Zynthian V5: The open source synthesizer workstation you might have been looking for

The new #Zynthian V5 #synth #workstation has turned some heads already. In this video, I show how to build the kit, how to install the software, and most importantly, how it sounds and some of the things it can do. Table of contents:

00:00 hello
00:20 unboxing
01:00 parts overview
01:19 building the kit
07:29 what is a Zynthian?
08:40 install the OS
09:14 basic UI
09:39 how does the piano sound?
10:27 short, middle and long presses
10:49 felt piano demo
11:26 adding a big reverb
12:09 enough of the talking,...
12:20 filtered arppegiated patch
13:02 slow morph choir
13:52 vibraphone
14:25 silver bell
14:44 slow strings
15:07 hard saw
15:22 ice field
15:53 overdrive 3
16:09 space piano
16:40 fretless bass
16:50 power pwm
17:12 acoustic guitar
17:36 fantasia
17:48 warm pad
17:56 polysynth
18:01 space voice
18:06 bowed glass
18:17 metal pad
18:26 halo pad
18:47 sweep pad
19:03 Rhodes 3
20:00 MOD UI (a virtual pedal board)
21:52 some sound design (creating a pad sound)
24:29 important things to consider
24:57 creating a track / loop with the step sequencer
28:28 summary / my impressions
29:49 final thoughts / bye-bye

links and resources:

HÄLP ZIS CHANNEL

Here's what I have in my setup at the moment. Want to have that, too? Please use the followings links and support me:

MPC One, Novation PEAK, Reface DX, Strymon Nightsky, Strymon Volante, Strymon Iridium, Zoom MS 70 CDR, Korg NanoKontrol 2, Korg NanoKey, Akai EWI USB, Zoom R24, Zoom H5, Yamaha MT7:

Some bands / artists I've been following for a long time are (among others) Massive Attack, Pink Floyd, Pet Shop Boys, Archive, A-Ha, Yes, Porcupine Tree, John Mellencamp, Jean-Michel Jarre, Metallica, Peter Gabriel and Perturbator. So my music will kind of sound like those (without ever reaching the greatness of those artists, of course). :-)

[tamthetamtam]

Always amazed that you can run Pianoteq on a Raspberry Pi, what a time to be alive

[murrrr]

We truly live in the golden age of synths. The rapid prototyping and crowdsourcing has made some really cool things possible like Zynthian, LMN-3 and Plinky. There are so many trackers, unique synths and machines that no one could have imagined 10 years ago.

[TerenceKearns]

At first it seems like a lot of money, but when you think about it, this is like the modern day fairlight. Back in those days it cost as much as a house but this thing is just as cool and the possibilities are endless. It's also very repairable and ethical in that it uses "design for disassembly" as a principle. I'll be more than happy to buy this when I get the chance.

[lummsmusik]

So maybe Zynthian is the most amazing raspberry Pi project so far. V5 now looks absolutely professional. Thx to the incredible Zynthian community!

[symbiat]

I was looking at this just last week so your vid is timely. It’s on my GAS list for sure.

[xgmode]

Amazing product and the build is very straightforward it seems! Also great to read on their forum that they're looking at making things compatible with an RPi5.

[fano]

Sweet, it is like a Dreambox for musicians and electronic nerds 😍

[XavierRadix]

Hot diggety damn, what an impressive little workstation!
I would love to have one of these when travelling. It's nicely compact and full of features! Simply great.

[johngalvin]

Hi Floyd, I think your wright about it's shortfalls, hopefully this can be put wright in the next firmware update. Always a pleasure to watch your work. Respect.

[simartnullnet]

Thanks, just finished building my Zynthian, your video inspired me! It seems to be working, now I need to wrap my head around it. I'm especially interested in using the Guitar amp sims with sooperlooper, midi pedals and a rhythm track. I'd love to see a video on how to use the PD environment, but I'd be happy with any Zynthian content. Thanks so much!

[PeterJoslynHarris]

Yes, I would love to see the arranger if you have time

[PaladinGunn]

Interesting! I used to have a V2 version, and I bricked it during an update, so I never got around fixing it and ended up using the Raspberry for something else. Quite happy to see how much it evolved, might get aroung getting that new version!

[tehnik]

that was one fine pad, well done. Good overview overall, thanks

[arcanics]

I always feel a spark of joy when the Yellow Submarine shows up! I love the idea of the Zynthian hardware. But there's a part of my brain that says "You can get a ready made synth for that price!" and it tends to win. I guess I don't have enough of the DIY DNA in me. Still always fascinating to watch.

[GareginBingyol]

Thank you for amazing video sir.Is it possible to save MOD ui preset in Zinthan and use it without computer.Thank you

[channelz]

Thanks for making this Floyd. Very interesting. Would like to see the song and arranging capabilities if that would be possible please.

[brianbergmusic]

I think this is amazing-- what an incredible live solution for a solo musician or electro-based group without having to rely on a laptop!
Just a question: Can you import pre-created .midi files and assign the channels to specific instruments?

[InkyDaCaT]

Ooo this looks interesting! It's probably not for me, but if its cheaper than an mpc one then it should do well!

[NicolasCharretier]

By the way, what the budget for the Zynthian v5 ?? as the info is not listed in their "invitational only for the moment" shop ...
Very detailed showcase vidéo of the device capabilities, thanks

[UtenteGoogleAnonimo]

Please release a Eurorack version of this little beast that can replace the overly inflated prices of ER 301.