PLAYBOX Explained

If you've messed around at all with Native Instruments' PLAYBOX virtual instrument, you know that it's quite aptly named. In this PLAYBOX video course, veteran Groove3 instructor Larry Holcombe shows you the musical ropes of this exploratory wonderland, pulling back the curtain and showing you how it works. You'll learn all about the various pages (Chords, Sample, Main, etc.), the numerous effects, the modulators, the macros, and much more! By the end, you'll come to understand how powerful this tool can be and how to implement it in your own productions. These videos are designed for new PLAYBOX users.

Videos

• Introduction & Interface (07:15) - This video introduces the series and plugin and also outlines the different areas of the interface. We also demonstrate how to quickly start playing with sounds and presets.

• Header (06:39) - We discuss the Header next, which covers randomizing presets and also allows us to change the key and octave of our chords. We also examine a list of options for playing mono and polyphonically and changing the MIDI keyboard playback range.

• Main Page (04:53) - Next up, we concentrate on the Main page covering the XY pad and macro controls, allowing hands-on fine tuning of parameters. We also learn how to randomize chord, sample, and effects sets while also locking these so that we can choose exactly what to randomize.

• Chords Page (07:22) - We learn about playing basic piano sounds and auditioning chords to use with the MIDI keyboard. We also demonstrate the chord display, with which chords can be locked and also transposed. Finally, MIDI import and export are covered.

• Sample Page Overview (07:56) - Next up, we provide an overview of the Samples page covering the samples display, note visualization, sample sets, and randomizing within a sample category. We also lock samples to control exactly what we randomize. Finally, we link categories to be able to choose samples from a single category.

• Sample Page Parameters (11:13) - This video covers the parameters located on the Samples page in more detail, including the visual icons for each sample type and the mixer parameters. We also outline how we can use shortcuts to navigate and control sample parameters.

• FX Page Overview (03:38) - We cover the FX page next, explaining the function and location of effects chains, modulators, and performance controls.

• Effects Chain & Motion Effects (14:40) - In this video, we demonstrate the various ways we can work with the effects chain. We then dive into the motion effects - arp, strum, and grain - which allow us to add movement and rhythm to our sounds.

• Lofi (04:11) - Next up, we concentrate on adding grit and texture with bit and sample rate reduction and ambience using layered foley sounds.

• Effects Pt. 1 (12:06) - In this video, we cover some of the available effects, starting with the delay, reverb, choral, flair, and phasis effect. These effects allow space and movement to be introduced to patches to help place them in the mix effectively.

• Effects Pt. 2 (05:00) - We finish looking at the effects by covering the filters and various available dynamics processors.

• Modulators & Modulation Assignment (11:41) - Discover the way in which we assign modulators to affect parameters next and also the LFO, modstep, envelopes, and humanize modulation sources.

• Macros & Performance Controls (04:14) - This video focuses on the ways we can assign the mod wheel, macro controllers, and XY pad to affect PLAYBOX parameters. This links back to the Main page and allows hands-on control of the synth.

• Set Browsers & Sample Browser (04:31) - Next up, we look at the Chord, Sample, and FX set browsers, which allow categories to be set and also patches to be marked as favorites. We also cover the Sample browser, where individual samples can be loaded on a note-by-note basis.

• Importing & Editing Samples (04:48) - In this video, we look at how to import, edit, and delete samples. This allows the user to add their own sounds to enhance the already inspiring collection of raw materials in PLAYBOX.

• PLAYBOX Workflow (06:54) - Next up, we offer a suggested workflow that involves choosing inspiring chords and then matching them with different sample sets and effects chains.