Accessing Zynthian from your computer

1 Network Connection

The easier way of connecting your Zynthian is using the ethernet RJ45 connector to connect your unit to your local network or directly to your computer (ethernet to ethernet). Your zynthian box uses the link-local name "zynthian.local" and can be accessed with sftp and scp (winscp, if you are using windows yet). Of course, you can login with ssh too. The username and password are the default for Minibian:

user=root
password=raspberry

If you are using an old SD image (prior to Gorgona), the username and password are the default for Raspbian:

user=pi
password=raspberry

If the link-local address (zynthian.local) is not found, test if the link-local feature is enabled in your system. Sometimes is disabled and local names are not recognized. Also, you can use directly the zynthian IP, using the "Network Info" utility in the Zynthian's Admin menu.

2 Wifi Configuration

Once you are login in with ssh, you can configure the wifi access by editing this file:

$ sudo vi /etc/wpa_suppplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

Note that this file is protected and you have to edit as root user (sudo).

After editing the WPA settings, you can restart the network interface using a command like this:

$ sudo ifdown wlan0
$ sudo ifup wlan0

3 Accessing the MOD-UI web interface

If you have a recent zynthian image with MOD integration, you can access the MOD-UI web interface using the web browser from your computer:

1. Connect your Zynthian to your local network using the ethernet connector (RJ45) or directly to your computer (ethernet to ethernet)
2. Open the browser in your camputer and type in the address bar:

zynthian.local:8888

The MOD-UI should be loaded. Enjoy! ;-)

If the link-local address (zynthian.local) is not found, test if the link-local feature is enabled in your system. Sometimes is disabled and local names are not recognized. Also, you can use directly the zynthian IP, using the "Network Info" utility in the Zynthian's Admin menu.

4 Opening Synth Engine Natives GUIs in your Computer

For doing this, you need a XServer running on your computer. Linux is best tested, but i've tested with Mac and Windows too. You must follow this simple steps:

1. Login into zynthian using the "-Y" option or equivalent (tunnel X connections) 
  $ ssh -Y pi@zynthian.local

2. Stop zynthian GUI: 
  $ sudo /etc/init.d/zynthian stop

3. Start zynthian GUI in remote GUI mode: 
  $ sudo /etc/init.d/zynthian startx

4. From Zynthian GUI, select the synth engine. Currently only ZynAddSubFX and Carla have supported native GUIs.

5. Enjoy!! ;-)

IMPORTANT: Try to use ethernet-to-ethernet connection as it will reduce latency and improve usability.

5 Copying your presets/soundfonts to Zynthian

You can copy your presets/soundfonts/pedalboards in the next forlder:

/zynthian/zynthian-my-data

There are different subfolders:

mod-pedalboards
soundfonts
 gig
 sfz
 sf2
snapshots
zynbanks

In 'mod-pedalboards' you will find your stored MOD-UI pedalboards. Use SFZ and GIG soundfonts with LinuxSampler. SF2 soundfonts must be used with FluidSynth. SFZ and GIG fonts must be stored in 'category' subfolders. User's ZynAddSubFX presets/banks must be stored in the "zynbanks" directory.

If you have doubts of how to store your data, take a look to:

/zynthian/zynthian-data

Here you will find the same folder structure, with some additions.

If you are really interested, you could, for instance, edit the setBfree configuration, and change the CC assignmentetc ;-)

IMPORTANT: after adding or changing something in 'zynthian-data', you can’t update the zynthian-library from the Admin menu. The "git-based" updating system should be improved ;-)