Hi Freebeat/Woovebox. Do we have a complete overview of all functionality somewhere online? A top down approach for all modes (Seq/Sampler/Live/Song) would be immensely helpful. Something along these lines - Mode - Page(s) Context Menu (w/options) - Page Parameter(s) (w/options) - A complete abbrevation list I am finding the onlince documentation a bit challenging to navigate.
What an outstanding product and project. And all this by just one guy? It blows my mind. It's like all the Pocket Operators combined into one device (with a smart interface) plus things that my MPC ONE does 😅 it's insane. I have mine since yesterday and the experience is awesome until now (I'm not a real musician but an enthusiast). BTW: kudos for the wonderful homepage as well, so much well organized information. How can one guy pull off all of this? 👍👍👍
Thank you! If all goes well, next round of invites should be incoming within the next couple of weeks. It will coincide with a very big update with lots of refinements, features and new capabilities.
On the battery replacement FAQ on your website, you mention "please contact us to walk you through the proper procedure". Could you please upload a video of the procedure?
This is really a post-warranty thing; all Wooveboxes should still be well within warranty at this point. It's easy to damage your Woovebox by opening it up for no good reason (voiding warranty), so please don't. The battery is good for at least 500 cycles, after which it should still retain 80% capacity.
(Great device and help from Woovebox) If wondering like me why the chord track faintly sounds into other patches (it's supposed to for harmonic content, see reply from Woovebox). Struggling to connect / update (see reply from Woovebox) I think perseverance may be the key and a youtube tutorial. There's lots of things to try - go deep.
The chord track faintly sounds in the background for instruments that are made to follow it, to give you harmonic context. If that is undesirable, simply solo the track you're working on. With regards to connecting, if you have tried a whopping 6 devices, it sounds like something else is going on. Please follow the instructions for setting up a connection on any of the operating systems *to the letter* (and please be aware that your Woovebox can only connect to one device at a time). If Wooveconnect connects successfully, but your connection is suffering from packet loss, please also pay attention to the "enhancing connection stability" section on the website. If all fails, please send me an email with exactly where things start to deviate from what is expected according to the guides for you.
So just got Woovebox today. Wow. I love it. Really great device. I noticed my big vol/selection knob is a bit wobbly like it’s loose. Is this normal. Feels like it might come off. Can I tighten it. Felt this way from moment I took it from the case. Anyhow I love the Woovebox. Very cool
Great to hear you're liking your Woovebox! The value knob (encoder) indeed has a little play on all units (it's not just yours!). This is normal for this specific encoder. Hope that helps!
May I suggest… Will you show how to do a 16 note sequence? Nothing else, just *basic.* You need to assume some of us are 100% new to such a device and to us, it seems very complicated even though you say it’s so simple. Thanks.
You can find how to do that @7:20 in this video. Hope that helps! EDIT: So from 0-to-programming, it's as easy as; turn device on, select your song (optional if you need song other than 01), select your track (one out of 16 available), play a note/slice/percussion you want to program, hold write, press the steps (1-16) where you want the thing to go.
The "over-enthusiastic" encoder issue was fixed with a firmware update (2413), and behavior further enhanced depending on parameter type (e.g. for large-range parameters vs small range). Further (unrelated) encoder behavior enhancements were made in (2488). Community feedback FTW! 😀
@@woovebox, I read somewhere to be very careful when powering on the unit not to touch the "write/play" buttons while doing so. The encoder is behaving much more reliable when I am aware of this fact.
Hi, 2 things I always want to know before using a device is: 1. How to check the battery level? 2. How to save (song/project, preset)? I searched the website & can’t find these. Is there a downloadable pdf? That way I could search it for specific things. Thanks!
Hi there! If you type in, for example, "save" in the Search Help and documentation field on the "Supports, guides & tutorials" page, the first search result that comes up is the "Auto-save" in "The very basics" guide. This is also the guide that you should probably check before trying anything else on your Woovebox, as it goes through the very basics of the device. This, indeed, includes saving; to answer your question, your Woovebox auto-saves: * When playback starts. or * When 8 seconds have elapsed, during which no other modifications were made. When it saves, it also shows the approximate battery percentage left (e.g. type in "battery" in the search and the first result takes you to the relevant info). Hope that helps!
