Tutorial for BBManager version 1.5.0

NOTE: We divided this tutorial into two parts, and the second part follows the post immediately below this one.

First Things First!

[Do not attempt to do anything in the BBManager unless you read this part first, and complete the necessary steps. Do not skip this!]

Before you do anything in the BBManager, you must first create a project!

Creating a project -

  1. Insert the SD card into your computer, or place the SD card in the BeatBuddy and connect the BeatBuddy via USB to your computer while the BeatBuddy is powered on. (Please note, unless you have the latest firmware version 1.85 in the BeatBuddy, for Mac computers you must insert the SD card directly into the computer.)

  2. From the BeatBuddy Manager, choose File > Open Project – and choose the drive that contains the SD card, it might say something like “removable drive” or something similar (on the Mac, it might say “Volumes” or “NO NAME”). Make sure that you choose the drive itself, and not a folder within it.

  3. After the project loads, it will automatically prompt you to save a local copy on your computer. Do this. After it finishes saving a local copy on your computer (takes 2-3 minutes to complete), it will ask if you want to “save the project for future synchronizations” - choose ‘yes’ for this as well, as this will enable you to synchronize any changes you make to your pedal (which means to apply the changes from the BBManager to your pedal).

Here is the next most important thing:

Any changes you want to make to your pedal, must be done via the BeatBuddy Manager software, and in the project you just created, exclusively!

You cannot manually drag and drop any songs/drumsets/files directly onto the SD card on your computer. The BeatBuddy will not work, and it can potentially mess up your card. Any customizations are done via the software, and after you are done, you need to apply the changes you did in your project onto your BeatBuddy (i.e. the SD card) by synchronizing: File > Synchronize Project - and select the SD card’s drive.

Now, onto the tutorial! :slight_smile:

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A couple things to keep in mind:

  1. When the directories user_lib or default_lib are referred to, the full paths are -
    C:\Users\Username\Documents\BBWorkspace\user_lib
    C:\Users\Username\Documents\BBWorkspace\default_lib

  2. When the format Action 1 > Action 2 - this is always referring to the dropdown menu in the order that the options are. For example, File > Export > Song is:
    https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VoLNh6InySnoDxELNZQS45vUN1sR5iV0TrCTPOyOS3id2PGNRc6gu-vQWxZ0zsDBZ-l0tH4yQ5B5OQHK86CfDu7TdjaAtTtV2JDrqYinT_9o4XEbVzyFMGrejSp1nPxBNq-FnDs

[PART I] GETTING STARTED

Grasping BeatBuddy Key definitions:

Project = The entire combination of songs and drum sets on your BeatBuddy’s SD card, as one singular entity. Or in short, this entire thing:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XZgHNFXREF4Hrdte_CoGRfrXqp1GhZckUnECaK9x-Ncj6YsQAxgvVdAcaIZXLLFLVgkIrZ-Vg0x5Cwg9mROjE4-AVIoSzGTgwXuW07H2RXNypjClbQOqcVhr1RXNBFDsA7KXAIU

Folder = When the term ‘folder’ is used within the context of the software, usually it will mean the folders within the software on the left side (in which all your songs are stored). If the manual is referring to a folder on your computer, the term ‘directory’ will be used (e.g. when we’re talking about the folder in BBWorkspace) to avoid confusion.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0cjQxPeJIwzOTxQVjk7nUpvmyHWuVx9mezeAV2SgjnG9LbXXhsYFnnw3fSMnStXBblqfUOcftSIvx34IHkF7oKF73Xd3bvJz2hiN5Le46-yiGAxPCoHLw4FgW9a-ddt_8thP85Y

Also, the entire folder’s list of songs appear in the left sub-menu of the folder selected, for example:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/6Gr_j1cdJM7gdvtduTou4twcjXv6YMe4FA3Pb4nUDH923cju5BEurMhoGDwbCbuDIH2qxZLn_9Ep81nPbNFylfE5j1Yky9rJSaKiPr79Iy1heHzuS9pgyHjHgWA6xKOVBMzUcVU

Set List = This is the list of songs within a folder, and a ‘set list’ is usually referring to a personalized and customized list of songs a folder contains (e.g. a new folder you created with just the songs you need for a specific gig)

Song = In BB terminology, a “song” refers to an individual rhythm track that contains at least one main drum loop (the majority of the default songs contain additional drum loops as well). But because each “composition” consists of several separate patterns/beats (i.e. the intro, outro, fills, main parts), the term “song” is used. Alternatively, the term “BBsong” can also be used and it is synonymous. You may want to use the term “BBsong” when ‘song’ in its common definition is being discussed (e.g. “I love this song! What chords is he playing? And what song BBsong and setting should I use as the rhythm track?”)

