Breakbeat

What it is

Breakbeat is the flagship drum sampler from Performance Percussion. It turns any MIDI drum controller into an instrument: scan your sample libraries, build kits, map controllers, and arrange multi-controller stage plots — then perform live, with a Raspberry Pi stage player available for laptop-free gigs.

Requirements

• macOS or iPadOS for building kits and stage plots; a Raspberry Pi can run as a standalone stage player.
• A MIDI drum controller (or multiple controllers for stage plots).
• Kits are .bkbt files (a zip containing a manifest and samples), so plan for local storage space for your sample libraries.
• Network control (optional): the Raspberry Pi player is controlled over HTTP on port 1234; OSC control is available on UDP port 1234 at the /breakbeat/* namespace.
• A VST3/AU plugin version is also available for use inside a DAW.

Install & first run

1. Download Breakbeat from the Mac App Store (or the App Store on iPad) and open it.
2. Choose a starting mode: Simple (a 5-step wizard), Studio, or Stage.
3. Scan or import your sample library, then build a kit — kits are saved as .bkbt files.
4. Map your controller to the kit, and if you're using more than one controller, arrange them into a stage plot.
5. Perform live, or recall kits automatically by Program Change, CC, or OSC message from your setlist.
6. For a laptop-free rig, deploy Breakbeat to a Raspberry Pi as a dedicated stage player.

Common questions

What is a .bkbt file?

It's Breakbeat's kit format — a zip file containing a manifest and your samples. It's portable and can be inspected, so kits are easy to back up or move between machines.

Can I run Breakbeat without a laptop on stage?

Yes. Breakbeat can run on a Raspberry Pi as a stage player so you don't need to bring a laptop to the gig.

Can I use more than one MIDI controller at once?

Yes — Rigs map any single controller, and stage plots let you arrange multiple controllers into one performance.

Can my setlist automatically change kits during a show?

Yes. Kits can be recalled by Program Change, CC, or OSC message, so a connected setlist tool can drive kit changes for you.

Is there a plugin version for use inside a DAW?

Yes, a VST3/AU plugin (built on JUCE) is available in addition to the standalone app.

Troubleshooting

My kit sounds different than expected or samples are missing. Confirm the .bkbt file transferred completely — it's a zip archive, and an interrupted copy or download can leave samples out of the manifest.

A controller isn't triggering the right pad. Check your Rig mapping for that controller, and if you're using a stage plot with multiple controllers, confirm each controller is assigned to the correct position in the plot.

The Raspberry Pi player isn't responding to OSC or HTTP control. Confirm the Pi and your controlling device are on the same network, and that you're using the correct port — HTTP on 1234, OSC on UDP 1234.

Program Change / CC recall isn't switching kits during a show. Verify the recall message's channel and number match what's configured in Breakbeat, and that the sending device (or setlist app) is connected to the same MIDI or OSC path Breakbeat is listening on.

Known limitations

• The Raspberry Pi (aarch64) deployment path has not yet been validated on real Pi hardware end-to-end.
• Full-set soak and reliability testing under realistic show conditions (long sets, controller unplug/replug, corrupted files) is still in progress.
• The SwiftUI app does not yet have automated UI test coverage, so some issues may only surface through hands-on use.
• Windows and Linux desktop builds currently lag behind the Mac version in some features.

Still stuck?

Email [email protected] with "Breakbeat" and your app version in the subject line.