Two user videos further below. Press release follows:
"NEW blackbox 2 – Next Generation of a Compact Sampler Classic with 2X the Power
May 7th, 2026: 1010music unveils new blackbox 2 with features fueled by user requests and the development of the flagship bento sampling production lab.
A new high-resolution color touchscreen lets you load up to four Tracks where each Track can host Loop, One-Shot, Slicer, Shredder or Multisample Instruments. Record sequences in real time by using the touchscreen to finger drum on one-shots or play notes using a virtual keyboard with multisampled instruments like pianos. Or quickly create and edit sequences by drawing notes into the Piano Roll. Plus there’s a new Step Sequencer if that’s your preference.
Published on Aug 9, 2016 Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers
Update: This is the Lifeforms SV-1 in desktop format. Details added below.
"DESKTOP PORTABILITY WITH ANALOG POWER AND MODULAR FLEXIBILITY
The Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers Lifeforms SV-1 Blackbox is a complete, standalone desktop format modular synthesizer. A full compliment of analog tools for sonic experimentation stuffed into a portable steel enclosure. Two patchable oscillators and our legendary state-variable filter are paired with a perfectly curated set of synthesis components including a dual sub oscillator, dual, chained mixers, a plucky, four stage envelope generator, sample and hold, noise, low frequency oscillator, voltage controlled amplifier, a feature rich MIDI to CV converter, and a pair of utility signal splitters.
A standalone modular powerhouse, the Lifeforms SV-1 Blackbox provides absolutely everything you need to create gigantic and iconic synth sounds: roaring bass, shimmering leads, lush pads and warm drones are only a few knob turns away. Instantly, out of the box, a rich feature set with a fluid, easy to understand interface empowers you to create vibrant, thick tones. A few patch cables Modulation and Tools sections fill out the analog SV-1 modulation capabilities with a triangle and square LFO, two sub-octave oscillators chained to the main oscillator, and noise with sample & hold.
Price, Availability, and More Information
The suggested retail price for the Lifeforms SV-1 Blackbox modular synthesizer is $699 and it begins shipping to authorized resellers August 12. More information is available at lifeformsmodular.com/blackbox."
"1010's BlackBox can do an impressive amount of sample sequencing as well as sequencing your external gear with midi or clocking your analog gear. It also has effects and an audio input and multiple audio outputs giving you tons of routing options. The BlackBox is a great option as the center of a dawless setup.
In this video all of the sounds are coming from the black box except for the bassline from the Roland SH-01A which is sequenced by the BlackBox.
"1010music officially announces the blackbox 2.0 firmware update. The 1010music Customer Happiness Enforcer walks you through all of the new features, including Tap Tempo, Beat synced LFO per voice, and Master EQ. Get the latest firmware and the Blackbox 2.0 Upgrade Guide at forum.1010music.com.
1010music is excited to release the blackbox 2.0 firmware upgrade. This release includes many frequently requested features. We appreciate the support and feedback you have shared on the forums and social media. We receive so many feature requests that we can’t possibly do them all. But we hope this release addresses many of them. We hope you will find new ways to be inspired by your blackbox with these new features."
"Take music creation beyond your computer with Blackbox, a compact sampling studio with intuitive touchscreen control. It’s a complete music creation workflow—at your fingertips.
We have a limited quantity of this preview edition of the blackbox. Full production units are estimated to arrive in May 2019.
Take music creation beyond your computer with Blackbox, a next-generation sampling studio with intuitive touchscreen control. Record hours of audio and loops from your synths, drum machines, and other tabletop studio devices. Arrange sequences using built-in synchronization and slicing, then structure your sequences to create complete songs. Perform your compositions live and trigger one-shot samples on the fly. Blackbox makes it easy to create music anywhere thanks to a compact and nearly indestructible design that fits in the palm of your hand. It’s a complete music creation workflow—at your fingertips
Top Features
Record, edit, and sequence using a familiar touchscreen interface.
Integrate synths, drum machines, and other devices to form your tabletop studio.
Capture samples, arrange sequences, and create songs without using a computer.
Get into the groove with a fast, fluid, and intuitive workflow.
