will
advance as the song progresses. It is still possible to scroll through the
song by swiping the Sequencer position digits or using the rewind/forward
buttons.
Pattern Play button. You
can now select patterns on the fly both the synth and drum machine. When
you select a new pattern it will begin playing after the current
pattern is finished, which makes this mode great for live improvised
performances.
shift is activated or not.
- Makes the step sequencer go back one
position.
- Makes
the step sequencer go forward one position
- When Auto
Advance is on the synth will go to the next step after entering a pitch
