Getting Started with Your Lyrics Prompter

Getting Started With Your New Prompter

Applies to BLACK BOX Prompter Wedge & Prompter GO! Models

Do this First: Connect Keyboard, Connect WiFi & Update Software

Your very first step is to connect to your keyboard and trackpad using the USB receiver provided inside the box (refer to video).

Next, connect to WiFi so you can download the latest software update (very important). Tip: Use the keyboard so it’s easier to type in your network password.

After you’re on WiFi, run a software update to ensure you’re on the latest and greatest.

How to Transfer Songs & Set Lists Over the Web (EasyLoad)

You can easily transfer your song files, set lists, and logos (startup images) to your BLACK BOX Prompter without a thumb drive with EasyLoad™.

Ensure you have a working WiFi connection on your prompter.
On your prompter, enable EasyLoad (Main Menu > Smart Tools > EasyLoad) and write down EasyLoad ID.
From your PC/Mac containing your original songs/set lists (or startup image files), open up the Chrome browser go to blackboxrocks.com
Follow instructions the screen and make sure you choose the right file type for what you’re wanting to transfer. You can upload one file at a time (bulk upload coming soon).
After uploading your files to your prompter, do a Quick Restart and you’ll see your updated files on your prompter.

EasyLoad is the easiest/preferred method for transferring yoru files to the prompter, but if you prefer to use your USB thumb drive, see next step.

How to Transfer Songs from Your USB Thumb Drive

Need to make a file with song lyrics or chord charts from scratch? Keep reading. Already have your files ready? Skip to Step 4.

1. Use a text editor like Notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac). We recommend saving as plain text (.txt) files for the cleanest version*.

*Microsoft Word and Google Docs (.docx) files also work but avoid strange characters/symbols, and no tabs as that can mess up the formatting).

2. Copy lyrics you find online and paste them into your text editor and get it just the way you want to see it on your BLACK BOX Prompter.

(a) add your line breaks if they don’t already exist
(b) label your song sections in brackets (e.g. Chorus, Bridge, Solo, etc.). e.g. [Chorus]. You can also add any notes inside brackets. E.g. [Female vocal].

3. (a) First line should always be the title of the song (just the title – not the artist/band’s name).
(b) If you’d like to specify the key, then add the key to the 2nd line in this format, “KEY-C” (without quotes; where “C” is the key of “C”)

4. Song File (Lyrics/Chord Charts) Requirements:

(a) Your song file should be named just the title of the song. Remove any special characters like apostrophes or parentheses (if applicable). Do NOT include things like artist name, extra notes, numbers, etc. in file name.

(b) Save them to your hard drive and then copy them over to the USB thumb drive in the “songs” folder.

5. Insert into the side of your BLACK BOX Prompter and the software will recognize your USB thumb drive and start importing immediately. Done!

Remove your USB thumb drive from BOX when done and store in a safe place.

If you lose your thumb drive, you can easily order a new replacement from Amazon and insert it into the prompter it will re-create the proper folders for you.

If your song files aren’t taking, make sure they are saved with the proper file extension (either .txt, .docx, or .pdf).

How to Create Set Lists on Your Prompter (No Thumb Drive Needed)

Learn how to create and edit set lists directly on your prompter without the need for a thumb drive. In this video, you’ll learn how to build a set list from scratch using the internal Set List maker as well as editing existing set lists for future gigs. The video walks you through the process, from naming your set list to adding and organizing songs, and finally saving and editing the lists. Before you start, make sure:

You already have songs loaded on your Prompter.
Connect your keyboard with trackpad (or mouse).
Your software is at least version 3.33.

