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LEDSpicer - LED Controller for Arcade Cabinets

LEDSpicer is a Linux daemon for controlling LED hardware in arcade cabinets and similar projects. It supports illuminated joysticks, buttons, and joystick restrictors, with seamless integration into popular arcade Linux distributions.

Supported Hardware

LED Controllers

  • Ultimarc Ultimate I/O (96 LEDs)
  • Ultimarc PacLed64 (64 LEDs)
  • Ultimarc NanoLed (60 LEDs - Experimental)
  • Ultimarc PAC Drive (16 LEDs)
  • GroovyGameGear Led-Wiz 32 (32 LEDs)
  • WolfWare Tech Howler (96 LEDs - Discontinued)
  • Adalight (Variable LEDs)
  • Raspberry Pi GPIO (28 LEDs).

See Devices for additional details.

Restrictors and Rotators

  • GroovyGameGear GP-Wiz40 RotoX, GP-Wiz49
  • Ultimarc ServoStik, UltraStik360
  • TOS GRS Gate Restrictor

Key Features

Performance & Architecture

  • Minimal memory and CPU footprint with optimized data transmission
  • Plugin architecture for devices, animations, and inputs
  • Multi-device support as a unified entity
  • C++17 codebase with shared library (libledspicer)

LED Control

  • RGB and single-color element support
  • Element grouping for simplified configuration
  • Default colors for elements and groups
  • Color filters (masking, blending)
  • Timed element activation

Animations

  • Pulse, Gradient, Serpentine, Random, Filler effects
  • Audio-reactive animations (PulseAudio/ALSA)
  • FileReader for external animation data
  • Time or cycle-based actor control
  • Multiple concurrent animations per group

Profiles & Transitions

  • Dynamic profile loading by game, emulator, or controller
  • Smooth transitions: FadeOutIn, Crossfade, Curtain
  • XML-based profile and animation configuration
  • Profile caching for performance

Input & Integration

  • MAME output event support
  • Input plugins: Mame, Impulse, Actions, Blinker, Credits, Network
  • Command-line control via emitter
  • Network plugin for remote control

Hardware Support

  • Joystick restrictor and rotator control
  • Solenoid handling with timed power delivery
  • Compatible with most Linux distributions, Raspberry Pi, and MiSTer FPGA

Demo Video

Documentation