Hardware, audio, and interface specifications for the tbd 16 .
Parameter Value Processors ESP32-P4 (DSP) · RP2350B (UI/MIDI) · ESP32-C6 (WiFi) Audio Codec TLV320AIC3254 — Stereo 24-bit ADC/DAC with embedded miniDSP Sample Rate 44.1 kHz (codec supports 8–192 kHz) Bit Depth 32-bit I2S bus · 32-bit float internal processing Processing Buffer 32 stereo frames (0.73 ms at 44.1 kHz) DAC SNR > 110 dB (A-weighted, measured) DAC THD+N 0.018% / −75 dB (1 kHz, 0 dBV, measured) ADC SNR 93 dB typical (codec datasheet) Channel Separation −83 dB (measured) Audio I/O Stereo line in · stereo line out · headphone out (all TRS 3.5 mm) MIDI 2× TRS In (Type-A) · 2× TRS Out · USB MIDI · USB Host MIDI USB Ports 3× USB-C · 1× USB-A Host Wireless WiFi 6 (ESP32-C6) · Ableton Link Storage 2× micro SD (P4 + RP2350) Display 2.4” OLED, 128 × 64 px Controls 30 buttons · 4 endless pots (with push-switch) · volume wheel LEDs 19 RGB LEDs Power USB-C (5 V) — works with any USB power bank or adapter Dimensions 110 × 110 × 25 mm Enclosure Anodized aluminum top, powder-coated steel base
Chip Role Core Key Specs ESP32-P4 DSP Engine Dual RISC-V @ 400 MHz 32 MB stacked PSRAM · 16 MB Flash · AI/vector instructions · USB 2.0 OTG RP2350B UI / MIDI Dual Arm Cortex-M33 @ 150 MHz 520 KB SRAM · 8 MB PSRAM · 48 GPIO · 12× PIO state machines · FPU + DSP ESP32-C6 WiFi Single RISC-V WiFi 6 (802.11ax) · Bluetooth 5 · managed by the P4
The P4 and RP2350B communicate via SPI. The RP2350B handles all UI input and MIDI and forwards control data to the P4; the P4 runs audio processing and sends status and Ableton Link data back.
The tbd 16 uses the TLV320AIC3254 stereo audio codec from Texas Instruments.
Parameter Hardware Capability Firmware Default Sample rate 8 kHz – 192 kHz 44.1 kHz I2S word length 16 / 20 / 24 / 32 bit 32 bit Internal processing — 32-bit float MCLK — 256 × fs = 11.29 MHz DAC oversampling (DOSR) — 128 ADC oversampling (AOSR) — 128 Processing buffer — 32 stereo frames (0.73 ms) DMA buffering — 4 × 32 frames (2.9 ms)
Measured with a MOTU UltraLite AVB reference interface and ARTA spectrum analyzer. Test signal: 1 kHz sine, output level calibrated to 0 dBV.
Parameter Left Channel Right Channel THD+N (1 kHz, 0 dBV) 0.018% 0.023% SNR to first harmonic ~80 dB ~78 dB SNR to noise floor > 110 dB > 110 dB Noise floor (DAC muted) > 120 dB > 120 dB Channel separation −83 dB −83 dB
Parameter Value Tracks 16 Patterns per Track 6 Steps per Pattern 1–64 Song Positions 32 (pattern chaining) Audio Parameter Locks Up to 24 per step Mixer Parameter Locks Up to 8 per step Automation Types Fixed, LFO (sine), Random Pattern Types Normal, Arpeggiator, Euclidean Tempo Range 30–300 BPM Shuffle 0–100% Time Signature 1/1 to 16/16 DSP Plugins 50+ (synths, effects, drum machines, granular engines)
Connection Details TRS MIDI In 1 TRS 3.5 mm Type-A input for keyboards, sequencers, and controllers TRS MIDI In 2 / Clock Second TRS 3.5 mm Type-A input; doubles as Clock/Reset input for Eurorack and modular sync TRS MIDI Out 1 TRS 3.5 mm Type-A output for sending MIDI to external gear TRS MIDI Out 2 Second TRS 3.5 mm Type-A output USB MIDI Class-compliant USB MIDI via USB-C (no drivers required on any OS) USB Host MIDI Connect MIDI controllers directly via USB-A Host Port
All TRS connections follow the TRS Type-A standard — no adapters or special cables needed.
None · Sync · Notes · Sync+Notes
Tracks Channel Type 1–3 10 Drums 4–6 11 Drums/Percussion 7–8 12 Rompler 9–11 1–3 Mono Synth 12 4 Wavetable 13 5 Rompler/Arp 14–15 6–7 Poly Synth 16 8 Audio Input
Port Function USB-C #1 ESP32-P4 Device (High Speed): USB MIDI, USB Network (web interface without WiFi), firmware flashing via JTAG USB-C #2 Additional power and/or RP2350 Device USB-C #3 ESP32-P4 JTAG (front panel) USB-A USB Host Port for MIDI controllers and other USB peripherals
Component Details Display 2.4” OLED, 128 × 64 px, wide viewing angles Encoders 4 endless pots with push-switch and RGB LED rings Step Buttons 16 backlit RGB buttons Function Keys 6 (FUNC1–FUNC6) Arrow Buttons 4 (↑ ↓ ← →) Transport PLAY + RECORD Modifier Keys SHIFT + HYPER Status LEDs 19 RGB LEDs total Volume Dedicated volume wheel (headphone output)
Feature Details Audio In Stereo line input (TRS 3.5 mm) Audio Out Stereo line output (TRS 3.5 mm) Headphone Stereo headphone output (TRS 3.5 mm) with volume wheel MIDI 2× TRS In (Type-A) · 2× TRS Out · USB MIDI · USB Host MIDI USB 3× USB-C · 1× USB-A Host WiFi WiFi 6 (802.11ax) via ESP32-C6 Sync Ableton Link (wireless tempo/transport) Storage 2× micro SD (P4: config/samples/web UI · RP2350: firmware/user data)
Bus Speed Purpose SPI (Real-time) 30 MHz Note/CC data, audio sync (GPIO 28–31) SPI (State API) — Configuration, screenshots (GPIO 32–35) I2C 400 kHz STM32 input data (SDA=38, SCL=39, addr 0x42) I2S WS Sync 44.1 kHz Audio codec word-select sync (GPIO 27)
Parameter Value Input USB-C, 5 V Compatibility Any USB power bank or adapter Portable Ships with powerbank mount accessory