Cycle

What it is

Cycle is a loop and groove player: an 8x8 clip grid with scenes and faders, designed to work first with an APC Mini controller and kept in tempo across your whole rig with Ableton Link. It's not a sampler — it's built for launching tempo-locked loops from pads during a live show.

Requirements

• macOS or iPadOS, or a Raspberry Pi for a dedicated, laptop-free player.
• An APC Mini controller is the primary supported control surface.
• Ableton Link keeps Cycle's tempo synced with other Link-enabled devices in the room.
• Network control (optional): OSC on UDP port 5679 at the /cycle/* namespace, or HTTP status at /surface/state.
• A Bitfocus Companion module is available if you want to trigger Cycle from a Stream Deck or similar surface.

Install & first run

1. Download Cycle from the Mac App Store (or the App Store on iPad) and open it.
2. Load or build a deck — decks are saved as .cyclepkg files.
3. Connect your APC Mini (or other MIDI controller) to launch clips from the 8x8 grid.
4. Turn on Ableton Link if you want Cycle's tempo locked with other Link-enabled apps or devices in the room.
5. Use Show Mode to strip away the interface chrome for a clean stage view.
6. Save a performance (.perf.json) that points to your deck, mixer, and tempo/Link settings so you can recall it later — including automatically, by Program Change, CC, or OSC.
7. For a laptop-free rig, deploy Cycle to a Raspberry Pi, where it runs headless as a MIDI-and-Link-only player.

Common questions

What controller does Cycle work best with?

Cycle is mapped APC-Mini-first, so an APC Mini gives you the most direct clip-grid experience out of the box.

What is Ableton Link and why does Cycle use it?

Ableton Link is a shared tempo standard. When it's on, Cycle stays locked to the same tempo as every other Link-enabled app or device in the room, without any cabling.

Can I run Cycle without a laptop on stage?

Yes. Cycle can be deployed to a Raspberry Pi, which runs headless with MIDI and Link support once set up.

Can my setlist automatically change performances during a show?

Yes. Performances can be recalled by Program Change, CC, or OSC message.

Can I trigger Cycle from a Stream Deck?

Yes, if you use Bitfocus Companion — a Companion module for Cycle is available.

Troubleshooting

Clips aren't launching from my APC Mini. Confirm the controller is connected before opening the deck, and that it's the APC Mini (the primary supported mapping) — other controllers may need their own mapping set up.

Tempo isn't matching my other Link-enabled apps. Make sure Ableton Link is turned on in Cycle and in the other app, and that both are on the same network.

A performance isn't loading the deck, mixer, or tempo I expect. Check that the .perf.json performance file is pointing at the correct .cyclepkg deck — performances are small pointer files, not the audio itself, so a moved or renamed deck can break the link.

OSC or Companion control isn't reaching Cycle. Confirm the controlling device is on the same network and using UDP port 5679 for OSC, or check your Companion module's connection settings.

Known limitations

• Ableton Link's commercial license request has not yet been confirmed as sent or granted, so this should be treated as an open item rather than a settled fact for commercial use.
• The Raspberry Pi MIDI/Link player has been tested in Docker and on macOS, but not yet verified on real Pi hardware.
• Windows support is incomplete and not part of the current release.

Still stuck?

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