Hello! A new Zynthian user here. I’ve been getting my head around how to work with this magnificent little box. So far I’ve figured out how to use CUIA messages to control Zynthian with MIDI notes. However, I would like to accomplish the following action:
Sending a MIDI note from my controller button should:
Open the ZS3 menu
Select a ZS3 from the list
Bold press → Overwrite
I have kind of achieved this by sending multiple notes from my controller (Open ZS3 menu → arrows to select a ZS3 → bold press (ZYNSWITCH 3,B) → arrows to select overwrite → select (ZYNSWITCH 3) to save.
I would like to have a quick access to save (overwrite) the current ZS3 by pressing one button on my controller. Is this possible? Similarly, a quick way to save the whole snapshot would be nice to achieve. Or is there perhaps some shortcut to save the current state that I’m not aware of?
One way to achieve what you want is writing your own ‘controller driver’ or modifying an existing one:
This might be beyond the level of effort you were looking for, although it’s the only way I know of to get the customization you’re asking for, if I understand you correctly.
Another general approach would be to write a feature request and submit it to us via the github issue tracker:
I do have some questions about what you want and where you’re coming from:
If you could start a ‘script’ (either shell-.sh, or python) from a controller pad or key, would that solve the issue for you?
What kind of Zynthian are you running? DIY, V4 V5 - or more specifically - Do you have a V5 type Zynthian with the Shot//ZS3 button available?
And more generally, could you explain a bit more about how you work and why the existing UI is getting in your way? I partially get it, but I’ m doing a lot of guessing!
Hello and many thanks for the comprehensive answer! I have a Zynthian V4 but I just auccesfully upgraded it with a Pi5 - a very nice performance boost! But because I have the V4 case I don’t have the ZS3 button.
Th control driver approach sounds a bit tedious way to achieve what I want but I might look into that anyway.
I would just like to have a quick way to save the current snapshot without menu diving. Ideally I could program my midi controller button for a single press save (overwrite). And in case I have multiple buttons available I could then save multiple ZS3 presets and recall them fast. That’s the basic idea. Of course I can do that with the UI and multiple presses, but it’s just not very convenient.
ZS3 is fully supported in V4. Checkout the documentation, remembering to switch to V4 view with the top version switcher. The top right button bold press takes you to ZS3 menu.
Thanks, got it! However my initial thought was to find a single click/tap way of saving the current ZS3. That still seems impossible to do without digging into that control driver approach.
I would think this functionality as some kind of UI macro recording: First you enable the recording mode (something similar as MIDI learn), then you make your button presses / selections, then stop recording and push a MIDI controller button to assign the recorded macro to a CC – for example. That would speed up the process of opening any specific menu item / doing any action that needs multiple button presses. This is just a consideration – don’t know how much sense it would make for the majority of users, but at least would give a lot of flexibility!
