# open-smc-pad: replacing M-Vave SMC-PAD firmware

> open-smc-pad replaces the M-Vave SMC-PAD controller's firmware with a USB bootloader, runtime and Arduino core. Its stock-firmware research documents the USB-MIDI SysEx service protocol, flash layout and hardware wiring; the implementation supports pads, knobs, LEDs, USB-MIDI and BLE-MIDI.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Firmware · Protocol
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-11-07
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/fedepaj/open-smc-pad>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/fedepaj/open-smc-pad/blob/21cc306a10fe1c5c53e6828100d84b32396cae44/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/open-smc-pad-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/open-smc-pad-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/open-smc-pad-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** An M-Vave SMC-PAD with factory firmware and a USB connection is required for installation.
- **Prerequisites:** Source installation uses macOS or Linux and a source build; later firmware updates use USB DFU.
- **Limits:** The author reports operation on one pad; 3.5 mm MIDI OUT and Windows host installation remain unfinished.
- **License:** MIT license; parts derived from the JieLi SDK are Apache 2.0.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/fedepaj/open-smc-pad/blob/21cc306a10fe1c5c53e6828100d84b32396cae44/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/fedepaj/open-smc-pad/blob/21cc306a10fe1c5c53e6828100d84b32396cae44/docs/sinco-protocol.md>

## More in Firmware and hardware

- [Predator Sense for Linux: reconstructing PHN16-72 firmware control](https://awesomerea.org/resources/predator-sense-phn16-72-linux-case/index.md) · Case study
- [HH41V: reconstructing the GOTU/SUDH update process](https://awesomerea.org/resources/hh41v-fota-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Band 9 表盘生成器: Huawei Band 9 HWT watch-face format reconstruction](https://awesomerea.org/resources/band9-watchface-generator-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Echo Show camera: reconstructing LineageOS camera support](https://awesomerea.org/resources/echo-show-lineageos-camera-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Yamaha SMAF Player: MA-series ringtone playback reconstruction](https://awesomerea.org/resources/yamaha-smaf-player-case/index.md) · Case study
- [CoreFW: reimplementing Novation Launchpad firmware](https://awesomerea.org/resources/corefw-launchpad-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.