This is a ‘no hardware’ build on a Pi5 Model B, this is my setup:
I’ve read the v5 instructions and was following the tutorial video here, there were some slight wording differences but I followed it through to the end… when I press a key on my keyboard (Arturia Analog Factory Experience) the meters flash on the channel I just created and the main channel of the mixer, but there’s no audio.
Any idea what I can try next please?
From the main menu, access “Audio Levels” and ensure the audio output levels (and if available mode) is set right.
Use admin menu’s “Test Audio” to play some audio and see if you hear that.
Bold SELECT the main chain and select “Audio Out” and ensure it is routed to “Direct Outputs 1+2”.
Check the wiring of your audio outputs and the downstream amplifier and speakers / headphones. Even if we are sure something is working, it is worth double checking with a different source.
I tried the test audio, you can see the meters are responding but still no sound.
I’m using the line input on a DAB radio for testing purposes, also tried the same thing on the line input of an old Sony boom box yesterday with no success.
When I select ‘Audio Levels’, I just see this:
I didn’t try the routing suggestion as I don’t know how to perform the ‘Bold Select’ action on a QWERTY keyboard.
Thanks!
Default mapping has the I,O,K,L keys mapped to encoder switches 1-4. They react to short, bold and long press. ‘<’ and ‘>’ mapped to encoder 4 rotate with shift modifier for encoder 3, ctrl modifier for encoder 2 and shift+ctrl modifier for encoder 1.
This really looks like a hardware issue. I suspect there is audio but it is not reaching your speakers.
[Edit] You say, “No hardware build” but you have not described the actual real hardware used. What audio card are you using? How is it connected?
I’m using an NVDAC Extension Adapter Board, the instructions that come with it say it has a HiFiBerry DAC+ Standard but there’s no descriptor for that in the Zynthian config. I set it to HiFiBerry DAC+ Lite which appears to work (the green level meters move when you play a note on the keyboard anyway).
I have tried all the other possible options, but the Pi either fails to boot or nothing happens on screen when you play the keyboard.
That board has a PCM5122 DAC which I think was used on the HifiBerry DAC+. Have you tried selecting HifBerry DAC+, save and reboot? This DAC has I2C control which I don’t think the HifiBerry DAC Lite has.
Yep, tried all the different variations… choosing HiFiBerry DAC+ results in the Zynthian splash screen with ERROR in red.
The instructions definietly say to enable hifiberry-dacplus. I suggest selecting Hifiberry Dac+, save, reboot and then to access the shell and type:
aplay -l
and post the result here. You can access the shell from webconf INTERFACE->Terminal or by ssh to the machine with user: root and password: opensynth.
Also post the output from:
i2cdetect -y 1
and
i2cdetect -y 6
I want to see if the soundcard is recognised by the kernel (but maybe not by jack) and whether the soundcard’s I2C interface is reachable.
Also check the jack2 service log:
journalctl -fu jack2.
Also check for any clues in dmesg.
Does this card work with another operating system, like Raspberry Pi OS? It’s not behaving as advertised.
Never tried… will give it a go and report back.
I didn’t try Raspberry Pi OS because I wouldn’t know how to check, but Ubuntu 24.10 doesn’t recognise the card. When I go into the Sound tab in Settings, under Output there is only ‘HDMI Displayport built-in audio’ shown.
It sounds like a faulty card. In Ubuntu, follow the supplier’s installation instructions. If there is no sound card then report to the supplier.
The machine and attached bits were given to me by a friend who’d got bored with it, so if the card’s a dud I’ll just have to buy another one.
Interestingly the SSD slot is populated on this card, and Ubuntu doesn’t see the drive either, which makes me wonder if the little ribbon cable that connects the card to the Pi is worth replacing before I lay out for a new card?
I2S that carries the audio and I2C that controls the DAC are connected via the 40-way header connector. Check the card is definitely inserted onto the header correctly. You can sometimes assemble them offset by a pin of round the wrong way. Photos of your setup would be nice.
Try removing the NVMe driver in case that is causing an issue. Try removing the ribbon cable.
Unplugging the ribbon cable has made no difference.
I have a similar Dac
I had to select Hifiberry DAC+
Then modify the Driver confidg by adding -std at the end of the dtoverlay line.
That was it! All working now.
Thanks again for all the help, time for a play!
