Custom Bluetooth Cherry MX Gamepad

Make a custom wireless gamepad with Cherry MX Switches! LINKS BELOW!
Full tutorial:
learn.adafruit...
In this project, we'll build a custom PCB for Cherry MX switches and the Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE to make a custom gamepad. We'll design and 3D print an enclosure and custom keycaps. This project is great for casual gaming, or creating custom controllers for various applications.
Layer by Layer - Eagle CAD
• Layer by Layer - Cherr...
Layer by Layer - Custom Keycaps
• Layer by Layer - Cherr...
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[@jackchen6035]

"... have this very satisfying click" *shows cherry mx reds*

[@adafruit]

tfw the b-roll doesn’t match the voice over 🤣🤫 Reds are silent, aren’t they? 🤦‍♂️

[@jackchen6035]

nah they're not exactly silent, although cherry mx reds are linear and don't have the signature "click" seen on the cherry mx blue (which is basically famous for clickiness). In fact, reds are pretty quiet except for the sound that it makes when you bottom out the switch :).

[@NortelGeek]

ALPS are better. 😆

[@spidermain]

@@NortelGeek Using Zealios right now 😏

[@ChrisKendallCK]

I've been wanting to make the Bluetooth Gamepad from a couple of years ago.. but the Bluefruit EZ-Key appears to have been discontinued.. could i use this instead?

[@portedtoreality5899]

Great video! A couple of questions before I consider purchasing the Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE: Is there a limit to how many switches can be wired up to a single Adafruit Feather 32u4 Bluefruit LE? Can you create a whole wireless keyboard? Software-wise, can multiple switches be pressed and recognized at the same time? Is there noticeable lag? Thanks! I would like to see more projects like this combining 3D printing and electronics.

[@jonasgilje1645]

There are 20 pins that support digitalWrite() (0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, SCK, MOSI, MISO, A0-5). So that gives you a maximum of 100 (10x10) using traditional multiplexing. But there are also clever ways of raising that number, by using decade counters, shift registers, IO expanders or techniques like Charlieplexing. There shouldn't be any noticable lag, and multiple switches can be pressed at once, at least up to 6. Let me know if you need any help designing the keyboard!

[@adafruit]

Thank you for the comment, yeess!

[@Aletaire]

So I can connect switches to the GPIOA pins on the bottom without having to change anything? I'm completely new to this and have no idea what I'm doing.

[@KellenBluestein]

Jonas Gilje replying to this to save for later

[@jannis8218]

is it possible to extend the pins so that every key gets its own pin?

[@sebastianceledonzerene1134]

Can you explain how to add more buttons please? :-) Thanks, great video

[@marsy_mcmarsface]

I think I would do this but use a different lay out

[@adafruit]

+Prestyn Chapman thats why we give away all the design files, so you can customize :)

[@marcantonio7466]

In the code itself, it outputs a keystroke when the pin reads digital low. is it possible to have it output a keystroke when the pin reads digital high?

[@GeorgeGraves]

Awesome sauce. I've been going back and watching your F360 videos - more of them would be great. There are so many "hidden" little ways to do things it's currently making my head spin. ;)

[@bangunsetyoanggoro6156]

Would be great if you using qmk firmware

[@duffymv007]

Could this be converted to an 8-button by wiring two more switches to pins 13 & 18?

[@xmanthomas234]

Yes

[@sebastianceledonzerene1134]

@@xmanthomas234 How?

[@sathyadevdini4843]

Is this work for smart phone

[@ericmin6055]

If this came out commercially I would think of buying one it would be perfect for mobile games

[@francisdonsmg6819]

After you disconnect from the pc, do you need to again pair the device?

[@yalinsahinn]

can we make this project with arduino pro micro and hc-05 bluetooth module?

[@AIbeginsDotNet]

Yes, but HC05 does not support BLE so the battery life would be less that ideal.

[@jonashandt4709]

can i use a cheaper arduino board with a bluetoothchip on, because i would make it as a cheaper version.

[@IcanCwhatUsay]

what game is that at the end?

[@beedop9361]

This might sound really dumb, but could I use a vinyl cutting machine to etch onto the copper surface

[@berndeckenfels]

You can produce masks with it - for the pcb in question I guess you would have to glue them to transparent sheets upsidedown. I guess printing on transparent slides (if it is really thick ink) is a better option. the UV lamps, development and etching is however a complicated mess if you don’t do it often. I guess I won’t have the patience to do all that (multiple tries) anymore. Go for ordering :)

[@scuidthesquid]

might as well go for novelkeys creams or gateron inks

[@Armadurapersonal]

mx cherries are fine

[@staceixan]

@@Armadurapersonal yes they are fine, but for a better experience, mx switches could NEVER achieve that (except mx blacks because it's actually good)

[@yrin3l97]

how many switches can you use on this tipe of project, and can you use an potentiometer?

