Linus Torvalds, best known as the creator of Linux, has surprised the tech community by sharing his latest hobby project: designing guitar pedal circuit boards using KiCad. This unexpected crossover between computing and musical hardware has generated excitement among enthusiasts in both fields, highlighting how technical talents can transfer across different domains.
From Kernel Code to Guitar Pedals
The Linux creator's foray into guitar pedal design is particularly interesting given his self-deprecating admission that he's never done analog circuits in his life and doesn't even play guitar. This hasn't stopped him from creating detailed PCB designs for 1590A enclosures, complete with various power supply options and effects boards. The project demonstrates Torvalds' characteristic approach to technical challenges - diving deep into unfamiliar territory with meticulous attention to detail, even when the outcome is uncertain.
Some community members have drawn parallels to Torvalds' early description of Linux itself, noting his tendency toward understatement:
At release he (in)famously described Linux as just a hobby that won't be big and professional, so I strongly suspect there's a bit of cheeky / self-referential Torvalsian understatement going on here.
KiCad Gains a Celebrity User
The project has also brought attention to KiCad, the open-source electronic design automation suite Torvalds chose for his designs. Community members expressed enthusiasm about this high-profile endorsement, with one commenter praising the KiCad team's consistent improvement of the software over recent years. This visibility could potentially boost KiCad's adoption among hardware enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Hobbyist Electronics as a Creative Outlet
The guitar pedal project seems to represent a growing trend of tech professionals exploring hardware creation as a creative outlet. Several commenters mentioned their own experiences building guitar pedals from kits, suggesting this hands-on hobby provides a tangible counterbalance to the often abstract nature of software development. The satisfaction of creating physical devices that produce immediate sensory feedback appears to be a common draw.
Despite the technical challenges - both electrical and mechanical - that Torvalds acknowledges in his designs, the project embodies the maker spirit that has long been associated with open source communities. Whether or not the pedals actually work seems almost secondary to the joy of exploration and creation.
Base Board Power Supply Options
- LT1054 charge pump and voltage doubler (9V to +15V dual rails)
- LT1945 version (+15V using more modern chips)
- LM27762 version (+4.2V rails)
- Two USB-C-powered versions (one LT1054, one LM27762)
- VGND version with TLE2426 rail splitter (creates virtual ground at 4.5V)
Effects Board Designs
- Traditional boost pedal with clipping diodes switch
- Baxandall tone control with volume knob
- Splitter-with-headphone-amplifier
- Signal joiner (takes two inputs and combines them)
Key Components
- ALPHA 3PDT latching stomp switch
- ALPHA PCB-mount potentiometers (9mm/16mm)
- 1/4" thread lock panel mount mono jacks
- SMD resistors (0805)
- Capacitors (primarily 1206)
- Hammond 1590A enclosure
Finnish Cultural Connection
Some community members playfully connected Torvalds' guitar pedal project to Finland's strong metal music tradition, suggesting the Linux creator might be embracing his cultural heritage through this hobby. While this may be speculation, it adds an interesting cultural dimension to what might otherwise be seen as a purely technical pursuit.
For guitar enthusiasts and electronic hobbyists alike, Torvalds' detailed documentation of his process - including component choices, mechanical constraints, and potential pitfalls - provides valuable insights regardless of whether the designs themselves prove functional. His approach demonstrates that even world-renowned software engineers can embrace the uncertainty and learning curve that comes with exploring new technical domains.
Reference: Random guitar pedal board designs for 1590A enclosures