Category: sound architecture

New Zynthian Kit V3

Just plug the wires and tighten the screws!

Zynthian Kit V3

I’m really proud to present the new Kit V3, a big step forward for the Zynthian project because of several reasons:

  • Pre-built: It’s completely pre-built using SMD technology, so you don’t need to solder anything. Just plug the wires and tighten the screws.
  • Zynscreen: The new official display has been specially designed for zynthian and integrates the controller interface, what simplify the assembling process.
  • Zynaptik: The new zynaptik circuit integrates the 3 standard MIDI ports (IN/OUT/THRU) and some new optional features.
  • Audio Input: The Hifiberry DAC+ ADC is the new official soundcard and integrates audio input, allowing to use zynthian as a powerful FX processor or stompbox.

We have a dream. We want to empower musicians with upgradable and easy-to-maintain machines that can be used on stage and studio. Open machines that can be used for “normal” tasks, as playing and composing, but also can be extended and hacked for going beyond that, for exploring new spaces.

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New Zynthian Kit V2+: Audio Input is here!

WARNING: HifiBerry as recently changed the specification for the DAC+ADC. It seems that the balanced input is not working as expected and it’s been removed from the specs. The new HifiBerry DAC+ADC PRO includes a true balanced input among many other improvements.

We are very proud to present the Zynthian Kit V2+, the new official flagship, featuring the amazing Hifiberry DAC+ADC as soundcard.

As you may note, the “ADC” (Analog/Digital Converter) in the soundcard’s name announces the difference: the new official kit now has audio input and yes, this makes a big difference!

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Zynthian + Pianoteq: A dream come true

A few months ago, we started the integration of a new engine in zynthian. This time it was something special as it was the first zynthian engine integrated by somebody else (Mr. Holger Wirtz, aka @C0d3man) and it wasn’t a free software engine, but a commercial product, with a privative license. Somebody could think that this is not well aligned with the spirit of zynthian project, so … why to do it?

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New Engine “Jalv”: LV2 plugins as standalone layers

Great news, @zynthianers!

I’ve been working in a new engine that allows to launch LV2-plugins as standalone layers. For doing that, i’ve used (and extended!) Jalv, from David Robillard, one of the creators of LV2 plugin specification. In his words:

“Jalv is a simple but fully featured LV2 host for Jack. It runs LV2 plugins and exposes their ports as Jack ports, essentially making any LV2 plugin function as a Jack application.”

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New SD image: Gorgona Omega

The new SD image Gorgona Omega is ready to download. It’s available in 2 “colors”, pre-configured for the latest official kit v2 and also for the former kit v1:

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What is Zynthian?

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Zynthian is an Open Synth Platform based in Raspberry Pi, some Open Software Synthesizers and more.

I’m trying to integrate all the parts in a realiable case with a nice and ergonomic User Interface, so everybody can enjoy this wonderful synthesizers in any place without having to install or configure anything.

zynthian_box_retroblack_trans2

When it’s finished, i would like to make it available for everybody, as a toolkit or as a finished product, so you can use it for Live Playing, Music Production or any kind of experimentation.

Of course, all the specifications will be freely available, so you can build your own device if you prefer 😉

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