diff --git a/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_PhysicalTopologySource.cpp b/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_PhysicalTopologySource.cpp
index c0d00a8388..a00e48b5e7 100644
--- a/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_PhysicalTopologySource.cpp
+++ b/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_PhysicalTopologySource.cpp
@@ -2599,38 +2599,72 @@ struct PhysicalTopologySource::DetectorHolder  : private juce::Timer
 };
 
 //==============================================================================
-PhysicalTopologySource::PhysicalTopologySource()
-    : detector (new DetectorHolder (*this))
+PhysicalTopologySource::PhysicalTopologySource (bool startDetached)
 {
-    detector->detector->activeTopologySources.add (this);
+    if (! startDetached)
+        setActive (true);
 }
 
-PhysicalTopologySource::PhysicalTopologySource (DeviceDetector& detectorToUse)
-    : detector (new DetectorHolder (*this, detectorToUse))
+PhysicalTopologySource::PhysicalTopologySource (DeviceDetector& detectorToUse, bool startDetached)
+    : customDetector (&detectorToUse)
 {
-    detector->detector->activeTopologySources.add (this);
+    if (! startDetached)
+        setActive (true);
 }
 
 PhysicalTopologySource::~PhysicalTopologySource()
 {
-    detector->detector->detach (this);
-    detector = nullptr;
+    setActive (false);
+}
+
+void PhysicalTopologySource::setActive (bool shouldBeActive)
+{
+    if (isActive() == shouldBeActive)
+        return;
+
+    if (shouldBeActive)
+    {
+        if (customDetector == nullptr)
+            detector = std::make_unique<DetectorHolder>(*this);
+        else
+            detector = std::make_unique<DetectorHolder>(*this, *customDetector);
+
+        detector->detector->activeTopologySources.add (this);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        detector->detector->detach (this);
+        detector.reset();
+    }
+}
+
+bool PhysicalTopologySource::isActive() const
+{
+    return detector != nullptr;
 }
 
 BlockTopology PhysicalTopologySource::getCurrentTopology() const
 {
     JUCE_ASSERT_MESSAGE_MANAGER_IS_LOCKED // This method must only be called from the message thread!
 
-    return detector->detector->currentTopology;
+    if (detector != nullptr)
+        return detector->detector->currentTopology;
+
+    return {};
 }
 
 void PhysicalTopologySource::cancelAllActiveTouches() noexcept
 {
-    detector->detector->cancelAllActiveTouches();
+    if (detector != nullptr)
+        detector->detector->cancelAllActiveTouches();
 }
 
 bool PhysicalTopologySource::hasOwnServiceTimer() const     { return false; }
-void PhysicalTopologySource::handleTimerTick()              { detector->handleTimerTick(); }
+void PhysicalTopologySource::handleTimerTick()
+{
+    if (detector != nullptr)
+        detector->handleTimerTick();
+}
 
 PhysicalTopologySource::DeviceConnection::DeviceConnection() {}
 PhysicalTopologySource::DeviceConnection::~DeviceConnection() {}
diff --git a/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_PhysicalTopologySource.h b/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_PhysicalTopologySource.h
index 8e4ea6120d..a96cff3e6e 100644
--- a/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_PhysicalTopologySource.h
+++ b/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_PhysicalTopologySource.h
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ class PhysicalTopologySource  : public TopologySource
 {
 public:
     /** Constructor. */
-    PhysicalTopologySource();
+    PhysicalTopologySource (bool startDetached = false);
 
     /** Destructor. */
     ~PhysicalTopologySource();
@@ -45,6 +45,12 @@ public:
     /** Reset all touches */
     void cancelAllActiveTouches() noexcept override;
 
+    /** Sets the TopologySource as active, occupying the midi port and trying to connect to the block devices */
+    void setActive (bool shouldBeActive) override;
+
+    /** Returns true, if the TopologySource is currently trying to connect the block devices */
+    bool isActive() const override;
+
 
     //==========================================================================
     /** For custom transport systems, this represents a connected device */
@@ -68,7 +74,7 @@ public:
     };
 
     /** Constructor for custom transport systems. */
-    PhysicalTopologySource (DeviceDetector& detectorToUse);
+    PhysicalTopologySource (DeviceDetector& detectorToUse, bool startDetached = false);
 
     static const char* const* getStandardLittleFootFunctions() noexcept;
 
@@ -78,6 +84,7 @@ protected:
 
 private:
     //==========================================================================
+    DeviceDetector* customDetector = nullptr;
     struct Internal;
     struct DetectorHolder;
     std::unique_ptr<DetectorHolder> detector;
diff --git a/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_RuleBasedTopologySource.cpp b/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_RuleBasedTopologySource.cpp
index 0074034318..088db2090b 100644
--- a/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_RuleBasedTopologySource.cpp
+++ b/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_RuleBasedTopologySource.cpp
@@ -79,6 +79,16 @@ struct RuleBasedTopologySource::Internal  : public TopologySource::Listener,
         }
     }
 
+    void setActive (bool shouldBeActive)
+    {
+        detector.setActive (shouldBeActive);
+    }
+
+    bool isActive() const
+    {
+        return detector.isActive();
+    }
+
     RuleBasedTopologySource& owner;
     TopologySource& detector;
 
@@ -103,4 +113,14 @@ BlockTopology RuleBasedTopologySource::getCurrentTopology() const             {
 void RuleBasedTopologySource::clearRules()                                    { internal->clearRules(); }
 void RuleBasedTopologySource::addRule (Rule* r)                               { internal->addRule (r); }
 
+void RuleBasedTopologySource::setActive (bool shouldBeActive)
+{
+    internal->setActive (shouldBeActive);
+}
+
+bool RuleBasedTopologySource::isActive() const
+{
+    return internal->isActive();
+}
+
 } // namespace juce
diff --git a/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_RuleBasedTopologySource.h b/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_RuleBasedTopologySource.h
index 975e08e0a3..1d47bf3e07 100644
--- a/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_RuleBasedTopologySource.h
+++ b/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_RuleBasedTopologySource.h
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ public:
 
     //==========================================================================
     /** Returns the currently active topology. */
-    BlockTopology getCurrentTopology() const;
+    BlockTopology getCurrentTopology() const override;
 
     /** A rule that can transform parts of a topology. */
     struct Rule
@@ -73,6 +73,12 @@ public:
     */
     void addRule (Rule*);
 
+    /** Sets the TopologySource as active, occupying the midi port and trying to connect to the block devices */
+    void setActive (bool shouldBeActive) override;
+
+    /** Returns true, if the TopologySource is currently trying to connect the block devices */
+    bool isActive() const override;
+
 private:
     //==========================================================================
     struct Internal;
diff --git a/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_TopologySource.h b/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_TopologySource.h
index f558c6decb..065bc9b0c8 100644
--- a/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_TopologySource.h
+++ b/modules/juce_blocks_basics/topology/juce_TopologySource.h
@@ -37,6 +37,12 @@ public:
     /** Returns the current topology that this object manages. */
     virtual BlockTopology getCurrentTopology() const = 0;
 
+    /** Sets the TopologySource as active, occupying the midi port and trying to connect to the block devices */
+    virtual void setActive (bool shouldBeActive) = 0;
+
+    /** Returns true, if the TopologySource is currently trying to connect the block devices */
+    virtual bool isActive() const = 0;
+
     //==========================================================================
     /** Used to receive callbacks for topology changes */
     struct Listener