M-Audio Reloads Black Box With New Amp Models, Effects And More

Mar 24, 2006

M-Audio is proud to announce the version 2 firmware update for the Black Box. Co-developed by M-Audio and Roger Linn Design and endowed with AdrenaLinn technology, the Black Box is the first creative tool for guitarists that combines amp modeling, powerful beat-synced effects, guitar/mic preamps and drum tracks with an audio interface for computer-based recording.

This new update increases the total number of guitar and bass amp emulations from 12 to 40. The unit now boasts modeled versions of the Fender Deluxe Reverb, Fender Champ, Marshall JCM-800, Vox AC-15, Roland Jazz Chorus, Mesa Boogie Mark IIc, Diezel VH4, ENGL Powerball, Peavey 5150 MkII, Bogner Ecstasy, Budda Twinmaster, Matchless Chieftain, Acoustic 360, Ampeg SVT, Gallien-Krueger 800RB, SWR SM-500 and more. Additionally, the effects section has been significantly revamped and now includes five different reverbs, compression and new modulation options as well as a host of new beat-synced effects. The unit now includes 121 total effects.

Additional enhancements have been added to the drum section as well. The new Link Drumbeat feature allows users to save specific drumbeats with individual presets. Thus, anytime a user recalls a preset, the drumbeat that was saved with the preset is loaded at the same time. There are also two new tempo modes: Global and Drumbeat. Global mode locks the unit's tempo to whatever value the user has entered—regardless of what preset has been selected—while Drumbeat sets the tempo based on the optimal playback speed of the selected drumbeat.

For the recording guitarist, the most significant new feature of the version 2 firmware is the ability for the Black Box to work as a Pro Tools M-Powered audio interface. One simple USB connection sends the output to a Mac or PC—and syncs the unit's drums and effects to the current project tempo. Black Box is the only dedicated guitar product in the world that works as a Pro Tools M-Powered-compatible audio interface.

M-Audio Black Box owners can download the free firmware update from www.m-audio.com. The Black Box units that are currently available at M-Audio retailers can also be updated via this download. Future shipments of the M-Audio Black Box will include the version 2 firmware.