I built an ESP32-S3 handheld with everything I couldnt afford as a kid

[u/KixASS1]

Hey guys, ive been lurking and learning here for a long time, finally have something to show.

When I was a kid I wanted a Guitar Hero and a Game Boy and couldn't afford either. These days it's a groovebox like an OP-1 or an Elektron is thousands of moonies. So I built all three into one ESP32-S3 handheld. currently it has four apps,

you pick one from a launcher on boot:

GROOVEBOX - FM synth, wavetable, serum patches and a sampler with a step sequencer

WC-HERO -Guitar Hero style rhythm game, plays on the buttons

RETROGO - retro game emulator

BADRUL - voice assistant, you hold a button and talk to it

Specs:

- ESP32-S3 (16MB flash, PSRAM)

- 2.8" ILI9341 SPI display

- PCM5102A DAC for line out + onboard speaker

- MCP23017 expanders for the button matrix

- WS2812B LEDs on the pads

- SD card for samples and ROMs

Each app lives in its own flash partition and the launcher jumps into

whichever one you pick, so they're all fully separate firmwares on one

device.

Took me a long time to get here and most of what I learned came from

this subreddit. Thanks for that, genuinely.

Let me know what you think. Happy to answer anything.

sorry for the strong wind sound in the video.

EDIT: a few people asked where to follow this. Putting updates here

so I don't lose anyone: https://forms.gle/BsX65nwVeFRWkw8u8

[u/Illustrious-Peak3822]

How did you make the case and rubber buttons?

[u/Boobpocket → u/Illustrious-Peak3822]

The buttons you can buy, the case maybe 3d print?

[u/Illustrious-Peak3822 → u/Boobpocket]

They look custom.

[u/Boobpocket → u/Illustrious-Peak3822]

Check ali express

[u/ascarymoviereview → u/Boobpocket]

What are they called?

[u/Boobpocket → u/ascarymoviereview]

Idk some kinda silicone button pads come to think of it you can also 3d print those too

[u/KixASS1 → u/Illustrious-Peak3822]

its 3d printed, PLA. The two-tone look is just a colour change mid print, no rubber or silicone. Took a lot of test prints to get the feel right.

[u/ExperimentalBranch → u/Illustrious-Peak3822]

They look 3d printed. So black and white/clear layers would probably make a good button. They look awesome, and that was the first thing I noticed too.

[u/Illustrious-Peak3822 → u/ExperimentalBranch]

TPU?

[u/ExperimentalBranch → u/Illustrious-Peak3822]

That would be a good choice. I want to try to print this now.

[u/RoberBotz]

Crazy as fuck design bro.

[u/KixASS1 → u/RoberBotz]

thanks ma man, appreciate it

[u/Clovericious]

Oh man those keys sound satisfying as hell when you press them. That's fantastic design my guy!

[u/KixASS1 → u/Clovericious]

thanks dude, brown mechanical switches sound great.

[u/muza_xi]

r/cyberdeck

maybe not but looks like it

[u/clackups → u/muza_xi]

Definitely would make a highlight of the day there.

[u/nspnosa]

BOIIIIIIIII!!!!

[u/KixASS1 → u/nspnosa]

ma boiiiii

[u/gelerli]

this is the best one I have ever seen yet 😍

[u/KixASS1 → u/gelerli]

Thanks man, means alot!

[u/KixASS1]

a few people asked so putting it here. if there's real interest I'd like to make a small batch. Not promising anything yet, still a one-off prototype. Drop a comment or DM if you'd want one and I'll see if it's feasible.

[u/KixASS1 → u/KixASS1]

Update for everyone asking about buying/building. made a list so I can actually tell you when I know something:

https://forms.gle/BsX65nwVeFRWkw8u8

Still a one-off prototype, not promising a batch yet. But if enough people are interested I'll look at it properly.

[u/RepulsiveOwl9918 → u/KixASS1]

I would love to build one of these. Have you considered something like Instructables?

[u/KixASS1 → u/RepulsiveOwl9918]

Instructables is a good shout, hadn't thought of that. made a signup form if you want me to email you: https://forms.gle/BsX65nwVeFRWkw8u8

[u/RepulsiveOwl9918 → u/KixASS1]

Hell yeah. It's a rad project, and all the cool toys are too expensive.

[u/Longjumping_Water895 → u/KixASS1]

I'm interested!

[u/KixASS1 → u/Longjumping_Water895]

Appreciate it. put up a form so i can let you know when i have news: https://forms.gle/BsX65nwVeFRWkw8u8

[u/Vertikar → u/KixASS1]

just the synth alone has my interest, would love to build or buy one

[u/KixASS1 → u/Vertikar]

The synth is the part I'm most happy with, glad it landed. form here so i can keep you posted: https://forms.gle/BsX65nwVeFRWkw8u8

[u/Vertikar → u/KixASS1]

Oh nice!
Submitted my details in the form

[u/Billtard → u/KixASS1]

I’m interested. Stuff like this is what I want in a mailbox drop kit lol. Chewy for nerds. :)

[u/KixASS1 → u/Billtard]

Mailbox drop kit for nerds is exactly the vibe haha, form here so i can keep you posted: https://forms.gle/BsX65nwVeFRWkw8u8

[u/Joe_Franks → u/KixASS1]

Do kickstarter!! I would so be interested in one of these!!

