Apps¶

The TBD-16 ships with every App ready to go. No flashing, no downloading, no waiting. All Apps live on the SD card and you switch between them from a boot menu. The TBD-16 keeps all Apps on the device simultaneously – pick one from the menu and start playing.

🛠 Install & manage Apps from your browser
Use the App Manager to install, update, or remove Apps — no card reader or terminal needed. It connects to the App Catalog and handles everything over USB.

Shipping with TBD-16

▶ GROOVEBOX

Groovebox

16-track drum machine and groovebox with step sequencing, pattern management, and per-track mute/solo. The default App.

Default Sequencer Synth MIDI Link

≡ MCL

MegaCommand Live

High-performance MIDI sequencer for external gear. Originally built for the Elektron MachineDrum, now running on TBD-16 with Ableton Link sync.

Sequencer MIDI Link

Planned

◆ MULTI FX

Multi Effect / Synth

Browse and play any of the 50+ DSP plugins from the hardware UI. Run two plugins simultaneously as a stereo chain, dual synth, or any combination.

Planned Synth FX MIDI Link

⎈ MIDI + AUDIO

MIDI Controller + Audio Interface

Turn the TBD-16 into an iPad/iPhone companion. 30 buttons and 4 encoders as MIDI CC, plus stereo USB audio -- all over one USB-C cable.

Planned Controller MIDI Audio

Build Your Own

The App system is open. Clone the App Template, write RP2350 firmware in Arduino, and install via the App Manager.

Community

Utilities

⚙ DEBUG

Debug Probe

CMSIS-DAP debug probe for flashing the STM32 on the UI board.

Utility

💾 USB

USB Mass Storage

Mount the SD card as a USB drive. Copy files without removing the card.

Utility

◻ UI TEST

UI Test

Hardware test for display, LEDs, pots, buttons, and SD card.

Utility

🎮 GAME

Game

A small game showing the RP2350 can run anything, not just audio firmware.

Utility

Build your own – create custom MIDI controllers, sequencers, or control surfaces using Arduino and PlatformIO. See Development Setup to get started.

How it works: Each App is a firmware for the RP2350 processor (handling the display, buttons, encoders, LEDs, and MIDI). Some Apps also pair with specific behaviour on the ESP32-P4 (DSP plugins, Ableton Link, USB audio). Together, they define the full experience.

👉 See Bootloader & Multi-App for the technical details of how Apps are loaded and switched.