I read the documentation, but either I missed this (sorry) or it’s not there. There’s an epic thread about MIDI (see link below) that - I think - suggests it’s possible. But having read through all fifty-odd pages I’m still not clear, frankly
Can one send MIDI data to Zynthian via USB-C (and will it recognise it)?
TIA
Spaceman
P.S. My sincere apologies if this is a dumb question, or obvious. I’m getting up to speed, but I’m new here and there’s a lot I don’t know…
The simple answer to your question is, YES! But it rather depends on what you actually mane…
Plugging a custom build zynthian with Raspberry Pi 5 to a host PC via the USB type-C will present zynthian to the host as a MIDI device with a single input and single output MIDI port. Depending on the OS of the host PC, this may appear as “ZYNTHIAN” or “MIDI Function”. A challenge here is how to provide sufficient power to the Raspberry Pi 5 if using its USB-C for MIDI. There have been attempts to use Y-splitter cables but many of these don’t work and others may not provide sufficient power. Also, the host PC may not provide sufficient power for the zynthian which requires several amps and does not perform power management negotiation on the USB-C.
It could be powered via GPI pins but you need to be careful and supply the right power with good connections.
The official V5 device has a seperate PSU that frees up the OTG USB-C socket that is presented as a USB Type-B socket which can connect to a host PC without issue.
I have been (mostly) successfull, in Midi-driving and powering custom Zynthians through Y cables, feeding both data and energy to the Raspberry5.
Be careful to connect your splitter cable to a powered USB hub, which in turn is to be hooked to one of your external computer’s USB ports. Otherwise, you are likely to fall short of power.
