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Case Zero Engine — Build Your Own Devices

We deserve to be free from attention-consuming, subscription and paywall-based tech. Ownership is enough. Translate your idea into hardware.

CASE ZERO CORTEX ENGINE // V0.2

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE?

Pick a preset to start with or begin from your own raw idea.

MUSIC
🎹
MIDI Synth
Hardware synthesizer with knob controls & MIDI output.
🎸
Guitar Pedal
Real-time digital audio effect processor pedal.
🎧
Pocket Music Player
Dedicated offline audio player with SD storage.
🥁
Drum Machine
Grid-based step sequencer with tactile pad triggers.
COMPUTING
📟
Cyberdeck
Portable field terminal with display & custom keyboard.
🎙️
Personal AI Assistant
Voice-prompted local assistant with visual indicators.
💻
Linux Laptop
Minimal SBC-based laptop built into a custom enclosure.
GAMES
🎮
Simple Game Controller
Custom USB/Bluetooth gamepad with arcade buttons.
👾
Portable Arcade
Handheld retro emulator machine with integrated screen.
LIGHT + ENVIRONMENT
💡
LED Light
Custom addressable RGB strip controller with modes.
🌱
Plant Monitor
Soil moisture, ambient light, and water level tracker.
OR START FROM SCRATCH
✨
I Have An Idea
Define a custom hardware machine from a blank slate.

DEFINING YOUR MACHINE

What do you want it to do?

HOW SHOULD IT CONNECT?

○ Nothing
○ USB
○ Wi-Fi
○ Bluetooth
○ USB + Bluetooth
○ Wi-Fi + Bluetooth

HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO SPEND?

$ Basic
$$ Affordable
$$$ More capable
$$$$ Advanced
$$$$$ Go wild
CORTEX RECOMMENDS

Raspberry Pi Pico 2

Good fit for buttons, knobs, MIDI, displays, and real-time hardware control.
CAPABILITIES VERIFIED:
✓ GPIO ✓ ADC ✓ PWM ✓ SPI ✓ I2C

YOU WILL NEED

  • Pico 2 Microcontroller
  • MIDI interface components
  • Potentiometers (10k)
  • Tactile buttons
  • Breadboard & Wires

YOU MAY ALSO WANT

  • OLED Display (128x64)
  • Case Zero Enclosure
  • Rechargeable LiPo Battery

BUILD THIS PROJECT

1
Get the partsGather your board, sensors, and breadboard cables.
2
Wire itFollow the Cortex Pin Mapper to build the breadboard prototype.
3
Upload the starter codeFlash the initial C++/MicroPython starter template.
4
Test each partRun individual diagnostic checks on buttons, knobs, and sensors.
5
Make your enclosureFit the working circuit into your Case Zero shell setup.
6
Modify itExpand capabilities with add-ons and custom code logic.
HARDWARE COMPARISON ENGINE

Microcontroller Matrix

Compare options when you want to look under the hood of Cortex's recommendations.

BoardBest ForCostWirelessKey Hardware Specs
Pico 2Hardware projects & real-time control$$No520 KB SRAM, 4 MB Flash, 2x SPI, 2x I2C, 2x UART, 24 PWM
Pico 2 WHardware + wireless connectivity$$Wi-Fi + Bluetooth520 KB SRAM, 4 MB Flash + CYW43439 Wireless module
UNO R4 MinimaBeginner electronics & standard shields$$No32-bit ARM M4, 14 Digital I/O, 6 Analog Inputs, DAC
UNO R4 WiFiArduino ecosystem & wireless IoT$$$Wi-Fi + BluetoothRA4M1 + ESP32-S3 module, 12x8 LED Matrix, Qwiic connector
ESP32-S3Connected devices & AI/Display builds$$$Wi-Fi + BluetoothDual-core Xtensa, USB OTG, Vector hardware acceleration
Cortex engine online. State your build objectives or ask a technical question.