MATRIXSYNTH

Sunday, July 19, 2026

KiCad in 5 minutes: Designing an SMD PCB for my $30 chord sequencer + firmware updates


video upload by Floyd Steinberg

"I finally learned KiCad and with the help of PCB Way https://www.pcbway.com/activity/anniv... or https://pcbway.com/g/4nkLCf , I created an SMD PCB for my $30 chord sequencer, and I added all the features you asked for after the last video on this project. Table of contents:

00:00 short demo
00:07 hello, what's this?
00:58 KiCad design quick walkthough
05:04 a parcel from PCB Way!
06:36 creating some JST adapter cables
07:04 my thoughts on the whole process, and some advice (read those spec sheets!)
08:36 Quick overview: Analyzing chords and using suggested chords
09:43 chord complexity selection
10:05 passing chords
10:43 santanic chords
11:34 rolling chords
12:07 reacting to velocity
12:29 bass: root note
12:44 bass: key root note
13:04 swipe menus
13:23 sending CC data with the ring
14:04 arpeggiator
14:48 user arpeggiator patterns
16:08 chord sequencer + auto chord progression
17:07 multitimbral multitrack demo (Montage M)
17:57 conclusion and where to get

HÄLP ZIS CHANNEL
https://www.patreon.com/floyd_steinberg
https://floydsteinberg.gumroad.com/
https://floydsteinberg.bandcamp.com/"


Previously:

This $30 chord sequencer adds more Gospel to your music #synth #midicontroller

video upload by Floyd Steinberg

"I built a nifty little MIDI device that might help you find some interesting new chord progressions. This runs on a 1.28" CrowPanel by ELECROW ( https://tidd.ly/49pImPW , or the new 1.46" version https://tidd.ly/4u51ZEi ) for roughly $30. Table of contents:

00:00 hi, what's this? + quick demo
00:40 sponsored by ELECROW
01:05 hardware needed
02:01 Yes, I came up with the firmware, but that's not important here
02:44 you'll need an external sound source #synthesizer and set it to local mode
03:15 you can play on the device itself or on a midi keyboard
03:28 basic usage
03:49 emotional chords!
04:41 ... or not
05:05 chord analyzer
05:52 passing chords
06:33 bass (chord root + key root)
07:23 this channel needs you support
07:48 trigger key changes (some music theory)
09:15 functional chords, related keys and chromatic/altered chords
09:53 chord sequencer
10:44 flip the screen
11:13 disarm the passing chord function
11:19 some interesting details (automatic voicing, slightly random velocity and more)
12:19 playing "chord melodies" and throwing some "emotional chords" in (proof of practicability)
12:45 using the device to create chord progressions in other sequencers
13:02 a short improvisation (left hand: chord machine, right hand: keyboard)
14:16 conclusion, and some more ideas (and why I need your help)"

Yamaha DX100 Digital FM Keyboard Synthesizer

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via this listing, 2nd one listed here.

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

Yamaha TX802 FM Synthesizer Sound Module SN NN01854

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via this listing

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Kawai K1m Digital Synthesizer Module

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via this listing

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MOOG MUSIC SUBHARMONICON ANALOG SYNTH & SEQUENCER w/ Original Box & Preset Cards

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via this auction

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ROLAND TB-03 DESKTOP BASS SYNTH w/ Original Box

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via this listing

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ROLAND SH-01A DESKTOP VIRTUAL ANALOGUE SYNTH - Blue w/ Original Box

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via this listing

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Mandala mk2 tutorial 14: the arpeggiator


video upload by likaoninstruments

"In this video we'll see all the arpeggiator features !
Place melodic steps
Fill mode
Arpeggio length and form
Simple and complex modes
Note masking"

See this previous post for a full playlist of tutorials (2nd embed).

Plinky 12 Blocks - Full Walkthrough


video upload by Nathan Plante Synths, Alex Evans (mmalex), Making Sound Machines

"At long last, I have made the Plinky 12 Blocks walkthrough! This panel is so jam-packed with features it was hard to fit it all in to one video (and I did leave out a few things). Blocks can do it all - sequencing, live play, loop recording, chords.... an EVERYTHING machine! I can't wait to see what great music people are going to make with this synth. Enjoy!"

00:00 Intro
01:24 Play Surfaces
03:33 Piano Roll
05:55 Velocity, Gate Length, Ratchets
06:42 Alternate (Sparkly) Notes
09:30 Mute
09:54 Fancy Randomization
11:58 Live Loop Recording
13:00 Clip Launcher (Launch Mode)
16:22 Preset Banks
18:01 Synth Settings (Mutate Mode)
22:58 XY Pad (Modulation)
24:47 Saving Presets
25:11 The LFOs
27:37 The Mix Page
28:57 Arp Settings
30:10 Performance FX
33:40 Changing Root and Scale (Chord Mode)
36:23 Outro & Jam

Jeannie2 - Wavetables


video upload by Rolf Degen

"Jeannie 2 - Polyphonic DIY Synthesizer & Sampler
Part - Wavetables

Diy blog: https://www.sequencer.de/synthesizer/..."
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