Hi Aaron Minner,
Thank you for your interest in NXP kinetis product, I would like to provide service for you.
If you create the new project in the MCUxpress IDE based on SDK, it will give the simplest project.
If you still need the deep function, eg, de codec, you need to refer to the sdk sample code, add the according code, just as you have said, the pinmux, board, codec files,etc.
So, at first, I think you can learn the official sample code in deep, then after you create the new project, you can copy the according file in the sample code directly to your project folder, and add it to your project. Just refer to the official sample code.
Wish it helps you!
If you still have question about it, please kindly let me know.
Have a great day,
Kerry
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