Changes

[[File:zynthian_controllers.png|430px|right]]

[[File:zynthian_controllers.png|430px|right]]

The physical Zynthian UI is displayed on a display and controlled by 4 knobs (rotary-encoders with push-switches). You can also control the UI with a touch-display, a mouse or keyboard (computer keyboard or MIDI keyboard, both!)

The Zynthian UI is displayed on a display and controlled by 4 knobs (rotary-encoders with push-switches). You can also control the UI with a touch-display, a mouse or a keyboard (computer keyboard or MIDI keyboard, both!)

Anyway, the 4 knobs+switches are the primary control mechanism used to navigate the UI: selecting options on menus and adjust the instrument parameters. The knobs can act as assignable MIDI/OSC controllers for the instrument's parameters (frequently lots of them!). You can emulate the knob's behavior using the touch-display, but it's sub-optimal and accessing some features could be tricky.

Anyway, the 4 knobs+switches are the primary control mechanism used to navigate the UI: selecting options on menus and adjust the instrument parameters. The knobs can act as assignable MIDI/OSC controllers for the instrument's parameters (frequently lots of them!). You can emulate the knob's behavior using the touch-display, but it's sub-optimal and accessing some features could be tricky.

* '''long-layer''': ALSA Mixer app

* '''long-layer''': ALSA Mixer app

* '''long-back''': PANIC! All Notes Off

* '''long-back''': PANIC! All Notes Off

* '''long-snapshot''': Audio Recorder

* '''long-snapshot''': Step Sequencer

* '''long-select''': Power Off

* '''long-select''': Power Off

==Layers==

==Layers==

Layers are a key concept on Zynthian-UI: the first thing you do when you power-on your zynthian is, probably, create a layer.

Layers are a key concept on Zynthian-UI: the first thing you do after poweron your zynthian is, probably, create a layer.

A layer is an '''Audio Processing Chain''', normally assigned to a MIDI channel, which can be composed of one or more Audio Processing Units. These units are chained in the same order they are created, but you can change the order from the '''Layer Options''' menu. The first unit in a layer is the '''root''' and it determines the layer's type:

A layer is an '''Audio Processing Chain''', normally assigned to a MIDI channel, which can be composed of one or more Audio Processing Units. These units are chained in the same order they are created, but you can change the order from the '''Layer Options''' menu. The first unit in a layer is the '''root''' and it determines the layer's type:

* '''Synth Layer''' => Receives MIDI note-events and generate audio output.

* '''Synth Layer''' => Receives MIDI note-events and generate audio output.

* '''FX Layer''' => Receives audio-input and generates audio-output.

* '''Audio FX Layer''' => Receives audio-input and generates audio-output.

* '''MIDI FX Layer''' => Receives MIDI-input and generates MIDI-output.

* '''Generator Layer''' => Auto-generate audio output using an algorithm.

* '''Generator Layer''' => Auto-generate audio output using an algorithm.

* '''Special Layer''' => MOD-UI pedalboard, Pure Data patch, etc.

* '''Special Layer''' => MOD-UI pedalboard, Pure Data patch, etc.

The rest of units in a layer are usually FX units which process the audio coming from the first unit (root).

The root layer can't be re-arranged or changed. When you create pure Audio-FX layers, it's a good idea to use a "Gain" unit as root element, so you can re-arrange/change all the other elements on the chain.

All units in a layer receive all the MIDI events coming from the assigned channel. Some special layers (MOD-UI) don't have an assigned MIDI channel and receive all MIDI channels.

All units in a layer's chain receive all the MIDI events coming from the assigned channel. Some special layers (MOD-UI) don't have an assigned MIDI channel and receive all MIDI channels.

You can access the Layer screen:

You can access the Layer screen:

[[File:Zynthian_ui_new_layer.png|400px|right]]

[[File:Zynthian_ui_new_layer.png|400px|right]]

There are several options on layers screen:

There are several options on the layers screen:

* '''NEW Synth Layer''' => Create a new Synthesizer Layer.

* '''NEW Synth Layer''' => Create a Synthesizer Layer.

* '''NEW Effect Layer''' => Create a new Effect Layer that will be connected to soundcard's Audio Input. You can route the audio from other layers to an Effect Layer.

