# AdaBox 016

## Introduction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK3Hz-vrSto

# Hi there!

[If you're looking to subscribe to AdaBox, click here!](https://www.adafruit.com/adabox)

If you're here, it's because you were given the gift of electronics with an AdaBox! Perhaps you are a beginner who is getting started with your AdaBox. Or maybe you just want to relive what it's like being a beginner at electronics again. But most of all, you want to learn how to build and make creative, awesome stuff with electronics, displays, graphics, and coding! ([If, rather than learn all that, you'd like to look at pictures of cats instead, please check https://www.adafruit.com/galleries/cats-of-engineering](https://www.adafruit.com/galleries/cats-of-engineering))

And, you're in luck: there's _never_ been a better time. Seriously. We're not just saying that. It's wild how great a time this is for you to learn electronics, LED displays, coding, graphics, and Internet-connected WiFi projects using images with LOTS of LEDs!

Gone are the days where you need thousands of dollars of equipment and a physics/math background. Nowadays, if you want to learn to work with electronics and code microcontrollers, you can jump right in for $100 or less and any sort of computer. And we're talking about learning _a lot_ of electronics, graphics, coding, and wireless action - from the basics of setting up a microcontroller, to customizing your graphics on a beautiful LED matrix display, and doing it wirelessly! Soon you'll be turning your wall into your very own personalized Times Square!

# Who is this for?

Anyone who is interested in learning how to program and build interactive projects, and with access to a modern web browser. That's pretty much the minimum. Remember, this guide is specifically for people who have purchased or received an AdaBox subscription!

**You don't need to know a lot of physics or math** , and just like an Art Degree isn't required for making art and being creative, **you _don't_ need to have a computer science or mechanical engineering degree**. It helps if you're comfortable using computers but that's a skill most people pick up through life.

**If you know how to program already - great! If not, don't worry, we'll teach you enough to be dangerous.**

# Who **isn't** this for?

While you can follow along without an AdaBox, it will not make as much sense unless you have _all_ of the components and more which either came as a gift or purchased yourself - remember, the goal is helping beginners!

This guide is also not for goats. Goats are awesome, but [they'd rather be doing Yoga](https://www.latimes.com/style/pets/la-hm-pets-goat-yoga-20170827-story.html).

If you're an expert, please visit our thousands of other tutorials and jump right in at [learn.adafruit.com](https://learn.adafruit.com/)

# Who are you?

Great question. This is me:

https://youtu.be/VDIwnLllLZQ

I'm Ladyada, and I love to teach people how to build stuff and how they can be creative with technology.

So, are you ready?

Let's do this thing!

# AdaBox 016

## Unboxing Adabox 016

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/644/medium800/led_matrices_Adabox_16_Packaging_top_card_CROP_2020_09.jpg?1602525348)

 **It's just a BLINK to the left, and then a SPARKLE to the the ri-i-i-i-ight...**  This Halloween we're going to glam it up, and shine brighter than ever! In this ADABOX we'll give you 2000+ rainbow pixels to customize for the ultimate expressive display.  
  
**With a bit of a mind flip... ** make a mesmerizing digital sand box or huge spooky eyes for your windowsill.  **Space out on sensation....**  playing your favorite animated GIFs or the latest tweets.  **Nothing can ever be the same...** once you have a Matrix Portal and a 64x32 RGB Matrix display! This WiFi-connectable display is like a little bit of Times Square brought into your home.  
  
**A huge thank you to Digi-Key for going above-and-beyond to help support Adafruit over the last few months.**  Digi-Key's support made this box possible, and we are so excited to see what you will build!  
  
**So come up to the ADABOX lab and see what's on the slab. I see you shiver with antici...**

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/642/medium800/led_matrices_4708_kit_v2_2k_2020_10.jpg?1602525047)

## AdaBox 016 Contents
## Adafruit Matrix Portal

The star of the show! With a powerful SAMD51 processor, it can easily drive an RGB Matrix display while juggling other tasks. Add in an ESP32 WiFi co-processor and you've got full connectivity. Plugs right into the back of any RGB Matrix, and is powered over USB C.