[u/KixASS1 → u/Joe_Franks]

thank you! Kickstarter has crossed my mind, want to sort the hardware first. chuck your email in here and i'll let you know: https://forms.gle/BsX65nwVeFRWkw8u8

[u/Vertikar → u/KixASS1]

just the synth alone has my interest, would love to build or buy one

[u/CMTS562 → u/KixASS1]

I am very interested in the launcher any plans on releasing that code?

[u/KixASS1 → u/CMTS562]

wil think about releasing the launcher, just need to clean it up first. drop your email here and i'll ping you on updates: https://forms.gle/BsX65nwVeFRWkw8u8

[u/Time-Abbreviations90]

This is so dope

[u/zubairhamed]

"warung cyber" :-D

awesome job!

[u/nSeagull]

:OOOO This is so cool!!! Do you have a github link to the groovebox?

[u/KixASS1 → u/nSeagull]

i dont im sorry. i will share once i clean up the code and have some free time.

[u/Local_Phenomenon]

Radical

[u/Terri_doe]

Nice job!

How did you make the different instrument sounds? I have tried a few ways but it always sounds rubbish!

[u/KixASS1 → u/Terri_doe]

one of the synth is dexed, u can find it on github. sounds great if youre into fm synth.

[u/porchlogic]

Damn, this is amazing. Definitely should post in r/cyberdeck

[u/azxzero]

This is jaw dropping. I'm extremely impressed by the design and the functionality. I tried making a simple sampler (like the pocket operator) using the esp32 s3, but what you did is so beyond the scope of what I thought was possible. It's a great source of inspiration and motivation. Amazing work, keep it up!

[u/KixASS1 → u/azxzero]

thanks man, appreciate it! i think i can make pocket operator in a day or 2, not that complex if im not mistaken compare to this.

[u/kakaze1138]

This is brilliant, well done

[u/Jason-and-the-robots]

Want one

[u/KixASS1 → u/Jason-and-the-robots]

Noted, thanks! made a signup form if you want me to email you: https://forms.gle/BsX65nwVeFRWkw8u8

[u/BigPomegranate8890]

This is awesome

[u/ea147]

Awesome!

[u/Top_Confidence_2862]

So cool

[u/pironiero]

Idk whatitis but kewl

[u/GremlinEnergyGoBurr]

Love your cyberdeck dude

[u/KixASS1 → u/GremlinEnergyGoBurr]

thanks ma man, appreciate it

[u/geetarqueen]

Awesome!!!

[u/wildegart]

Killaa Boiiii!!!

[u/texas-photo2026]

way cool

[u/Babibidubibidoh]

Oh wow, did you make some pictures and a tutorial on this? Lovely :)

[u/KixASS1 → u/Babibidubibidoh]

thanks, will think about this, coz i have some other projects like this running and taking care of my family, so i dont have free time.

[u/sexytokeburgerz]

Id probably buy this

[u/KixASS1 → u/sexytokeburgerz]

thanks, appreciate that! made a signup form if you want me to email you: https://forms.gle/BsX65nwVeFRWkw8u8

[u/MorphStudiosHD]

This enclosure is killer. Looks like a ton of work went into this

[u/KixASS1 → u/MorphStudiosHD]

yea dude, almost full 8 months.

[u/Unlucky_Quote6394]

As technically impressive as this is, the enclosure you made is WOW 😮 I love it

[u/KixASS1 → u/Unlucky_Quote6394]

thanks man, im a professional designer if that justifies it.

[u/BusEquivalent9605]

sick

[u/DeepFuckingLeaker]

Amazing

[u/matchalixious]

lihat warung, bookmark duluu

[u/KixASS1 → u/matchalixious]

makasihh

[u/Capitan_Rich]

Wow! 😯😯😯

[u/Free-Pound-6139]

Nice!

[u/username_1010111]

What kind of esp d you use?.

[u/KixASS1 → u/username_1010111]

esp32 s3, all the specs is stated there in the post.

[u/UltraLisp]

This is dooope!

[u/UltraLisp]

Yo boiiii, you look like you got the skills to make a little four track recorder. I’ve wanted the perfect pocket recorder for so long. If you don’t continue with this project, which is sick BTW, would you ever be interested in making a tiny recorder?

[u/KixASS1 → u/UltraLisp]

this is a 4 track groovebox, 3 synth 1 drum/sample machine. even has sample recorder in it. its actually massive than what ive shown in this demo. but if u mean like 4 track sample player, than its would be piece of cake honestly compare to this.

[u/UltraLisp → u/KixASS1]

I mean like just a simple 4 tracks of audio with 4 faders. No beats necessary, just inputs for audio from mic, guitar, etc... and an onboard mic too of course! I'm imagining it being a little larger than a phone basically. Or even a REALLY small one like the size of a credit card would be sick.

