Project Hub /Audio Displays & Interactive Media/LED Matrix & Cube Displays/Patternflow

Intermediate

ESP32

Project Specific

6 – 12 Hours

Partial Kit

Patternflow

Patternflow is an open-source LED synthesizer that lets users shape real-time creative-coding patterns on a 128x64 LED matrix using four rotary encoders.

Originally published on Hackaday.io

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

MAX7219-4 Dot Matrix LED Display Module – 4-in-1 Cascaded Panel Rs. 698.00
ESP32-C3 Development Board with Berg Pins - Unsoldered Rs. 390.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: Battery (generic / unspecified)
Microcontroller IC (DIP) / Chip
Rotary Encoder
Screws / Nuts / Standoffs / Hardware
5-pin

Browse all components

How It Works

Patternflow operates as a real-time hardware LED synthesizer, driving a high-resolution 128x64 HUB75 P2.5 LED matrix using an ESP32-S3 microcontroller. The system is powered by a 5V USB power bank, which delivers sufficient current to both the logic board and the bright matrix display. User input is captured through four EC11 rotary encoders connected via pin sockets, allowing direct, physical manipulation of variables within the Patternflow firmware. As the user turns or presses the encoders, the ESP32-S3 processes these inputs immediately to alter the creative-coding visual parameters being rendered. The code itself can be prototyped or simulated using a browser-based editor before being flashed onto the microcontroller. The HUB75 panel requires rapid parallel data multiplexing to maintain a flicker-free image across its 8,192 individual pixels, a task well-suited to the dual-core processing power and high-speed GPIO handling of the ESP32-S3. By bridging physical control inputs with a dense pixel grid, the hardware translates mechanical rotation into dynamic visual graphics instantly.

Why Build This

Design and exhibit your own interactive real-time visual art pieces for school projects or local exhibitions.

Combine hardware microcontrollers with creative coding to understand how physical inputs control digital displays.

Gain hands-on experience wiring and programming high-density HUB75 LED matrices commonly used in digital signage.

Real-World Application

Interactive art installations, live music/jam sessions, creative coding displays, and educational workshops in digital fabrication and electronic arts.

Skills You'll Learn

HUB75 matrix multiplexing

microcontroller firmware flashing

rotary encoder signal processing

creative coding visual synthesis

power management for high-draw LED displays

Safety Precautions

Ensure proper handling of USB power banks and correct polarity when wiring power connections.

Technology Tags

ESP32

LED MATRIX

HUB75

ROTARY ENCODER

3D PRINTING

FDM

SYNTH

CREATIVE CODING

C++

OPEN SOURCE

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a standard phone charger instead of a USB power bank?

Yes, as long as the USB power source can supply a stable 5V output with sufficient amperage to handle the peak power draw of the LED matrix.

Do I need prior experience with creative coding to use Patternflow?

No, the project supports a web-based simulator and pre-written firmware so you can start manipulating patterns using the rotary encoders right away.

Why is an ESP32-S3 used instead of a standard microcontroller?

The ESP32-S3 provides the high processing speed and memory required to handle real-time data multiplexing for a dense 128x64 HUB75 LED matrix panel.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

PRJ-01571