26.1 ZicModKick

The ZicModKick is a compact, performance-driven Eurorack modular synthesizer and Kick drum engine powered by the Electro-Smith Daisy Seed (ARM Cortex-M7 @ 480MHz). It combines dual high-performance Kick synthesis engines, a 64-step algorithmic pattern sequencer, master 2-band EQ, and a dedicated 10-potentiometer tactile interface for instant hands-on sound design without menu-diving.

Key Features

Dual Synthesis Engines:
- KickWave: Advanced multi-harmonic parametric Kick engine featuring customizable harmonics (Harmonic 2 & 3), wave shaping, wave skewing, wave folding, phase offset, FM depth, drive, resonator, and bitcrushing.
- PotKick: Classic punchy drum synth engine featuring body pitch/decay control, FM snap and depth, VCO morphing, sweep depth and shape, wavefolding, bitcrush, and resonator.
Hands-on 10-Potentiometer Interface: 10 dedicated potentiometers mapped directly to key synthesis parameters for immediate tactile control during performance.
Master 2-Band EQ: Global LOW and MID shelf/peaking equalizer (EQ Low, EQ Mid) active across both synthesis engines.
64-Step Sequence Brain:
- 8 Predefined Hardcoded Techno Patterns progressing from basic 4-on-the-floor to complex syncopated grooves, pitch turnarounds (+1/+2 semitone pitch variations on turnarounds), industrial rolls, and peak escalations.
- Real-time Note Repeat (stutter roll generator).
- Shift-key combination shortcuts for body muting and live transposition.
MIDI Synchronization: Integrated hardware MIDI Master Clock output running over UART (pin D6) at 31,250 baud.
OLED & Encoder Display Interface: 64x32 I2C OLED screen driven by a single clickable rotary encoder for deep system and sequencer adjustments.

Hardware & Bill of Materials (BOM)

Component	Description	Pin / Location
Microcontroller	Electro-Smith Daisy Seed (ARM Cortex-M7)	Core Processor
Display	SSD1306 64x32 I2C OLED	SDA: `D12`, SCL: `D11`
Rotary Encoder	Encoder with push button	A: `D8`, B: `D10`, Click: `D9`
Button 1	Tactile Switch (Shift Key)	`D5`
Button 2	Tactile Switch (Repeat / Play-Stop)	`D4`
Button 3	Tactile Switch (Stop Body / Kick Trigger / Mute)	`D3`
Front MIDI OUT	UART5 TX (31,250 baud)	`D6` (Jack on front panel)
Internal ESP32 Link	USART1 TX (31,250 baud)	`D13` (Direct wire to `zicModSamples` ESP32)
Potentiometer 1	Analog Potentiometer (FM Depth / Duration)	`A10`
Potentiometer 2	Analog Potentiometer (Drive)	`A1`
Potentiometer 3	Analog Potentiometer (Wave Shape / VCO Morph)	`A6`
Potentiometer 4	Analog Potentiometer (Harmonic 2 / FM Depth)	`A4`
Potentiometer 5	Analog Potentiometer (Harmonic 3 / FM Snap)	`A11`
Potentiometer 6	Analog Potentiometer (Wave Skew / Sweep Depth)	`A5`
Potentiometer 7	Analog Potentiometer (Wave Fold / Sweep Shape)	`A8`
Potentiometer 8	Analog Potentiometer (Phase Offset / Wavefold)	`A0`
Potentiometer 9	Analog Potentiometer (Resonator / Bitcrush)	`A3`
Potentiometer 10	Analog Potentiometer (Bitcrush / Resonator)	`A2`

Inter-Board Connection Diagram (zicModKick $\rightarrow$ zicModSamples)

To connect zicModKick (Daisy Seed) to zicModSamples (ESP32):

+------------------------------------+          +-----------------------------------+
|      Daisy Seed (zicModKick)       |          |      ESP32 (zicModSamples)        |
|                                    |          |                                   |
|   D6 (UART5 TX)  --> [Front Jack]  |          |                                   |
|   D13 (USART1 TX)---------------------------->| RX (GPIO 16)                      |
|   VIN (5V)       <--- 5V Power ---><----------| 5V / VIN                          |
|   GND            <--- Common GND --><---------| GND                               |
+------------------------------------+          +-----------------------------------+

Front-Panel Jack Free: The front MIDI jack (D6) remains available to output MIDI clock and notes to external synths or drum modules.
No Optocoupler Required: Because both Daisy Seed (D13) and ESP32 (GPIO 16) run at 3.3V logic, they are connected directly pin-to-pin.

Control Layout & Potentiometer Mapping

The 10 physical potentiometers dynamically adapt their target parameters depending on which engine is active:

Potentiometer	Hardware Pin	`KickWave` Engine	`PotKick` Engine
Pot 1	`A10`	FM Depth	Duration
Pot 2	`A1`	Overdrive / Saturation	Overdrive / Saturation
Pot 3	`A6`	Wave Shape	VCO Morph
Pot 4	`A4`	Harmonic 2 Level	FM Depth
Pot 5	`A11`	Harmonic 3 Level	FM Snap
Pot 6	`A5`	Wave Skew	Sweep Depth
Pot 7	`A8`	Wave Fold	Sweep Shape
Pot 8	`A0`	Phase Offset	Wavefold
Pot 9	`A3`	Resonator	Bitcrush
Pot 10	`A2`	Bitcrush	Resonator

Hardware Navigation & Button Controls

Control	Action	Function
Encoder Rotate	Scroll	Navigate menu items or adjust value
Encoder Click	Press	Select / Toggle parameter edit mode
Button 1	Hold	Shift modifier key
Button 2	Press	Trigger Note Repeat (stutter roll)
Button 2	Shift + Press	Toggle Sequencer PLAY / STOP
Button 3	Press	Trigger Kick / Temporary Body Mute
Button 3	Shift + Press	Toggle Persistent Kick Body Mute

Menu System

Pressing or rotating the encoder accesses the system menu on the 64x32 OLED display:

Engine: Switch active engine (0: PotKick, 1: KickWave).
BPM: Adjust sequencer tempo (60 to 240 BPM).
Master Vol: Adjust master output volume (0% to 100%).
EQ Low: Adjust Low-shelf master equalizer (-12 dB to +12 dB).
EQ Mid: Adjust Mid-peaking master equalizer (-12 dB to +12 dB).
Engine-specific Parameters: Deep parameters not mapped to physical pots (e.g. Pitch, Pitch Envelope, Click, Sub-Rumble).
Pattern: Select from 16 hardcoded 64-step techno patterns (1. Basic 4/4 through 16. Hard Techno).
Repeat Rate: Note repeat stutter speed (1x to 8x).
Transpose: Transpose sequencer playback (-24 to +24 semitones).
PLAY / STOP: Toggle playback status.