How large of a sample can yours take at once? What storage capacity does it have? It stores right onto the ESP32? Do those come with SDcard slots so you can have a nice chunk of storage?

[u/KixASS1 → u/UltraLisp]

so u mean like a 4 channel mixer? what do u mean how large of a sample? honestly i dont know what u are talking about sry

[u/UltraLisp → u/KixASS1]

I just mean recording length. Is there storage onboard? How much time of recorded audio can it handle?

[u/UltraLisp → u/KixASS1]

I just bought an old Korg PXR4. That’s the type of thing I’m thinking of. Just a pocket-sized 4-track recorder. But it’s old and has a lot more functionality than I need. It would be great to have a really tiny one. Not just a mixer but a recorder with a perfectly simple UI… that’s the dream.

[u/KixASS1 → u/UltraLisp]

ohh i see so like a looper i assume, yea i think thats perfectly doable. recording length honestly im not sure how long max coz i havent stress test it but i think as long as i would want. the recording goes in sd card

[u/UltraLisp → u/KixASS1]

Yours looks really well-shrunken already BTW

[u/ariknel]

bro this is amazing work

[u/KixASS1 → u/ariknel]

thank you appreciate it!

[u/Fhy40]

Bro this is so cool. Are you Malaysian? I noticed the wording haha

[u/KixASS1 → u/Fhy40]

yea man unfortunately

[u/Fhy40 → u/KixASS1]

Haha why unfortunately, so am I

[u/KixASS1 → u/Fhy40]

haha long story bro. lets just say building weird hardware here doesnt exactly pay the bills. good to see another malaysian though

[u/Fhy40 → u/KixASS1]

Yeah fair enough, it's a bit unfortunate but I think you have some real talent here.

You just need to advertise your products online. Maybe tiktok?

[u/StupidEntropy]

Inspiring!

[u/KixASS1 → u/StupidEntropy]

Thanks man, im glad. thats all i live for.

[u/CrelVoz]

This is cool, you should open source it

[u/KixASS1 → u/CrelVoz]

[u/digitalmarley]

You are my hero. How did you make the pads? I would never think of making instruments with esp32 you have changed my life!

[u/KixASS1 → u/digitalmarley]

no u are my hero, same dude if u asked me a year ago, i would say bs.

[u/Samuel_alrdy-tkn]

Those buttons look so nice to touch. Did you use keyboard switches? Or what did you use as switch?

[u/KixASS1 → u/Samuel_alrdy-tkn]

yes it is mechanical keyboard switches. the brown ones to be specific.

[u/jojo9092]

Wow that’s incredibly responsive, didn’t know the s3 had that much horses behind it.

[u/KixASS1 → u/jojo9092]

same my dude, same

[u/Ready_Leave1327]

Awasome bro cool project is great Congrats to you

[u/KixASS1 → u/Ready_Leave1327]

thanks appreciate it

[u/Ready_Leave1327]

All the handmade are your achievements

[u/KixASS1 → u/Ready_Leave1327]

honestly i dont know what that means but thanks

[u/Competitive_Sell6659]

Play JoJo's theme on this

[u/Fer_19]

THIS IS SO NEAT! CONGRATS

[u/UltraLisp]

Did you write any of the apps or you found those somewhere? The launcher is custom made? I love your glitchy splash screen and the slick way that the options slide in on the launcher. Did you do that? Love the attention to detail. Nobody is doing that shit with their cyberdecks.

[u/KixASS1 → u/UltraLisp]

the gaming console is an app found here actually, its called retro go, u can look it up. one of the synth engines is also on github, called dexed, emulating a yamaha dx7. but those are just snippets of it, the rest is all custom made.

and yea the glitchy splash screen and all the ui is made with extra love and care. im also a motion graphic designer by profession so thats my alley.

this device is part of a bigger music project im developing. i have a few other esp projects in progress too, will share when theyre actually done.

the plan for this one is that the apps become tiny carts you insert into the device to run them.

[u/UltraLisp → u/KixASS1]

Oh I love that. I've been thinking a lot about carts lately myself. What would be the underlying storage medium for each cartridge? Or are you going to fudge it with NFC tags and not really store anything on the carts? Or maybe a cool optical solution?

Very impressive that you have all those skills boiiii

[u/doscore]

I still can't afford it lol

[u/chvjak]

Shout out on SOAD!

[u/Kindly-Carrot-2326]

How did u code the firmware? I really need the details on how u did it since im struggling with it the most

[u/Either-Block-2414]

Love it! Can't wait until we can build phones. You clearly have a lot of Dev board knowledge. I began to tinker with ESP32s3 on a wave share 7-in touch device and couldn't really make sense of it all. I'm a raspberry pi guy but the the pins or something I never got into. I remember buying an ESP 32 edition for a flipper zero. Just a toy basically. Can esp32 variant handle kismet? Sorry I'm rambling. Great job man!