dadamachines has announced the premiere of its tbd-16 compact, open source, hackable groovebox, which will be shown off at this year’s Superbooth event.
Featuring sixteen track, with multiple engines per track, plus a deep step sequencer, mixer, effects, and built-in browser editor, crammed into a 110x110x25mm box for ultra portability.
It powers via USB-C and connects up to speakers or headphones without the requirement for a computer or additional software. Plug in and go. No additional software is required because on board is the Groovebox app preinstalled. Additional apps can be executed via SD card.
It has four high-quality endless encoders, 30 tactile buttons with RGB light feedback, 2.4-inch OLED display and dedicated volume wheel. It’s made from anodised aluminium and powder-coated steel.
On board are three dedicated audio processors: the ESP32-P4 for DSP, RP2350B for user interface and MIDI, and ESP32-C6 for wireless connectivity.
Each of the sixteen tracks runs its own sound engine (a Machine) having its own parameters and presets. They’re based on Mutable Instruments’ Plaits, Braids and Rings as well as CTAG voices.
Here’s the teaser video for it.
Specifications
Connectivity
- 2× TRS MIDI in (Type-A, MIDI 2 In doubles as analog Clock/Reset for Eurorack)
- 2× TRS MIDI out (Type-A)
- USB MIDI (USB-C) + USB host MIDI (USB-A) for class-compliant controllers
- Stereo line in, stereo line out, headphone out (TRS 3.5 mm)
- WiFi 6, Ableton Link over WiFi and USB
- 2× microSD
Hardware
- 30 tactile buttons, 4 endless encoders, dedicated volume wheel
- 2.4? OLED display (128 × 64), 19 RGB LEDs
- ESP32-P4 (DSP), RP2350B (UI/MIDI), ESP32-C6 (WiFi)
- 44.1 kHz, 32-bit float internal processing
- USB-C (5 V), runs from any USB power bank; mount included
- 110 × 110 × 25 mm, anodized aluminum top, powder-coated steel base
Software & platform
- Browser-based WebUI over USB or WiFi, no install required
- App switching from SD card on reboot (Groovebox, MCL, DOOM, custom)
- Open-source firmware (GPL 3.0), DSP tools, web tools
- Groovebox Machines (drums, tonal, sampler, input); CTAG TBD platform with 50+ DSP plugins
The unit will cost €499, preorders will open soon.
