# TBD-16 questions **URL:** \ **Category:** dadamachines\ **Tags:** hardware\ **Created:** [May 8, 2026, 10:46am UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776 "2026-05-08T10:46:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Frostmod](https://forum.dadamachines.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/ea5d25/32.png) [@Frostmod](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/Frostmod)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2026, 7:46pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/21 "2026-05-12T19:46:52Z")
Hi guys! David / Frostmod Audio here. I started some DSP adventures last year for the logue-sdk platform, and have a few plugins out by now. I’m intrigued by the concept, I’ve been waiting for someone to develop something like this that supports 3rd party plugins nicely, and wonder if you have some more information around what’s planned/intended for 3rd party commercial development/distribution? Will there be a plugin “store” or would there be management software to ease installation of plugins for end users and developers distribute themselves? And the way I understand it - 3rd party DSP plugins should be able to work with the built-in 16 track groove box app, correct? Oh, and who do I bribe to get my dirty hands onto a unit? 😁 ---
**Author:** ![cgehrig](https://forum.dadamachines.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cgehrig](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/cgehrig)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2026, 7:57pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/22 "2026-05-12T19:57:08Z")
thanks. re: effect sends, would be really cool if there were fx amongst the track machines as well. sort of like the tonverk buses. i have no idea how feasible that is from a cpu power standpoint, as i imagine a reverb using considerably more power than a mono synth, but looking at the tbd app databank, there is a lot of interesting stuff already coded, and i’m assuming that uses the same framework as the app? ---
**Author:** ![johannes](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/johannes/32/11_2.png) [@johannes](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/johannes)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 11:09am UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/23 "2026-05-14T11:09:47Z")
Hi David, Maybe we should have a chat soon. Feel free to ping me on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/dadamachines/) or send an email via the [website](https://dadamachines.com/contact/). As of now, we have a couple of ideas about how we could handle things for third-party developers. However, it doesn’t make sense to lay out these plans publicly just yet. I think it would be better to first get feedback from people like you, Ess (Fors.fm), Unfiltered Audio, and others — and then find a model that works before communicating it more broadly to those who are interested. Prototype units are very limited at the moment, as [Espressif](https://www.espressif.com/), the supplier of our main chip (ESP32-P4NRW32X), has not yet released it for mass production. We’re working closely with them and aligning our hardware production timeline with theirs. In the meantime, I’ve updated the Simulator so you can run the Groovebox on your desktop. It’s not 100% identical to the hardware, of course, but it’s very close. (at least in terms of the sound engine) For anyone who wants to build custom firmware, plugins, or machines, this is a great starting point. You can find the guide [here](https://dadamachines.github.io/ctag-tbd/plugins/rack-tutorial.html). That said, I’m always happy to talk with DSP and firmware developers — and anyone interested in bringing their dream machine to life. ![image](https://forum.dadamachines.com/uploads/default/original/1X/98078057a5c57a6021047bf81d252fba98675392.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Frostmod](https://forum.dadamachines.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/ea5d25/32.png) [@Frostmod](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/Frostmod)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 11:24am UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/24 "2026-05-14T11:24:09Z")
> [@johannes](#): > > As of now, we have a couple of ideas about how we could handle things for third-party developers. However, it doesn’t make sense to lay out these plans publicly just yet. Yeah that makes sense, and thanks for responding! Would love to take part in those discussions, I’ll reach out and formally introduce myself as suggested 🙂 And I’ll have a look at the updated emulator! Cheers 🤘🏻 ---
**Author:** ![johannes](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/johannes/32/11_2.png) [@johannes](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/johannes)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 11:47am UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/25 "2026-05-14T11:47:11Z")
This came up on the [Elektronauts Forum](https://www.elektronauts.com/t/tbd-16-open-hackable-groovebox-thingy/250313/76) and now we’re curious: If you had to choose — what front panel color would you go for? We’ve done silver, black, and gray so far. The current idea is to make the Founder’s Edition gray only… but should we? Vote below 👇 _Poll ([view on site](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/25))_ ---
**Author:** ![spfawx](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/spfawx/32/452_2.png) [@spfawx](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/spfawx)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/26 "2026-05-14T12:10:08Z")
any idea what would the silver look like? I’ve only seen images of the grey and black on the site. ---
