Zynthian UI User Guide - V5

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1 General Concepts

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The zynthian V5 physical user interface is composed, from left to right, of:

  • 5x4 push button grid with RGB-LED feedback
  • 5 inch display with capacitive touch
  • 4 infinite knobs (rotary encoders) with switches

This richer interface allows to simplify navigation and reduce the number of "clicks", which improves workflow and makes it faster and more intuitive.

The 20 silicone push buttons and the 4 knobs with switches are the primary control mechanism to navigate the UI:

  • accessing the different screens
  • selecting options on menus and lists
  • adjusting parameters

Each push button is engraved with a text legend or icon and backlit with RGB LED that gives status feedback. The knobs are numbered from top to bottom, so the top one is knob#1 and the bottom one is knob#4. We will refer knobs in this way throughout this guide.

Most operations may be performed with the touchscreen but some may not be intuitive or easy to perform with it. On the other hand, some operations are specially optimized for using the touch screen. This will be detailed when explaining the different screens and workflows.

Like the classic UI, there are 3 types of push actions that can be performed, depending on how long you hold down the button (or knob!):

  • short-push: Less than 0.3 seconds
  • bold-push: Between 0.3 and 2 seconds
  • long-push: More than 2 seconds (until the long-action is triggered!)


Note:

Not all buttons have actions assigned to all three push types. You can change these timings from the webconf's UI tab.


The two main differences between the V5 UI and the classic zynthian UI are:

  • the big 5x4 silicone button grid, that adds 20 push buttons with RGB LED feedback, allowing huge improvements in usability.
  • as a consequence, the 4 knobs are often used in quite a different way.

Let's start taking a closer look to this!


1.1 The Title Bar

The title bar has 2 functions:

  • Kind of Breadcrumb, normally showing the screen title or current chain information: MIDI channel, engine, bank & preset
  • Back-button, when using the touch-interface (Not very intuitive, but Zynthian-UI was not designed with touch-navigation in mind)


1.2 The Status Area

Zynthian Status Bar.png

On the top-right corner is an area where some useful information is displayed in real time:

  • Digital audio Peak Meter (DPM): horizontal bars indicating digital audio level and peaks
  • Status Icons: indication of various zynthian states

Let's see the details:

1.2.1 Digital audio Peak Meter (DPM)

The DPM covers the range -50dBFS to 0dBFS, i.e. maximum permissible level at full scale (far right) down to 50dB below (far left):

  • The green segment covers the range -50dBFS to -10dBFS.
  • The yellow segment covers the range -10dBFS to -3dBFS.
  • The red segment covers the range -3dBFS to 0dBFS.

There are independent meters for left and right channels which monitor the system output, i.e. the mix of audio that feeds the Zynthian output. Level decays with a logarithmic rule, taking one second to decay to -200dBFS so will decay to -50dBFS (the displayed range) in about quarter of a second. Peaks are displayed instantly, i.e. the attack of the meter is immediate (*). The peak hold bar remains for two seconds or until a higher peak is reached.

(*) Meter is updated 5 times per second so there can be 200 ms delay in peak being displayed.

1.2.2 The Status Icons

1st row: Health & Load
Cpu Load Heart, indicating CPU load. It displays as green when under 50%, yellow when load is over 50% and red over 75%.
XRun It's shown when there are XRuns. This may be accompanied by clicks and pops on audio output. This means the CPU can't process or transfer audio fast enough and you should consider disabling some CPU-hungry option (like VNC, headphones, etc.) or reducing the complexity of your chains.
Under-voltage Zynthian is working in a degraded state, with the CPU frequency capped to 600-800 MHz, trying to stabilize the system and avoid a system crash. You shouldn't see that icon and if you do so, you should consider looking for a better power source.
Over-temperature Zynthian is working in a degraded state, with the CPU frequency capped to 600-800 MHz, trying to stabilize the system and avoid a system crash. You shouldn't see that icon and if you do so, you should improve heat dissipation (using a heat sink, etc.)
2nd row: MIDI activity & Playing/Recording
m MIDI-IN It's shown when MIDI messages are received. Underscore indicates system message such as MIDI clock.
Recording Audio Audio is being recorded.
Playing Audio Audio track is being played.
Recording MIDI MIDI is being recorded.
Playing MIDI MIDI track is being played.
Recording Pattern A sequencer's pattern is being recorded.
Playing Sequence A sequence or pattern is being played.

