We’re in an unexpected golden age for compact sample, synthesis, granular, and sequence gadgets. So let’s give some extra love to 1010music’s awesome Bento — which, because it doubles as a mixer and recorder, goes well with any other bits of gear you may have collected.
1010music has this excellent video showing how you might use this live — here with loops and arrangement features. I think the big advantage here is the ability to do this and add instruments on the pads (or external device) and mix external outputs. (You can also send to effects, so it works well as a multi-effects box.)
T.J. Guardino goes through this with live looping, here with a guitar. I really don’t know of another device that makes looping this accessible for this use case — especially because simplicity is essential when you’re focused on instrumentalism.
jtn.music does get a bit dramatic but — then shows how well this can work with vocals.
And here’s how it works with those looper tracks. Here’s where the Bento could go nicely with devices like Move and other compact samplers — as a mixer that’s also a looper that’s also a session recorder. That is, if you keep falling back on the laptop and really want to leave it in the bag some of the time, here is the device replacing the laptop.
1010music has digital mixing and live looping experience with their gear, so it’s a natural that they’ve built on those facilities. What’s great is the easy-to-manage UI, that big, color display (with some editing features you might expect on a desktop), and then extras like granular synthesis.
jtn.project demonstrates how it can become a hub for other gear — and how the new-generation Novation LaunchControl XL can expand on its MIDI control. (Ignore the 1.2.4 firmware label, as this video also serves as a good demo of how it can consolidate your desktop studio.)
Bento, as you may have guessed from the name, brings together a full meal from 1010music’s other good stuff. Late last year, they shipped the 1.3 firmware — lost (by me, anyway) in that holiday crunch and all the gear news that inexplicably cropped up. That added wavetable synthesis, borrowed from the Fireball, plus patch preview and USB mounting.
They also explained how to optimize projects:
And there’s this cool modulation sequencer, too. I’m digging the lo-fi videos here, especially as they get straight to the point. Oh, and I see someone enjoyed their trip to Germany.
So there you have it — that should give you a sense of the Bento’s workflow if you considering adding this gear, and will help get you organized if you do have one. What do you think of this lunch special of a device? Let us know in comments.
bento – sampling production lab
Bento is available and shipping now:
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Bento Sampling Production Lab @ Perfect Circuit
1010music Bento Sampling Production Studio @ Sweetwater
1010music bento @ Thomann (Spring sale on as I write this)