* '''NEW Audio-FX Layer''' => Create an audio-FX Layer that will be connected to soundcard's Audio Capture. You can route the audio output from other layers to the input of an Audio-FX layer.

* '''NEW Generator Layer''' => Create a new Generator Layer that self-generates audio or midi.

* '''NEW MIDI-FX Layer''' => Create a MIDI-FX Layer to proccess MIDI events. You can route the MIDI output from a MIDI-FX layer to the MIDI input of any other unit or to the zynthian's MIDI output.

* '''NEW Generator Layer''' => Create a new Generator Layer that self-generates audio.

* '''NEW Special Layer''' => Create a new Special Layer (MOD-UI, Pure Data, ...).

* '''NEW Special Layer''' => Create a new Special Layer (MOD-UI, Pure Data, ...).

* '''REMOVE ALL''' => Remove all Layers & Effects, returning to the initial state.

* '''REMOVE ALL''' => Remove all Layers & Effects, returning to the initial state.

[[File:Zynthian_ui_layer_options.png|400px|right]]

[[File:Zynthian_ui_layer_options.png|400px|right]]

If you bold-click the select switch over a layer from the list, the "Layer Options" menu will be displayed for the selected layer. This menu allows you to:

If you bold-click the select switch over a layer from the list, the "Layer Options" menu will be displayed for the selected layer. This menu allows you to:

* '''Clone MIDI to...''' => clone the '''layer's MIDI channel''' messages to other MIDI channels. Note that only note on/off, pitch-bending, and key-press messages are cloned, while the rest are kept independent by default (CC, channel-pressure, program change, ...). You can select what CC will be cloned by bold-clicking on the channel list.

* '''Clone MIDI to...''' => Clone the '''layer's MIDI channel''' messages to other MIDI channels. Note that only note on/off, pitch-bending, and key-press messages are cloned, while the rest are kept independent by default (CC, channel-pressure, program change, ...). You can select what CC will be cloned by bold-clicking on the channel list.

* '''Transpose''' => transpose the '''layer's MIDI channel''' up and down, by semitones.

* '''Transpose''' => Transpose the '''layer's MIDI channel''' up and down, by semitones.

* '''Audio Routing''' => route the '''layer's''' audio output to the available audio input ports, allowing to process the audio in almost any way you can imagine. You can use this feature for creating your own customized/bizarre FX chains. If this is not enough for you, try MOD-UI engine with the MOD-UI web GUI.

* '''Audio Output''' => Route the '''layer's''' audio output to any  available audio input port, allowing to process the audio in almost any way you can imagine. You can use this feature for creating your own customized/bizarre FX chains. If this is not enough for you, try MOD-UI engine with the MOD-UI web GUI. This option is not available on MIDI-FX layers.

* '''MIDI chan''' => change the MIDI Channel assigned.

* '''Audio Capture''' => Select the soundcard's capture channels used for audio processing. This option is only available on Audio-FX layers.

* '''Remove Layer''' => Remove the layer.

* '''MIDI Routing''' => Select the destiny of the layer's MIDI output. This option is only available on MIDI-FX layers.

* '''MIDI Channel''' => Change the assigned MIDI Channel.

* '''Remove Layer''' => Remove the layer, including all chained Audio & MIDI FXs.

 

 

* '''MIDI-FX List''' => The list of MIDI effects on the layer's chain.

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[[File:Zynthian_ui_layer_effect_options.png|400px|right]]

[[File:Zynthian_ui_layer_effect_options.png|400px|right]]

By bold-clicking on an effect from the list, you will access the Effect's Options:

By bold-clicking on an FX-unit (Audio or MIDI) from the list, you will access the FX's Options:

* '''Replace Effect'''

* '''Replace FX'''

* '''Effect Presets'''

* '''Effect Presets'''

* '''Move Upchain'''

* '''Move Upchain'''

* '''Move Downchain'''

* '''Move Downchain'''

* '''Remove Effect'''

* '''Remove FX'''

Note that not all these options will be available all the time. For instance, if there is only one effect in the chain, "Move" options won't be shown.

Note that not all these options will be available all the time. For instance, if there is only one effect in the chain, "Move" options won't be shown. Same if the FX has not presets, etc.

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