Lightpads can be conected to a computer either via USB or Bluetooth, and Control Blocks can be connected via Bluetooth or by snapping to an already connected Lightpad.

Both devices communicate with your computer using System Exclusive (SysEx) MIDI messages.

USB

To connect a Lightpad to your computer over USB, you need to insert a USB-C cable into the top of the device and connect it to a USB port on your computer. When powered on by pressing the power button on the bottom edge, you will be able to send and receive data from the block over the USB connection.

Bluetooth

The power button also functions as a toggle for the Bluetooth connection - when the blue light on the button is illuminated, the device is able to connect via Bluetooth and send and receive MIDI data. Pressing this button will turn the light off and disable the Bluetooth functionality. Currently MIDI over Bluetooth is only supported on macOS.

macOS

To connect a BLOCKS device via Bluetooth on macOS, follow these steps:

Open the "Audio Midi Setup" application (found in Applications/Utilities)
Click on the menu item: Window -> Show MIDI Studio
Double-click on the "Bluetooth" icon in the MIDI Studio window
Click the "Connect" button next to the block you want to connect to
Your device should show up in the MIDI Studio window with a Bluetooth icon and can now send and receive MIDI data over Bluetooth

Connecting BLOCKS together

Lightpad and Control Blocks can be connected together in any number of combinations via their DNA edge connectors, sharing a common connection to your computer. To do this, simply snap your devices together and the magnetic connectors will handle the rest.

Learn how to discover BLOCKS in your applications in the Discovering BLOCKS section.