Superbooth 2025: Erica Synths Pikocore XL packs Infinite Digits’ fascinating Lo-Fi sampler player and audio mangler into beautiful clothes.
On the World Wide Web, you can find countless lovely open-source projects for synths, samplers, and more. Infinite Digits is one of these developers that offers crazy good projects. One of them is the Pikocore, a super-affordable, Lo-Fi sample player with punchable, real-time effects, available for just $62 as a DIY kit or $89 ready-made.
The little thing can do a lot, but it doesn’t look appealing. Erica Synths stepped in and gave the project a visual makeover, offering it as a limited edition Pikocore XL DIY.
Erica Synths Pikocore XL DIY
Of course, the new Pikocore XL DIY is created in collaboration with Zack Scholl of Infinite Digital, also known for its Zeptocore or Ectocore breakbeat sample mangler module.
Pikocore XL DIY features the same open-source core and functionality as the original device, but comes in Erica Synths’ hands-on user interface and proper aluminum enclosure. Yes, new clothes make a big difference not only for people but also for music tech gear. The Pikocore turned out beautifully.
The Pikocore XL DIY is a Lo-Fi sample player and audio mangler based on the Raspberry Pi Pico. More precisely, it’s the brother of Infinite Digital’s nyblcore open-source project.
The sample engine is capable of holding up to eight minutes of 8-bit 33 kHz monophonic samples. These can be imported using a web application via USB-C and conveniently selected using the knob. Once you’ve selected your sample, it will play immediately, and the audio mangling fun begins.
Real-Time Audio Mangler
You can tempo sync them with a built-in selectable BPM that ranges from 60 to 300. Why is there a BPM? Simple, the Erica Synths Pikocore XL has beat-synced effects, including stutter, retrigger, gate, and tunneling that can be played in real-time with the knobs and buttons.
Then, you can use other real-time effects, including a resonant filter, time-stretcher, volume, wavefolder, break, and more. Another creative feature is the built-in sequencer, which allows you to capture effects movements in up to 128 steps.
All data, the samples, and manipulations are saved and loadable via the built-in EEPROM for instant patch recall.
Like the original DIY version from the Infinite Digits page, the Erica Synths version is also powered by a single alkaline AAA battery for up to 3 hours or by USB-C. Alongside sample import and power duties, the USB-C also enables you to load custom firmware versions.
Pikobeats is an alternative firmware that turns the device into a drum sequencer for the Pikocore or Piko-33, which flips it into a sample sequencer.
On the connection side, it has a mono audio output, MIDI, and a sync in/out that is compatible with the Pocket Operators and other devices.
First Impression
I’ve been following Infinite Digits’ fascinating projects for a while now, and I’m happy to see that there’s now a way to get one of his projects in a more beautiful, suitable package.
Erica Synths Pikocore XL DIY is now available as a DIY kit for 160€ + VAT + shipping.
More information here: Erica Synths
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