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Bottom Controls

Row 23 (the bottom row) contains advanced features for external hardware control, collaboration, and session management.

Control Layout Overview​

Bottom Control Row

Bottom Control Row

Row 23 contains WLED, Link, Mode, Sync, and device indicators
WLED Controls
Columns 0-3. Control external LED strips via WLED.
Link Button
Columns 5-7. Toggle Ableton Link timing sync.
Mode Button
Columns 8-9. Toggle between play modes.
Sync Button
Columns 10-12. Multi-device sync controls.
Device Indicators
Columns 13-20. Shows connected devices (up to 8).

WLED Controls (Cols 0-3)​

WLED Controls

WLED Controls

Columns 0-3: Control external LED strips
WLED Gradient
Rainbow gradient chase shows WLED status. Tap to toggle.

What is WLED?​

WLED is an open-source LED strip control system. PixelBoop can send pattern data to WLED devices to create synchronized light shows.

Visual Indicator​

  • Rainbow gradient chase: WLED enabled and connected
  • Dark: WLED disabled

Tap: Toggle WLED On/Off​

  • Enables/disables WLED output
  • When enabled, sends pattern data to configured WLED device

Long-Press: WLED Settings​

  • Configure WLED IP address
  • Set brightness and color mapping
  • Test connection

Features​

  • Real-time sync: LED patterns match sequencer playback
  • Pattern visualization: Notes light up as they play
  • Guide lights: Show beat positions when master sync enabled
  • Color mapping: Tracks map to different LED colors

See WLED Setup Guide for configuration details.

Link Button States

Link Button States

Columns 5-7: Ableton Link timing sync
Link Disabled
Dark = Link is off
Link Enabled (Connected)
White = Link active with peers
Link Enabled (No Peers)
Dim = Link on but no peers found

Ableton Link synchronizes musical tempo and phase across apps and devices on the same network. It ensures all devices play in perfect time.

Enables or disables Ableton Link

ColorStatusDescription
WhiteConnectedLink active, peers detected
Dim WhiteEnabled, no peersLink on, waiting for connections
DarkDisabledLink is off

Opens Link diagnostics panel showing:

  • Number of connected Link peers
  • Current Link tempo (BPM)
  • Timing offset/latency
  • Connection status

Features​

  • Tempo lock: Syncs BPM across all Link-enabled apps
  • Phase alignment: Ensures beats align perfectly
  • Zero-config: Auto-discovers Link peers on network
  • Cross-app sync: Works with Ableton Live, AUM, Loopy Pro, etc.

Typical Use Cases​

  • Sync PixelBoop with desktop DAW (Ableton Live, Logic Pro)
  • Multiple PixelBoop devices playing together
  • iOS music app collaboration (AUM, Loopy Pro, etc.)

See Multi-Device Sync for collaboration setup.

Mode Button (Cols 8-9)​

Mode Button

Mode Button

Columns 8-9: Toggle play modes
Mode Button
Columns 8-9. Tap to cycle through play modes.

Tap: Cycle Play Modes​

Cycles through available play modes:

  • Normal: Standard sequencer playback
  • Section Play: Auto-advance through sections
  • [Future modes]: Additional modes coming soon

Visual Feedback​

  • Color changes based on current mode
  • Brief tooltip shows mode name

Section Play Mode​

When enabled:

  • Sequencer plays through all 8 sections in order
  • Automatically advances to next section at end of pattern
  • Returns to section 0 after section 7
  • Use for song arrangement playback

See Song Sections for section management.

Sync Button (Cols 10-12)​

Sync Button States

Sync Button States

Columns 10-12: Multi-device sync control
Disconnected
Gray = No active sync session
Host
Gold = You're hosting a session
Follower
Green = Connected to a host

What is Sync?​

Multi-device sync allows multiple iOS devices to collaborate in real-time. Devices can share patterns, sync playback, and play together with perfect timing.

Tap: Open Sync Interface​

Opens the sync control panel with options:

  • Start Session: Become the host
  • Join Session: See and join available sessions
  • Leave Session: Disconnect from current session
  • Session Settings: Configure sync options

Long-Press: Quick Join/Leave​

  • When disconnected: Quick-join first available session
  • When connected: Quick-leave current session
  • Faster than opening the full menu

Visual Indicators​

ColorStatusDescription
GrayDisconnectedNo active session
GoldHostYou're controlling the session
GreenFollowerConnected to a host

Host vs. Follower​

Host (Gold)​

  • Controls tempo, key, scale
  • Edits master pattern (syncs to all followers in Orchestra mode)
  • Manages session settings
  • Gold indicator in middle of sync button

Follower (Green)​

  • Receives patterns from host
  • Can adjust local volume, mute/solo
  • Pattern grid may be locked (Orchestra mode)
  • Green indicator shows connected status

See Multi-Device Sync for full collaboration guide.

Device Indicators (Cols 13-20)​

Device Indicators

Device Indicators

Columns 13-20: Shows connected devices
Connected Devices
Each device gets a unique color. Up to 8 devices supported.

What They Show​

When devices are connected via WiFi Sync, each device gets a colored pixel indicator showing:

  • Device presence: One pixel per connected device
  • Unique colors: Each device auto-assigned a distinct color
  • Connection strength: Brightness indicates signal strength

Tap Device Indicator​

Tap any device indicator to see:

  • Device name (e.g., "iPhone 15 Pro")
  • Connection status
  • Signal strength

Maximum Devices​

  • Supported: Up to 8 simultaneous devices
  • Positions: Columns 13-20 (8 columns)
  • Auto-assignment: First-come, first-served positioning

Colors​

Each device gets a unique hue from a predefined palette:

  • Device 1: Green
  • Device 2: Cyan
  • Device 3: Magenta
  • Device 4: Yellow
  • Device 5: Orange
  • Device 6: Teal
  • Device 7: Purple
  • Device 8: Pink

Use Cases​

  • See who's connected: Quick visual roster
  • Monitor connection health: Dim = weak signal
  • Identify devices: Tap for device name
  • Session management: See when devices join/leave

Quick Reference​

ControlColumnsFunctionTapLong-Press
WLED0-3LED strip controlToggle on/offSettings
Link5-7Ableton Link syncToggle LinkDiagnostics
Mode8-9Play modeCycle modes—
Sync10-12Multi-device syncSync menuQuick join/leave
Devices13-20Device indicatorsShow name—

See Also:

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