Connect external hardware via USB to expand performance and control capabilities.
Record and play back hours of music with an expandable microSD memory slot.
Combine loops with different tempos using built-in synchronization and slicing.
Perform with drum loops and samples using one-shots.
Make music anywhere thanks to a compact and nearly indestructible design."
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 6-8PM
Sensel Morph Hangout
@ Perfect Circuit
Come hang out with Peter Nyober from Sensel at Perfect Circuit and learn everything you need to know about the Morph. Sensel Morph is equally suited as a control surface for DAWs, software and hardware synthesizers, and Eurorack. During the event, you will learn how to integrate the Morph into a variety of setups.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 7-9PM
1010 Music Blackbox In-Store Demo + Q&A
@ Perfect Circuit
Join us for an evening with 1010 Music. The company will be demonstrating their recent groove machine Blackbox, answering whatever questions you might have about the unit, and raffling off $200 gift certificate for samples and loops. If you are not familiar, Blackbox is a portable sampling station equipped with an intuitive touchscreen interface, piano roll-style sequencer, DSP effects, and more. Oh, and did we mention free food and drinks?!
"I already own the Blackbox MK1 (and a Bluebox), I'm a big fan of this and it's an essential part of my studio. So when I saw the new form factor and the functions lend from the Bento, I had a few questions, of course. Blackbox MK2 will be out it about 2 months, costing about $649 & €699."
0:00 Intro
0:48 Sampling
2:52 Instrument Database
3:39 Keyboard Styles
4:58 New Effects & Master EQ
6:38 Difference to Bento
7:18 New Sequencer
8:40 Price
8:50 Blackbox 1 Updates
"At SynthPlex 2019, 1010music introduced Blackbox – a standalone, touchscreen sampling music workstation. We talked with designer Aaron Higgins, who gave us an overview of Blackbox."
"At Superbooth 2019, we talked with 1010music's Aaron Higgins, who gave us a quick demo of his new Blackbox sampling workstation, and updates to his line of touchscreen Eurorack modules."
"The new and exciting Blackbox by 1010Music received an update bringing additional features including multisampling, granular sampling mode and additional midi connectivity. In this quick video, we walk through these features in rapid fire format.
The Blackbox, the Compact Sampling Studio, is an innovative standalone sampler, sequencer groovebox with a handful of useful features. We are excited about this device and its potential.
"Hard to find vintage RSF Blackbox polyphonic synthesizer, made in France by Ruben Fernandez. The synth is working fine and we include a copy of owner's manual in pdf. Notice that the owner's manual is written in French.
So, this is how this synth works: plug a mono source into the input of the Blackbox and it will take the input waveform and allow you to play chords with it, effectively turning a mono source into a polyphonic output. It also has its own internal oscillator, so it can generate polyphonic sound all by itself. You can lock a chord on the Blackbox and then vary the pitch of the mono input, thereby changing the root pitch of the output chord. Additional controls allow you to add an additional tone either one or two octaves below the input, as well as adjust chorus.
Optically the synth is in good condition with minor signs of use. The wooden side panels have little wear and tear and some small scratches. On the metal case you'll find some small scratches too. All the lights above the keys are working fine.
It's an originally 220v version with European plug installed to the lead. The serial number is: 13334"
"We say...
A pre-owned 1010 Music Blackbox in very good condition. It has no original packaging or accessories
Manufacturer's description
Take music creation beyond your computer with blackbox, a next-generation sampling studio with intuitive touchscreen control. Record hours of audio and loops from your synths, drum machines, and other tabletop studio devices. Arrange sequences using built-in synchronization and slicing, then structure your sequences to create complete songs. Perform your compositions live and trigger one-shot samples on the fly. Blackbox makes it easy to create music anywhere thanks to a compact and nearly indestructible design that fits in the palm of your hand. It’s a complete music creation workflow—at your fingertips.
