🤖 ⚠️ AI-GENERATED PROJECT WARNING ⚠️

This entire codebase was created through AI conversation and prompts.

• ❌ NOT TESTED on real RK-002 hardware
• ❌ NOT VERIFIED by hardware experts
• ❌ MAY CONTAIN BUGS or hardware incompatibilities
• ⚠️ USE AT YOUR OWN RISK - especially with vintage Game Boy hardware

📋 Read the full DISCLAIMER.md before proceeding!

For production use: Upload via DUY Web Editor and test thoroughly!

ArduinoBoy for Retrokits RK-002 Smart MIDI Cable

DUYinoboy is a complete port of the classic ArduinoBoy project for the Retrokits RK-002 Smart MIDI Cable. Transform your Game Boy into a powerful MIDI-controlled instrument using just a smart MIDI cable and a modified Game Boy Link Cable.

DUYinoboy brings ArduinoBoy functionality to the ultra-compact RK-002 platform, optimized for MIDI input only:

• LSDJ MIDI Clock Sync - Sync Little Sound DJ as MIDI clock follower
• LSDJ Keyboard Mode - Play Game Boy like a synthesizer
• LSDJ Map Mode - 4-channel polyphonic control
• Nanoloop Clock Sync - Sync Nanoloop as MIDI clock follower
• Custom Modes - Extensible for your own Game Boy music applications

Note: RK-002 is MIDI input only - your DAW/sequencer provides the master clock

• Retrokits RK-002 Smart MIDI Cable
• Game Boy (DMG, GBP, GBC, or GBA)
• Game Boy Link Cable for modification
• Little Sound DJ (LSDJ), Nanoloop, or mGB cartridge
• Basic soldering skills
• MIDI interface with MIDI power support

1. Hardware Setup

   Game Boy Pin 3 (SIN) → RK-002 GPIO 1 (required)
   Game Boy Pin 6 (GND) → RK-002 Ground (required)
   Game Boy Pin 2 (SOUT) → RK-002 GPIO 2 (optional for bidirectional)
   

   See detailed Hardware Guide

2. Upload Firmware

   • Recommended: DUY Web Editor - browser-based development
   • Alternative: Arduino IDE 1.8.x with RK-002 board package
   • Simulation: Use Wokwi Arduino Simulator for testing

3. Connect and Play

   • MIDI Keyboard → RK-002 → Game Boy
   • Select mode with MIDI Program Change 0-7
   • Settings auto-save to EEPROM

This repository includes minimal RK-002 and EEPROM libraries in the libraries/ folder for VS Code IntelliSense and compilation testing:

• RK002.h/.cpp: Stub implementations for Arduino compatibility
• EEPROM.h/.cpp: Minimal EEPROM library for syntax checking
• .vscode/c_cpp_properties.json: VS Code configuration for Arduino projects

⚠️ Important: These are development stubs only! For actual hardware deployment:

• Use the DUY Web Editor (recommended)
• Or install the official RK-002 board package for Arduino IDE

Note: DUYinoboy supports MIDI input only - all modes operate as MIDI clock followers

mGB Basic (Mode 1): Direct note control

• MIDI Ch 1 → Game Boy Pulse 1
• MIDI Ch 2 → Game Boy Pulse 2
• MIDI Ch 3 → Game Boy Wave
• MIDI Ch 4 → Game Boy Noise

mGB Chord (Mode 2): Intelligent chord generation

• Single notes trigger chords across all 4 Game Boy channels
• CC 21: Chord type (Major, Minor, 7th, etc.)
• CC 22: Chord inversion
• 8 built-in chord types

mGB Arpeggiator (Mode 3): Pattern-based arpeggios

• Notes held in memory, arpeggiated across channels
• CC 21: Arpeggio pattern (Up, Down, Up/Down, Random)
• CC 22: Arpeggio speed (1-16 clock divisions)
• MIDI clock sync for tempo

mGB Scales (Mode 4): Musical scale quantization

• Notes quantized to musical scales in real-time
• CC 21: Scale type (Major, Minor, Dorian, etc.)
• CC 22: Scale root note
• 8 built-in musical scales

mGB Grids (Mode 5): Euclidean pattern generation

• Inspired by Mutable Instruments Grids
• 4-track Euclidean patterns for Game Boy channels
• CC 21-23: Pattern density and accent control
• MIDI clock driven for rhythmic patterns

• GPIO Pins: Exactly 2 pins available for I/O
• MIDI: Input only (no MIDI output capability)
• Power: MIDI bus powered (requires MIDI interface with power support)
• Programming: Via MIDI interface using Arduino IDE or DUY Web Editor
• Platform: ARM-based microcontroller with Arduino compatibility
• Cable Length: ~1.5 meters
• Expansion: Compatible with RK-202 Buttonboard for additional controls

DUYinoboy is designed as a MIDI clock follower only - your DAW/sequencer provides the master clock. The RK-002 hardware only supports MIDI input, so all timing signals are converted from incoming MIDI clock to Game Boy GPIO signals. No master clock generation capability.

• Pin 2 (SOUT): Red wire → RK-002 GPIO 2 (optional)
• Pin 3 (SIN): Orange wire → RK-002 GPIO 1 (required)
• Pin 6 (GND): Blue wire → RK-002 Ground (required)

Note: Always verify wire colors with continuity testing as manufacturers vary

• Browser-based development environment
• Cloud compilation and storage
• Direct upload to RK-002 via MIDI
• Community sharing built-in
• Perfect for beginners
• No local setup required

• Local development environment
• Full control over compilation
• Traditional Arduino workflow
• Requires RK-002 board package installation
• Better for advanced users

• Online simulation and testing
• No hardware required for development
• Real-time GPIO visualization
• Perfect for prototyping and learning
• See Simulation Guide

• Complete Hardware Guide - Wiring, soldering, and connections
• MIDI Control Reference - All MIDI commands and modes
• Simulation Guide - Online testing with Wokwi and others
• DUY Programming Tutorial - Custom firmware development
• Troubleshooting Guide - Common issues and solutions

• LSDJ (Little Sound DJ) - All versions, keyboard mode support
• Nanoloop - Version 1.x for Game Boy
• mGB - Full MIDI sound module support
• Custom homebrew - Use provided examples and templates

• Master/Slave Sync: Multiboot MIDI Sync
• Keyboard Mode: PC Keyboard Interface compatible
• Map Mode: 4-channel polyphonic control

We welcome contributions! Please see CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

• Report bugs via GitHub Issues
• Submit pull requests for improvements
• Share your custom modes and examples
• Improve documentation

This project is released under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.

• Original ArduinoBoy: trash80 (Timothy Lamb)
• RK-002 Platform: Retrokits
• Little Sound DJ: Johan Kotlinski
• mGB: trash80
• DUYinoboy Port: Contributors to this project

• Original ArduinoBoy Repository
• Retrokits RK-002 Smart MIDI Cable
• RK-202 Buttonboard Expansion
• Little Sound DJ Official Site
• Nanoloop Official Site
• mGB MIDI Game Boy

• DUY Web Editor - Official RK-002 programming environment
• Wokwi Arduino Simulator - Online simulation and testing
• Arduino IDE - Local development environment
• RK-002 Arduino Board Package - Installation guide

• LSDJ Wiki - Comprehensive LSDJ documentation
• LSDJ Operating Manual - Official documentation
• Retrokits Support - RK-002 resources and updates

Transform your Game Boy into the ultimate chiptune instrument with just a smart MIDI cable! 🎮🎵