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Documentation Index

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The SDVX Controller is a fully open-source, DIY arcade controller for Sound Voltex and compatible rhythm games. It runs on an STM32F401 (BlackPill v3.0) microcontroller and presents itself to any PC as a standard USB HID joystick — no drivers required. The project covers everything from PCB fabrication to 3D-printed enclosure parts to firmware that handles button debouncing, quadrature encoder decoding, and animated WS2812B RGB lighting — all from a single repository.

Introduction

Learn what the controller is, how it works, and what you need to build one

Bill of Materials

Full list of components, tools, and materials required for the build

PCB Design

Schematic, layout, Gerber files, and BOM for the custom single-layer PCB

Enclosure

3D-printed case parts, STEP files, and printing recommendations

Assembly Guide

Step-by-step instructions to go from parts to a working controller

Firmware

Firmware architecture, how to build with STM32CubeIDE, and flash via DFU

GPIO Pinout

Complete pin assignments for buttons, encoders, LEDs, and BOOT0

USB HID Report

HID report descriptor, byte layout, and axis/button mapping

How it works

1

Build the hardware

Etch or order the single-layer PCB, solder the components, and wire up the BlackPill, two LPD3806 encoders, seven Cherry MX buttons, and an optional WS2812B LED strip.
2

Print the enclosure

Print the eight STL files — top panel, bottom shell, side walls, keycaps, knobs, and spacers — then assemble the case around the PCB.
3

Flash the firmware

Open the project in STM32CubeIDE, build it, and flash the BlackPill over USB using DFU mode or an ST-Link adapter.
4

Play

Plug in via USB-C. The controller enumerates as a standard HID joystick — no drivers, works on Windows, Linux, and macOS out of the box.
This project is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. You are free to build, modify, and share it for non-commercial purposes with attribution.

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