![led_matrices_4745_iso_2k_2020_09.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/646/medium640/led_matrices_4745_iso_2k_2020_09.jpg?1602527269)

![led_matrices_4745_kit_2k_2020_09.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/647/medium640/led_matrices_4745_kit_2k_2020_09.jpg?1602527326)

![led_matrices_4745_quarter_2k_2020_09.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/648/medium640/led_matrices_4745_quarter_2k_2020_09.jpg?1602527443)

![led_matrices_4745_demo_2k_2020_09.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/649/medium640/led_matrices_4745_demo_2k_2020_09.jpg?1602527486)

## 64 x 32 RGB Matrix

Over 2000 colorful LEDs - the most LEDs of any ADABOX! Plug it into the **Matrix Portal** and use our Arduino or CircuitPython libraries to draw and animate.

![led_matrices_RGB_LED_Matrix-demo_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/651/medium640/led_matrices_RGB_LED_Matrix-demo_2k.jpg?1602527725)

![led_matrices_RGB_LED_Matrix_panel_front_copy.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/665/medium640/led_matrices_RGB_LED_Matrix_panel_front_copy.jpg?1602530436)

![led_matrices_RGB_LED_Matrix-kit_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/666/medium640/led_matrices_RGB_LED_Matrix-kit_2k.jpg?1602530473)

## LED Diffusion Acrylic

This black acrylic adds some extra diffusion to your LED Matrix project. This material is made of special cast acrylic that makes it perfect for glowy projects.

![led_matrices_black_diffusion_acrylic_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/652/medium640/led_matrices_black_diffusion_acrylic_2k.jpg?1602527787)

## Adhesive Squares

This strong and transparent adhesive is perfect for mounting the LED acrylic to the front of your matrix.

![led_matrices_uglu_stickers_x_6_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/653/medium640/led_matrices_uglu_stickers_x_6_2k.jpg?1602527831)

## 5V 2.4A Power Supply + USB C Adapter

Once you've programmed your matrix, you can power it with this supply for a stand-alone display. If your location doesn't use US plugs, use a low-cost plug adapter.

![led_matrices_5.25V_2.4A_power_supply_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/654/medium640/led_matrices_5.25V_2.4A_power_supply_2k.jpg?1602527883)

![led_matrices_USB_microB_to_C_adapter_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/656/medium640/led_matrices_USB_microB_to_C_adapter_2k.jpg?1602527907)

## Bent Wire Stand

Keep your kit upright while you're working on it with this simple but effective stand.

![led_matrices_wire_tablet_stand_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/657/medium640/led_matrices_wire_tablet_stand_2k.jpg?1602527939)

## M3 Machine Screws

Use two on the Matrix Portal to attach power cables. The rest can be used if you want to mount the Matrix display using the M3 bosses.

![led_matrices_C12221_top_ORIG_2020_10_copy.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/679/medium640/led_matrices_C12221_top_ORIG_2020_10_copy.jpg?1602541860)

## Face Mask

Stay safe, stay covered!

![led_matrices_black_cloth_PPE_mask_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/659/medium640/led_matrices_black_cloth_PPE_mask_2k.jpg?1602528174)

## Ear Saver

We love these flexible ear savers, they hook onto the loops of a mask behind your head - keeping your delicate ears from chafing.

![led_matrices_rubber_ear_saver-iso_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/660/medium640/led_matrices_rubber_ear_saver-iso_2k.jpg?1602528230)

![led_matrices_rubber_ear_saver-demo_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/095/661/medium640/led_matrices_rubber_ear_saver-demo_2k.jpg?1602528266)

# AdaBox 016

## Shipping Demo

If you'd like to re-load the shipping Adabox demo, download the UF2 below, then load it onto your matrix portal by double-clicking the Reset button and then dragging the UF2 over onto the **MATRIXBOOT** drive.

