The Blipblox After Dark is a synthesizer designed for both experienced musicians and newcomers to electronic music, offering a fun and intuitive way to create sounds and melodies. It functions as a standalone music exploration toy but also integrates into a studio setup as a production tool.
Function Description:
The core function of the Blipblox After Dark is sound synthesis, converting musical notes into synthesized sound through a defined signal flow. This process begins with the Sequencer, which generates hundreds of built-in melodies. Users can select a new melody by pressing the SEQ button, and every other melody includes a drum beat. The sequencer can also be turned off to allow notes to be played via MIDI. The TEMPO lever controls the speed of the melody, increasing it when pushed forward and decreasing it when pulled closer.
The synthesized sound is then shaped by the Oscillator, which offers 16 different types of sound waves. These oscillator types are selected by pressing the OSCILLATOR button and are indicated by a four-LED display on the right side of the speaker, with different colors and LED numbers corresponding to various types. Each oscillator type accepts two modulation inputs, controlled by the CTRL 1 and CTRL 2 buttons, and the MOD 1 and MOD 2 knobs. These modulations can affect functions like pulse width modulation, detune, frequency modulation, hard sync, wavetable scan, and wavetable morph.
Following the oscillator, the sound passes through a Filter, which shapes the tone by removing certain frequencies. The Blipblox After Dark features three filter types: high-pass, low-pass, and band-pass. These can be toggled by holding down the FILTER MOD button, with LED (14) indicating the selected type (green for high-pass, aqua for band-pass, dark blue for low-pass). The FILTER lever controls the cutoff frequency, determining which frequencies are removed. The filter also includes a resonance control, which boosts sound at the cutoff frequency, adding a "squeaky" character. Resonance can be adjusted by holding down the CTRL 2 button and moving the FILTER lever. The filter's modulation input is selected using the FILTER MOD button.
After the filter, the signal goes through the Amplifier Envelope, which controls the duration of the sound after a note ends, or its "release." The AMP RELEASE knob adjusts this duration; a clockwise turn increases the sound's lingering decay, while a counter-clockwise turn shortens it.
The Blipblox After Dark also includes a multi-tap stereo Delay Effect, which adds a rich, spacey quality to the sound. The amount of delay can be adjusted by holding down the CTRL 1 button and moving the FILTER lever.
Finally, the VOLUME knob serves as the last stage in the synthesis engine, controlling the overall loudness of the sound from both the built-in speaker and the Audio Output jack.
Modulation Matrix:
The Modulation Matrix is a crucial component that controls how three Modulation Sources (two Low Frequency Oscillators or LFOs, and one Modulation Envelope) are applied to the three modulation destinations (oscillator's first modulation, oscillator's second modulation, and filter modulation).
- LFOs (LFO 1 and LFO 2) create repeating "wah-wah-wah-wah" type sounds, with their speeds controlled by the LFO 1 and LFO 2 knobs, indicated by adjacent flashing LEDs.
- The Modulation Envelope creates a single "weee-oww" type wave for each new musical note. The MOD ATTACK knob controls the speed at which this envelope ramps up; counter-clockwise turns create a fast attack, while clockwise turns create a slower attack. The MOD ENV LED's brightness reflects the envelope's value.
- The CTRL 1 and CTRL 2 buttons select the modulation source for the oscillator's two inputs, cycling through Mod Envelope, LFO 1, LFO 2, and Knob Only modulation. The MOD 1 and MOD 2 knobs then control the amount of modulation applied.
- The FILTER MOD button selects the modulation source for the filter, cycling through Mod Envelope, LFO 1, LFO 2, and Lever Only modulation.
- LEDs animate to indicate the selected modulation source for CTRL 1, CTRL 2, and FILTER MOD buttons. A single modulation can be applied to multiple destinations simultaneously.
Drums:
The Blipblox After Dark features KICK and SNARE buttons for manual drum play. An automatic drum machine can also play kick and snare drums along with the selected sequence. Pressing the SEQ button toggles the drum machine on or off and randomizes new drum sounds.
Usage Features:
Getting Started:
- Peel the protective plastic film from the faceplate.
- Install three AA batteries in the underside compartment using a Phillips screwdriver, following the indicated order.
- Alternatively, power the unit using a USB-DC adapter plugged into the "DC 5V o-c-o" port and any USB adapter. Batteries do not need to be removed but are not charged by the adapter.
- Turn on the unit by pressing the purple button on the back.
Battery Level Indication:
- Upon startup, the "MOD 1" LED indicates battery status:
- Flashes yellow: Low batteries or low-voltage rechargeable batteries; unit operates at slightly lower volume.
- Flashes red: Insufficient power for operation; replace batteries or connect USB power.
Auto-Shutdown:
- The unit automatically shuts down after 30 minutes of no button presses or MIDI data to save power. It can be restarted using the power switch. This feature can be disabled.
Toggle Sequencer On/Off:
- Hold down the FILTER MOD button, then press the SEQUENCER button.
Toggle Automatic Drum Machine On/Off:
- While the unit is on and playing, hold down both the KICK and SNARE buttons simultaneously. Repeat to turn the drum machine back on.
Toggle Drum Solo Mode On/Off:
- To hear only drums, hold down the KICK button, then press the SEQ button while the unit is on and playing. Repeat to turn the synth back on.
Drum Edit Mode:
- To manually adjust kick and snare samples, hold down the SNARE button, then press RANDOMIZE while the unit is on and playing. (Entering Drum Solo mode first is recommended to hear only drums in this mode).
- In Drum Edit mode:
- MOD 1 knob: Selects kick drum sample.
