# Custom build questions - single board for ADAC and rotary encoders?

**URL:** <https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/custom-build-questions-single-board-for-adac-and-rotary-encoders/12872>\
**Category:** Building Zynthian\
**Created:** [March 2, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/custom-build-questions-single-board-for-adac-and-rotary-encoders/12872 "2026-03-02T18:47:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![robothouseindustries](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/robothouseindustries/32/15540_2.png) [@robothouseindustries](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/robothouseindustries)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/custom-build-questions-single-board-for-adac-and-rotary-encoders/12872/1 "2026-03-02T18:47:14Z")

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Hello.  
So I’ve been experimenting with a zynthian build and I already had a DSI touchscreen, a pi 4, and rotary encoders, as well as a USB audio interface that I’ve decided to not use at this point.

I’ve got it set up and technically working, but I’d like to get the rotary encoders working (already tried connecting them directly to the pi via another thread here), and for audio in, I’d like to have at least a 1/4” TS jack for my guitar, but would be nice to have an XLR combo jack, and the outputs I’d like to be 1/4” as well. The keyboards I have use USB for midi, so I don’t need midi ports.

And as for the software, I know I could potentially run a VST plugin and what I’d really love to do is get DecentSampler running on it if possible, although what it already has is pretty mindblowing. (Thank you devs!)

I was looking at the hardware on the github and got pretty confused about the configurations. I wouldn’t really need the full V5 build (or if I decided to do that I’d probably just buy the kit), and looking for something more minimal, even though earlier versions seem to be a good form factor.  
Is there a single board that has both ADC/DAC, as well as connectors for the rotary encoders?  
Or what would y’all recommend? Having a hard time figuring out where to start.

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**Author:** ![wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/wyleu/32/514_2.png) [@wyleu](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/wyleu)\
**Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 7:00pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/custom-build-questions-single-board-for-adac-and-rotary-encoders/12872/2 "2026-03-02T19:00:41Z")

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> [@robothouseindustries](#):
>
> I know I could potentially run a VST plugin

Sadly you can’t. It lv2’s in the zynthian world.

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**Author:** ![tunagenes](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/tunagenes/32/7279_2.png) [@tunagenes](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/tunagenes)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 12:17am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/custom-build-questions-single-board-for-adac-and-rotary-encoders/12872/3 "2026-03-03T00:17:40Z")

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One possibility to consider would be Zynthian mini:

> [@Zynthian mini](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/zynthian-mini/9300):
>
> I have been working on my Zynthian build for few months. It is very minimalistic approach of V4 version that should be cheap and easy to assemble but still covering most of V4 capabilities including upgraded 5" screen. So I thought to share it to see if there is interest to develop it further or simple to close the project because I get what I needed. I am sharing it inside designated topic because I believe that this build could be alternative minimalistic approach to build zynthian for peopl…

It started as V4 and evolved to include V5. I don’t know what the current availability and status is.

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**Author:** ![robothouseindustries](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/robothouseindustries/32/15540_2.png) [@robothouseindustries](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/robothouseindustries)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/custom-build-questions-single-board-for-adac-and-rotary-encoders/12872/4 "2026-03-03T21:44:53Z")

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At one point months ago I was able to run it as an app standalone instead of as the plugin on my pi originally with a different linux distro, using X command line arguments. Is something like that a possibility?

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**Author:** ![robothouseindustries](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/robothouseindustries/32/15540_2.png) [@robothouseindustries](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/robothouseindustries)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/custom-build-questions-single-board-for-adac-and-rotary-encoders/12872/5 "2026-03-03T21:45:20Z")

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Thanks! I will check out this thread!

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**Author:** ![robothouseindustries](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/robothouseindustries/32/15540_2.png) [@robothouseindustries](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/robothouseindustries)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 10:30pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/custom-build-questions-single-board-for-adac-and-rotary-encoders/12872/6 "2026-03-03T22:30:36Z")

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Oh wait… is that just this?

> **[Building Zynthian MINI V2 - ZynthianWiki](https://wiki.zynthian.org/index.php/Building_Zynthian_MINI_V2)**

Because that doesn’t have the audio input I would need, and has extra buttons and the MIDI ins and outs I don’t need.  
I think the original V4 controls and form factor would probably be great if it was a modular addition to what I have now, even with the extra stuff, but I don’t actually need physical MIDI ports, and I’d prefer balanced 1/4”/XLR outputs if possible. I don’t have the zynscreen for connecting REs though. I’m using a different 5” TFT display.

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**Author:** ![tunagenes](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/tunagenes/32/7279_2.png) [@tunagenes](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/tunagenes)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 10:47pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/custom-build-questions-single-board-for-adac-and-rotary-encoders/12872/7 "2026-03-03T22:47:47Z")

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Yes, the Wiki entry for Zynthian mini is kind of the end result of the forum thread. Another possibility is Zynthian Pocket:

> [@Zynthian Pocket](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/zynthian-pocket/11791):
>
> Some months ago had the idea of building a Zynthian for my purse/bag/backpack that I can easily take with me on vacation. This together with a QuNexus and a power bank and headphones makes a good toy for in-flight entertainment and spontaneous improvisation/jam sessions when connected to a local PA. So here it is, as small as 129 x 74 x 38 mm: Pi5 8GB homemade thermal block made from the cheapest possible armor case u-bent aluminium tread plate as base and sides, providing enough cooling surf…

It also has Midi, but using eighth inch jacks instead of DIN connectors. It does have audio in, I don’t know if it will meet your needs.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![robothouseindustries](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/robothouseindustries/32/15540_2.png) [@robothouseindustries](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/robothouseindustries)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 2:27pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/custom-build-questions-single-board-for-adac-and-rotary-encoders/12872/8 "2026-03-04T14:27:32Z")

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That’s definitely the closest thing I’ve seen to what I’m trying to do, thanks!

Not sure if there will be enough info there from skimming it but I’ll keep digging.

I appreciate it.