Hop on the mailing list. We are working through the list with purchase invites as fast as we can, based on when people signed up (to keep things fair). Hope that helps!
It depends what you want from your sampler. There is a line-in, and you have 60s of recording time (44.1kHz @ 8-bit compressed ~ 12-bit dynamic range). That in itself isn't going to blow anyone away these days. *However* what you can do with any sampled material is very, very sophisticated - particular at this physical size and price point. For example, samples can be used as oscillators (instead of the standard saw/square/sine/tri/noise stuff) for deep sound design, and you can even do multi-sampled instruments. There is all the standard auto-slicing, slice editing, and other things you would expect. There are also many lo-fi settings and effects if that's your thing. On the Woovebox, samples are more meant for augmenting the 16x synths. They are meant to *compliment* your production, rather than *be* your production (if that makes sense). This is the use case for samples in most genres of EDM. If you do sample-heavy hip hop though, you may possibly want something beefier with more memory. Of course, the OG hip hop artists made do with much less sample space than 60s, so it depends on your needs and style of music.
@@Synuk You can record longer samples, but slices may only be 11.8 seconds at maximum. See also here for any other limitations that may apply; www.woovebox.com/support/guides--tutorials/sampler/limitations
BLE is indeed the only way to connect to the device. The USB port is for charging only. You can, however, add a cheap dongle to any laptop, or - for a much more hassle free experience - consider a WIDI Bud Pro (recommended!).
Just got my Woovebox today and wondering about the write and play buttons. Are they supposed to be touch sensitive? Seems I have to press hard to get them to register?
@@steveedwards4495 Not to worry - there is very little to break or mis-manufacture regarding the capacitive touch buttons. :) Depending on the firmware you're on, sensitivity was tweaked slightly as well. Also be sure not touch the buttons during power on, as they get re-calibrated during every boot-up to ensure they exhibit consistent sensitivity.
@@woovebox yeah that's what I thought mate, must be just me lol. Got a couple of ok tunes so far. But lost my kick drum track somewhere lol. Dohh. Great bit of kit though.
Thank you for your interest! We're still working hard to get through the waiting list in order of registration date - get on the mailing list and you will get an email as soon as one is available. We're doing a small batch currently (Jan 2024), and next big batch is ~ March/April 2024 (awaiting components). Hope that helps!
To boot Woovebox into Bluetooth, BLE, boot mode : press and hold the 1/Cd key while turning on the device. I removed previous post where I was losing my mind not being able to find it lol.
Ok I finally found it by searching reddit. But holy god it was shockingly hard just to find how to boot in midi. (press and hold the 1/Cd key while turning on the device)
Thank you for supporting the Woovebox! While I appreciate your feedback, on the website, the info you sought was is literally one click away... "Launch Wooveconnect". Or if you would have gone into the documentation, it is one out of the three options on the documentation page (for a total of 2 clicks). Or if you would have typed in "update firmware" or "firmware update" in the search bar on that page, the top search results all take you there as well. Do let me know if you have any suggestions for improvements though!