- LFO 1 knob: Changes kick drum pitch.
- MOD 2 knob: Selects snare drum sample.
- LFO 2 knob: Changes snare drum pitch.
- To exit, hold down the KICK button and press RANDOMIZE.
Adjust Filter Resonance:
- Hold down the CTRL 2 button, then move the FILTER lever forward or back.
Adjust Multi-Tap Delay:
- Hold down the CTRL 1 button, then move the FILTER lever forward or back.
Randomizing and Freaking the Sound:
- RANDOMIZE button: Randomizes all synthesizer parameters except sequencer and drums, including oscillator type, modulation sources, filter type, filter resonance, LFO waveforms, and delay effect amount. Pressing it also stores the most recent settings. Holding it down returns to the most recent settings.
- SOUNDFREAK button: Scrambles all notes from the sequencer, creating chaotic effects.
MIDI Functions:
MIDI Channel Setting:
- Synthesis notes default to MIDI channel 1, drums to channel 2 (or synth channel +1).
- To adjust: Turn off the unit. Hold CTRL 1 and CTRL 2. While holding, turn the unit back on. Use the MOD 2 knob to set the MIDI channel (1-16, indicated by green LEDs). Hold KICK and SNARE to lock (LEDs 1+16 flash green).
MIDI Sync / Disable MIDI Start:
- The unit synchronizes to incoming MIDI START, STOP, and TEMPO commands.
- To disable automatic sequencer start: Turn off the unit. Hold SEQ and CTRL 1. While holding, turn the unit back on. Use the MOD 2 knob to enable (Aqua LED left) or disable (Aqua LED right) MIDI start. Hold KICK and SNARE to lock (LEDs 1+16 flash green).
Disabling Internal Sequencer for MIDI Play:
- While the unit is on, hold the FILTER MOD button, then press the SEQ button.
Special Control Settings:
Automatic Power Down On/Off:
- To disable auto-shutdown: Turn off the unit. Hold RANDOMIZE and SNARE. While holding, turn the unit back on. Use the MOD 2 knob to toggle auto-power down ON (Purple LED left) or OFF (Purple LED right). Hold KICK and SNARE to lock (LEDs 1+16 flash green).
Automatic Drum Machine On/Off:
- To keep automatic drums off: Turn off the unit. Hold SEQ and OSCILLATOR. While holding, turn the unit back on. Use the MOD 2 knob to toggle auto-drum machine ON (Blue LED left) or OFF (Blue LED right). Hold KICK and SNARE to lock (LEDs 1+16 flash green).
Kick Level Adjustment:
- To reduce kick drum level for external speakers: Turn off the unit. Hold SEQ and KICK. While holding, turn the unit back on. Use the MOD 2 knob to change kick level (Yellow LED left for built-in speaker, Yellow LED right for reduced level). Hold KICK and SNARE to lock (LEDs 1+16 flash green).
LED Light Show Animation Settings:
- To reduce flashing lights: Turn off the unit. Hold CTRL 1 and OSCILLATOR. While holding, turn the unit back on. Use the MOD 2 knob to select a mode:
- LED (8) green: Default animations.
- LED (7) green: No extra animations when buttons are pressed.
- LED (6) green: Static rainbow, no flashing.
- LED (5) green: All LEDs off during play, except power indicator.
- Hold KICK and SNARE to lock (LEDs 1+16 flash green).
Volume Limit:
- To reduce maximum volume: Turn off the unit. Hold OSCILLATOR and CTRL 2. While holding, turn the unit back on. Use the MOD 2 knob to set volume level (Red LED left for normal, Red LED right for reduced). Hold KICK and SNARE to lock (LEDs 1+16 flash green).
Maintenance Features:
Repair and Replacement:
- The Blipblox After Dark should be periodically examined for potential hazards. Parts are to be repaired or replaced if found hazardous.
- The product comes with a one-year limited warranty for defects in material and workmanship under normal use. Factory-refurbished merchandise has a 90-day warranty.
- To obtain warranty service, purchasers must contact Playtime Engineering for a return authorization number (RA#) and return the product in adequate shipping container. Playtime Engineering will repair or replace defective components, using rebuilt, reconditioned, or new parts at their discretion.
- Replaced parts become the property of Playtime Engineering. If a product is not covered by warranty, the purchaser is responsible for all repair costs.
Upgrade Melodies + Drums Using MIDI:
- The After Dark allows for upgrading new melodies and drum sounds. This requires a Mac or PC computer, a qualified USB-MIDI interface cable, and a free MIDI SYSEX utility.
- Prepare for Melody Pack Update: Turn off the unit. Connect the USB-MIDI cable. Press and hold SNARE and OSCILLATOR. While holding, turn the unit back on. Verify LED (12) is aqua. Send the MIDI SYSEX file via computer. LEDs (5)-(8) flash green when complete.
- Prepare for Drum Pack Update: Turn off the unit. Connect the USB-MIDI cable. Press and hold RANDOMIZE and OSCILLATOR. While holding, turn the unit back on. Verify LED (12) is green. Send the MIDI SYSEX file via computer. LEDs (5)-(8) flash green when complete.
General Warnings:
- Do not mix different types of batteries (new and used, non-rechargeable and rechargeable).
- Non-rechargeable batteries are not to be recharged.
- Rechargeable batteries must be removed from the toy before charging and charged under adult supervision.
- Batteries must be inserted with correct polarity.
- Exhausted batteries must be removed from the toy.
- Supply terminals are not to be short-circuited.
- Not recommended for children under 3 years of age.
- Observe precautions during handling and use to prevent electric shock.
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