[@Rangvishwa_Enterprises]

very nice technology

[@kirancotting6588]

what game is that?

[@ThePC007]

Looks like Death Worm or some DW clone.

[@PocketBeemRocket]

Quick Q: Is their a US based custom PCB manufacture that will whip up a board? I once heard there's one in Portland, but I can't remember it's name.

[@adafruit]

Yep, oshpark is based in Portland, Oregon. oshpark.com/

[@PocketBeemRocket]

Adafruit Industries thanks! for some reason I was using the wrong search terms when looking up the manufacturer.

[@twistedfreak712]

How do you add more buttons besides the six? I want to make a 14 button arcade game pad. Or is that not possible with this bluefruit?

[@dominiccinimod8117]

Angelo Echague did you get a response to this??

[@kurtisodonnell321]

Yes, if you run out of pins you can use methods like Charlieplexing :)

[@Ziggurat1]

Oh so Alex helped you? Did he port his whole firmware? Or just enough to read out some keys?

[@adafruit]

+Ziggurat Ha Tach is a software dev on our remote team. He wrote the sketch for this project. It's based on the HID keyboard example found in the bluefruit library.

[@ahmadarju520]

Can I use arduino uno?

[@bob450v4]

Arju Gamer sorry I do not believe so

[@openbrackets6297]

You can through emulation

[@rakdos91]

Is this a BLE keyboard, then? Or does it work in the same way as other normal bluetooth keyboards?

[@adafruit]

Yep, it's uses BLE to connect to devices.

[@pnp072000]

How does one attain this knowledge? I've been researching PC parts and electronics for 2 years since I was 14 and I'm pretty sure I can't design a PCB. What college classes would you recommend to increase knowledge about electronics? I'm thinking about taking a CAD course.

[@pearcealonzo2198]

pnp072000 I've been taking PLTW classes online, as well as being in robotics. I can confidently design all of this.

[@simonhead666]

Thanks for this awesome tutorial!! Is there a way with this set up to fire multiple keystrokes? like command and 's' at the same time?

[@AIbeginsDotNet]

Yes, you would just need to tweak the code a bit.

[@jorenmartijn]

Huh? You left pins unsoldered on the Feather? I thought that was considered bad practice. I'd solder them anyway even if I didn't use them for the sake of rigidity.

[@adafruit]

There's plenty of mechanical strength with the corner pins all soldered. Also, there won't be any movement or stress once it's mounted to the enclosure.

[@TheRuneCrew2]

What game were you playing in the beginning? I remember playing that years ago.. Great vid. I love anything custom keyboard related.

[@adafruit]

+D Day Super Mega Worm! 🐛

[@TheRuneCrew2]

Thanks!

[@kaamuu557]

I have it lol

[@VaLeEBP]

Could this work with Android?

[@superiorlobster8888]

I would love this

[@Myusuki]

Is there a way that you can make this for a Nintendo switch? I’m just curious just to say

[@MySqueezingArm]

I know I'm late, but bluetooth should just pair no problem.

[@aaheng97]

Whats that keyboard at 0:28?

[@ucoan2457]

AlvinHeng97 same question

[@djSpinege]

looks like a vortex pok3r with custom caps , i could be wrong though

[@ccccles2479]

can we make a arduino to make a bluetooth keyboard???

[@randice]

Charles Lee yes

[@rmcbeigh]

I could have sworn the L is silent in Solder but google translate says it in a crazy way I never heard.

[@adafruit]

+rmcbeigh Most folks in The USA say "soddder". I've gotten used to using the metrics system, so I might as well adapt to proper pronunciation =]

[@iliketrain10]

Funny, as a Brit I've always heard solder with the L, only now can I hear the American pronunciation of solder with a silent L with it making sense.

[@mpxz999]

@@adafruit In Western Canada, we also keep the "L" silent~

[@lalityasahukara1274]

Where is the Github?

[@franktaku9121]

I'd buy this.

[@RogerBarraud]

Derp - Make it! :-)

[@mattroh7248]

The game at the start?

[@Aletaire]

Super Mega Worm

[@Sean.Vosler]

Very cool!

[@madhatter2446]

The only thing I would change on this is the amount of buttons. Like make it a little more retro

[@rentaspoon219]

this would be great if it wasn't £30 just for the board

[@purotaco]

LIKE LIKE Life LIKE vídeo

[@CelluloidRacer2]

this would be good for osu!/osu!mania speaking of, anyone here play it?

[@NickCatto]

Yup,we're living in the future

[@dummohummo4157]

Uhhh.. MX Blues for gaming? Good luck not getting your teeth knocked out while playing in public

[@adafruit]

Then use silent cherry mx switches, MX blues was my choice. And who plays in public anyway? ;-)

[@mattroh7248]

Right, I would have selected MX Browns

[@PreciousAlpschindler]

Dummo Hummo just are loud as Arcade machine button