@@woovebox I appreciate your response, and I have built up so much appreciation for what you've done, so please don't take what I said as anything other than momentary frustration at not figuring out the correct search phrase, which would have been "turn on Woovebox in boot/BLE/bluetooth mode". I simply forgot about boot mode as a concept in my excitement of having a Woovebox in my hand, and got panic stricken when I couldn't quickly find the info I needed. (Also, my Woovebox came with the current firmware, hehe.) I was using the search term "Woovebox firmware update" which hilariously and frustratingly sends you to one singular video and parts of your website tutorials which discuss firmware but *not* how to enable BLE (but using "Woovebox boot mode" or "Woovebox BLE mode" would). For example this guy's video has two other people sharing my frustration that he never discusses how to turn on BLE mode, and his is one of, if not the only video to discuss Woovebox firmare updates. Out of 3 replies to his video, he ignrores the two people asking for BLE enable, and responds to the one person who did not ask this - ruclips.net/video/c4pdwCEp8Ts/видео.html Now, my deepest appreciation for your work came from that excellent interview you did with batteryop - www.batteryop.com/2023/10/19/interview-with-woovebox-developer-siliconfields/ I actually learned a lot while you were recounting your history with synthesis, programming, and astrophotography. Especially the parts about your philosophy of sound synthesis. I actually re-read that every now and then and continue to mine it for new perspectives. I love this part "But it’s not just the sound, it’s also their unique engineering philosophies, qualities and “reason for being”." Every sentence of this following paragraph from the interview was such a revelation for me, I can't express it fully, except maybe the concept of fish understanding for the first time that they live in water. "There was also an AKAI S950 sampler with that lovely crunchy 12-bit sound. Gear from that era actually varied the sample rate it played back at depending on the pitch you need, which gear these days just can’t do. There was no interpolation or up/down sampling to “fit” a fixed frequency engine (e.g 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz, etc.) as is commonplace now. Just like, say a Commodore Amiga from the same era, each channel/voice had its own DAC that played back digital audio at a different rate, the output of which was summed in the analog domain. If you like that sort of sound, it’s very hard to replicate that same sound in a modern engine or DAW, and it doesn’t help that many people misunderstand lo-fi to begin with. It is so much more than applying a bit crusher VST and be done with it. For the Woovebox, even though its DAC is fixed rate, I wanted to at least be able to do lo-fi properly in terms of the signal path (e.g. pre-filter). Engineers fought tooth and nail to hide or ameliorate digital artefacts; much of the charm of the instruments from that era comes from that unique combination of having multiple DACs, low sample rates, low bit depths, and the analog domain tricks/filters that were employed to smoothen/hide the digital artefacts." Again, thank you for your reply because it gives me an opportunity to thank you not only for this Pandora's box you've created, but also for sharing the life experiences that led you to it. I'm excited to dive to the Marianas Trench depths of the Woovebox and whatever you come up with in the future. Cheers.
Setting BPM is part of the quick start guide (e.g. this section; www.woovebox.com/support/guides--tutorials/quick-start/set-song-bpm). I'm sorry to hear you are getting frustrated. Is there anything in particular you find frustrating or unclear?
REPOST FROM ANOTHER USER, PLEASE HELP US. I'M SURE YOU LISTEN YOUR CUSTOMER... THANKS A LOT! Freebeat/Woovebox. Do we have a complete overview of all functionality somewhere online? A top down approach for all modes (Seq/Sampler/Live/Song) would be immensely helpful. Something along these lines - Mode - Page(s) Context Menu (w/options) - Page Parameter(s) (w/options) - A complete abbrevation list I am finding the onlince documentation a bit challenging to navigate.
This already exists though? For example, the oscillator page; www.woovebox.com/support/guides--tutorials/sound-design/oscillators Or Song mode; www.woovebox.com/support/guides--tutorials/song-mode Etc.
You don't seem to know your left from your right. When you say "the right button", you are pressing the button that is clearly and unambiguously on the left side of the device. It is not on the right side at all.
The presenter is saying the "Write" button, rather than the "right" button. For more information, please see the "very basics" section/documentation for an overview of the buttons and controls available.
Tip Top.. A really well delivered tutorial. Good pace, no flannel, to the point, well covered.... Jam on it, wikki wikki wikki.
Hi Freebeat/Woovebox. Do we have a complete overview of all functionality somewhere online?
A top down approach for all modes (Seq/Sampler/Live/Song) would be immensely helpful.
Something along these lines
- Mode
- Page(s) Context Menu (w/options)
- Page Parameter(s) (w/options)
- A complete abbrevation list
I am finding the onlince documentation a bit challenging to navigate.
This would be useful, especially the an abbreviation list.
Please keep em coming! Just got mine today and ooooo mama there’s a lot here.
Thanks FreeBeat for the great video and Ivo Woovebox for this amazing device. Mine is on the plane right now and I can't wait!
Lol. I recognize that voice! Thanks Free Beat! 😂
cool little box will pick one these up
What an outstanding product and project. And all this by just one guy? It blows my mind. It's like all the Pocket Operators combined into one device (with a smart interface) plus things that my MPC ONE does 😅 it's insane.
I have mine since yesterday and the experience is awesome until now (I'm not a real musician but an enthusiast).
