1010music Unleashes Major Firmware for blackbox 2 & bento: Workflow Overdrive

A cornerstone of the new firmware is the sequencer automation overhaul. Users can now visually draw modulation lanes for multiple instrument parameters, with the interface maximizing touchscreen real estate for precise control. This approach is not limited to a single synthesis engine—it’s available for multi-sampled instruments, wavetable, granular, shredder, and slicer modes, extending also to individual pad automation for one-shot samples.

Automation is organized into four lanes (A–D), and each lane can target several parameters, each with independent scaling. The workflow allows for intuitive finger-drawing of curves, rotary-based value editing for single steps, and global nudging of automation envelopes. This makes it possible to sculpt subtle or dramatic shifts, from filter cutoffs to resonance and even granular engine parameters, directly from the touchscreen. The system is designed to let users dial in modulation sweet spots quickly, supporting both detailed editing and spontaneous tweaks.

A key architectural boost comes with the expansion from eight to sixteen scenes. Scenes in 1010music’s workflow act as containers for combinations of sequences and loop groups, spread across up to eight tracks. The upgrade doubles the compositional and performance flexibility, supporting both structured song arrangements and live, on-the-fly scene triggering.

The user interface clearly distinguishes scenes and indicates the currently active one, with the top and bottom rows of pads mapped to scenes 1–8 and 9–16, respectively. This enables seamless navigation between song sections—intros, verses, drops—or spontaneous remixing during live sets. The expanded scene structure is a clear nod to users working in both DAWless rigs and hybrid setups, allowing more complex arrangements without menu-diving.

Bento users receive an exclusive effect with the introduction of shimmer reverb, leveraging the unit’s more powerful processor. The shimmer effect goes beyond standard reverb by adding pitch shifting and feedback within the decay, resulting in lush, otherworldly ambiences. Controls for the shimmer parameters are clearly laid out below the main FX settings, keeping the workflow direct and performance-friendly.

Demonstrations in the video show shimmer reverb in action with long decays and layered textures, particularly on sounds like clouds. This addition caters to users who want to create cinematic, spacious soundscapes, and underscores 1010music’s attention to DSP-driven enhancement rather than just preset expansion.

Beyond the headline features, the firmware introduces several workflow-centric improvements. Sidechain compression now comes with visual envelope control and multiple trigger options: audio tracks, clock divisions, audio inputs, MIDI, and even individual instrument pads. This allows for classic pump effects or more creative rhythmic sculpting, all directly accessible from the config track menu.

Automated stem recording is another highlight—users can now export all tracks as separate WAV files for detailed mixing or arrangement in a DAW. This bridges the DAWless and hybrid workflow worlds, making it easy to start tracks on the hardware and finish them in the box.

Finally, recording and overdubbing loops has become more frictionless, with new MIDI remote control for pad-based recording. Users can arm pads, choose recording sources, and use MIDI footswitches or controllers to manage takes, making the devices more attractive for live loopers and instrumentalists who rely on hands-free operation. All new loops are organized into loop groups for immediate triggering in scenes, rounding out an update that genuinely targets both creative spontaneity and structured production.