Build your own arpeggiator synthesizer/MIDI controller in the form of a fight stick/piano keyboard mashup! It's perfect for chiptunes. You'll use LED Arcade 1x4 boards, MIDI FeatherWing, Feather M4 Express, and lots of shiny buttons to build this retro-style synth.

Play root notes with the light-up arcade buttons, adjust tempo and octave with the joystick, and use the front-panel function buttons to start/stop the arps, adjust arp range, and to select different patterns.

Output square wave synth sounds over stereo headphone jack, and/or send MIDI over USB or classic DIN-5 MIDI cable to your software and hardware synthesizers.

This project is inspired directly by the amazing Pianocade.

On-board synthesis using Audio Library:

Arcade Synth Controller controlling Game Boy via MIDI:

Parts

Optional

You can use two or three sets of aluminum bumper feet for the base if you're feeling highly extra!

Enclosure Materials

To build the enclosure you'll need 3mm thick (~1/8") acrylic stock in gray, black, and white:

• 2x sheets of matte gray 1/8" x 12"x24"
• 1x sheet of frosted black 1/8" x 12"x24"
• 1x sheet of translucent white 1/8" x 12"x24"

You'll use M4 screws and nuts to secure the case, as well as the joystick:

• M4 x 0.7mm nuts
• M4 x 80mm socket head screws
• M4 x 14mm socket head screws