Graphic Design by Jim Allman (Interrobang Digital Media)
The Voxglitch Groove Box is an 8-track, sample based drum machine with per-step parameter locks.
- Attach a clock to the CLK input. The clock needs to be fast -- x32 times.
- Connect the mix outputs to your audio output
- Load samples into tracks by double-clicking on a track box (on the LCD screen)
- Click on the step buttons to set trigger points
That should be enough to get some sound!
The Groove Box has 8 track slots. Click on a track slot on the LCD screen to select the track for editing.
Tracks are composed of:
- Step button selections
- Assigned samples
- All parameter lock values
- Step start and end positions
The Groove Box doesn't ship with built-in sounds. It's up to the user to provide samples. Samples should be .wav files, with a 44,100 or higher sample rate for best quality.
There are multiple ways of loading samples:
- Double click on a track's filename to select a replacement sample
- Right-click on a track's filename and select "Load Sample" from the context menu
- Use the module's context-menu to select a folder containing samples (good for setting up preset "kits")
Once a sample is loaded, you can use the up and down arrows displayed to the right of the sample to browse sounds in the same folder.
The clackity-clack Step Buttons are used to program the rythm used for playback.
The red led indicators above the step buttons show which step is currently active.
It's possible to copy all step data (including parameter lock settings) from one step to another.
Here's how:
- Right click on a source step button
- Select "Copy Step"
- Right click on a destination step button
- Select "Paste Step"
At the moment, information can only be copied between steps in the same track.
Sometimes it may be helpful to shift a pattern left or right. Here's how:
- Right click on any step button
- Select either "Shift Steps Right" or "Shift Steps Left"
Here's an easy to to randomize or clear all steps in a track:
- Right click on any step button
- Select either Randomize Steps or Clear Steps
- All steps for the selected track will either be randomized or cleared
Changing the sequence start and end is done by dragging the sequence length indicator from the endpoints. Click either the start or end location as indicated in the screen capture below, then drag left or right.
Parameter locks allow you to adjust playback parameters for each step in a sequence. Each track has independent parameter locks.
Here's how they work:
- Select which track you'd like to modify.
- Select what type of thing you want to modify by using the buttons at the very bottom of the module.
- Adjust knob underneath whichever steps you want to modify.
For example, if you wanted to raise the volume on the 5th step of a sequence, select VOLUME, then adjust the 5th knob.
Parameter knobs are used to adjust parameter locks, which are applied to steps. For example, you might modulate PITCH for different steps in the track.
Right click on a parater knob to access some helpful actions, such as clearing, randomizing, and nudging the knob values.
There are 16 memory slots in the section labeled "MEM". Each of these sample slots represent a snapshot of all step buttons, track lengths, and parameter locks. The currently selected memory slot is updated in real-time with any changes that you make.
A CV input lets you switch between memory slots using a control voltage that ranges from 0 to 10v. When a cable is inserted into the MEM CV input, the memory buttons are disabled.
Basic Method:
- To copy a memory slot, select the memory slot that you'd with to copy and click the CPY button
- To past a memory slot, select the destination memory slot and click PST
It's necessary to provide a clock signal at the CLK (x32) input. This steps forward playback of the sequencer.
!!! IMPORTANT !!!
A very fast clock signal is required for typical playback. This is due to the ratcheting feature, which requires precise timing. I recommend using the Clocked module from Impromptu and setting the RATIO to x32.
The reset input is used to reset playback to the beginning.
Individual sample outputs are available at the top of the module A stereo mix output is available at the two output jacks at the top-right of the module.
You can crank up the MIX OUT by using the master volume attenuator. The master volume does not affect the individual stereo track outputs.
Groovebox logo uses typeface 'Pbio' by Gregor Adams