Difference between revisions of "Zynthian FAQ"

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Please, add your questions to this FAQ. And of course, if you can add/improve an answer, do it! ;-)
 
Please, add your questions to this FAQ. And of course, if you can add/improve an answer, do it! ;-)
  
−
----------------------------------
+
===LINUX Audio terminology is confusing===
 +
[[Understanding LINUX Audio]] Helps understand the acronyms mentioned in this Wiki
 +
 
 +
===Which RaspberryPi does Zynthian support?===
 +
The currently supported computing boards are:
 +
 
 +
* [https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b Raspberry Pi 4 Model B]
 +
* [https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-3-model-b-plus Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+]
 +
* [https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-3-model-b Raspberry Pi 3 Model B]
 +
 
 +
RBPi2 is not longer supported by official zynthian SD images. If you want to use a different computing board model, you have to build your own SD image using the setup scripts.
  
 
===Where can i buy a Zynthian Kit?===
 
===Where can i buy a Zynthian Kit?===
−
Currently you can buy the official Zynthian Kits in the [http://shop.zynthian.org Zynthian Shop].
 
  
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=== I just wrote my 16/32/64 GB SD card with a Zynthian image, but from Zynthian's console i only see a part of SD's total space and i've no free space left in the partition. How can i make available all the space on my SD Card? ===
+
You can buy official kits in the '''[https://shop.zynthian.org Zynthian Shop]'''.
 +
 
 +
=== How do I edit entries in the Wiki? ===
 +
You need to be able to login into the Wiki. Registering in the wiki is currently disabled for security reasons, but you can ask on the forum to get access.
 +
 
 +
=== I have a license for Pianoteq 6, what would be the process to enter the license key ? ===
 +
 
 +
You have to access the webconf tool and follow ''carefully'' the instructions from the "Software->Pianoteq" section.
 +
 
 +
For accessing the Pianoteq GUI, please read this: [[Accessing_Zynthian_from_your_computer#Opening_Synth_Engine_Native_GUIs_in_your_Computer|Opening Native GUIs from your Computer]]
  
−
'''UPDATE: From 2016-12-23, the Gorgona SD image solved this problem. Latest SD images will auto-expand the partition on the first boot, so you shouldn't have this problem never more, but if you have it ...'''
+
=== Does the pre-built kit come with a RBPi3 or 3+ ? ===
  
 +
All Bundle Kits come with a RBPi 3+. Check the shop's product descriptions:
  
−
After writing the Zynthian image in the SD card, you have to "expand" the partition to fill all the available space.
+
  https://shop.zynthian.org/shop/product/zynthian-bundle-all-kit-v3-326?category=13
  
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Procedure:
+
=== I’m primarily a guitarist and thus, I’m interested in the MOD UI... ===
  
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+ login into Zynthian by SSH
+
Currently, all official Zynthian Bundle-All Kits include "audio input". The new official sound card is the [https://www.hifiberry.com/docs/data-sheets/datasheet-dac-adc HifiBerry DAC+ ADC].
−
+ execute "df" command to see the size of your partition and the available space
+
 
−
+ run "sudo raspi-config" and select the first option to expand your partition
+
Zynthia UI allows to create up to 16 processing audio-FX-chains and you can also use the fantastic MOD-UI.
−
+ reboot Zynthian
+
 
−
+ login again and execute "df" command to see size of your partition and the available space
+
=== Do you think Zynthian is for me? ===
 +
 
 +
It depends a lot. Building a recent official zynthian kit doesn't require soldering, only basic tinkering (plugging wires, screw-driving, etc.). The official zynthian software runs out-the-box and you shouldn't need to use the command line. That being said, being comfortable with Linux command line helps in solving problems.
 +
 
 +
=== About Zynthian Security===
  
−
You should see the difference ;-)
+
FYI, everything in Zynthian is executed as root user. The Pi user in the new PiOS images have sudo rights, so i don’t see a big security difference between the Gorgona and the PiOS images. PiOS is about automation and evolution, but currently it doesn’t improve security AFAIK.
  
−
'''Important:''' If you don't expand your partition, you will have problems when updating zynthian software or library, as you will run out of space.
+
Anybody who wants to connect their Zynthians to a “not secure” network (any network not controlled by oneself should be considered “not secure”) ) '''SHOULD CHANGE the default zynthian password'''. You can do that from the webconf tool.
  
 +
You also have to understand that:
  
−
=== Can i play a MIDI track with Zynthian as a multi instrument expander (different instruments on different channels)? If I have such a setup: how can I store it? ===
+
* Although the Webconf Tool ask for the password, it doesn’t use HTTPS, so your password could be sniffed by bad actors connected to the local network. That is especially true if you are using an ethernet cable or the old WEP Wifi protocol. If you are using WPA2 Wifi protocol on your 2 devices (Zynthian and your “computer”), then you should be protected against sniffers.
  
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You can create such a setup by using the channel list and configuring different presets on each channel. This will work with the next Synth Engines:
+
* When a MOD-UI layer is created on zynthian, the MOD-UI server run completely open for everybody in the local network.
  
