I wrote code to enable Bluetooth devices on zynthian many months ago. This should allow BLE MIDI devices as well as HID devices to be connected. You enable Bluetooth in the admin menu and pair devices. It is advisable to use a USB Bluetooth adapter because the internal RPi device has limited range.
3 Likes
Hi @core.east 
Afaik, the Raspberry Bluetooth service shouldnāt be enabled by default in ZynthianOS, arguably to prevent the continuous power overhead of its circuitry, and avoid heating of the PCB caused by radio emission.
I think that you might check current BT status through terminal, with:
sudo systemctl status bluetooth
Regards
1 Like
@Lanfranco thx a lot, but i allready have a plan for that in a way. I was just on my way to my workshop to do something similar with a piece of plywood and a router. I do drawing in OnShape.
I have access to a 3D printer, but i never learned to use it. But it is somewhere down the road i guessā¦
- next build then will have BT encoders and keys (even though i must admit that itās tempting to order another set of keypads with BT, but i have to save the money. Iāve just understood that i have to attend an expensive course in traditional ski-making, because the dearest of my mountain-life mentors is there too)
2 Likes
Wood is always better than plastic. If anyone can send me a link to the exact measurements for this controller, Iād love to create a case if anyone doesnāt want to see the PCB. Thanks.
Itās on one of the pictures, but it is not exact, or my ruler is not, or my eyesight. The picture says 74x132 mm, and i measured 72x130 mm. And i think the corner radius is 6 mm. Thatās a benefit of routing 
i can use the real life piece as templateā¦
1 Like
Ah, but from the photos I see that AliExpress already makes it with a lid and a caseā¦ So my design is no longer neededā¦ Thanks
Iām not sure that we are talking about the same thing, i need a tray like this:
to make my two keypads into one!
Yes, I understood, but you will also need space for the connector in between the two controllersā¦ about like this.
EDIT: well i carved away some wood with a knife and mounted the whole thing, it is not beautiful (seldom it is) but it worksā¦
I embedded the keypads at 4mm depth so it was not necessary to route for the plug
Itās more like a base, a spacer and the top, and it is only the top that has any functionality. The USB connector sits below the top (there is made room for it in the spacer), but the rubber on the USB plug extends beyond the spacer, which is why i removed it (the rubber).
In regards to 3D printing, i think it would be interesting to look at making a print that accomodates just the uppermost layer of the 3 layers the keypad is made of.
Iām willing to try it once I have the exact measurements. No problem studying it.
1 Like
Sounds great, i think this kind of controller that gives you all the HID that the v5 kit has is great. I think that i can recommend it, but you know, there might be some thing else that is better, or something that i have not thought of. And with a 3D print file for mounting the top of 2 keypads on a base that also accommodates for routing the cables i think the community has gained some. Maybe one should look into the 2 port USB C hub/splitter thing and make place for one of those inside the base - or of course one could learn to speak Chinese and talk Romoral into making one with 4 encoders and 20 keys
I will for a little while just leave it in use, but in some days i can take it apart and do some more exact measurement, but i will not guarantee that it will be perfect
Oops I did it againā¦. (I realy wanted a V5)
Designed from scratch because I canāt stand openscad
to machine
Runs a Pi5 with SSD, Hifiberry board, has DIN midi and a separate headphoneamp
Want to build one yourself: Onshape
Cheers,
Kees
19 Likes
This is astounding @Keeze101: terrific design and lovely composition of profiles and colours. Kudos on this remarkable custom Zynth, one of the most beautiful success cases in my opinion.
Cheers!
2 Likes
Very nice
What power convertor did you use?
1 Like
Hi @core.east,
I already suggested in the past to the Romoral vendor (in English ) the possible production of a 20 keys + 4 pots keypad variant, suited for custom Zynthians.
They answered that they might consider it, and that was all. It is unclear, however, if they manufacture their items directly, or just design them and take care of the elementary but effective configuration software.
3 Likes
Fantastic!!!
Since itās divided into two parts, can I print just the part without the keypad? Is the side adjustable? Thanks.
1 Like
For now just a regular stepdown converter with a 15v 2.5A psu. My gripe is it gets a bit toasty and I am testing some other options. When in use the 15v line draws about 800-900 mA (2.5/3 A at 5v).
2 Likes
The screwholes are aligned, so you should be able to print just the wide parts and the two sides and youāre done.
For the nuts, i designed small retainers, which I have glued to the mouning face with a drop of ca-glue, so you can screw them without holding the nuts.
3 Likes