Groovebox

The Groovebox is the default App and what powers the TBD-16 out of the box. It turns the device into a 16-track drum machine / groovebox with deep sequencing, pattern management, and hands-on control.

At a Glance

Status

Shipping (default App)

RP2350 firmware

tbd-pico-seq3 by Per-Olov Jernberg (Possan) (GitHub)

ESP32-P4

PicoSeqRack plugin (LGPL 3.0)

SD card file

tbd-apps/groovebox.uf2

Tags

Sequencer, Synth, MIDI, Ableton Link

What It Does

  • 16 tracks – each track triggers a DSP plugin sound

  • Step sequencing with variable step lengths and swing

  • Pattern management – store, recall, and chain patterns

  • Per-track mute/solo from the hardware buttons

  • MIDI in/out (USB and TRS Type-A) for syncing or controlling external gear

  • Ableton Link for wireless tempo sync with DAWs, apps, and other Link devices on the same network

How It Works

The Groovebox App is a collaboration between two processors:

RP2350 (tbd-pico-seq3)

Runs the sequencer, drives the OLED display, reads the 30 buttons and 4 encoders, manages patterns and presets, and handles all MIDI routing. Written by Possan.

ESP32-P4 (PicoSeqRack plugin)

Runs the audio engine. Each of the 16 tracks corresponds to a voice in the PicoSeqRack DSP plugin. The RP2350 sends note-on/off and parameter changes over the SPI bus; the ESP32-P4 renders audio in real time.

The two processors communicate via SPI at high speed. From the player’s perspective they behave as one unified instrument.