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== Building A Zynthian With Just A Raspberry Pi==
This guide describes how to build a Zynthian with just a Raspberry Pi and no other hardware. This allows you to test Zynthian before purchasing a kit. It may also serve as a launchpad for your own custom build.
=== Requirements ===
* Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 (4 recommended)
* '''Good quality''' power supply for the Raspberry Pi (the official recommended Raspberry Pi PSU is recommended)
* 8GB (or larger) MicroSD card
* MicroSD card adapter, e.g. USB
* Personal computer
* HDMI monitor
* Micro HDMI to standard HDMI cable
* USB computer keyboard
* USB computer mouse
* Headphones or audio cable to connect to sound system with stereo 3.5mm plug
=== Get the firmware ===
Zynthian is based on a standard Debian OS with modifications to provide the rich set of functionality.
* Download the latest stable Zynthian firmware image from https://os.zynthian.org/zynthianos-last-stable.zip to the personal computer
* Install an image writing software, e.g. [https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/ Raspberry Pi Imager]
* Insert the microSD card into the adaptor and plug the adaptor into the personal computer
* Use the image writing software to write the image to the microSD card - note that Raspberry Pi Imager (and some other software) will use the downloaded zip so don't unzip it manually
* Eject the microSD card
=== First Boot ===
The first boot of ZynthianOS takes some time. Consequent boots are faster.
* Insert the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi
* Connect the Raspberry Pi to the computer keyboard, mouse and HDMI monitor
* Connnect the headphones or sound system to the Raspberry Pi 3.5mm audio output
* Connect power to the Raspberry Pi
* ZynthianOS starts and should display a message that it is performing some initialisation which will take many minutes - be patient and wait for this to complete
* Zynthian reboots and displays the user interface on the HDMI monitor
=== Testing ===
You should now have a functional Zynthian. Zynthian is designed to be controlled with rotary encoders and switches. It also has a touchscreen interface from which all functionality is accessible. A pointer device such as a mouse may be used to drive the interface. A cursor should show on the screen indicating the pointer position.
Look at the [[Zynthian UI Users Guide]] on the wiki to learn how to use Zynthian. Join the community in the [https://discourse.zynthian.org/ Discourse forum].
Welcome and happy Zynthing...
This guide describes how to build a Zynthian with just a Raspberry Pi and no other hardware. This allows you to test Zynthian before purchasing a kit. It may also serve as a launchpad for your own custom build.
=== Requirements ===
* Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 (4 recommended)
* '''Good quality''' power supply for the Raspberry Pi (the official recommended Raspberry Pi PSU is recommended)
* 8GB (or larger) MicroSD card
* MicroSD card adapter, e.g. USB
* Personal computer
* HDMI monitor
* Micro HDMI to standard HDMI cable
* USB computer keyboard
* USB computer mouse
* Headphones or audio cable to connect to sound system with stereo 3.5mm plug
=== Get the firmware ===
Zynthian is based on a standard Debian OS with modifications to provide the rich set of functionality.
* Download the latest stable Zynthian firmware image from https://os.zynthian.org/zynthianos-last-stable.zip to the personal computer
* Install an image writing software, e.g. [https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/ Raspberry Pi Imager]
* Insert the microSD card into the adaptor and plug the adaptor into the personal computer
* Use the image writing software to write the image to the microSD card - note that Raspberry Pi Imager (and some other software) will use the downloaded zip so don't unzip it manually
* Eject the microSD card
=== First Boot ===
The first boot of ZynthianOS takes some time. Consequent boots are faster.
* Insert the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi
* Connect the Raspberry Pi to the computer keyboard, mouse and HDMI monitor
* Connnect the headphones or sound system to the Raspberry Pi 3.5mm audio output
* Connect power to the Raspberry Pi
* ZynthianOS starts and should display a message that it is performing some initialisation which will take many minutes - be patient and wait for this to complete
* Zynthian reboots and displays the user interface on the HDMI monitor
=== Testing ===
You should now have a functional Zynthian. Zynthian is designed to be controlled with rotary encoders and switches. It also has a touchscreen interface from which all functionality is accessible. A pointer device such as a mouse may be used to drive the interface. A cursor should show on the screen indicating the pointer position.
Look at the [[Zynthian UI Users Guide]] on the wiki to learn how to use Zynthian. Join the community in the [https://discourse.zynthian.org/ Discourse forum].
Welcome and happy Zynthing...