Blackbox Preset Builder

Key features

Everything you need to shape your sounds directly from the editor before they ever hit the Blackbox.

4×4 pad grid: assign a sample per pad, trigger with a click, play via the virtual keyboard or any MIDI controller.
Instant waveform view: quick peak display with Start/End and Loop Start/End markers, plus loop mode indicator (none / forward / bidirectional).
Move start, end, and loop points directly in the waveform: drag the markers to trim your sample or adjust the loop in real time while you listen.
Full pad editing: gain (dB), pan, pitch (±24 semitones), pad mode (Sample / Clip / Slicer / Granular), Poly / Mono, root note and playback options.
Keyboard & MIDI input: play the current pad across the keyboard (with transposition) and test mappings instantly with your MIDI controller.

Edit the audio assigned to the currently selected pad using a fully non-destructive workflow, with complete Undo / Redo support.

Apply common processes instantly: Normalize, Silence, Fade In / Fade Out, Gain, Reverse, DC Offset Removal, Pitch / Time, and more.
Normalize Each Slice helps keep slice-based kits consistent.
Pitch / Time lets you adjust tuning or timing while keeping your workflow fast and reversible.
All edits are tracked and can be reverted at any time via Undo / Redo.

Build and refine patterns directly inside the editor, without switching to another tool.

Full step-based sequencer with copy / paste, duplicate, undo / redo, note selection, and note transposition tools.
Live MIDI recording for capturing ideas directly from your keyboard or controller.
MIDI import: import MIDI files into the sequencer, choose the source track, and use options to simplify drum kit imports.

Designed to speed up everyday tasks: browsing, assigning samples, reorganizing pads, and preparing presets for the Blackbox.

Drag-and-drop everywhere: from file browser to pad to assign WAV files, and between pads to move or copy cells.
Smart preview: optional auto-play when selecting WAV files in the browser for faster auditioning.
Fast file browsing with optimized cache for smoother navigation and quicker folder switching.
Clear pad overview: see at a glance which pads are used, how they are configured, and which samples they reference.

Drop a folder of WAV files onto a pad and Blackbox Preset Builder automatically maps the instrument for you, generating the required Blackbox zones.

Reads the root note from WAV metadata when available.
Falls back to root note detection from filenames (for example: Piano-C3.wav, Kick-36.wav).
Detects velocity layers when velocity is included in the filename.
Builds proper key ranges and velocity ranges automatically.
Uses smart alphabetical auto-mapping when no pitch information is available.

The Sound Generator gives instant inspiration and lets you create, reshape, randomize, or drag new sounds onto any pad in seconds.

Generate fully formed sounds and variations directly inside the editor.
Drag and drop the result onto any pad for immediate use.
Ideal for sound design sessions, sketching, and quickly building new Blackbox kits.

Keep your presets portable: move easily between the Blackbox, your DAW, and software samplers.

MIDI export for sequences: generate standard .mid files from your patterns to edit, arrange, or layer them inside any DAW.
SFZ export for pads: export your pad rack as a single SFZ file, or export individual pads (including multi-samples) as separate SFZ instruments for use in compatible software samplers.

Supported Operating Systems

Windows · macOS · Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)
Any platform with a Java 8+ runtime

64-bit