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Zynthian is an Open Synth Platform: An Open Hardware device based on Raspberry Pi running ZynthianOS, a customized Raspbian-based Linux distribution, specifically configured and adapted for audio synthesis & processing. ZynthianOS runs the physical UI (display + rotary encoders + switches), that allows you to create up to 16 sound layers (synthesis + audio processing chains) using a large collection of synthesis engines and audio-processing plugins, most of them Free Software along with some commercial ones.

Zynthian provides a foundation to create and explore music the way you want to. Some use cases:

• Using MOD UI plugins Zynthian becomes an in-depth multi-fx unit for guitar players, SooperLooper enables live looping and overdubbing
• For those who prefer keys, plug in your favourite midi controller keyboard and jam out on any of the circa 60 synth engines available
• Plug in your hardware midi sequencer(s) to control up to 16 chains of audio with FX, assign parameters to your device and tweak to your heart's content
• For sound explorers: create your own patches with one or more instruments (chains) and save them for later using snapshots
• Record the audio and midi of your performances with immediate access to files via the web interface
• Compose your totally un-cheesy backing tracks using the built-in step sequencer and arranger functions to support your live performance and launch with a midi controller

Building a ZynthianBox is not difficult and relatively inexpensive, varying from 100 to 500 €, depending on the chosen components. You can:

• Buy your hardware kit (current V5 model pictured), or just some parts, in the Zynthian Shop, or
• Build everything from scratch using the publicly available documentation. You’ll be able to go from a totally headless system to an integrated instrument with your midi keyboard.
• You can also try Zynthian’s software with only a Raspberry Pi, a HDMI display and a USB mouse. Once setup, connect & control remotely with a touchscreen device.

Zynthian is a working project in active development and supported by volunteers. While best efforts are made, this wiki may not match the current state of the software. To catch up on the latest, check in at the active and friendly Forum

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1 Getting Started with Zynthian

• Building a Zynthian Box
• Getting the Software
• User's Guide
• Updating the Software
• Remote Access & Control
• FAQ

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2 Explore Zynthian

• Zynthian Features
• Sound Demos
• Synth Engines & Plugins
• SoundFonts
• Photo Gallery

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3 Zynthian Project

• TODO list
• Wishlist
• Developer's Info

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• Media References

NOTE: Registering new users has been disabled for security/spam reasons. If you want to contribute to this Wiki, please ask in the forum.

4 Recent Changes

List of abbreviations:

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4 October 2025

			14:10		(Upload log)‎ [Niels‎ (6×)]
					14:10 Niels talk contribs uploaded File:Akai apc key25 mk2 sl sync quant.jpg ‎(Adjusting Sync/Quant settings in Akai APC Key25 mk2 + SL driver)
					14:10 Niels talk contribs uploaded File:Akai apc key25 mk2 sl pan.png ‎(Adjusting PAN (balance) in Akai APC Key25 mk2 + SL driver)
					14:09 Niels talk contribs uploaded File:Akai apc key25 mk2 sl levels 2.gif ‎(Adjusting selected loop levels in Akai APC Key25 mk2 + SL driver)
					14:08 Niels talk contribs uploaded File:Akai apc key25 mk2 sl levels 1.jpg ‎(Adjusting wet levels in Akai APC Key25 mk2 + SL driver)
					14:04 Niels talk contribs uploaded File:Akai apc key25 mk2 sl shifting.gif ‎(Shifting loops in Akai APC Key25 mk2 + SL driver)
					14:03 Niels talk contribs uploaded File:Akai apc key25 mk2 sl looper mode.png ‎(Looper mode in Akai APC Key25 mk2 + SL driver)

3 October 2025

06:56

Configuring Display Devices‎ diffhist +857‎ Riban talk contribs Adds description of webconf Display fields.

23 September 2025

18:59

User creation log User account Niels talk contribs was created by Jofemodo talk contribs ‎

16 September 2025

15:18

Integrated Development Environments (IDE)‎ diffhist +1‎ Jawn talk contribs →‎How do I set up VSC to use the debugger?

15 September 2025

12:57

Ctrldev‎ diffhist +21‎ Jawn talk contribs →‎How Do I start writing a ctrldev driver?

5 September 2025

			17:15		Zynthian Development‎‎ 4 changes history +922‎ [Hannesmenzel‎ (2×); Wyleu‎ (2×)]
					17:15 (cur | prev) +466‎ Hannesmenzel talk contribs Some comments.
					16:56 (cur | prev) +259‎ Hannesmenzel talk contribs Ordered Entries (suggestion)
					16:20 (cur | prev) +117‎ Wyleu talk contribs →‎Developer Info ( A sort of a Bestiary)
					16:14 (cur | prev) +80‎ Wyleu talk contribs →‎Developer Info ( A sort of a Bestiary)

			16:22		(Move log)‎ [Wyleu‎ (3×)]
					16:22 Wyleu talk contribs moved page Contributing to Zynthian Development 1 to Zynthian Code development ‎
					16:21 Wyleu talk contribs moved page Contributing to Zynthian Development to Contributing to Zynthian Development backup ‎
					16:18 Wyleu talk contribs moved page Ide to Integrated Development Environments (IDE) ‎(Better naimng)

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Ide‎ diffhist +28,285‎ Wyleu talk contribs Created page with " === So what is an IDE ?=== We could operate all of this using the command line and git commands, but unless you really want to, don't. Use an IDE. An IDE (Integrated Develop..."

N    16:13

Ctrldev‎ diffhist +2,076‎ Wyleu talk contribs Created page with "= How Do I start writing a ctrldev driver? = Well you first have to do a lot of the process that's described here, so a quick scan of the questions and have a look at any you..."

16:12

Contributing to Zynthian Development‎ diffhist -2,089‎ Wyleu talk contribs →‎How Do I start writing a ctrldev driver?