The entire screenshot shown below is a “Song” or a “BBsong”:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hEP4fPRsR12Gw8O_MLy1QGiBgvIvErwCi4QSSqDqYlmJgMFkyMCMDsUB9nhARPWcQpUzvjqd2BSRobAIDfxst1VdOhSwb5c5o5qMzoYc9nZgf0ml39DlXKNeMLmcbht_AGHwKxg

Song Part = The entire horizontal section of the song. Each song part has a number to the left of it showing the order of it in relation to the other song parts, although the intro and the outro have an ‘I’ and an ‘O’ to the left of them, respectively. See the above screenshot. The entire section outlined in red is an example of a song part.

Song Track = Each individual rectangular part you see below is a song track. They are the intro, outro, fills, transitions, accent hits, and main drum loops.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/oWRVXZUJi0saHPIL4a8Z9eVEfjkNIK7NIJ0-IKUgURBiiYUF_QpbZEiySbLZeSDM8LmsmZ9N7BuMORGCfbSWK3WCEZafbth7m-jewpgqUhbTthwsv_Tc_dR2CF7IBNyrEFYmlpo


Getting Started Worksheet

You can access this worksheet summary at any time within the BeatBuddy Manager by Help > Getting Started. It will open up as a separate popup window, so you won’t need to close your project.

Important Note: When you first load a project from the SD card, it will prompt you save a local copy on your computer. Please do so. After you saved a copy on your computer, it will ask you if you want to link the project for synchronization, as shown in the image below.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/wb3rTsnecPksnDRUgJsQzNtGUOi2edFbwVtUU-e42gpzLrqYI6EsDZKU9p4Wzo33uhMG3bcbiT92xP6jkU-liXoRZfQX-8Gj8QTpPF4RkWss8ZpMCSIj3ZFVasHwOEofnQpgYPk

If you intend to apply the changes you make to the current project to the SD card (i.e. to your BeatBuddy), then choose ‘Yes’. If not, choose ‘No’. You can always change this later by re-linking it via File > Export > Project to SD Card (which will also overwrite the content on the SD card with the current project opened. For now, choose ‘Yes’.

Creating Backups of Your Projects

It is imperative that you create at least one backup of your project, especially if you make lots of customizations. Hopefully you already saved a local copy of your project on your computer. This will protect against losing your work completely if your SD card gets damaged/lost.

There is another way in which you can make backups of your projects, and that is to create a “zipped” (i.e. single file) version of them. This also enables easy transfer/storage of your projects, so it is really important that you are at least aware of this method of project backup.

One major advantage of saving a zipped version of a project is that it retains its original form without any changes applied when you make edits. This may be useful if you have a project that you are generally satisfied with, but want to experiment a bit and make lots of changes.

Here’s how you do that:

Step 1 - File > Save Project As

Step 2 - A prompt window appears asking where you want to save it. After you navigated to the location and chosen a name select the Single File Project File (*.bbz) under the ‘Save as type’ menu (shown below)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XziXdkMbNHu_6ZPIkBKrsGzaY-tJdiUvY1LsKSryZyPeJXW3WPj3tiL7A6Vh3mvpaC7A51yQfo52z74HiJVMjgrXmvBy0IlVGBJLFrHcIBFb80ZSBsIIxmkvb1Dq5G0YWeuTnfw

[PART II] CONQUERING THE BEATBUDDY MANAGER

In the previous two sections, we covered all the BeatBuddy Manager in general. Now let’s learn how to use it day to day. We highly recommend practicing all the following steps outlined in this entire section. You can even allocate a project just for practice. The better you get acquainted with the BeatBuddy Manager, the more efficiently you can get the BeatBuddy to be exactly what you want it to be!

Basic Customizations and Set Lists

Let’s say that you are interested in creating a set list for a gig you have on Saturday night. For this gig, you want to create a customized folder that contains exactly the songs and settings you want (specific BPMs, drum sets, etc).