Other method (using thumb drive)

1. Use Notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac), list out the song names in the order you wish to play them (only the song name – not the artist’s name). Song names must match perfectly word-for-word as what’s on your set list (though not case-sensitive). ***Please do NOT add numbers, file extensions, or extra info to your list of song titles. Every. Letter. Counts.*** 2. To break up your list of songs into multiple sets, simply skip a line (every time you skip a line, it tells BLACK BOX Prompter to start a new set so you can easily see “Set 1”, “Set 2”, “Set 3”, etc.). 3. When saving your set list, be sure to: a. Give it a friendly/recognizable name (We recommend including date and venue of your gig), E.g. “2024-11-14-GeorgesBar” (file extension should be a text-based file (i.e. must end in .txt, .docx, or .odt) b. Do NOT use spaces, periods, or weird characters (no quotes, parentheses, question marks. etc.). Only acceptable characters other than letters/numbers are dashes (-), underscores (_), and brackets ( [ ] ). c. Save it to your local hard drive first, then copy your set list files over to the “setlists” folder on your USB thumb drive (be sure file has .txt, .docx, or .odt extension). 4. Loading new Set List to your BLACK BOX Prompter: a. Properly eject your thumb drive (right-click on the thumb drive and choose “Eject”) b. Insert thumb drive into your BLACK BOX Prompter and it will immediately recognize it and you’ll see your new set list in your “View Set Lists” menu. BEFORE YOUR GIG: Double-check all your lyrics/chord files are named properly, spelled correctly, and already loaded on your BOX so it perfectly matches the songs on your set list. *** If your lyrics/chord file is not present or misspelled, then you will see an error on your BOX saying it can’t find the song. ***

How to Edit Songs & Set Lists Directly on your Prompter

You can edit songs (i.e. lyrics, chord charts in .txt, .docx) and set lists directly on your BLACK BOX Prompter – no laptop or thumb drive needed!

To Edit Songs:
(connect keyboard first)

1. From EverySong, find the song you wish to edit and double-press SELECT (or Enter on keyboard) to bring up “Song Options” menu.

2. Choose “Edit”. Text editor launches with that song.

3. Make your updates and click Save at top and click [X] in corner to close. Prompter will restart and your changes will be reflected.

To Edit Set Lists:

Same method as above except you bring up “Set List Options” by double-pressing SELECT on a particular set list you wish to edit.

How to Change Startup Image

It’s easy to personalize the image that appears at startup:

1. Create your own image file with dimensions of 1080×1920 and save as either a .jpg, .jpeg, .png, or .pdf file.
TIP: If you don’t have an image editor handy, check out the free online image editor, canva.com.

2. Save it to your PC/MacBook and transfer it via EasyLoad (blackboxrocks.com).
If you prefer to transfer via USB thumb drive, save image file inside the ‘logos’ folder.
NOTE: You can save multiple images and later choose which one to display at startup.

3. Properly eject your thumb drive and insert it into your prompter (will immediately start importing image file(s).

4. After rebooting, from Main Menu go to Settings > Startup Image and choose the image you’d like to display at startup/during breaks.

How to Auto-Transpose Songs

With BLACK BOX Prompter you can quickly transpose your chords in a matter of seconds.

1. Open a song from EverySong or from a set list (only text-based songs are supported, not PDFs or images)

2. Double-tap middle SELECT key on foot pedal to go to Transpose Menu.

3. Confirm the key the song is currently in.

4. Change to the desired key by pressing BACK or NEXT on foot pedal. Press SELECT to confirm and voila!

How to Colorize Song Sections & Chords

Add color to your song sections (e.g. chorus, bridge), etc. Be sure to add the section in brackets on its own lines, e.g. [chorus].

Turn on your color preferences in Settings.

You can also choose the color of your Chords (also in Settings).

Watch video for step-by-step instructions.

All About SingAlong

Your audience can scan a QR code and see the lyrics that you have on the BLACK BOX Prompter. No app needed.!

Simple to set up:

Save the QR code image via a system backup.
Print it out and display to the audience.
When you pull up a song from your set list on your prompter, members of the audience scan QR code with their smart phone and voila!
They instantly see the lyrics that are shown on your BLACK BOX Prompter.
When you go to the next song, they will appear!

How to Auto-Scroll Lyrics & Chords

This video demonstrates how to use Auto-Scroll on the BLACK BOX Prompter for a smoother, more consistent way to follow lyrics, chord charts, or other on-screen text.

You’ll see how to enable Auto-Scroll in settings, start and stop scrolling using the prompter pedal, and adjust the speed in real time—speeding up or slowing down as needed. The prompter also remembers your last set speed, so your preferred pace is ready the next time you use it.

Auto-Scroll helps reduce the need for manual interaction, allowing you to stay focused on your performance.

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