Moises update, good audio quality with poor UX
This is a review for the update that added Moises stem separation. The one positive first; the quality of stem separation is very good, and you can indeed use it on any audio coming from your phone!
However, the UX for this process is abysmal. To use Moises you need to install Moises’s app first, which of course also requires signing up for a new account with them. AFAICT The Beam Mini has to be connected to your phone via USB-C to while using Moises, meaning it can’t be done wirelessly.
Next you launch Moises through the Blackstar Beam app, which opens in a second window. Then you also start your music player separately, meaning that when using stem separation you’re juggling at least 3 apps; Beam, Moises, and the player. Finally, stem separation can only be used to mute or isolate the guitar (possibly bass) line. If you want to touch the other stems you need to pay separately.
The Beam Mini stands on its own, but I would absolutely not buy it for its stem separation feature.
Unrelated to Moises, it’s ridiculous that you’re still forced into a firmware upgrade whenever the app is updated to even use basic features. I’ve found the upgrade process to be flaky in the past and usually have to try more than once.
However, the UX for this process is abysmal. To use Moises you need to install Moises’s app first, which of course also requires signing up for a new account with them. AFAICT The Beam Mini has to be connected to your phone via USB-C to while using Moises, meaning it can’t be done wirelessly.
Next you launch Moises through the Blackstar Beam app, which opens in a second window. Then you also start your music player separately, meaning that when using stem separation you’re juggling at least 3 apps; Beam, Moises, and the player. Finally, stem separation can only be used to mute or isolate the guitar (possibly bass) line. If you want to touch the other stems you need to pay separately.
The Beam Mini stands on its own, but I would absolutely not buy it for its stem separation feature.
Unrelated to Moises, it’s ridiculous that you’re still forced into a firmware upgrade whenever the app is updated to even use basic features. I’ve found the upgrade process to be flaky in the past and usually have to try more than once.
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OK bass amp. But they don’t care about us.
Another product that ignores the existence of bass players.
It’s a good mini amp for sure. Even for bass.
But bass players won’t be able to use 2% of what it’s capable.
And no. The Moises integration does not apply to bass.
Don’t pay the extra dollars. Get a normal mini amp and be happy with it because this is just an expensive mini amp for us.
It’s a good mini amp for sure. Even for bass.
But bass players won’t be able to use 2% of what it’s capable.
And no. The Moises integration does not apply to bass.
Don’t pay the extra dollars. Get a normal mini amp and be happy with it because this is just an expensive mini amp for us.
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Worked once
At least I was able to set some tones before it never worked again, updates and all it just wont let me change anything.
Not good for blind guitarists.
I’m a blind guitarist and the app is not fully accessible with VoiceOver. It is also hard to contact customer support with screen readers. The app does not need much work to be voiceover accessible. Some buttons labeled and sliders added to adjust the parameters of FX and amps. Please help with this.
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No problems for me
I have been using this with my Beam Solo and I haven’t had any of the issues that I read in the other reviews. I wonder if that is linked more to the Beam Mini than the Beam Solo, or linked to their iOS devices. I have been a happy camper since the very first version when the Beam Solo came out. And I have had more issues with the Tonex Plug app than this. I have 4 different headphone amps and the Beam Solo and the app is my favorite of them all. And I love the Tone3000 integration which allows me killer tones. But I agree with other reviewers that this section still needs improvement.
And I hope the GUI can also get a slight make over to provide responsive scaling and resizing for a true full screen appearance. Too many empty black space on my iPad screen, and no landscape mode, which is a pity. Otherwise great stuff Blackstar! 🤘🎸🔊🎶
And I hope the GUI can also get a slight make over to provide responsive scaling and resizing for a true full screen appearance. Too many empty black space on my iPad screen, and no landscape mode, which is a pity. Otherwise great stuff Blackstar! 🤘🎸🔊🎶
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