A practical path for Arduino / MIDI / Synth DIY projects

Author: ChatGPT
Date: 2026

This guide is written for someone who:

• Already understands basic electronics
• Builds Arduino / MIDI / DIY hardware
• Has never used KiCad seriously
• Wants to design simple PCBs quickly

Typical project example:

Arduino Nano controller
MIDI IN / OUT
LCD display
Encoder
Buttons
LEDs
microSD module

The goal is not to become a PCB expert, but to reach this level:

Design a reliable 2‑layer PCB for DIY devices.

Many beginners think KiCad is complicated.
In reality you only need five ideas.

A symbol is the part used in the schematic.

Example:

Arduino Nano
Resistor
6N138
74HC14
LED

A symbol represents the electrical concept.

A footprint is the physical shape on the PCB.

Example:

DIP‑8
DIP‑14
0603 resistor
PinHeader 1x04
DIN5 MIDI connector

Example mapping:

Symbol : 6N138
Footprint : DIP‑8

The schematic is the electrical diagram.

Example:

Arduino TX → resistor → MIDI OUT

You design logic here first.

After the schematic is complete, KiCad generates the PCB.

Process:

Schematic
↓
Assign Footprints
↓
Update PCB

Now you can:

• place components
• route traces

A net is an electrical connection name.

Example:

+5V
GND
MIDI_TX
SDA
SCL

KiCad connects components based on net names.

Every KiCad project follows this order.

1  Create project
2  Draw schematic
3  Assign footprints
4  Update PCB from schematic
5  Place components
6  Route traces
7  Generate Gerber

Never start with PCB first.

The best learning method is a very small project.

Example:

Arduino Nano
LED
Button

Steps:

1. Create schematic
2. Assign footprints
3. Generate PCB
4. Route board

This takes about 30 minutes.

Once you do this once, everything becomes clear.

Best beginner tutorial:

Phil's Lab KiCad Tutorial

YouTube search:

Phil's Lab KiCad Tutorial

Channel:

Phil's Lab

Duration: ~1 hour

Why it is recommended:

• Real engineering explanation
• Clear PCB workflow
• Good pacing

Official documentation:

https://docs.kicad.org/9.0/en/getting_started_in_kicad/

Important chapters:

Create project
Schematic editor
Assign footprints
PCB editor
Routing

Do not read everything.

Only understand the workflow.

Most Arduino projects use:

Through‑hole parts
2‑layer PCB
Low frequency signals

This means the PCB design is easy.

Recommended rules:

Signal traces : 0.25–0.4 mm
Power traces : 0.5–1 mm

Avoid extremely tight layouts.

Example:

80 × 60 mm board

is very comfortable.

Many modules use pin headers.

Example modules:

• LCD display
• sensors
• microSD boards

Example LCD I2C header:

GND
VCC
SDA
SCL

Typical wiring solution:

LCD module
↓
Dupont female connector
↓
cable
↓
PCB connector

Often the PCB side uses:

JST‑XH
Molex KK
Pin header

This mixed connector approach is very common in DIY electronics.

Always place:

LCD connector
MIDI connector
USB connector
buttons

These must align with the case.

Example:

Arduino Nano

Place it near the center.

Route:

5V
GND

before signal lines.

Built‑in KiCad libraries are already very good.

Common footprints:

PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm
DIP‑8
DIP‑14
LED_D5.0mm
SW_PUSH_6mm

These cover most Arduino projects.

Studying existing open projects helps a lot.

Example categories:

Arduino shields
DIY synthesizer modules
Eurorack modules

They provide real PCB layouts.

https://docs.kicad.org

YouTube channel explaining PCB design.

Search:

Phil's Lab KiCad

Another excellent PCB education channel.

Search:

Contextual Electronics PCB design

https://forum.kicad.info

Very helpful for beginners.

Do not try to master everything.

Instead:

Learn → Build → Improve

Suggested schedule:

Day 1

Watch tutorial
Create simple LED board

Day 2

Design your real project

Day 3

Improve layout
Generate PCB files

KiCad looks intimidating only at the beginning.

For DIY Arduino‑style boards:

After one small project, everything becomes easy.

Focus on:

• schematic logic
• connector placement
• simple routing

Avoid unnecessary complexity.