SRGBmods.net LED Controller v1

Introduction

The SRGBmods LED Controller v1 is an entry level / low budget DIY (do it yourself) ARGB controller exclusively designed to be used with SignalRGB!

Its base is an affordable (MSRP around $4.00) Raspberry Pi Pico micro-controller that makes it possible to drive up to 800 leds at mid to mid-high frame rates.

8 GPIO pins within a subsequent row can be used to connect your devices to it!

Useful information that might save you some hassle and trouble shooting:

Currently only WS2812B is supported officially! Other WS28XX-based strips should work as well though.
If you are running more than 100 leds off one pin, you are using a lot of pins, or your leds are flickering, you might need a Adafruit NeoPXL8 Friend (Level-Shifter) to step up to the WS2812B's 5V data line logic from the Pico's 3.3V pin logic. It could already help to skip a pin in between data lines to reduce interferences though!
This is NOT needed for the Adafruit Feather RP2040 SCORPIO, it's 8 dedicated pins are using 5V logic already!
Status LED and Hardware Lighting can be configured on-the-fly directly in the device options in SignalRGB!

A word of warning:

DO NOT

Color Compression can be enabled in the device options in SignalRGB to raise the frame rate at the cost of a reduced color spectrum! Not recommended for fast effects and/or low brightness!

Feel free to post feedback in the #hardware-diy-channel on the SignalRGB Discord!

The SRGBmods LC v1 is to be considered entry level / low budget! If you are looking for an enthusiast solution with more pins, leds and higher frame rates, check out the the SRGBmods LC v2 instead!

Global settings

Select micro controller unit (MCU):

Choose pins and corresponding led counts!

IMPORTANT:

ONLY a max of 8 GPIO pins can be used, all pins you choose have to be in a row of 8 subsequent pins.
You can still skip pins as long as the highest and the lowest pin number are still in the required range of 8 subsequent pins.

Examples for valid pins, so you get the general idea:

GPIO pins from 0 to 7 (either all or only selected, pins can be skipped)
GPIO pins from 2 to 9 (either all or only selected, pins can be skipped)
GPIO pins from 10 to 17 (either all or only selected, pins can be skipped)
GPIO pins from 15 to 22 (either all or only selected, pins can be skipped)

0leds

1leds

2leds

3leds

4leds

5leds

6leds

7leds

8leds

9leds

10leds

11leds

12leds

13leds

14leds

15leds

16leds

17leds

18leds

19leds

20leds

21leds

22leds

Required software:
- latest version of SignalRGB
- Arduino IDE (make sure NOT to use the Windows App Store version!)

Installing the required libraries:
- Launch Arduino IDE
- Click "Tools" -> "Manage Libraries..." to open the Library Manager.
- Click "File" -> "Preferences" to open settings menu.
- Click "Tools" -> "Board:" -> "Boards Manager..." to open the Boards Manager.

Setting up our micro controller:
- Click "Tools" -> "Board:" -> "Raspberry Pi RP2040 Boards" and select "Raspberry Pi Pico" or "Adafruit Feather RP2040 SCORPIO" respectively.
- Click "Tools" -> "USB Stack:" and select "Adafruit TinyUSB".
- Keep ArduinoIDE open.
- Quit SignalRGB if it is running!

Flashing the micro controller:

Generate and download the firmware sketch file, make sure to use exact LED counts and only set LED counts to pins that you are going to use.
In ArduinoIDE:
Click "File" -> "Open..." browse to the folder you downloaded the generated Sketch, select it and click "Open".
The Arduino IDE requires sketch files to be in a correctly named subfolder, so confirm the dialogue asking to move the file to the correct folder with "OK".
Click "Sketch" -> "Export compiled binary" in the ArduinoIDE window that opened.

Compiling the sketch takes a few seconds, so just wait and have an eye on the status at the bottom of the window.

Once it says "Done Compiling." you will find the compiled binary in the folder it move the sketch to.
Click "File" -> "Quit"
Put your micro controller into boot mode with disconnecting it and holding its "BOOTSEL" button while reconnecting it.
Copy the compiled binary (SRGBmods_LED_Controller_v1_[TIMESTAMP].ino.[MCU].uf2) to new the flash drive that appeared. The MCU will reboot and load the binary.

Setting up SignalRG:

(Re)launch SignalRGB, click "Devices" and select the SRGBmods LED Controller v1 and setup your Components and desired Hardware Lighting settings.
Enjoy!

Generate and download Firmware

Toggle the check box below and click the huge green button to generate and download the firmware!

I have read all instructions (huge red button top of the page!) and will follow them step by step, I swear!

Please keep in mind that lots of LEDs will draw a lot of power, make sure to check the specs of the used PSU and calculate the required wattage/amperage for your project.