BTW: kudos for the wonderful homepage as well, so much well organized information.
How can one guy pull off all of this? 👍👍👍
Thank you so much! Enjoy your Woovebox, and keep an eye out for firmware updates in the next months and years. 😃
Heyy Free Beat 😊
It's nice that you give the tutorials for that box, makes sense! Looks like a nice little instrument 🎹
This seems like a really cool tool! Wow!
Thank you for a Great tutorial!
It looks awesome. I might have to get one ordered on the next round.
Thank you! If all goes well, next round of invites should be incoming within the next couple of weeks. It will coincide with a very big update with lots of refinements, features and new capabilities.
More tutorials please
On the battery replacement FAQ on your website, you mention "please contact us to walk you through the proper procedure". Could you please upload a video of the procedure?
This is really a post-warranty thing; all Wooveboxes should still be well within warranty at this point. It's easy to damage your Woovebox by opening it up for no good reason (voiding warranty), so please don't. The battery is good for at least 500 cycles, after which it should still retain 80% capacity.
(Great device and help from Woovebox) If wondering like me why the chord track faintly sounds into other patches (it's supposed to for harmonic content, see reply from Woovebox). Struggling to connect / update (see reply from Woovebox) I think perseverance may be the key and a youtube tutorial. There's lots of things to try - go deep.
The chord track faintly sounds in the background for instruments that are made to follow it, to give you harmonic context. If that is undesirable, simply solo the track you're working on. With regards to connecting, if you have tried a whopping 6 devices, it sounds like something else is going on. Please follow the instructions for setting up a connection on any of the operating systems *to the letter* (and please be aware that your Woovebox can only connect to one device at a time). If Wooveconnect connects successfully, but your connection is suffering from packet loss, please also pay attention to the "enhancing connection stability" section on the website. If all fails, please send me an email with exactly where things start to deviate from what is expected according to the guides for you.
thanks for the help. connection has been puzzling so far@@woovebox (updated 1st comment)
So just got Woovebox today. Wow. I love it. Really great device. I noticed my big vol/selection knob is a bit wobbly like it’s loose. Is this normal. Feels like it might come off. Can I tighten it. Felt this way from moment I took it from the case. Anyhow I love the Woovebox. Very cool
Great to hear you're liking your Woovebox! The value knob (encoder) indeed has a little play on all units (it's not just yours!). This is normal for this specific encoder. Hope that helps!
May I suggest…
Will you show how to do a 16 note sequence? Nothing else, just *basic.* You need to assume some of us are 100% new to such a device and to us, it seems very complicated even though you say it’s so simple. Thanks.
You can find how to do that @7:20 in this video. Hope that helps! EDIT: So from 0-to-programming, it's as easy as; turn device on, select your song (optional if you need song other than 01), select your track (one out of 16 available), play a note/slice/percussion you want to program, hold write, press the steps (1-16) where you want the thing to go.
Thanks, FreeBeat! Did they fix your encoder wheel?
The "over-enthusiastic" encoder issue was fixed with a firmware update (2413), and behavior further enhanced depending on parameter type (e.g. for large-range parameters vs small range). Further (unrelated) encoder behavior enhancements were made in (2488). Community feedback FTW! 😀
@@woovebox, I read somewhere to be very careful when powering on the unit not to touch the "write/play" buttons while doing so. The encoder is behaving much more reliable when I am aware of this fact.
Hi, 2 things I always want to know before using a device is: 1. How to check the battery level? 2. How to save (song/project, preset)? I searched the website & can’t find these. Is there a downloadable pdf? That way I could search it for specific things. Thanks!
Hi there! If you type in, for example, "save" in the Search Help and documentation field on the "Supports, guides & tutorials" page, the first search result that comes up is the "Auto-save" in "The very basics" guide. This is also the guide that you should probably check before trying anything else on your Woovebox, as it goes through the very basics of the device. This, indeed, includes saving; to answer your question, your Woovebox auto-saves:
* When playback starts.
or
* When 8 seconds have elapsed, during which no other modifications were made.
When it saves, it also shows the approximate battery percentage left (e.g. type in "battery" in the search and the first result takes you to the relevant info). Hope that helps!
