WiFi & Ableton Link

The TBD-16 uses WiFi for two things: the web interface (configuration and preset management) and Ableton Link (wireless tempo sync). Both are powered by the ESP32-C6 WiFi co-processor.

WiFi is not required for making sound — the TBD-16 works fully standalone with its hardware interface (buttons, encoders, OLED display).

WiFi Setup

Out of the box, the TBD creates its own WiFi network:

• SSID: ctag-tbd (no password)

• Open a browser → http://ctag-tbd.local

• This opens the web interface for presets, plugin settings, and system configuration

From the Edit configuration page you can adjust WiFi settings:

• WiFi mode:

  • Access point (AP) — TBD creates its own network that you can join directly. No additional router is required. You can secure the network with a password.

  • Station (STA) — TBD joins an existing WiFi network.

• SSID — The network name TBD will create or join.

• Password — The password for the network.

• mDNS Name — The domain name used to access the TBD (default: ctag-tbd).

The TBD-16 also supports a USB network connection via USB-C #1 (ESP32-P4 High Speed USB). When connected to a computer, the web interface is accessible over USB without WiFi. WiFi is still needed for Ableton Link and multi-device setups.

Example: Live setup with multiple TBDs

1. Set one TBD as AP (access point).

2. Set other TBDs as STA and join the first TBD’s network.

3. Access all TBDs through the primary TBD’s network — no external router needed.

Ableton Link

The TBD-16 includes built-in support for Ableton Link, a technology that keeps devices in time over a local network. When enabled, your TBD-16 automatically synchronizes tempo, beat, and transport with any other Link-enabled app or device on the same WiFi network.

Jam with Ableton Live, hardware synths, iOS apps, and other Link-compatible tools — all locked to the same tempo and phase without MIDI clock cables or manual configuration.

How It Works

1. Connect the TBD-16 to your WiFi network (see WiFi Setup above).

2. Ableton Link automatically discovers other Link sessions on the same network.

3. Tempo, beat position, and start/stop state are shared in real time.

There is no leader or follower — Link is a peer-to-peer protocol. Any participant can change the tempo and all others follow instantly.

What Gets Synchronized

Field	Description
Tempo	Shared BPM across all Link peers
Beat	Absolute beat position in the session
Phase	Beat phase (0.0 – 1.0), useful for syncing rhythmic patterns
Playing	Start/Stop transport state (shared across peers)
Peers	Number of other Link-enabled devices on the network

Using Link with Plugins

Plugin developers can access the Link session data through the ProcessData struct. When Link is active, plugins receive synchronized tempo and beat information that can drive rhythmic effects, sequencers, arpeggiators, or any tempo-aware processing.

See Plugin Architecture for details on the ProcessData struct.

Compatible Apps and Devices

Ableton Link is supported by hundreds of apps and devices, including:

• Ableton Live (macOS, Windows)

• Ableton Note (iOS)

• Reason (macOS, Windows)

• Serato DJ (macOS, Windows)

• Traktor (macOS, Windows)

• iOS apps — Korg Gadget, iMaschine, Patterning, and many more

• Hardware — Teenage Engineering OP-Z, Akai Force, and others

Technical Details

• Link is enabled by default in the firmware. It can be disabled at build time via idf.py menuconfig under CTAG TBD Configuration > Enable Ableton Link Support.

• The Link integration runs on the ESP32-P4 and communicates session data to the RP2350 front-end via SPI, so both DSP and UI processors have access to synchronized tempo and transport.

• Implementation uses a fork of the Ableton Link SDK (git submodule under components/ableton_link). Link data is captured in the audio loop at interrupt priority for sample-accurate timing.