# Step Switch Party ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/114/184/medium800thumb/components_step_switch_anim2.jpg?1660607344) Re-live your Roland 808 drum machine dreams with these step switches with LEDs. They're tactile, they're momentary, and they're awesome. This guide shows how you can use them as simple inputs for an Arduino or CircuitPython-based project on Pico, but you can use these methods for any microcontroller board you like. The basic examples let you make a desktop switcher, game item selector, or MIDI controller using a simple bit of code. You'll be reading switches and toggling their LEDs for feedback in no time! ## Parts ### Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Blue Plastic with Red LED [Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Blue Plastic with Red LED](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5517) These hinged momentary step switches are evocative of the [16-step sequencer keys on TR-808 sythesizers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808). Also sometimes used on A/V equipment, they're very tactile, with a good clicky feel. And of course, the built in red LED is... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5517) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5517/guides) ![Angled shot of three blue step-switches with LEDs.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5517-01.jpg) ### Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040 [Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4864) The Raspberry Pi foundation changed single-board computing [when they released the Raspberry Pi computer](https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/723), now they're ready to do the same for microcontrollers with the release of the brand new **Raspberry Pi Pico**. This... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4864) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4864/guides) ![Angle shot of Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4864-00.jpg) ### 20-pin 0.1" Female Header - Blue - 5 pack [20-pin 0.1" Female Header - Blue - 5 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4156) Female header is like the duct tape of electronics. It's great for connecting things together, soldering to perf-boards, sockets for wires or break-away header, etc. We go through these real fast, and thought that given how handy they are, we'd offer them in a pack of five! Each... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4156) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4156/guides) ![Five pack of 20-pin 0.1 Female Header - Blue plastic](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4156-00.jpg) ### Universal Proto-Board PCBs 5cm x 7cm - 3 Pack [Universal Proto-Board PCBs 5cm x 7cm - 3 Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4786) Here's a handy 3-pack of **5cm x 7cm Proto-board PCBs** in green. Both sides have a green silkscreen with some row/column markings. Note that these _don't_ have any traces between the PCB holes, In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4786) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4786/guides) ![Angled shot of single Universal Proto-Board PCB 5cm x 7cm](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4786-05.jpg) ### Break-away 0.1" 36-pin strip male header - Blue - 10 pack [Break-away 0.1" 36-pin strip male header - Blue - 10 pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4150) In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except we need headers, headers, and _more headers_! Each pack contains ten blue  **36-pin 0.1" pitch break-away male headers.**   These are a little extra special in that the plastic holding the pins... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4150) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4150/guides) ![Break-away 0.1 inch 36-pin strip male header - Blue plastic](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4150-03.jpg) ### Through-Hole Resistors - 1.0K ohm 5% 1/4W - Pack of 25 [Through-Hole Resistors - 1.0K ohm 5% 1/4W - Pack of 25](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4294) ΩMG! You're not going to be able to resist these handy resistor packs! Well, axially, they do all of the resisting for you! This is a **25 Pack of 1.0KΩ Resistors.** More specifically, they are **carbon film** , through-hole... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4294) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4294/guides) ![Angled shot of 25 Through-Hole Resistors - 1.0K ohm 5% 1/4W.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4294-00.jpg) ## Tools - **soldering iron & solder** - **hookup wire** - **wire cutters** - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/step-switch-party/step-switch-pinout.md) ## Featured Products ### Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Blue Plastic with Red LED [Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Blue Plastic with Red LED](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5517) These hinged momentary step switches are evocative of the [16-step sequencer keys on TR-808 sythesizers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808). Also sometimes used on A/V equipment, they're very tactile, with a good clicky feel. And of course, the built in red LED is... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5517) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5517/guides) ### Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Red Plastic with Red LED [Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Red Plastic with Red LED](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5499) These hinged momentary step switches are evocative of the [16-step sequencer keys on TR-808 sythesizers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808). Also sometimes used on A/V equipment, they're very tactile with a good clicky feel. And of course, the built in red... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5499) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5499/guides) ### Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Yellow with Red LED [Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Yellow with Red LED](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5516) These hinged momentary step switches are evocative of the [16-step sequencer keys on TR-808 sythesizers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808). Also sometimes used on A/V equipment, they're very tactile with a good clicky feel. And of course, the built in red... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5516) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5516/guides) ### Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of White with Red LED - PB86 [Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of White with Red LED - PB86](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5519) These hinged momentary step switches are evocative of the [16-step sequencer keys on TR-808 sythesizers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808). Also sometimes used on A/V equipment, they're very tactile with a good clicky feel. And of course, the built in red... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5519) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5519/guides) ### Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Gray Plastic with Red LED [Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Gray Plastic with Red LED](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5498) These hinged momentary step switches are evocative of the [16-step sequencer keys on TR-808 sythesizers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808). Also sometimes used on A/V equipment, they're very tactile, with a good clicky feel. And of course, the built in red LED is... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5498) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5498/guides) ### Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Black with Red LED - PB86 [Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Black with Red LED - PB86](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5502) These hinged momentary step switches are evocative of the [16-step sequencer keys on TR-808 sythesizers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808). Also sometimes used on A/V equipment, they're very tactile with a good clicky feel. And of course, the built in red... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5502) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5502/guides) ### Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Green with Red LED - PB86 [Step Switch with LED - Three Pack of Green with Red LED - PB86](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5518) These hinged momentary step switches are evocative of the [16-step sequencer keys on TR-808 sythesizers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808). Also sometimes used on A/V equipment, they're very tactile with a good clicky feel. And of course, the built in red... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5518) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5518/guides) ### Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040 [Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4864) The Raspberry Pi foundation changed single-board computing [when they released the Raspberry Pi computer](https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/723), now they're ready to do the same for microcontrollers with the release of the brand new **Raspberry Pi Pico**. This... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4864) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4864/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit S-35710 Low-Power Wake Up Timer Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-s-35710-low-power-wake-up-timer-breakout.md) - [IoT Power Outlet with CircuitPython and Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-io-a-c-power-relay.md) - [CircuitPython on Raspberry Pi (Bare Metal / No OS)](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-on-raspberry-pi-bare-metal-no-os.md) - [Espresso Water Tank Meter](https://learn.adafruit.com/espresso-water-tank-meter.md) - [NeoTrellis M4 Arpeggiator Synth](https://learn.adafruit.com/neotrellis-arpeggiator-synth.md) - [Use Apple HomeKit Devices with itsaSNAP and Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/use-apple-homekit-devices-with-itsasnap.md) - [Make It Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Accelerometer Use](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-shake-rattle-and-roll.md) - [Program CircuitPython USB Devices with iPhone & iPad](https://learn.adafruit.com/use-circuitpython-devices-with-iphone-ipad.md) - [Adafruit 3.5" Capacitive Touch TFT FeatherWing](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-3-5-capacitive-touch-tft-featherwing.md) - [Adding a Single Board Computer to Blinka](https://learn.adafruit.com/adding-a-single-board-computer-to-blinka.md) - [Adafruit I2C Quad Rotary Encoder Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-i2c-quad-rotary-encoder-breakout.md) - [Motorized POV LED Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/motorized-pov-led-display.md) - [Circuit Playground Sound-Controlled Robot](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-sound-controlled-robot.md) - [Adafruit Proximity Trinkey](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-proximity-trinkey.md) - [File Glider](https://learn.adafruit.com/file-glider.md)