@@wooveboxyes, that helps thank you! 👍
When is an Order possible? I'm so waiting for it! :(
Hop on the mailing list. We are working through the list with purchase invites as fast as we can, based on when people signed up (to keep things fair). Hope that helps!
I want this machine to sampling. Is it difficult to use it?.
It depends what you want from your sampler. There is a line-in, and you have 60s of recording time (44.1kHz @ 8-bit compressed ~ 12-bit dynamic range). That in itself isn't going to blow anyone away these days. *However* what you can do with any sampled material is very, very sophisticated - particular at this physical size and price point. For example, samples can be used as oscillators (instead of the standard saw/square/sine/tri/noise stuff) for deep sound design, and you can even do multi-sampled instruments. There is all the standard auto-slicing, slice editing, and other things you would expect. There are also many lo-fi settings and effects if that's your thing.
On the Woovebox, samples are more meant for augmenting the 16x synths. They are meant to *compliment* your production, rather than *be* your production (if that makes sense). This is the use case for samples in most genres of EDM. If you do sample-heavy hip hop though, you may possibly want something beefier with more memory. Of course, the OG hip hop artists made do with much less sample space than 60s, so it depends on your needs and style of music.
I only can rec a 12 seconds sample in a single key. It’s possible rec 60 seconds in a simple key?. Thank you very much!!.
@@Synuk You can record longer samples, but slices may only be 11.8 seconds at maximum. See also here for any other limitations that may apply; www.woovebox.com/support/guides--tutorials/sampler/limitations
@@wooveboxThank you and congrats for your little machine, it’s absolutely amazing!!❤
Is bluetooth the only way to connect to a device? My laptop has no Bluetooth?
BLE is indeed the only way to connect to the device. The USB port is for charging only. You can, however, add a cheap dongle to any laptop, or - for a much more hassle free experience - consider a WIDI Bud Pro (recommended!).
@@woovebox I'll have to look up Widi bud pro lol. Thanks.
Just got my Woovebox today and wondering about the write and play buttons. Are they supposed to be touch sensitive? Seems I have to press hard to get them to register?
They are indeed touch sensitive. You do not have to press hard, but you *do* have to make sure your finger covers the entire surface area of the pads.
@@woovebox thanks mate I'll try that. Hopefully I haven't got a bad unit👍
@@steveedwards4495 Not to worry - there is very little to break or mis-manufacture regarding the capacitive touch buttons. :) Depending on the firmware you're on, sensitivity was tweaked slightly as well. Also be sure not touch the buttons during power on, as they get re-calibrated during every boot-up to ensure they exhibit consistent sensitivity.
@@woovebox yeah that's what I thought mate, must be just me lol. Got a couple of ok tunes so far. But lost my kick drum track somewhere lol. Dohh. Great bit of kit though.
When do accept orders again?
Thank you for your interest! We're still working hard to get through the waiting list in order of registration date - get on the mailing list and you will get an email as soon as one is available. We're doing a small batch currently (Jan 2024), and next big batch is ~ March/April 2024 (awaiting components). Hope that helps!
Is there a discord or Facebook page for Woovebox? I have questions lol. Didn't want to bug anyone by asking too many questions in the wrong place lol
To boot Woovebox into Bluetooth, BLE, boot mode : press and hold the 1/Cd key while turning on the device. I removed previous post where I was losing my mind not being able to find it lol.
Ok I finally found it by searching reddit. But holy god it was shockingly hard just to find how to boot in midi. (press and hold the 1/Cd key while turning on the device)
Thank you for supporting the Woovebox! While I appreciate your feedback, on the website, the info you sought was is literally one click away... "Launch Wooveconnect". Or if you would have gone into the documentation, it is one out of the three options on the documentation page (for a total of 2 clicks). Or if you would have typed in "update firmware" or "firmware update" in the search bar on that page, the top search results all take you there as well. Do let me know if you have any suggestions for improvements though!
@@woovebox I appreciate your response, and I have built up so much appreciation for what you've done, so please don't take what I said as anything other than momentary frustration at not figuring out the correct search phrase, which would have been "turn on Woovebox in boot/BLE/bluetooth mode". I simply forgot about boot mode as a concept in my excitement of having a Woovebox in my hand, and got panic stricken when I couldn't quickly find the info I needed. (Also, my Woovebox came with the current firmware, hehe.)
