Patternflow

An open-source LED synthesizer. Play light with your fingertips.

Four knobs. The pattern answers as you turn them.

Every Patternflow plays every pattern we make.

Around 40 people have made one so far.

After Nam June Paik's Participation TV, 1963 — read why ↗

Built on it

A Raspberry Pi port ↗ — day
MOTIFLOW, a browser instrument built on Patternflow patterns ↗ — Azmano
The Performance edition: sequences on a timeline, MQTT in every role ↗ — Simone Majocchi
Sleep mode, and a pattern that survives power-off ↗ — bendobos
The Crowd Supply campaign launches ↗

Build your own.

Around US$100–200 and an hour of hands-on work.

$100–200All partsAt best: 3D printing ~$30 · panel ~$20 · ESP32-S3 ~$15 · PCB & rest ~$35. Shipping, minimum order quantities and a reprint or two take it up from there.

~1 hrHands-on30 min soldering, 30 min assembly. Big through-hole joints — a first time is fine.

~10–12 hrPrintingPrinter time, not yours. Nearer 12 at finer layer heights.

~2 wkShippingOrder the parts first — the wait is the longest part.

Four steps — hover to preview on the device

Print the case

3D print the current PLA enclosure.

Solder the PCB

Hand-solder the custom Patternflow PCB.

Assemble

Encoders, matrix, power wiring, and case fit.

Flash and power on

Browser flash the release firmware, then insert the ESP32-S3.

Start hereBuild Guide v3.0.0 ↗PLA case, hand-soldered PCB, browser flash. Start to finish in one document.

Order the PCBPCBWay ↗Print the caseMakerWorld ↗All filesRelease v3.0.0 ↗

Breadboard, laser-cut, or an older v2 board? Every route is in the assembly map.

Open the assembly map

Make and flash patterns.

Write it here, watch it on the device, flash it from the browser.

01 / 42Originon the device

Paste AI-generated code here, or edit the preset. The preview updates as you type.

Where it goes next01

Pattern Lab ↗

The full studio — batch generation, color ramps, and ESP32 C++ compile.

Community ↗

Share what you make, fork what everyone else made.

The build server compiles your pattern into firmware in the browser. The Arduino IDE is only for new firmware features or a different matrix size.

Got the hardware?Do this once

Browser flashing works in desktop Chrome or Edge.

Plug the ESP32-S3 into the left USB-C port. Sets up Wi-Fi and boots into Origin, then the Basics pack adds 33 more in one click.

Flashing guide ↗ for the steps, the port, and what to do if the board doesn’t show up.

Chrome / Edge only

Inside the work.

Builds, projects, and places where Patternflow comes to life.

Day-to-day helpDiscord ↗Build questions, finished builds, custom patterns.In motionInstagram ↗Send a clean video and it usually goes up as a collab post.Anything elseContactExhibitions, commissions, and collaboration.

Pick a marker or a title to explore.

Around the world15 entries

Made something with Patternflow, or used it somewhere? Send a link or a photo and I'll add it here.