You plan to do the following: take three songs from different folders on your BeatBuddy, put them into one folder, and have them in a specific order. Also, you would like to edit and save the BPM on for each song as well as have a different drumset. Let’s see how to do that with one song. The principle remains exactly the same for the other four songs that you want to import into this new, customized folder.

Here’s how you create a set list (4 steps):

  1. Create a new folder and name it as you wish via Songs > New Folder

    https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7cTX0rkeQanmIojq3DFBiESnioC19ZwYlYT-a8dGvFCH5gPVQvi4KdS3zFmgJR-U5godFh2zRm8dMP692Nan39lNnsEOaEGNVP2uwrnMnZzK3rZuYFAAN9vTeRZrNGulXvaqnak

It will automatically go to the top of the folders list, and you can adjust its location at the bottom of the same menu you created a new folder from (i.e. move the folder up and down in relation to other folders). The place on the list you put it (in the BBManager) is the place it will be on your BeatBuddy.

You can rename the folder by left clicking on it once. Let’s rename is ‘Sat Night Gig’. It is currently empty and we want to put songs in it.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bae8eps-Al1a07V_BsM5d6ynxeaOr3CKNiVjPHhHaKJw4Wg0HcV5wIX3iUL4OgW9w4ek5_xHWsIrl6KgQ6DGf174RuZywQQDE1EoGqRx9qFOX0Tub8n3bD45Ydw6DLu2I6IkVfY

  1. Now let’s choose the songs we want, and place them in that folder.

First, we need to go to the song we want by selecting it. Let’s choose ‘Blues 1’. Notice how the song we want is highlighted.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WPSvF5uhBEP0w4R4SoJiIKWiwmxBpnKwdpnpBb5CQ7y0FicEKWOk-V1IrXHd2xxvPX-W0WFCmpBOfHr4TnkYHWm2_IC7UYeXgw23lbtYs347MsgBHHHpo9uI4saZLVn74o9byf0

After we selected the song we want, we need to do two actions: Exporting the song (i.e. saving it to a location on the computer from the BBManager), and then Importing the song (i.e. importing it to the folder we want).

So, first File > Export > Song (the prompt window should automatically navigate to user_lib\songs - if it doesn’t, we recommend that you navigate there and save the song there for simplicity’s sake)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VoLNh6InySnoDxELNZQS45vUN1sR5iV0TrCTPOyOS3id2PGNRc6gu-vQWxZ0zsDBZ-l0tH4yQ5B5OQHK86CfDu7TdjaAtTtV2JDrqYinT_9o4XEbVzyFMGrejSp1nPxBNq-FnDs

Then save it. (Note: You could save it as a different name on your computer if you prefer, but we recommend keeping the name for now)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Aq3ma5KDz5zg21HG_izx40tTlYe_HL23yQ5aSDS6xVdvZVLbw4CaYHorYhu3fOKxXqGx1g85W2LnNMfacr2dyb6zqwfqQAOzBRU-iTVHGsldXoI37CC26FlzgTWWA4qCipDu3PI

Now we need to select the folder within the BBManager that we want that song to be in (by exporting ‘Blues 1’ you were in the Blues folder). So just click on the ‘Sat Night Gig’ folder and make sure it is highlighted.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Gs0-ISnD6oWLTBnd9EvDGf1iihzN8Drpl9NasdkWseHPz0llfuzzZWTbTV42Qu1xpBc1dDtsQ8P_KoAJ9gI02DtZB_1nGvYtYZ4-x19G2ZtLyu6lOnJcBGuIcV8JbP5XD9enYbQ

And now we import the song we want into that folder via File > Import > Song

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GzTXipkfZrmq6_xyQx23VKYWG0QPBSbVrTnA_2p1ajLvBTuX_KtO3zQNx-yJ72oeZgtFFY8ZLC_tGq2uxmVS4eLJvE2pd_SApcvonFGSb22PT4ThAehwFsqg7jA6KacakafXnBQ

And then we select the song we want in the popup window.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BOCJj5-5Wk3sQMW6GlpuGag107c63G42Bk8rfEMMd-IzX_6H_O4T__WvJ2QuhDeftDP1rt5fY_RZD3HlI1y-6N0tdh0frlil-yWhHXf3_OlssNS4bZZVQN-E8rlApXli0lJxIzM

**Note: The process outlined above applies to all songs you want to create a set list with. Though if the song you want in a folder has been previously saved on your computer from the BBManager (or you happen to have a friend who sent you a BBsong he made), you just need to import the song from its current location (exporting is only for saving a song from the BBManager on your computer so it can be imported again).**

Let’s place the songs ‘Hip Hop 1’ and ‘Marching 1’ in the ‘Sat Night Gig’ set list as well. We’re going to use them in this next example of reorganizing and editing songs. Go ahead and do that.

