AfternoonBlend

Percolator Labs

Homebrew Multimedia Cards for Retro Coffee-Themed Computers

About Percolator Labs

Percolator Labs is a collection of custom multimedia expansion cards (graphics and audio) designed for the pBITz series of homebrew retro computers.

Just like a perfect cup of coffee, these cards deliver rich visuals, deep sound, and satisfying performance — freshly brewed on the hardware bus.

Tagline:
"Brewed Pixels. Brewed Beats. One Perfect Cup."

Philosophy

• Thematic Consistency: Every card name follows a coffee hierarchy, from simple drip to complex crafted experiences.
• Progressive Enhancement: Cards scale in capability matching the host machines — from Z80 classics to 68k powerhouses.
• Homebrew Spirit: Designed for fun, experimentation, and maximum retro enjoyment.

These cards are designed specifically for the pBITz series of coffee-themed homebrew machines.

Percolator Pixel — Graphics Cards

Series Tagline: "Freshly Rendered Graphics"

Percolator Audio — Sound Cards

Series Tagline: "Brewed Beats"

Roadmap

• Phase 1 (Current): Core card designs (Virtual Drip, Original Joe, Crema/Latte Art, Double Shot / Quad Crema / Latte Symphony)
• Phase 2: Complete schematics, KiCad files, and firmware for all cards
• Phase 3: Driver development for Nitros-9, custom OS on 68k machines, and demo software
• Phase 4: Full documentation, programming manuals, and artwork (stickers, faceplates)
• Phase 5: Community releases, possible physical runs, and expansion ideas (e.g. higher-res cards, MIDI, etc.)

Project Goals

• Create a cohesive multimedia ecosystem for homebrew 8/16-bit machines.
• Maintain strong coffee + retro computing theming.
• Provide high-quality, well-documented hardware and software interfaces.
• Encourage community contributions and forks.

Repository Structure (Planned)

Percolator-Labs/
├── docs/                  # Schematics, manuals, programming guides
├── hardware/
│   ├── pixel/             # Graphics card designs
│   └── audio/             # Sound card designs
├── firmware/              # FPGA code, drivers
├── software/              # OS drivers (Nitros-9, custom OS, etc.)
├── artwork/               # Logos, stickers, silkscreens
└── README.md

Getting Started

1. Browse the hardware/ directory for schematics and KiCad files.
2. Check docs/ for card-specific programming manuals.
3. Join the discussion on your favorite retro forum (or open an Issue here).

License

This is a homebrew / open hardware project. All designs are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license unless otherwise noted.

Brewed with passion in the home lab.
☕ Percolator Labs — Making retro computing taste better since 2026.

Last updated: June 2026
Made for the pBITz family of homebrew machines.