"Another rarity from the halls of EMEAPP, here we have the ultra-rare RSF Blackbox from the late 70s. While it doesn't look like much on the outside, it is capable of a pretty amazing task: it can turn a monosynth into a polysynth by using it's CV/gate output. Intended as a peripheral device for the RSF Kobol monosynth, the Blackbox is compatible with a plethora of other vintage monosynths. In this video, electronic music pioneer Don Slepian will demonstrate the Blackbox's capabilities as a stand-alone instrument.
You can find us at www.emeapp.org where we invite you to join us as a FREE member."
"1010 Music has just released their first standalone product: Blackbox. Taking the best of Bitbox, Toolbox, and FXbox, Blackbox is a sampler/sequencer/effects box optimized for real time live performance. It's a great replacement for a laptop onstage, and is also terrific for expressive realtime studio recording. Just an amazing piece of gear."
"Take music creation beyond your computer with Blackbox, a compact sampling studio with intuitive touchscreen control. It’s a complete music creation workflow—at your fingertips.
See the behind the scenes video of Dan's performance here:"
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"The Pittsburgh Modular Lifeforms SV-1b Blackbox is a complete, standalone desktop format modular synthesizer. A full compliment of analog tools for sonic experimentation stuffed into a portable, powered steel enclosure. Two patchable oscillators and our legendary Pittsburgh Filter are paired with a perfectly curated set of synthesis tools. The Lifeforms SV-1b Blackbox provides absolutely everything you need to create gigantic and iconic synth sounds, in the studio or on the go.
Synth is in great working condition, includes original box and power supply."
"Up for sale is a (1) very rare RSF Blackbox, family of the RSF Kobol. It's a 18 keys synthesizer made in the seventies by Ruben and Serge Fernandez in France. The synthesizer works perfectly! Optical it looks ok for it age, the wooden sides are a bit damaged and there are some minor scratches on it (see photo's). It comes with a printed owner's manual. It's a 220V version and the serial number is: 13282.
The Blackbox can turn your analog monophonic synthesizers into polyphonic by the use of CV/Gate with both type of voltage source as CV Volt/Oct and/or Hertz Volts and both gate types as positive gate (V-Trigger) or negative gate (S-Trigger).
So basically you can control & use every kind of analog synthesizer with this unit like Korg, Roland, Yamaha, Kawai, Sequential Circuits, Moog, ARP, Oberheim, Other RSF, Etc..."
"We are pleased to offer blackbox 3.0.7 firmware. Version 3 is a significant step forward for sequencing, songwriting, and arrangement.
Each of the 16 sequences now have 4 layers. You can sequence and switch between all 64 layers for more advanced songwriting. You can now double a sequence. Double will double the length and content. Double allows you to write in smaller sections and extend as needed. The new Song mode can have up to 32 song scenes per preset. Song scenes can control sequences, Clips, Slicers, Granular samples, and one-shots. Scenes can be looped within a song. Songs mode now has 2 loop modes. You can loop a single scene or the entire song. You can also trigger each scene individually using MIDI notes.
MID-only sequences are now fully independent of internal Pads. MIDI routing has been redesigned. You now have more complete control over MIDI input and output. You can selectively route MIDI in, out, or thru the blackbox. You can enable or disable the USB Device port, and have total control over how clock + transport is sent and received.
0:00 Intro 0:19 Pads - multisamples 0:38 Pads - granular samples at different pitches 0:52 Pads - slicers using different pitches 1:11 Pads - slicers using a single pitch 1:33 Pads - one-shot samples 1:48 Pads - granular samples at original pitch 1:59 Pads - start/stop synced clips 2:15 - Internal keys/grid keyboard 2:42 - 16 sequences. 4 layers 3:10 - sequence CLR vs clear 3:23 - sequence double 3:38 - pads sequence 4:02 - keys sequence 4:36 - midi sequence 5:07 - sequence midi output 5:26 - song mode 5:54 - song mode keep 6:07 - song mode loop 6:21 - song mode scene triggers 6:55 - song mode scene length + repeats 7:05 - tools master control output 1-3 7:14 - tools global midi in 7:28 - tools midi seq 7:36 - tool midi out 8:26 - tools usb dev out 8:53 - tools midi clock + transport 9:13 - tools midi clock receive 9:30 - tools midi clock send 9:49 - thanks for watching"
