TBD-Core

dadamachines TBD-Core

The TBD-Core is the core board from the TBD-16, available separately for instrument designers and product developers who want to build custom hardware around the TBD platform.

It bridges the gap between the ready-to-use TBD-16 instrument and a fully custom PCB integration — giving you a proven, production-grade DSP platform with the freedom to design your own user interface and enclosure.

Technical Specifications

The TBD-Core shares the same processors, audio codec, and connectivity as the TBD-16. Everything below is on the board — no carrier board required for audio or MIDI.

DSP Processor

ESP32-P4 — Dual-core RISC-V @ 400 MHz · 32 MB stacked PSRAM · 16 MB Flash

UI / MIDI Processor

RP2350B — Dual Arm Cortex-M33 @ 150 MHz · 520 KB SRAM · 48 GPIO · FPU + DSP

WiFi Co-Processor

ESP32-C6 (managed by the P4)

Audio Codec

TLV320AIC3254 — Stereo 24-bit ADC/DAC with embedded miniDSP

Sample Rate

44.1 kHz (firmware default; codec supports 8–192 kHz)

Bit Depth

32-bit I2S bus · 32-bit float internal processing

DAC SNR

> 110 dB (A-weighted, measured)

Audio I/O

Stereo line in · stereo line out · headphone out (all TRS 3.5 mm, assembled on PCB)

MIDI

2× TRS In (Type-A) · 2× TRS Out · USB MIDI · USB Host MIDI (assembled on PCB)

USB Ports

3× USB-C · 1× USB-A Host

Wireless

WiFi (ESP32-C6) · Ableton Link

Storage

2× micro SD (P4 + RP2350)

Power

USB-C (5 V)

UI Expansion

30-pin FFC connector for custom UI boards

Dimensions

Coming soon

All audio, MIDI, and USB connectors come assembled on the TBD-Core PCB — identical to the TBD-16. If you need a different I/O layout or custom connectors, see Custom Integration.

What’s on the Board

Chip

Role

Key Specs

ESP32-P4

DSP Engine

Dual RISC-V @ 400 MHz · 32 MB stacked PSRAM · 16 MB Flash · AI/vector instructions

RP2350B

UI / MIDI

Dual Arm Cortex-M33 @ 150 MHz · 520 KB SRAM · 48 GPIO · 8× 12-bit ADC · 12× PIO state machines · FPU + DSP instructions

ESP32-C6

WiFi

WiFi 6 (802.11ax) · Bluetooth 5 · managed by the P4

  • Audio codec (TLV320AIC3254) — Stereo ADC/DAC

  • Power management — Regulated power for all components

  • SD card slots — Two slots (P4 + RP2350)

  • All I/O jacks — Audio, MIDI, USB, and headphone connectors

  • 30-pin FFC connector — Flat flex cable interface for custom UI boards

How It Differs from TBD-16

Feature

TBD-16

TBD-Core

Enclosure & front panel

Included

You design your own

Knobs, buttons, display

Included (via UI board + FFC)

Via FFC to your UI board

Audio, MIDI, USB jacks

Included

Included (same as TBD-16)

DSP engine & firmware

Same

Same

Plugin library (50+)

Same

Same

The TBD-16 includes a separate UI board (connected via FFC) with an STM32F030R8T6 I/O controller that reads the buttons, 360-degree endless potentiometers, and other inputs via I2C (firmware source). With the TBD-Core, you design your own UI board to connect through the same FFC.

FFC Connector

The 30-pin FFC connector breaks out the signals you need for a custom user interface:

  • GPIO for buttons, encoders, LEDs, displays

  • SPI/I2C for additional peripherals

  • Analog inputs for potentiometers, CV jacks

  • Power rails for your UI board

This lets you design a custom front panel, control surface, or enclosure while reusing the entire TBD audio/processing platform without modification.

A detailed pin-by-pin table with signal names, directions, voltage levels, and recommended use will be published here.

Use Cases

  • Custom instruments — Design a guitar pedal, desktop synth, or performance controller with your own panel layout and controls

  • Product prototyping — Validate a product concept quickly using the proven TBD platform before committing to a custom PCB

  • Educational platforms — Build teaching tools with custom interfaces tailored to specific learning objectives

  • Art installations — Embed DSP processing in interactive or generative sound installations with custom enclosures

Assets

Downloadable assets will be published here as they become available.

Asset

Status

Datasheet PDF

Coming soon

FFC Pinout (table + PDF)

Coming soon

Simplified 3D Model

Coming soon

KiCad Reference Design

Coming soon (open-source core for the TBD platform)

Getting Started

Interested in building with the TBD-Core? Contact dadamachines to discuss your project and availability.

The software workflow is identical to the TBD-16: