When the RTC powers on for the first time (or after a factory reset), a getting-started wizard guides you through pairing with your WVC base station. No app or phone is needed.
Getting Started Wizard
The wizard appears automatically when the RTC is not paired with a base station.
Step 1: Welcome
A welcome screen with the LF Audio logo greets you with "Let's get you connected" and the prompt "Tap to begin." Tap the screen or turn the encoder to continue.
Step 2: Choose Setup Mode
You'll be asked how you want to connect. The on-screen options are labeled:
| Option | When to Use | What Happens on the WVC |
|---|---|---|
| Add As Additional Knob | You already have a knob or other controller paired with the WVC and want to add the RTC as an additional controller. The WVC keeps its current settings. | Press the Reset button on the back of the WVC three times in a row, until the front light flashes |
| Set As Only Knob | The RTC will be the only controller for the WVC. The WVC's existing pairings and settings are cleared. | Hold the Reset button for 3 seconds, until the front light starts flashing |
Choosing Set As Only Knob resets the WVC's existing configuration: previously paired controllers (knobs, RTCs), saved channel groups, custom group names, and the stored volume level are all cleared. Preserved: the WVC's firmware version, its OTA WiFi credentials, and its hardware-level RCA Gain calibration. If you have multiple controllers paired to a working system, choose Add As Additional Knob instead so the existing settings stay intact.
Rotate the encoder to switch between options, then tap the screen or press the encoder to confirm.
The wizard's "Set As Only Knob" and "Add As Additional Knob" protocol requires the WVC base station to be running firmware v2.0.0 or newer (the multi-knob mesh protocol added in that release). Older base stations only support a single paired controller and will accept either choice as a single-knob setup.
Step 3: Press Reset on the WVC
An illustration of the WVC base station's rear panel shows you where the Reset button is located (on the left side). Follow the on-screen instructions based on your chosen setup mode.
While the WVC is in pairing mode, its front-panel light flashes to indicate it is broadcasting. The RTC can only detect the WVC during this flashing-light window: an idle WVC is not visible. If the light stops flashing before the RTC connects, repeat the Reset press (three taps for "Add As Additional Knob," three-second hold for "Set As Only Knob") to put the WVC back into pairing mode.
Once you complete this step, the RTC begins searching for the base station. When pairing completes, a "Connected!" success screen appears for a few seconds and the RTC restarts. After the restart, it connects directly to the base station and the main volume display appears.
If the wizard does not find the WVC within about 30 seconds, the RTC stays on the Pairing screen and you can long-press to open the menu and either retry, swipe back to a previous wizard step, or perform a factory reset. There is no hard time-out: the RTC will keep scanning until you connect, cancel, or power off.
What to Expect After Pairing
After the restart, the RTC connects directly to the base station:
- Connecting: the screen shows "Connecting" while the wireless link is established
- Connected: the main volume display appears, and you're ready to go
On subsequent power-ups, the RTC skips the wizard and connects automatically.
How to confirm pairing is complete
You know pairing has finished when the main Volume view appears with live data:
- A volume percentage (or dB reading) is visible in the center
- A voltage reading is shown
- On a WVC-PRO base, the temperature reading is also live
- Rotating the encoder changes the volume; the change is reflected on the screen immediately
If any of these are missing or show dashes, the RTC has paired but data is not yet flowing. Wait 5 to 10 seconds for the first telemetry packet; if it still doesn't appear, the link may have dropped after pairing. See Troubleshooting.
Connection Screens
During the connection process, the RTC shows different status messages:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pairing | Searching for a base station while in pairing mode (during first-time setup or after factory reset) |
| Connecting | Establishing the wireless link to a known base station |
| Connecting ("Signal lost / Reconnecting to base station...") | Lost connection. Automatically trying to reconnect |
Automatic Reconnection
If the RTC loses its connection to the base station (for example, if the base station is powered off and back on), it will automatically attempt to reconnect. You will see a "Connecting" status with a "Signal lost / Reconnecting to base station" message during this process.
The RTC also includes an automatic channel scanner that finds the best wireless channel for communication. If no data has been received from the base station for about 15 seconds, the scanner activates and sweeps every available channel to find the base station again. A full sweep typically takes another 5 to 10 seconds, so the worst-case recovery is on the order of 15 to 25 seconds. Once the link is re-established, the main display returns automatically.
Pairing a New Base Station
If you replace your base station or need to pair with a different unit, you can perform a factory reset to clear the stored pairing and start fresh:
- Long-press the screen or encoder button to open the menu
- Select Advanced
- Select Factory Reset
- Confirm the reset
- The RTC will restart and the getting started wizard will appear again
Encrypted Communication
The RTC supports encrypted wireless communication with the base station. When encryption is enabled, the two devices negotiate unique encryption keys during the pairing process. You can verify the encryption status in the System Info screen.
If pairing fails or the RTC cannot find the base station, make sure the base station is powered on and within wireless range. Moving the RTC closer to the base station can help during initial pairing.