Using Your TBD-16

Your TBD-16 ships ready to use. Just plug in power and start making music — no computer, no WiFi, no setup required.

1. Power On

  • Plug a USB-C cable into USB-C port #1 or #2 on the back of the TBD-16. Any USB-C power source works — a laptop, a wall adapter, or a USB power bank.

  • Connect your audio output (speakers, headphones, mixer) to the audio jacks.

  • Optionally connect MIDI gear via the TRS MIDI ports or USB MIDI.

The TBD-16 boots in a few seconds. The OLED display and RGB LEDs come alive, and the device loads the default Groovebox / Drum Machine firmware with 16 tracks.

The TBD-16 also works great on the go with a USB power bank. dadamachines offers a power bank mount that attaches to the back of the device.

2. Start Making Music

The hardware interface gives you everything you need:

  • 30 buttons — Select tracks, trigger pads, control transport and patterns

  • 4 endless potentiometers (with push-switch) — Dial in parameters with 360-degree rotation

  • 2.4” OLED display (128 × 64 px) — Shows track state, menus, parameters

  • 19 RGB LEDs — Visual feedback for track state, sequencing, and modes

Just start pressing buttons and turning knobs — the 16-track drum machine is ready to go out of the box.

3. Firmware Modes

The TBD-16 ships with two main firmware modes on the RP2350:

Groovebox / Drum Machine (default)

A 16-track drum machine and groovebox. The RP2350 runs sequencers, arpeggiators, and pattern generators that control the DSP plugins on the ESP32-P4. Start making beats immediately.

MultiEffect

Lets you select which DSP plugins run in Slot 0 and Slot 1 of the Sound Processor. Control everything from the hardware interface or via external MIDI (USB or TRS).

You switch between Apps from the boot menu – see Apps for the full catalog.

Some DSP plugins also have their own built-in sequencers (for example, the Bjorklund euclidean rhythm generator). These are self-contained and work independently of the RP2350 firmware mode.

4. Connect Audio (Notes)

Warning

Do not plug modular signals directly into the line input. Modular signals run hot and can damage the line-level inputs. Attenuate your signal first with an interface module such as the Intellijel Audio Interface II.

If you hear hum or buzz while powering the TBD-16 from a computer via USB and sending audio to/from the same computer, you likely have a ground loop. A USB isolator on the power cable will fix it.

5. Connect MIDI (Optional)

Use the TRS MIDI ports (Type-A) or USB MIDI to connect keyboards, sequencers, or other MIDI gear. The RP2350 processes incoming MIDI and forwards it to the DSP engine for chromatic playing, parameter control, or clock sync.

MIDI In 2 doubles as a Clock/Reset input for Eurorack and modular sync. There is a switch on the bottom of the case to toggle between MIDI and Clock/Reset mode. Use a 3.5 mm splitter cable if you need separate Clock and Reset signals.

See the MIDI section of the TBD-16 hardware page for full details.

5. Web Interface (Optional)

The TBD-16 also has a WiFi-based web interface for configuration and preset management. It is not required for making sound — everything can be controlled from the hardware.

Use the web interface when you want to:

  • Manage and save presets

  • Browse the full plugin library

  • Configure WiFi, MIDI mapping, and system settings

  • Update firmware over the air

See WiFi & Ableton Link to set up the connection.

What’s Next