I was using the search term "Woovebox firmware update" which hilariously and frustratingly sends you to one singular video and parts of your website tutorials which discuss firmware but *not* how to enable BLE (but using "Woovebox boot mode" or "Woovebox BLE mode" would). For example this guy's video has two other people sharing my frustration that he never discusses how to turn on BLE mode, and his is one of, if not the only video to discuss Woovebox firmare updates. Out of 3 replies to his video, he ignrores the two people asking for BLE enable, and responds to the one person who did not ask this - ruclips.net/video/c4pdwCEp8Ts/видео.html
Now, my deepest appreciation for your work came from that excellent interview you did with batteryop - www.batteryop.com/2023/10/19/interview-with-woovebox-developer-siliconfields/
I actually learned a lot while you were recounting your history with synthesis, programming, and astrophotography. Especially the parts about your philosophy of sound synthesis. I actually re-read that every now and then and continue to mine it for new perspectives. I love this part "But it’s not just the sound, it’s also their unique engineering philosophies, qualities and “reason for being”."
Every sentence of this following paragraph from the interview was such a revelation for me, I can't express it fully, except maybe the concept of fish understanding for the first time that they live in water. "There was also an AKAI S950 sampler with that lovely crunchy 12-bit sound. Gear from that era actually varied the sample rate it played back at depending on the pitch you need, which gear these days just can’t do. There was no interpolation or up/down sampling to “fit” a fixed frequency engine (e.g 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96kHz, etc.) as is commonplace now. Just like, say a Commodore Amiga from the same era, each channel/voice had its own DAC that played back digital audio at a different rate, the output of which was summed in the analog domain. If you like that sort of sound, it’s very hard to replicate that same sound in a modern engine or DAW, and it doesn’t help that many people misunderstand lo-fi to begin with. It is so much more than applying a bit crusher VST and be done with it. For the Woovebox, even though its DAC is fixed rate, I wanted to at least be able to do lo-fi properly in terms of the signal path (e.g. pre-filter). Engineers fought tooth and nail to hide or ameliorate digital artefacts; much of the charm of the instruments from that era comes from that unique combination of having multiple DACs, low sample rates, low bit depths, and the analog domain tricks/filters that were employed to smoothen/hide the digital artefacts."
Again, thank you for your reply because it gives me an opportunity to thank you not only for this Pandora's box you've created, but also for sharing the life experiences that led you to it. I'm excited to dive to the Marianas Trench depths of the Woovebox and whatever you come up with in the future. Cheers.
How to adjust the speed BPM of a sequence? Getting frustrated with this little box.
Setting BPM is part of the quick start guide (e.g. this section; www.woovebox.com/support/guides--tutorials/quick-start/set-song-bpm). I'm sorry to hear you are getting frustrated. Is there anything in particular you find frustrating or unclear?
REPOST FROM ANOTHER USER, PLEASE HELP US. I'M SURE YOU LISTEN YOUR CUSTOMER... THANKS A LOT!
Freebeat/Woovebox. Do we have a complete overview of all functionality somewhere online?
A top down approach for all modes (Seq/Sampler/Live/Song) would be immensely helpful.
Something along these lines
- Mode
- Page(s) Context Menu (w/options)
- Page Parameter(s) (w/options)
- A complete abbrevation list
I am finding the onlince documentation a bit challenging to navigate.
This already exists though? For example, the oscillator page; www.woovebox.com/support/guides--tutorials/sound-design/oscillators
Or Song mode; www.woovebox.com/support/guides--tutorials/song-mode
Etc.
very nice, BUT... 250 bucks!?!? a crazy price, you would have to be mad...
Indeed, $249 (currently $229 for BF) is pretty crazy for what's packed in there, and probably the best bang-for-buck device currently available! 😁
You don't seem to know your left from your right. When you say "the right button", you are pressing the button that is clearly and unambiguously on the left side of the device. It is not on the right side at all.
The presenter is saying the "Write" button, rather than the "right" button. For more information, please see the "very basics" section/documentation for an overview of the buttons and controls available.