Here are the songs in our set list ‘Sat Night Gig’ in the order they appear in the folder (the most recent songs imported appear at the top of the list, just like when you create new folders they are at the top of the list of folders by default) -
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/15a6nvOVeZNv6NMiFSTpXpyjmexNRaRBXQCYVBAKYbK5c6XkPKYqMDxVdY3WPL3KYFFYMGev5ItDtHQzt6IcH3KZqRXqVofyiH-WTQlljzYSaU8lXxYmNBbaGYJu-TdK4VBmcsw

  1. Now let’s change a few things about these songs.

First, we will change the order of them by clicking on the up and down arrows outlined in red -
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uR7wj1yIbej4pKvATZqMcDRV_DvIrTE9RZpjscW92DPB4yMOxcvsjaYCvuLvGAN6TJSptoHg_h1POj5MoeMZobL78GUco_5TeUVK8hH2iLsWpp8n03KNG-JV-w0uBIG-VUVLS_w

Let’s make the order: Hip Hop 1, Marching 1, and Blues 1 (going down). See the change in song order?
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QBp8zdX9B6BRSZV1bHkyx1v9HJwdVk3oc8mlqIL4SZp2MyxMAl9K7-DKoFOwWUhBhp2KBqE0_KPr2cBA91qBiDSZ_nD0Jds7FsXMpuJBccIJNmXHl-GPle0WEzaRD7dr4sIAAvs

  1. Synchronize! Don’t forget! (Synchronizing is done via File > Synchronize Project)
    https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tjjByriddRPCvx-8yCNjsSeviz5LpPaEiSYuTbJO1zKhZeaH8HE9J5MDGi623SDIxcukbrnmz86NtnDpID88e6R_yloYp1OjxqR0tCgtGQQE94iDD6XpzWzImSJLlNQEqeF_Zx0

Remember: While saving your project saves the changes you made to the project file that is located on your computer, synchronizing applies those changes to the SD card’s content. While you may not always need to save the project (saving is generally only necessary when changes to songs or drumsets themselves are made), you always need to synchronize if you want to see the changes applied to your SD card. Save your project often, and always synchronize before you disconnect the SD card from the computer if you want changes made to your project to be on your pedal.

Here’s how to set the default tempo and drum sets for each song

Before you make any actual changes to your songs, you may want to test how a specific tempo and/or drum set will sound first. So, you can first run a test by utilizing the toolbar at the top of the screen:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_Ncby1ZkR_WUqE3WbufV8pFHTtUePzrl9I_MsOK3ypeIdtBORsdFVqc_T9bHje_GdxhT_fRp9VYnW_M26zcewD3sF71LBtu5lk3v4shex-G14VOsVHUsjVKE30EYQPK0pw__5CY

After you set the parameters you want to test, you can press the ‘Play’ button to start (which will play the intro and then the first main loop repeatedly until ‘Stop’ is pressed), or you can actually see how it will sound in a live performance by demoing the BeatBuddy on the screen to the left of that toolbar. You can tap the main pedal to initiate the song, tap again to initiate a fill, hold for transition, and double tap to end; and the footswitch’s left button will play the current song part’s accent hit, all replicating how it would sound in a live situation. How cool is that! :slight_smile:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/LZSYzN-5y76fvh_bCexReVE0pBX8X_wMFzzVdkYYb1eKL-66t5b6X992U6s92ylEkBJzsJQyKIvzetDtv-0YuUE7erQmHPw2fXswKolY2YSX0bNXRLJU5o20tm7XgV7AbcyOx_g

After you reach a decision as to what default tempo and drum set you want, you can then go and make the actual changes.

