Building Your Own MacroPod One: Part 1 [Hardware]

Making a one key macro keyboard can be a fun and rewarding project for electronics enthusiasts. With just a few key components, such as a key switch, LED, resistor, and a Digispark microcontroller, you can build your own custom keyboard with a single programmable key.

The process involves assembling the components on a PCB or breadboard, wiring them together, and then programming the Digispark to perform the desired function when the key is pressed. This could include launching a specific application or performing a custom keystroke sequence.

While the project may seem simple, it requires some basic knowledge of electronics, programming, and soldering. With practice and patience, anyone can learn how to make a one key macro keyboard and create their own custom shortcuts and functions.

Things you will need:

To build your MacroPod One, you would require the following components. You can buy it locally or click on the below links to buy it via Amazon.

1. Digispark ATTiny85
2. General purpose PCB
3. 3 Pin, Tactile Switch/Button
4. Cutter
5. Soldering Iron
6. Solder Wire
7. Solder Flux
8. Male / Female Headers

Circuit Diagram:

Below is a simple representation of the circuit diagram for the MacroPod One:
Attiny GND to switch GND
Attiny 5V to switch Vcc
Attiny P1 to switch Out

Fig. 1 Simple Representation of Circuit Diagram

You can check out the schematic and the PCB files from the below link:
Schematic: https://github.com/themacroproject/macropod_one/blob/master/Schematic_Macro_Pod_One.png
PCB: https://github.com/themacroproject/macropod_one/blob/master/PCB_Macro_Pod_One.png

Assembly:

As shown in the youtube video mentioned above, you can mount the whole circuit on a general purpose PCB or create your own custom PCB using the schematic/PCB files provided above. Follow the below steps to and check out the video to assemble the components.

1. Place the female headers as shown in the youtube video above. Make sure the Digispark Attiny85 fits in the headers before soldering them to a general purpose PCB. You can also solder the Attiny85 directly to the PCB without the headers.
2. Solder the female headers on the PCB and check if the Attin85 pins fit the headers perfectly.
3. Insert a 3 pin male header besides the female headers to connect the switch to the board and solder the switch to the male headers.
4. After connecting the switch, connect both the components as shown in the circuit connection diagram (Fig. 1) using solder or wires from below the PCB.
5. The MacroPod One will be ready after following the above steps. You can remove the Attiny85 to upload arduino code by connecting it to the computers USB.

We will cover on how to upload the code to your MacroPod One in the Part 2 of this tutorial.
You can check out the code, PCB designs and schematics in the repository for MacroPod One from our Github Page — https://github.com/themacroproject/macropod_one

Please let us know in the comments if you have any queries. Share this with your friends who you think will benefit from the MacroPod One.

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