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<\/figure>\nLohbihler’s recent tenure at KORG Berlin, where he contributed to the early development of what is now known as the Korg Phase8, further underscores his deep involvement in shaping the future of electronic music hardware. This experience, combined with his foundational work at dadamachines, has evidently converged in the creation of the TBD 16, a product that embodies both his pioneering spirit and his practical understanding of professional audio production.<\/p>\n
Roots in Open-Source Innovation<\/p>\n
The TBD 16 is not merely a new product; it is the culmination of years of development and iteration, built upon the robust CTAG TBD open-source platform. This foundational work, spearheaded by Robert Manzke, has been augmented by the contributions of Per-Olov Jernberg, Benjamin Weiss, and Servando Barreiro, creating a collaborative ecosystem that fosters innovation. Crucially, the project has received significant backing from the NLnet Foundation, a European non-governmental organization with a rich history of supporting open internet initiatives since 1982. This grant funding underscores a commitment to public interest and the development of accessible, community-driven technology, further solidifying the TBD 16\u2019s position as a project with substantial technological and ethical underpinnings. The NLnet Foundation’s involvement also extends to supporting numerous projects at Superbooth, a major international exhibition for electronic music instruments, where the TBD 16 is expected to generate considerable interest.<\/p>\n
Physical Form Factor: Power in Portability<\/p>\n
The physical design of the TBD 16 is as remarkable as its open architecture. Measuring a mere 110 x 110 x 25 mm, it fits comfortably in the palm of the hand, yet it houses the processing power typically found in much larger and heavier grooveboxes. The construction features an anodized aluminum top and a powder-coated steel base, providing a premium feel and robust durability.<\/p>\n Key hardware specifications include:<\/p>\n Under the Hood: A Triple-Processor Architecture<\/p>\n The TBD 16\u2019s compact size belies its substantial internal architecture, which employs three dedicated processors to ensure robust and lag-free performance. An ESP32-P4 handles the Digital Signal Processing (DSP), managing the core audio synthesis and effects. A RP2350B is responsible for the user interface and MIDI management, ensuring smooth navigation and responsive control. Finally, an ESP32-C6 manages the WiFi 6 connectivity, facilitating wireless operations. This multi-processor design is critical for maintaining stability and delivering high-fidelity sound, even under demanding workloads. The clever power bank mounting system allows users to select their preferred battery capacity or even omit a battery for air travel, a significant advantage for musicians who frequently tour or work remotely. Additionally, a USB host connection allows for the integration of external controllers, further expanding its versatility.<\/p>\n The Groovebox App and Expandable Machines<\/p>\n Out of the box, the TBD 16 comes pre-loaded with a versatile groovebox application, featuring a sophisticated sequencer and a range of sound engines, referred to as "Machines." This default setup provides immediate access to a diverse sonic palette, enabling users to start creating music without delay.<\/p>\n The "Machines" library includes emulations of acclaimed modules from Mutable Instruments, such as the Plaits and Braids, known for their rich and versatile synthesis capabilities. These are complemented by new, custom-designed engines, including a unique FM kick drum, a new rimshot and clap sound, and an innovative chord pad generator. This curated selection offers a strong foundation for beatmaking and melodic composition.<\/p>\n However, the true power of the TBD 16 lies in its extensibility. The platform is designed to accommodate new sound engines, allowing users to add custom kicks, different synthesizer types, or other specialized audio processing tools. The potential for Vult DSP integration, a popular DSP language used in modules for VCV Rack, opens up even more advanced possibilities for developers and users familiar with its ecosystem. The CTAG TBD GitHub repository serves as a central hub for coders and hobbyists to explore the underlying architecture and contribute new engines or modifications.<\/p>\n Running Custom Applications: Beyond the Groovebox<\/p>\n The TBD 16\u2019s open platform extends beyond sound engines to the very applications that can be run on the device. Users can switch between different applications simply by loading them from an SD card, a feature that is a core part of the TBD 16\u2019s design, not a "hacked" add-on. This allows for a complete transformation of the device’s functionality. A full Web UI, accessible via USB or WiFi, eliminates the need for any software installation and ensures constant accessibility for configuration and control.