2 The Zynthian UI Workflow

Zynthian workflow is based around chains of audio/MIDI generators & processors feeding an audio summing mixer.

Zynthian Signal Flow.png


2.1 Chains

Chains are a key concept of the Zynthian. The first thing you will do after powering-on your Zynthian is probably to create a chain. (It does little without any chains!)

A chain is composed of one or more interconnected blocks, capable of generating or processing audio & MIDI. Each chain is normally assigned to a MIDI channel. These blocks are chained in the same order they are created, but you can change this order from the Chain Options menu. The first block created in a chain is the root and it determines the chain's type:

  • Synth Chain => Receives MIDI note-events and generate audio output
  • Audio Chain => Receives audio-input and generates audio-output
  • MIDI Chain => Receives MIDI-input and generates MIDI-output
  • Generator Chain => Generate audio output using an algorithm
  • Special Chain => Does not fit any other chain type, e.g. MOD-UI pedalboard, Pure Data patch, etc.

The chain's type can't be changed. Depending of the chain's type, MIDI effects can be added to the start of the chain and audio effects can be added to the end of the chain. These can be arranged as serial or parallel paths.

All audio effects in a chain receive all the MIDI events on the assigned channel (this should be improved!).

When you select NEW Chain, you create a new chain, choosing its root engine, a free MIDI channel and if available, bank & preset. You can create up to 16* chains, one per MIDI channel.

(*) If Master Channel is enabled then only 15 chains can be created.

Having several chains on the same MIDI channel is not allowed currently. If you want two or more chains to play in unison (like being on the same MIDI channel), you can use the "Clone" feature, which allows you to bind several chains while keeping MIDI CCs and other MIDI messages (Program Change, Channel Pressure, etc.) independent.


2.2 Stage and Multitimbral Modes

By default Zynthian starts in stage mode. Stage mode is a kind of Omni-On mode, what means all MIDI messages are sent to the selected chain in your zynthian. You don't need to worry about the MIDI channel your keyboard/controller is using. You can change the instrument you play by selecting it in your zynthian or using ZS3's Programs Change feature (see below).

In the other hand, multitimbral mode allows receiving and managing separately every MIDI channel. Each external MIDI controller will drive the chain that is assigned to that controller's MIDI channel, e.g. a chain assigned to MIDI channel 1 will listen for MIDI messages on MIDI channel 1 only*. If you are using a midi controller that can sequence multiple tracks (Beatstep Pro, Keystep Pro, Novation Circuit etc.) then you will generally want to use this setting.

(*) MIDI Continuous Controllers are handled differently. See section on MIDI Learning & binding.


3 Using the push buttons

The push buttons grid is divided in 5 groups:


3.1 Screen access buttons

V5 buttons outlined.png

Screen access buttons are outlined on green in the image. Most of these buttons have 2 different functions assigned to them, with a horizontal line separating the two function labels. The primary function is printed at the top and the secondary function is printed at the bottom. The "metronome" button is the exception to this and has a single function assigned to it. Well, not exactly, as it's the Tap-Tempo button too (try it!).

LED color depends on current selection:

  • when the primary function is selected, the button lights green.
  • when the secondary function is selected, the button lights orange.
  • when none of the button's functions are selected, the button lights blue.

A short-push on the button will:

  • select primary function, when none of the button's functions is selected
  • select secondary function, when button's primary function is selected

A bold-push on the button will always access the secondary function, not matter what is currently selected.

For instance, if you are in the mixer screen and short-push the OPT/ADMIN button, the Chain menu will be opened. If you short-push it again, the Admin menu will be opened. Then, if you bold-push the MIX/LEVEL button, the Audio Levels screen will be opened. You click "metronome" button and the Tempo screen will be opened. If you tap-it several times, tempo will be adjusted, e.g. tap twice per second to set tempo to 120BPM.

Screen access buttons are, from left to right and top to bottom:

V5 buttons outlined-3-detail2.png
  • OPT/ADMIN
    • Options or Menu: Contextual. Click several times to reach the main menu.
    • Admin menu
  • MIX/LEVEL
    • Mixer
    • Audio Levels
  • CTRL/PRESET
    • Chain Control (Instrument)
    • Preset/Bank
  • ZS3/SNAPSHOT
    • SubSnapShots (ZS3s)
    • Snapshots
  • METRONOME
    • Tempo screen / Tap-Tempo
  • PAD/STEP
    • Scene (ZynPad)
    • Pattern
    • Arranger => Keep pressed to open!

