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4 layers220 × 170 mmArpeggiator, the printed circuit board in 3D

12-note analog arpeggiator with a 1/2/3 octave range, custom pcb and printed case

Size
220 × 170 mm
Copper layers
4
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
360
Nets
365
Pads
1,495
Tracks, vias
5,914, 1,127
Pours
4
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
Created
19 Oct 2026
Updated
23 Oct 2026

Overview

Arpeggiator is an open-source printed circuit board by EwoudVV, from the EwoudVV/arpeggiator repository on GitHub. It is a 4-layer board of 220 × 170 mm with 360 parts on 365 nets, routed with 5,914 tracks and 1,127 vias.

It is built around the 74HC08D, 74HC32D and 74HC04D, with the 74HC14, 74HC163D and 74HC574D among its other parts. Its parts include 102 resistors, 68 capacitors, 46 ICs, 7 transistors and 5 diodes.

Main components

12

README

README.md

Arpeggiator

a standalone arpeggiator made from analog circuits and logic chips. no microcontroller or firmware

there are 12 note switches, arranged like one octave of a piano. turn on the notes in a chord and it plays them in ascending order. a 1/2/3-octave selector sets how many octaves it plays before repeating

with C, E and G selected, the two-octave setting plays C, E, G, then the same notes an octave higher, then starts again

controls

  • 12 latching note switches and note LEDs
  • 1/2/3-octave range selector
  • tempo knob and start/stop button
  • tuning, decay, tone and volume knobs
  • sawtooth/pulse waveform switch
  • mono line output on a 3.5 mm jack
  • regulated 12V DC, centre-positive 5.5 x 2.1 mm plug

how it works

a clock sets the pace. a counter and logic circuit find the next selected note, skipping notes that are switched off. the note and octave are saved in a register so the pitch stays steady between steps

a precision voltage reference and resistor ladder set the note voltages. the selected voltage, plus an octave offset, controls an analog oscillator. an envelope controls each note's volume, followed by the tone control and output buffer

the controls and connectors will fit into a printed desktop case. the plan is one custom four-layer PCB, with through-hole controls and larger surface-mount parts where practical

progress

the PCB is routed. it's 220 x 170 mm, with four layers. the controls are on the front and most of the circuit is on the back

i started with two layers, but fitting all the ground connections around the signal tracks was getting awkward. the two inner ground planes made that much easier

the printed case is drawn too, with a removable rear cover for tuning. i'm getting the parts together now

parts list · buy quantities and prices

case

PCB render, front

PCB render, back

some of the controls don't have 3D models yet

Sequencer schematic

Pitch reference and ladder

Oscillator schematic

Input power and 5 V supply

files

open arpeggiator.kicad_pro in KiCad. the main schematic links the circuit sheets in schematic

arpeggiator.kicad_pcb is the routed board. the case files and assembly notes include the FreeCAD model, STEP assembly and printable STLs

fabrication files includes the Gerbers and bottom stencil for JLCPCB. the board uses 1 oz outer copper and 0.5 oz inner copper

design notes

journal

Half Life project

made for Hack Club Half Life, music week

parts

BOM.csv lists what goes into one build. PURCHASES.csv has the pack sizes and minimum quantities from the shops. the case and knobs use my own filament

the current quotes add up to about $359. that includes estimated postage for the oscillator and acrylic rods, but not any LCSC import charges