<\/p>\n This application-switching capability opens up a vast array of possibilities. For instance, the TBD 16 can be configured to run MCL (MegaCommand Live), transforming it into an external controller and sequencer for devices like the Elektron Machinedrum, thanks to a port developed by Justin Mammarella. It can also function as a multi-effect processor, a standalone synthesizer, or even as a MIDI controller and audio interface for iOS devices. In a testament to its underlying power and flexibility, the TBD 16 can even run a port of the classic game Doom<\/em>, showcasing the remarkable capabilities of its embedded processors. The extensive list of potential applications, detailed in the official documentation, highlights the device’s potential as a universal creative tool.<\/p>\n Comparison to Existing Platforms<\/p>\n While devices like the Daisy have previously offered programmable hardware for musicians, the TBD 16\u2019s more powerful processing architecture enables a more flexible and expansive platform. Developers can create custom additions by programming for the RP2350 (a Raspberry Pi chip) and developing DSP plugins for the ESP32-P4 (a dual-core processor), all without the burden of token fees or restrictive SDK access, a point emphatically highlighted by the developers.<\/p>\n Developer Ecosystem and Open-Source Commitment<\/p>\n The firmware for the TBD 16 is entirely open-source, released under the GPLv3 license, which extends to its DSP and Web editing tools. While the specific hardware design remains proprietary, an open-source hardware developer platform is being developed in parallel, fostering a community-driven approach to hardware innovation. The primary repository for development is dadamachines’ GitHub page, providing access to all necessary resources.<\/p>\n Furthermore, the CTAG TBD project, originally conceived as a Eurorack module, is fully open-source, allowing enthusiasts to build their own Eurorack versions. dadamachines maintains its own open-source fork of this project, adapted for the TBD 16. As manufacturing of the ESP32-P4 DSP chip scales up, further hardware advancements are anticipated. An earlier version of the CTAG TBD developer platform, showcased in a YouTube video, offers a glimpse into the capabilities of this open-source hardware initiative.<\/p>\n Pricing and Availability<\/p>\n The TBD 16 is currently available for pre-order, with no upfront deposit required to reserve a unit. This accessible pre-order model aims to gauge demand and facilitate early adoption. Interested parties can see the TBD 16 in person at Superbooth (booth Z385) in Berlin.<\/p>\n Further details and comprehensive documentation can be found on the dadamachines website and through the provided links:<\/p>\n Conclusion: A New Era for Grooveboxes<\/p>\n The TBD 16 represents a significant paradigm shift in the world of portable electronic music production. By seamlessly integrating powerful functionality with an open, customizable platform, dadamachines has created a device that is both an exceptional out-of-the-box instrument and a deeply personalizable creative canvas. Its compact size, robust build, and competitive price point make it an attractive proposition for a wide range of musicians, from beginners seeking an accessible entry into hardware sequencing to seasoned professionals looking for a flexible and portable solution. The commitment to open-source development further ensures that the TBD 16 will likely evolve and grow with its user community, solidifying its place as a truly revolutionary instrument. Demos and further insights are expected to emerge as the device moves closer to its official release, promising exciting new sonic explorations for the electronic music world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The music technology landscape is abuzz with the unveiling of the TBD 16, a groundbreaking portable groovebox that promises to redefine creative workflows for electronic musicians. Developed by dadamachines, a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":9097,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[556],"tags":[275,611,273,6005,2099,162,3195,274],"class_list":["post-9098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music-production-audio-engineering","tag-audio","tag-customizable","tag-gear","tag-grooveboxes","tag-portable","tag-production","tag-revolution","tag-software"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9098"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9098\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9097"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"dadamachines](\"https:\/\/cdm.link\/app\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hands-on-tbd-16-1024x745.jpg\")
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