Some buttons have a tertiary function assigned to long-push:

  • OPT/ADMIN => Long-push to power off.
  • CTRL/PRESET => Long-push to enter/leave preset favorites
  • PAD/STEP => Long-push to access Arranger


3.2 ALT button

V5 buttons outlined-4.png

The ALT button toggles the alternate function mode. When you click it, ALT button and buttons having an alternate function will change their default color from blue to purple. Currently only transport and custom buttons (F1-F4) have alternate function:

  • Transport buttons will toggle between Audio Player/Recorder (normal) and MIDI Player/Recorder (alternate).
  • Customizable F1-F4 buttons will toggle between Program Change 1-4 (normal) and Program Change 5-8 (alternate), so you can use it for easily learning and recalling up to 8 subsnapshots (ZS3s).

3.3 Transport buttons

By default, transport buttons control the global audio recorder/player and default color is blue. When "ALT" button is pushed (ALT mode enabled), transport buttons control the MIDI recorder/player and default color is purple.

  • short-push the record button (solid circle) to start/stop a recording. When a recording is in progress, the record button lights red and you should also see the rec icon in the display status area, at top-right.
  • short-push the play button (solid triangle) to play/pause the currently selected track. The last recorded track is selected by default. When a track is being played, the play button lights green. After pausing, pushing again will resume the playing in the point it was paused.
  • bold-push the play button to open the track list. After selecting a track, the audio player control screen will be shown.
  • short-push the stop button (solid square) to stop playing a track and rewind. Pushing play again will start playing from the beginning.
  • bold-push the stop button to stop all sounds, including any audio/midi track and sequences.

In some screens, transport buttons have specific (contextual) functionality. When this happens, they will light orange to help you to remember their normal behaviour is altered. The screens that have specific transport functionality are:

V5 buttons outlined-3-detail.png

Pattern editor screen
From pattern editor screen, transport buttons are used to control pattern recording/playing. Note that for recording a pattern, you may want to start playing before recording, so notes are captured live in the time grid. If not, notes are captured step by step. While recording, pressing the back button may be used to undo the last recording.

Audio-player chain
From the control screen of an audio-player chain, transport buttons are used to control recording/playing of the chain's audio-player (instead of global audio-player).

From all other screens, transport buttons behave normally as explained above, controlling global audio recorder/player or MIDI recorder/player (ALT mode).

3.4 Navigation buttons

Navigation buttons are used for basic navigation:

  • Up/Down arrow buttons:
    • Browsing lists and menus.
    • Moving cursor (selected item) vertically in pattern editor, zynpad, etc.
  • Left/Right arrow buttons:
    • Selecting active chain in audio mixer and control screen.
    • Moving cursor (selected item) horizontally in pattern editor, zynpad, etc.
  • Select/Yes button:
    • Selecting items in lists and menus.
    • Entering select mode in control screen for browsing controller pages.
    • Adding/removing notes in pattern editor.
    • Playing/Stopping sequences in zynpad.
    • Answering "Yes" in confirmation dialogs.
  • Back/No button:
    • Closing current screen, returning to previous screen.
    • Answering "No" in confirmation dialogs.


Note:

When not in the control screen, knob#4 acts as the select knob similar to the classic V1-V4 UI. Rotate to browse lists and move the cursor horizontally in grids (zynpad, pattern editor, etc.). Push to select items, same than SELECT button. Knob#3 can be used to move the cursor vertically in grids (zynpad, pattern editor, etc.).

3.5 Custom function buttons (F1-F4)

These buttons are considered to be customizable buttons, e.g. if you want direct access to other screens, etc. you may reconfigure these buttons using the webconf's wiring layout tab.

As explained above, while describing the ALT-mode, these buttons are assigned by default to MIDI Program Change messages:

  • Normal mode: Program Change 1-4
  • ALT mode: Program Change 5-8

This default configuration is fine for learning/recalling subsnapshots (ZS3) and you may find this really useful if you use your zynthian as a keyboard expander.


Note:

Although all buttons and switches are fully configurable from the webconf tool (hardware->wiring->advanced), this guide refers to the official V5 profile configuration, that matches printed button legends. Of course, you are very welcome to experiment with button assignment and try different configurations. In fact, if you reach a sweet point, we may be able to produce an alternative keypad with custom printings. Simply contact us at the zynthian forum!


