matcha.cat : Hobbies

Here are my various hobbies!

Making & Tinkering

I love opening things up to see how they tick, and to repair them when they need it. If I can save myself a buck by making something myself instead of buying it premade, you can rest assured that I'll choose that route.

Here are a few of the projects I've done :

Controllers
(forgive their unfinished looks)

Beatmania IIDX Doubles Controller

Beatmania IIDX Doubles Controller

A IIDX deck-style controller loosely built according to Twinkle models, with Lightning-style Start button placement.

    Specifications
  • Chassis made from 1/2" plywood and 1/8" acrylic panels
  • Samducksa buttons with stock springs and switches
  • 3D-printed AC-sized turntable designed by Lain
  • Custom RP2040-based PCB running USBemani firmware

DDR Pad

DDR Pad

A cheaply-built LTEK-like DDR pad with FSRs.

    Specifications
  • Base made from 1/2" and 1/4" HDR and 1/8" polycarbonate panels
  • FSR 406 sensors
  • Arduino Pro Micro based perfboard PCB

CHUNITHM Controller

OpeNITHM Controller

A pretty average rendition of the OpeNITHM controller done for about CA$50 thanks to my college's makerspace which provided and cut the acrylic panels free of charge.

Keyboards

Redox Keyboard

Redox keyboard
Disassembled Redox keyboard with its wiring shown

A 3D-printed, painfully handwired Redox split keyboard.

    Specifications
  • Painfully handwired to an Arduino Pro Micro running QMK Firmware
  • Akko Wave keycaps (GMK Wave clone)
  • Gateron Pro Speed Silver dual-stage spring switches
  • Hotswappable switches

matcha70

The WIP Ergogen layout of the matcha70

A 3D-printed, low-profile (Gateron KS-33), wireless split keyboard.

    Specifications
  • Zodiark layout with added pinky splay~
  • Custom double-sided PCB
  • Cheap Matcha-themed XVX Horizon low-profile keycaps
  • Nuphy Moss switches (early bump tactiles)
  • Hotswappable switches

Programming

I've always been passionate about technology and how it functioned – I'm now a Computer Engineering major.

    Languages
  • Java
    (Swing 💀)
  • C#
    (Unity)
    I've dabbled in
  • Python
  • SvelteKit & Tailwind CSS & TS
    (for this website!)
  • HTML/CSS/JS
    I wish to specialize in
  • Graphics Programming
    (OpenGL / glsl)
  • Embedded Development
    (STM32 / Nordic)
  • Audio Programming
    (Embedded / VST)

Rhythm Gaming

I've been playing rhythm games since I was 11, starting with osu! and gradually moving to arcade rhythm games.

BEMANI

I've been playing BEMANI games since 2017, unknowingly starting with Jubeat (Jukebeat on iPad) and expanding to Sound Voltex, Beatmania IIDX, and Dance Dance Revolution.

Sound Voltex
(11th Dan - 17.584 VF)

I've been playing Sound Voltex since 2019, starting with USC with a keyboard and moving to playing Exceed Gear with an SVSE5 that I've gradually upgraded.

I can play up to 18s on a good day, but I can EXC AAA 17s consistently.

Beatmania IIDX
(SP 7th Dan)

I've been playing IIDX since 2022, starting with a controller I built for quite literally CA$5 and moving up 7th Dan with my doubles controller.

I can play up to SPA 10s consistently, and I've passed a handful of 11s.

Jubeat
(no clue)

I've been dabbling in Jubeat, more specifically Jukebeat on iPad, since 2017, effectively making it the first BEMANI title I've played. Since I don't have any arcade accurate controller for it nor do I have access to a cab, I mostly play it at cons or every now and then on a touchscreen.

I can relatively easily clear 9s with an A or S grade, and can more difficulty clear a decent amount of 10s.

Performai

I've been playing Performai titles since early 2023, after building the CHUNITHM controller shown above. I haven't gone into them as deeply as I have with BEMANI games.

CHUNITHM
(Rating: 14.68)

I've been playing CHUNITHM since 2023, starting after I built my OpeNITHM. I've been playing it on and off, able to clear 13s with pretty good scores, and 14s with pretty abismal scores.

Interested In / Talk To Me About

I'm always open to talking about my hobbies, and I'm always interested in learning about new things.

Here are a few things I'm interested in and/or would love learning more about :

  • Arcade rhythm games
  • Programming
    (Graphics, Embedded)
  • Electronics
  • Computer hardware
  • Older-ish Apple hardware
  • 3D printing
  • Ergonomic peripherals
  • CAD modeling
  • Any kind of making
  • Hardware and software audio synthesis/DSP
    (VSTs, modular synthesis)
  • Motion graphics / Computer visuals
    (TouchDesigner, Processing)
  • Fursuit making
    (Digital design and manufacturing processes)

You have reached the bottom :)