As I promised some time ago, finally I have posted on my blog a guide depicting the process I had to build a Zynthian starting from a Raspberry PI400 + Screen + BEHRINGER audio card.
It´s written from the gratitude for the help received from many of yours during the process.
Thankx at all!
It´s a bit long, so I have divided it into 2 parts. You can access them from the next links:
I wonder whether your mention of using a soldering iron may deter some people. Most users don’t need to go anywhere near an iron. It is only the most intrepid adventurers who are building very customised devices that need this. @jofemodo prides himself on providing a kit that only needs a screwdriver and no such soldering skills.
Yes, final result is really clean.
I find the 7 inch HDMI display is comfortable to use but quiet annoying to integrate with its big connectors & cables. Here it’s very well done.
You’re absolutely right with the soldering iron challenge…
However I am trying to generate more awareness towards Zynthian community.
So if someone finds the project interesting but difficult, I expect to be riding to the core geniuses that made it possible, searching for answers and, voilà, could discover so many approaches to it.
My electronic abilities are far beyond the usual found on the Zynthian team, and many of their users too, but as incredible as it sounds I finally got a working DIY-Zynthian.
I am keeping mine in its keyboard enclosure. It is handly to power it up and use as a proper Debian/Linux based desktop. Maybe I am spoilt with so many Zynthian incarnations in my collection!
I have one of my Zynthians running on a RPi400 with a fairly generic cheap USB sound card (Phoinkas T-10 USB Adapter ~$20). I’ve been thinking about getting a RPi500 but haven’t yet.
You will need to provide some encoders as well (unless you intend to go TouchScreen route - which could have some problems!) and I use @oscaracena ‘s Controller Driver and an Akai APC Key25 mk2 (~$100) which gives me simulated encoders (actual potentiometers) and replicates the V5 buttons on the Akai’s pads.
I do have one weird problem with this Zynthian-setup, if I leave the Akai plugged in during boot I get a frowning Daphne Oram ERROR, but it hasn’t bothered me enough to try troubleshooting the problem, I just unplug for the boot.
re - encoders or pots on Akai APC Key25 mk2 - OhHo - I was just assuming pots because of the way they feel (very solid) and no steps, but of course that doesn’t really mean anything, and I haven’t opened it, and as @niels said they are endless, so I guess y’all are right, encoders.
re - @riban - Frowning Daphne Error needs sorting - yeah, I agree, lemme make a new topic with what info I have so as not to hijack this topic and we’ll go from there.