full parts list
qtypartpart numbersupplier
474HC0474HC04D,653LCSC
874HC0874HC08D,653LCSC
174HC13874HC138D,653LCSC
474HC1474HC14D,653LCSC
174HC154CD74HC154M96LCSC
474HC163SN74HC163DRLCSC
774HC3274HC32D,653LCSC
374HC37774HC377D,653LCSC
174HC4051D74HC4051D,653LCSC
474HC57474HC574D,653LCSC
374HC7474HC74D,653LCSC
274HC8674HC86D,653LCSC
1ADG706BRUZADG706BRUZ-REEL7LCSC
1AS3340AAS3340AInfinite Machinery
1CD74HC4067MCD74HC4067MLCSC
1L7805CVL7805CVLCSC
1L7905CVL7905CVLCSC
1LM13700M/NOPBLM13700M/NOPBLCSC
1LT1054CPLT1054CPMouser
1MCP100T-450I/TTMCP100T-450I/TTLCSC
2OPA4192IDROPA4192IDRLCSC
1TL074HIDRTL074HIDRLCSC
2TL431BIDBZRTL431BIDBZRLCSC
3TLC555IDRTLC555IDRLCSC
1TMUX6219DGKRQ1TMUX6219DGKRQ1LCSC
11 / 2 / 3 octavesSR2612F-0403-18R0B-D8-NTayda
11000u 25VEEU-FR1E102Mouser
4100k 0.01% 25ppm/CRNCF0805TKT100KMouser
1100k audio volumeRD901F-40-15F-A100KTayda
1100k coarse trim3296W-1-104LFLCSC
1100k offset null3296W-1-104LFLCSC
1100k toneRD901F-40-15F-B100KTayda
1100k tuneRD901F-40-15F-B100KTayda
2100n film 100V 5%R82EC3100DQ70JTayda
2100u 25VEEU-FC1E101SMouser
410k 0.01% 25ppm/CRNCF0805TKY10K0Mouser
110k tempco3296W-1-103LFMouser
11M decayRD901F-40-15F-B1MTayda
11u film 63V 5%R82DC4100DQ60JTayda
12.2u film 100V 10%MKS4D042204F00KSSDTayda
120k HF track3296W-1-203LFLCSC
1250k linearRD901F-40-15F-B250KTayda
22N70022N7002,215LCSC
13.5mm mono line outPJ-3001FTayda
1470n film 63V 5%R82DC3470AA60JMouser
347u 25V25YXJ47M5X11Mouser
1500 scale3296W-1-501LFMouser
1A1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1A sharp1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1AO3401AAO3401ALCSC
1B1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
2BAT54GWBAT54GWXLCSC
1BAT54S,215BAT54S,215LCSC
1BSS84BSS84,215LCSC
1BZT52C8V2BZT52-C8V2JMouser
1C1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1C sharp1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1D1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1D sharp1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1E1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1F1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1F sharp1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1G1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1G sharp1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1LM4040A25IDBZRLM4040A25IDBZRLCSC
1MF-MSMF035/33X-2 / 350mAMF-MSMF035/33X-2Mouser
2MMBT3904MMBT3904,215LCSC
3MMBT3906MMBT3906,215LCSC
1PESD5V0S1BA,115PESD5V0S1BA,115LCSC
1PJ-102AH / 12V DC centre +PJ-102AHMouser
1SMBJ12ASMBJ12AMouser