V5 render knobs numbered.jpg

4 Using the knobs

The V5 knobs behave quite differently to V1-V4 knobs. Because of the 20 silicone buttons, there is no need to use the knobs' switches to navigate the UI which now is best achieved with the push buttons, so when appropriate, knobs' switches have been mapped to drive the MIDI learning functionality, which is quite intuitive. The knobs are numbered from top to bottom, so the top one is knob#1 and the bottom one is knob#4. We will refer knobs in this way throughout this guide.


4.1 General rule

Although knob's functionality is contextual in V5, there is a kind of pattern that can serve as a general rule and applies to many screens:

  • Knob#4 acts as the select knob similar to the classic V1-V4 UI.
    • rotate to browse lists and move the cursor horizontally in grids (zynpad, pattern editor, etc.).
    • short-push to select items, same than the SELECT button.
  • Knob#3
    • Rotate to move the cursor vertically in grids (zynpad, pattern editor, etc.).


Note:

MAIN Volume is allways available with one click, push MIX button and Knob#3 rotate is used to change the MAIN volume.


4.2 Chain Control (Instrument)

V5 mockup control 01.png
  • Knob#1 - #4
    • rotate any knob to change the value of the assigned parameter, same as the classic UI. This has not changed.
    • short-push any knob to start MIDI-learning for the associated parameter. Move a knob/fader in your MIDI controller end the learn. Push back to cancel.
    • bold-push any knob to open the options menu for the associated parameter.


Note:

To navigate the controller screens (select mode), you must push the SEL button. Bold-pushing knob#4 doesn't work anymore for this.


4.3 Mixer

V5 mockup mixer 01.png
  • Knob#4
    • rotate to select active chain.
    • short-push to open the control screen of the selected chain.
    • bold-push to open the options menu of the selected chain.
  • Knob#3
    • rotate to change the MAIN volume.
    • short-push / bold-push to open the Mixer's MIDI learning menu.
  • Knob#2
    • rotate to change the pan / balance of the selected chain.
    • short-push to mute the selected chain.
  • Knob#1
    • rotate' to change the volume of the selected chain.
    • short-push' to solo the selected chain.


4.4 Scene (ZynPad)

V5 mockup zynpad 01.png
  • Knob#4
    • rotate to move cursor horizontally.
    • short-push to play/stop the selected sequence.
    • bold-push to open the pattern editor for the selected sequence.
  • Knob#3
    • rotate to move cursor vertically.
    • short-push to MIDI-learn the current pad by pushing a note in your MIDI controller.
  • Knob#2
    • rotate to change the scene.
  • Knob#1
    • rotate to adjust tempo BPM.


Note:

Before MIDI-learning pads, you have to select a trigger device. Push OPT to access the zynpad menu and choose your trigger device. Note that if the selected device is already supported (have a driver!), MIDI-learning is not needed at all and the device will be mapped automatically.


4.5 Pattern

V5 mockup pated 01.png
  • Knob#4
    • rotate to move cursor horizontally.
    • short-push to add/remove a note at cursor position.
    • bold-push to edit note parameters:
      • rotate knob#4 to select the parameter to edit
        • duration
        • velocity
        • stutter count
        • stutter duration
      • rotate knob#3 to change coarse value.
      • rotate knob#2 to change fine value (when available).
      • short-push knob#4 to end editing
      • bold-push knob#4 again to enter EDIT ALL mode
  • Knob#3
    • rotate to move cursor vertically.
  • Knob#2
    • rotate to change the pattern to edit.
  • Knob#1
    • rotate to adjust tempo BPM.


Note:

Bold-push in an empty position to edit the default note parameters. These are the values used when adding new notes.


5 The UI Screens

5.1 Mixer

Mixer.jpg

6 Learning Pills

6.1 Basics

6.2 Sequencer

  • Pattern Editor: Creating & Editing patterns
  • ZynPad: Launching patterns
  • Audio Player: Loops & One-shots
  • Arranger: Linear composing

6.3 Mini-HowTos

  • MIDI Clone: Make 2 chains to play unison
  • Arppeggiator & Chorder
  • SooperLooper: Live audio looping

6.4 Contribute your workflow captures

This collection of workflow animations have been recorded with the "capture workflow" option from UI's admin menu and subtitled later with the webconf tool: 

library->captures->log

With this tools, you can also capture, subtitle and share your favorite workflows, helping others to learn and contributing to improve zynthian documentation. If you do so, please, share your workflows in the forum: 

https://discourse.zynthian.org

7 Work In Progress

This V5 documentation is a work in progress and it will be improved during the next weeks/months. Meanwhile, you could find very useful to consult:



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