[ADABOX016_DEMO.UF2](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/096/257/original/ADABOX016_DEMO.UF2?1603404018)
# AdaBox 016

## Matrix Portal

# AdaBox 016

## Matrix Portal Creature Eyes

# AdaBox 016

## Halloween Countdown Display

# AdaBox 016

## Tombstone Matrix Portal

# AdaBox 016

## Moon Phase Clock

# AdaBox 016

## Scoreboard

# AdaBox 016

## Network Connected Clock

# AdaBox 016

## Custom Scrolling Quote Board

# AdaBox 016

## YouTube On Air Sign

# AdaBox 016

## Matrix Display Handbag

# AdaBox 016

## Weather Display

# AdaBox 016

## Bitcoin Value Display

# AdaBox 016

## Purple Air AQI Display

# AdaBox 016

## Learn Guide Scroller

# AdaBox 016

## IoT Twitter Listener Party Parrot

# AdaBox 016

## Pixel Art and Animation Display

# AdaBox 016

## Animated GIF Player

# AdaBox 016

## Protomatter RGB Matrix Library

# AdaBox 016

## Image Correction for Matrices

# AdaBox 016

## Creating Projects With CircuitPython Matrix Portal Library

# AdaBox 016

## 3D Printed Matrix Portal Handles

# AdaBox 016

## Matrix Panels in CircuitPython


## Featured Products

### Adafruit Matrix Portal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display

[Adafruit Matrix Portal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4745)
Folks love our [wide selection of RGB matrices](https://www.adafruit.com/category/327) and accessories, for making custom colorful LED displays... and our RGB Matrix Shields and FeatherWings can be quickly soldered together to make the wiring much easier. But what if we made it...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4745)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4745/guides)
### 64x32 RGB LED Matrix - 4mm pitch

[64x32 RGB LED Matrix - 4mm pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2278)
Bring a little bit of Times Square into your home with this sweet 64 x 32 square RGB LED matrix panel. These panels are normally used to make video walls, here in New York we see them on the sides of busses and bus stops, to display animations or short video clips. We thought they looked...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2278)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2278/guides)
### Black LED Diffusion Acrylic Panel - 10.2" x 5.1"

[Black LED Diffusion Acrylic Panel - 10.2" x 5.1"](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4749)
 nice whoppin' rectangular slab of some lovely black acrylic to add some extra diffusion to your LED Matrix project. This material is 2.6mm (0.1") thick and is made of special cast acrylic that makes it perfect for glowy projects, especially matrices or NeoPixels.

Unlike...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4749)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4749/guides)
### 5V 2.5A Switching Power Supply with 20AWG MicroUSB Cable

[5V 2.5A Switching Power Supply with 20AWG MicroUSB Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1995)
Our all-in-one 5V 2.5 Amp + MicroUSB cable power adapter is the perfect choice for powering single-board computers like Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, or anything else that's power-hungry!

This adapter was specifically designed to provide 5.25V, not 5V, but we still call it a 5V USB...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1995)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1995/guides)
### Micro B USB to USB C Adapter

[Micro B USB to USB C Adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4299)
As technology changes and adapts, so does Adafruit, and speaking of _adapting_, this _ **adapter** _ has a Micro B USB jack and a USB C plug.

USB C is the latest industry-standard connector for transmitting data _and_ power....

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4299)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4299/guides)

## Related Guides

- [Adafruit MatrixPortal M4](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-matrixportal-m4.md)
- [LED Matrix Display for Bitmap Pixel Art and Animation](https://learn.adafruit.com/pixel-art-matrix-display.md)
- [Matrix Portal Creature Eyes](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrix-portal-creature-eyes.md)
- [LED Matrix Scoreboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-matrix-scoreboard.md)
- [Shake Away 2021 with MatrixPortal](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrixportal-shake-away-2020.md)
- [Cardboard Window Skull With Animated LED Eyes](https://learn.adafruit.com/cardboard-window-skull-animated-led-eyes.md)
- [RGB Matrix Automatic YouTube ON AIR Sign](https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-matrix-automatic-youtube-on-air-sign.md)
- [Raspberry Pi LED Matrix Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-led-matrix-display.md)
- [Halloween Countdown Display Matrix](https://learn.adafruit.com/halloween-countdown-display-matrix.md)
- [RGB LED Matrices with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-led-matrices-matrix-panels-with-circuitpython.md)
- [Moon Phase Clock for Adafruit Matrix Portal](https://learn.adafruit.com/moon-phase-clock-for-adafruit-matrixportal.md)
- [Custom Scrolling Quote Board Matrix Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/aio-quote-board-matrix-display.md)
- [RGB Matrix Dreidel Game](https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-matrix-dreidel-game.md)
- [Adafruit NeoTrellis](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neotrellis.md)
- [LED Glasses Custom Animated Graphics with Sprites](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-glasses-custom-animated-graphics-with-sprites.md)