3SS14SS14-E3/61TMouser
1saw / pulse1MS1T1B1M2QESTayda
1start / stopB3F-4055LCSC
11.1M 1%RC0805FR-071M1LMouser
21.5M 1%RC0805FR-071M5LMouser
11.5k 1%RC0805FR-071K5LMouser
11.82M 0.1%CPF0805B1M82EMouser
11.8M 1%ERJ-6ENF1804VMouser
1100 0.1%RT0805BRD07100RLMouser
11100k 1%RC0805FR-07100KLMouser
1100n 5%C0805C104J5RACTUMouser
68100n 50V X7R 10%CC0805KRX7R9BB104LCSC
5100p C0GC0805C101J5GACTUMouser
210k 0.1%RT0805BRD0710KLMouser
110k 0.1% 25ppm/CRT0805BRD0710KLMouser
2510k 1%RC0805FR-0710KLMouser
610nC0805C103J5GACTULCSC
110u 16VGRM21BR61C106KE15LLCSC
115k 0.1% 25ppm/CRT0805BRD0715KLMouser
1174k 0.1%RT0805BRD07174KLMouser
118.2k 1%ERJ-6ENF1822VMouser
21M 1%RC0805FR-071MLMouser
121k 0.1%RT0805BRD071KLMouser
61k 1%RC0805FR-071KLMouser
21n C0GC0805C102J5GACTUMouser
121u 16VCC0805KKX7R8BB105Mouser
142.2k 1%RC0805FR-072K2LMouser
12.32k 0.1%RT0805BRD072K32LMouser
12.49k 1%RC0805FR-072K49LMouser
1200k 1%RC0805FR-07200KLMouser
120k 0.1%RT0805BRD0720KLMouser
2220 1%RC0805FR-07220RLMouser
122k 1%RC0805FR-0722KLMouser
124k 1%RC0805FR-0724KLMouser
22k 0.1%RT0805BRD072KLMouser
12n C0GC0805C202J5GACTUMouser
2330k 0.1%RT0805BRD07330KLMouser
1330n 50VC0805C334K5RACTUMouser
133k 1%RC0805FR-0733KLMouser
133p C0GC0805C330J5GACTUMouser
1360k 0.1%RT0805BRD07360KLMouser
136k 1%RC0805FR-0736KLMouser
14.7 1% 0.25WRC1206FR-074R7LMouser
14.7u 25V X7RGRM21BR71E475KA73LLCSC
2470 1%RC0805FR-07470RLMouser
547k 1%RC0805FR-0747KLMouser
15.62k 0.1%RT0805BRD075K62LMouser
151k 1%RC0805FR-0751KLMouser
16.04k 0.1%RT0805BRD076K04LMouser
16.49k 0.1%RT0805BRD076K49LMouser
1820k 1%RC0805FR-07820KLMouser
2910 1%RC0805FR-07910RLMouser
6copper test pad-with PCB
1logic test headerM20-9990846Mouser
12note LED, 0805APT2012SYCKMouser
1four-layer PCB, 220 x 170 mm, 1.6 mm FR4, 1 oz outer / 0.5 oz innerarpeggiator-jlcpcbJLCPCB
1printed tray, control panel, rear cover and octave collar-printed
5printed pot knob-printed
1regulated 12V DC adapter, >=0.5A, centre +, 5.5/2.1mmSMI6B-12-4-P5Mouser
1printed octave knob-printed
18M3 x 8 mm socket-head screwA-6393Tayda
18M3 hex nutNut M3Tayda
4stick-on rubber foot, about 12 mm diameterRF-1204Tayda
1clear 3 mm acrylic rod, at least 200 mm stocka24061900ux1460Harfington
1round black button capB32-1610Mouser
5M7 x 0.75 thin pot nut and washer-control hardware
131/4-40 toggle nut and washer-control hardware
13/8-32 NEF rotary nut and lockwasher-control hardware
1M6 x 0.5 jack nut and washer-control hardware
1bottom-side frameless stencil, 380 x 280 mm, 0.12 mmarpeggiator-bottom-stencilJLCPCB

