Pico synth

HackerSchool·pico-synth·hardware/electronics/PicoSynth.kicad_pcb

About the Pico synth PCB

Pico synth is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by HackerSchool, published on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 164 × 82.4 mm, with 141 components from 21 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the Pico, from the RP2040/RP2350 family. Other key parts include the PCF8574 and AMS1117-3.3. By type, the board carries 44 resistors, 32 diodes, 21 capacitors, 16 switches, 13 connectors and 10 jumpers.

It belongs with the audio designs in this gallery.

From the project

Pico based I2S Synthesizer

The Pico-Synth Board v0.1 is the first version of the synthesizer, featuring a DAC with line-out, a 4x4 switch matrix with individual LEDs, four rotary encoders with switches, an OLED screen, and an SD card slot for optional storage. This fist iteration of the board was designed with a focus on low cost and component availability.

Pico synth, from the project README — From the project README

Main components on the Pico synth

Pico PCF8574 AMS1117-3.3

Pico synth bill of materials (BOM)

141 components, 21 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.

Qty	Part	Footprint	Refs
1	Pico	RPi_Pico_SMD_TH_No_Debug	U1
3	PCF8574	SOIC-16W_7.5x10.3mm_P1.27mm	U5, U6, U7
1	AMS1117-3.3	SOT-223-3_TabPin2	U8
2	Conn_01x06_Socket	PinSocket_1x06_P2.54mm_Vertical	J1, J6
1	Conn_01x04_Socket	PinSocket_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical	J3
1	Conn_01x09_Socket	PinSocket_1x09_P2.54mm_Vertical	J4
1	Line_Out	PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical	J5
2	Conn_01x01_Socket	PinHeader_1x01_P2.54mm_Vertical	J7, J8
6	Conn_01x14_Socket	PinHeader_1x14_P2.54mm_Vertical	J9, J10, J11, J12, J13, J14
3	A0_Jumper	SolderJumper-3_P1.3mm_Open_RoundedPad1.0x1.5mm_NumberLabels	JP5, JP8, JP11
3	A1_Jumper	SolderJumper-3_P1.3mm_Open_RoundedPad1.0x1.5mm_NumberLabels	JP6, JP9, JP12
4	A2_Jumper	SolderJumper-3_P1.3mm_Open_RoundedPad1.0x1.5mm_NumberLabels	JP7, JP10, JP13, JP14
16	SW_Push_45deg	Cherry-MX_PCB-Mounted_LTST-A683CEGBW_Kailh_Socket_modif	SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW11, SW12 +8
16	1N4148WS	D_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.15x1.40mm_HandSolder	D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8, D9 +8
16	LED	LED_1210_3225Metric_Pad1.42x2.65mm_HandSolder	D18, D19, D20, D21, D22, D23, D24, D25 +8
16	100nF	C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder_modif	C15, C17, C18, C19, C20, C21, C22, C23 +8
4	2.2uF	C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolder_modif	C16, C29, C31, C35
1	10uF	C_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.33x1.80mm_HandSolder_modif	C37
4	4.7k	R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder_modif	R7, R8, R21, R22
28	1k	R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder_modif	R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16 +20

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Qty	Part	Footprint	Refs
12	10k	R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder_modif	R31, R32, R45, R46, R47, R48, R49, R50 +4

Pico synth design files

The KiCad project lives in the HackerSchool/pico-synth repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

Pico synth: common questions

What microcontroller does the Pico synth use?

The Pico synth is built around the Pico, from the RP2040/RP2350 family.

How big is the Pico synth PCB?

The Pico synth measures 164 × 82.4 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the Pico synth?

141 components, from 21 distinct parts, with part numbers taken from the project's own BOM. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the Pico synth design files?

From the HackerSchool/pico-synth repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout, the schematic and the BOM; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the Pico synth design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its GPL-3.0 license, which HackerSchool chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the Pico synth without the hardware?

Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug RP2040/RP2350 firmware against it before you order a PCB.