Backyard Hero
An Excessively DIY Firework Control System
A powerful, flexible, and cost-effective open-source solution for pyrotechnic enthusiasts. Complete software, firmware, and hardware designs for less than $100.
An Excessively DIY Firework Control System
A powerful, flexible, and cost-effective open-source solution for pyrotechnic enthusiasts. Complete software, firmware, and hardware designs for less than $100.
Intuitive graphical interface for creating and managing firework shows with an improved UI and timeline visualization. The show loadout is displayed in the UI, showing which cues are assigned to which receivers and their status.
Upload audio files and synchronize show timing with music. Waveform visualization enables precise cue placement for music-synchronized shows.
Create custom racks with configurable dimensions, assign shells to specific cells, and build fuse lines with visual representation.
Track your pyro stock with support for shell packs, firing profiles, and metadata. Auto-process shell descriptions to extract colors and effects.
Automatically crawl YouTube videos and extract firing profiles by analyzing audio. Identify shot timings and populate color information.
Comprehensive real-time feedback including cue continuity, signal latency, ready count, success percentage, and receiver battery levels. Real-time continuity checking with visual indicators displayed both on the cue modules themselves and in the host UI.
Direct point-to-point communication with 1000+ yard range. Superior RF performance through meticulous PCB design and impedance matching.
On-board lithium batteries rechargeable via USB-C PD (12V fast charging). Provides well over 24 hours of continuous runtime.
Each receiver supports up to 128 cues via chainable 8-cue modules. Scale your system as needed.
Each cue module features LED indicators that provide instant visual feedback: Red indicates a cue is needed for the show but not connected, Green shows a needed cue is properly connected. The host UI also displays continuity status in real-time for all cues across all receivers.
3D-printable enclosures designed for durability. Can be made water-resistant for outdoor use.
Interfaces with 2.4GHz custom receivers and includes 433MHz frontend for compatibility with BILUSOCN and similar systems.
Complete 2-receiver, 32-cue system can be built for around $110 USD. Scales cheaply with additional components.
Custom 2.4GHz receiver with telemetry
USB dongle for host communication
Chainable cue module (expandable)
Backyard Hero is completely open source, providing the full software, firmware, and hardware design resources. Build, modify, and customize to your heart's content. Join a community of DIY enthusiasts and pyrotechnic hobbyists.
Complete guides for developers, hardware builders, and end-users
See the README in the GitHub repository for detailed documentation