**Author:** ![johannes](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/johannes/32/11_2.png) [@johannes](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/johannes)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 1:08pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/27 "2026-05-14T13:08:38Z")
Silver & Black ![image](https://forum.dadamachines.com/uploads/default/original/1X/f5583f25aa27bcfee15b5baacd8f4017b1b32ba1.jpeg) Gray ![image](https://forum.dadamachines.com/uploads/default/original/1X/6a48ba9f16baac3d54a36fd421390d4e2d63a71b.jpeg) But all these are still not the final quality materials as for low volume production / prototyping from a different manufacturer. Also the Knobs are going to be Aluminium & the OLED will get a Display Glass / Cover. ---
**Author:** ![spfawx](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/spfawx/32/452_2.png) [@spfawx](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/spfawx)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 1:15pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/28 "2026-05-14T13:15:15Z")
damn it’s tough, they all look good 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Frostmod](https://forum.dadamachines.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/ea5d25/32.png) [@Frostmod](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/Frostmod)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/29 "2026-05-14T13:22:35Z")
The gray one for me all the way 👌🏻 ---
**Author:** ![darcangelo](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/darcangelo/32/437_2.png) [@darcangelo](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/darcangelo)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/30 "2026-05-14T13:28:29Z")
Look juicy. Can only wait ---
**Author:** ![johannes](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/johannes/32/11_2.png) [@johannes](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/johannes)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/31 "2026-05-14T13:28:30Z")
I forgot the Buttons will of course have Labels printed! ![tbd1603Samplespastel-blue1x1web](https://forum.dadamachines.com/uploads/default/original/1X/813e89a8c1c8503ae250ef0a4e19eb50c3ca5b1c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Frostmod](https://forum.dadamachines.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/ea5d25/32.png) [@Frostmod](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/Frostmod)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 1:55pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/32 "2026-05-14T13:55:00Z")
Potential missed opportunity for having the 4 abxy buttons arranged like a gaming console controller 😁 But looks really good! Lots of potential in this unit 🤘🏻👌🏻 ---
**Author:** ![cgehrig](https://forum.dadamachines.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cgehrig](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/cgehrig)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 4:27pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/35 "2026-05-14T16:27:06Z")
grey is dope but the coolest i think would be black but with black buttons. or at least grey. i find the white buttons somewhat jarring. ---
**Author:** ![Frostmod](https://forum.dadamachines.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/ea5d25/32.png) [@Frostmod](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/Frostmod)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/36 "2026-05-14T16:33:59Z")
> [@cgehrig](#): > > i find the white buttons somewhat jarring. Maybe they can sell cosmetic kits 😎 ---
**Author:** ![spfawx](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/spfawx/32/452_2.png) [@spfawx](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/spfawx)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 4:51pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/37 "2026-05-14T16:51:45Z")
it’d be cool to have the faceplates available for purchase separately. I’d probably want all 3 ---
**Author:** ![resist](https://forum.dadamachines.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@resist](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/resist)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 4:53pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/38 "2026-05-14T16:53:31Z")
Stupid question but can it be sequenced from an external source? And any way the headphone out could act as a cue out or does it just copy the main output? ---
**Author:** ![cgehrig](https://forum.dadamachines.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cgehrig](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/cgehrig)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/39 "2026-05-14T17:38:18Z")
i guess for starters they’ll just produce one to keep manufacturing costs down ---
**Author:** ![spfawx](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/spfawx/32/452_2.png) [@spfawx](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/spfawx)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/40 "2026-05-14T17:49:31Z")
yea, that’s totally understandable too. ---
**Author:** ![UeQ](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/ueq/32/440_2.png) [@UeQ](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/UeQ)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2026, 10:57pm UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/41 "2026-05-14T22:57:43Z")
Do you have a particular dealership in mind that will be selling this device in US? I suspect it’s going to be Perfect Circuit, but would be nice to know for certain:) getting restless about this little beast… ---
**Author:** ![johannes](https://forum.dadamachines.com/user_avatar/forum.dadamachines.com/johannes/32/11_2.png) [@johannes](https://forum.dadamachines.com/u/johannes)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 5:48am UTC](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776/42 "2026-05-15T05:48:38Z")
[![](https://forum.dadamachines.com/uploads/default/original/1X/da83216a546dab0d9257cd10705d903c4fbbb439.jpeg "AE Solina-16, C25 Synthesizer, dadamachines TBD-16, and more SYNTH NEWS | Superbooth 2026") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmevMhBkACw&t=592) Another Video. I hope there are going to be more. Thanks Tom for including the TBD. [Previous page](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.dadamachines.com/t/tbd-16-questions/776.md?page=3)