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+ ZynAddSubFX
+
IMHO, these 2 are the main security holes in Zynthian. For solving it, we have to:
−
+ LinuxSampler
 
−
+ FluidSynth
 
  
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setBfree tries to emulate the original Hammond B3 configuration. It has a fixed setup of 2 manuals (upper and lower) and pedals, arranged in channels 1, 2 and 3.
+
# Use HTTPS for webconf tool.
 +
# Secure the MOD-UI server:
 +
## Fast and Easy Way: Set a flag for “secure” networks, so MOD-UI will be “open” in that networks only
 +
## Not so Easy Way: Use HTTPS and ask for the password. We should modify MOD-UI source code
  
−
While using MOD-UI, the channel list doesn't appears, but you can setup a MIDI splitter/router inside Carla and configure different plugins/effects in each channel or create more complex setups. No limits (well, CPU ;-).
+
=== I just wrote my 16/32/64 GB SD card with a Zynthian image, but from Zynthian's console i only see a part of the SD Cards total space. How can i make all the space on my SD Card availalbe? ===
  
−
Remember that currently you can only work with one engine at a time, but using MOD-UI you can load all the engines as plugins, so you create complex multi-engine setups.
+
'''UPDATE:''' From 2016-12-23, the Gorgona SD image solved this problem. Latest SD images will auto-expand the partition on the first boot, so you shouldn't have this problem never more, but if you have it ...
  
−
=== I try to put some GIG files inside the '''zynthian-my-data/soundfonts''' folder, but Zynthian GUI don't show my files. What am i doing wrong? ===
+
After writing the zynthian image into the SD card, you have to "expand" the partition to fill all the available space. Follow these steps:
  
−
The files dropped directly inside "gig" directory wont be shown. You must create some subfolder (category) inside the gig folder. The same is true for SFZs soundfonts.
+
+ login into your zynthian box using ssh
 +
+ execute "df" command to see the size of your partition and the available space
 +
+ run "raspi-config" and select the first option to expand your partition
 +
+ reboot your zynthian box
 +
+ login again and execute "df" command to see size of your partition and the available space. You should see the difference.
  
−
=== How do I edit entries in the wiki? ===
+
'''Important:''' If you don't expand your partition, you will have problems when updating zynthian software or library, as you will run out of space.
−
You need to be able to login to the wiki with a username:
 
−
Simply register . .
 

Revision as of 23:21, 11 April 2020

Please, add your questions to this FAQ. And of course, if you can add/improve an answer, do it! ;-)

1 LINUX Audio terminology is confusing

Understanding LINUX Audio Helps understand the acronyms mentioned in this Wiki

2 Which RaspberryPi does Zynthian support?

The currently supported computing boards are:

RBPi2 is not longer supported by official zynthian SD images. If you want to use a different computing board model, you have to build your own SD image using the setup scripts.

3 Where can i buy a Zynthian Kit?

You can buy official kits in the Zynthian Shop.

4 How do I edit entries in the Wiki?

You need to be able to login into the Wiki. Registering in the wiki is currently disabled for security reasons, but you can ask on the forum to get access.

5 I have a license for Pianoteq 6, what would be the process to enter the license key ?

You have to access the webconf tool and follow carefully the instructions from the "Software->Pianoteq" section.

For accessing the Pianoteq GUI, please read this: Opening Native GUIs from your Computer

6 Does the pre-built kit come with a RBPi3 or 3+ ?

All Bundle Kits come with a RBPi 3+. Check the shop's product descriptions: 

 https://shop.zynthian.org/shop/product/zynthian-bundle-all-kit-v3-326?category=13

7 I’m primarily a guitarist and thus, I’m interested in the MOD UI...

Currently, all official Zynthian Bundle-All Kits include "audio input". The new official sound card is the HifiBerry DAC+ ADC.

Zynthia UI allows to create up to 16 processing audio-FX-chains and you can also use the fantastic MOD-UI.

8 Do you think Zynthian is for me?

It depends a lot. Building a recent official zynthian kit doesn't require soldering, only basic tinkering (plugging wires, screw-driving, etc.). The official zynthian software runs out-the-box and you shouldn't need to use the command line. That being said, being comfortable with Linux command line helps in solving problems.

9 About Zynthian Security

FYI, everything in Zynthian is executed as root user. The Pi user in the new PiOS images have sudo rights, so i don’t see a big security difference between the Gorgona and the PiOS images. PiOS is about automation and evolution, but currently it doesn’t improve security AFAIK.

Anybody who wants to connect their Zynthians to a “not secure” network (any network not controlled by oneself should be considered “not secure”) ) SHOULD CHANGE the default zynthian password. You can do that from the webconf tool.

You also have to understand that:

  • Although the Webconf Tool ask for the password, it doesn’t use HTTPS, so your password could be sniffed by bad actors connected to the local network. That is especially true if you are using an ethernet cable or the old WEP Wifi protocol. If you are using WPA2 Wifi protocol on your 2 devices (Zynthian and your “computer”), then you should be protected against sniffers.
  • When a MOD-UI layer is created on zynthian, the MOD-UI server run completely open for everybody in the local network.

IMHO, these 2 are the main security holes in Zynthian. For solving it, we have to:

  1. Use HTTPS for webconf tool.
  2. Secure the MOD-UI server:
    1. Fast and Easy Way: Set a flag for “secure” networks, so MOD-UI will be “open” in that networks only
    2. Not so Easy Way: Use HTTPS and ask for the password. We should modify MOD-UI source code

10 I just wrote my 16/32/64 GB SD card with a Zynthian image, but from Zynthian's console i only see a part of the SD Cards total space. How can i make all the space on my SD Card availalbe?

UPDATE: From 2016-12-23, the Gorgona SD image solved this problem. Latest SD images will auto-expand the partition on the first boot, so you shouldn't have this problem never more, but if you have it ...

After writing the zynthian image into the SD card, you have to "expand" the partition to fill all the available space. Follow these steps: 

+ login into your zynthian box using ssh
+ execute "df" command to see the size of your partition and the available space
+ run "raspi-config" and select the first option to expand your partition
+ reboot your zynthian box
+ login again and execute "df" command to see size of your partition and the available space. You should see the difference.

Important: If you don't expand your partition, you will have problems when updating zynthian software or library, as you will run out of space.

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