Parts

360
QtyValueFootprintReferences
2510kResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR101, R102, R103, R104, R105, R106, R107, R108, R109, R110, R111, R112, R140, R141, R142, R143 +9
142.2kResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR221, R222, R223, R224, R225, R226, R227, R228, R229, R230, R231, R232, R714, R724
121k 0.1%Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR511, R512, R513, R514, R515, R516, R517, R518, R519, R520, R521, R522
121u 16VCapacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC101, C102, C103, C104, C105, C106, C107, C108, C109, C110, C111, C112
11100kResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR130, R216, R535, R601, R602, R605, R637, R701, R716, R726, R728
874HC08Package_SO:SOIC-14_3.9x8.7mm_P1.27mmU406, U413, U414, U417, U418, U421, U423, U425
774HC32Package_SO:SOIC-14_3.9x8.7mm_P1.27mmU409, U410, U411, U412, U419, U422, U424
610nCapacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC172, C182, C531, C533, C602, C634
61kResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR131, R628, R632, R634, R635, R636
5100nCapacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC130, C140, C141, C501, C532
5100p C0GCapacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC502, C503, C621, C713, C714
547kResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR606, R610, R626, R715, R725
4100k 0.01% 25ppm/CResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR531, R532, R622, R623
410k 0.01% 25ppm/CResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR504, R505, R621, R624
474HC04Package_SO:SOIC-14_3.9x8.7mm_P1.27mmU404, U405, U408, U416
474HC14Package_SO:SOIC-14_3.9x8.7mm_P1.27mmU401, U402, U403, U420
474HC163Package_SO:SOIC-16_3.9x9.9mm_P1.27mmU211, U213, U214, U215
474HC574Package_SO:SOIC-20W_7.5x12.8mm_P1.27mmU201, U202, U203, U204
4M3MountingHole_3.2mm_M3H1, H2, H3, H4
347u 25VCapacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D5.0mm_P2.00mmC704, C705, C711
374HC377Package_SO:SOIC-20W_7.5x12.8mm_P1.27mmU205, U206, U221
374HC74Package_SO:SOIC-14_3.9x8.7mm_P1.27mmU301, U302, U303
3MMBT3906Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23Q606, Q702, Q703
3SS14Diode_SMD:D_SMAD703, D704, D707
3TLC555IDRPackage_SO:SOIC-8_3.9x4.9mm_P1.27mmU101, U102, U601
21.5MResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR534, R542
2100n 25VCapacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC703, C717
2100n U501Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC551, C552
2100n U504Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC553, C554
2100n U602Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC555, C556
2100n U603Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC557, C558
2100n U604Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC559, C560
2100n U705Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC715, C716
2100n film 100V 5%Capacitor_THT:C_Rect_L7.2mm_W2.5mm_P5.00mmC631, C632
2100u 25VCapacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D6.3mm_P2.50mmC701, C707
210k 0.1%Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR625, R639
21MResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR541, R629
21n C0GCapacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC171, C534
2220Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR607, R611
22N7002Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23Q601, Q605
22k 0.1%Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR711, R722
2330k 0.1%Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR713, R723
2470Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR536, R543
274HC86Package_SO:SOIC-14_3.9x8.7mm_P1.27mmU407, U415
2910Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR729, R730
2BAT54GWDiode_SMD:D_SOD-123D601, D708
2MMBT3904Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23Q602, Q604
2OPA4192IDRPackage_SO:SOIC-14_3.9x8.7mm_P1.27mmU501, U602
2TL431BIDBZRPackage_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23U703, U704
1+12VTestPoint:TestPoint_THTPad_D1.5mm_Drill0.7mmTP703
1+5VTestPoint:TestPoint_THTPad_D1.5mm_Drill0.7mmTP702
1-5VTestPoint:TestPoint_THTPad_D1.5mm_Drill0.7mmTP705
11 / 2 / 3 octavesArpeggiator:SW_Alpha_SR2612F_4P3TSW114
11.1MResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR633
11.5kResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR537
11.82M 0.1%Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR620
11.8MResistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR163
1100 0.1%Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012MetricR540
11000u 25VCapacitor_THT:CP_Radial_D10.0mm_P5.00mmC708
1100k audio volumePotentiometer_THT:Potentiometer_Alpha_RD901F-40-00D_Single_VerticalRV604
1100k coarse trimPotentiometer_THT:Potentiometer_Bourns_3296W_VerticalRV606
1100k offset nullPotentiometer_THT:Potentiometer_Bourns_3296W_VerticalRV602
1100k tonePotentiometer_THT:Potentiometer_Alpha_RD901F-40-00D_Single_VerticalRV603
1100k tunePotentiometer_THT:Potentiometer_Alpha_RD901F-40-00D_Single_VerticalRV605
1100n 5%Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC601
1100n 50VCapacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC706
1100n U101Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC903
1100n U102Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC904
1100n U103Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC945
1100n U201Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC907
1100n U202Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC910
1100n U203Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC908
1100n U204Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC911
1100n U205Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC909
1100n U206Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC912
1100n U211Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC914
1100n U212Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC915
1100n U213Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC916
1100n U214Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC917
1100n U215Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012MetricC918

The 241 most common of 360 parts.

Questions

How big is the Arpeggiator PCB?

It measures 220 × 170 mm and has 4 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the Arpeggiator use?

360 parts, built around the 74HC08D, 74HC32D, 74HC04D and 74HC14. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.

Where can I download the Arpeggiator KiCad files?

From the EwoudVV/arpeggiator repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is arpeggiator.kicad_pcb and its schematic arpeggiator.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the Arpeggiator design in my own project?

Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask EwoudVV before reusing the design.

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