Changing the default tempo -
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/optOFxEY0oqzDsE05Vhd8zk10gXgTaSaranvXf5XBapy5lqDiT5y-eyPLtENrVfBEgKt3xScL6R1OOQlsrkOdelPXuFF014qvJPF1_SN6ivAsPyMhbMCodr99Dh40X8SDiaylag

Changing the default drum set -
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/sgJS4D5ElAn9bv3G_dstq_KxpUahJg6vgg5eVereNHFeXLml8Rveymj7B_wtSlijxp9DqaLDUIFjV5-b3eyU6rbL-RPHh85Oqx21l4CxT5MCqcvOXwI7rysVSP_HRfDzMWGMPd4

You can even change the name of the song that will show up on your BeatBuddy’s screen!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/EpLodt0nTFD2Oqgux4XDywyzmUs_Rtwy9XOMZZWwN_So5XLgsEvUb4rDPcuKVjg_Db7FsJ-88Lxy6fZCu5kzBa_faW3gBCqG9xrhjWNQXJqklZ9O8NaJsC1U115Ouptshe9t0Uc

And always remember to synchronize (File > Synchronize Project)!!!
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There is no mention of installation. Ive downloaded the BBManager and BBWorkspace and everything is blank. What do I need to do? The user_lib and all other folders in the second screenshot are all blank when I click on them

@Kr121211 The project is not included in the BBManager 1.5.0.x package.
You need to File > Open Project from either your previous project you used earlier, shipped BeatBuddy SD card or SD Card Backup archive from the downloads page.
When opening project directly from the SD card, you will be asked if you want to save a local copy. You’d better choose Yes to be able to edit the project “offline” - while the SD card is not inserted to your computer.

In an effort to start completely from scratch I have somehow deleted everything off of my SD card. I downloaded the backup from the site and this is what I have.[ATTACH]1241[/ATTACH][ATTACH]1242[/ATTACH]

I inserted my SD card which is now completely blank and dragged these files to it, when I put it back in the beat buddy it says “no song”. Thanks again for your help.

Any chance you could do these in video format?

If I am reading this things right it appears you have copied the folder across to you SD card. This will not work you need to move the folders to the SD card so your SD card has the folders; DRUMSETS, SONGS, PARAMS, EFFECTS including the “Hash” file - nothing else should be on the SD Card, if those are in another folder it won’t work.

Thanks that worked.

I cannot get any action out of the Playback. The BPM is a white round button and the play and stop buttons are grey with grey writing. I am using the most recent version on my Mac which is on the latest OS.

I assume this is resolved?

Thank you, I have now got it up and running and am working through the Tutorials…

I have a few questions:

  1. I tried to synchronize the project, but it wasn´t highlighted. What did I do wrong?
  2. I´ve created a new folder as shown, but I couldn´t get it into the SD-card. Can someone help me please?
    Thanx Kurt
    Sorry for my English!

Do File > Export > Project to SD Card, and when prompted, choose ‘yes’ for linking the project for future synchronizations.

I followed the tutorial and added a jam night folder with some songs downloaded from the forum, I can play the files from the manager, I have saved the project and synced but the folder will not show up on the BB even though I can see the " Jam Night " folder in the Song
file. Help pleaseThank you

Cancel last, I’ve managed to get the file to show up on the pedal !!!

When I tried to “synchronize”, the default directory sent me to OS (C:)
is it because I’m working in the computer without the SD card inserted? Should I lways have the SD card in when I work on projects (not very handy…)

If not, can I save first, and synchronize later when I get home? If so, in which folder should I save the project before synchronizing?

the dialog box opens in OS (C: )! And if I go to the SD card directory, I have to select a folder… If I try to export in the main folder 'SDHC (F: ), it tells me the ‘folder already contains a project, do I want to overwrite?’

HELP!

Before you can sync you need to import the project and the projects have to be linked and the only way to do that is to overwrite the files on the SD card.

I made a new folder and added songs. I saved the project, and have tried to synchronize. I have a Mac, so I have an SD card reader inserted into the USB port. When I File > Export > Project to SD card it opens a screen that says “browse for the Pedal SD location” in the title. What am I supposed to do? On the left portion of the screen, it lists “SD Reader” under devices. And, after I choose an option (drum sets, effects, Params, or Songs) on the right hand side of the screen I’m supposed to click open.

just click the folder, (the sd card is in) …it will recognize it, & start the process.