Zynthian 5.1: A very powertool update

[@pjforde1978]

Product design engineer here. This video gave me a stress headache. Watching you saw out the USB differential pair is truly one of the most jaw-dropping things I've seen on KZbin lately. It's a minor miracle that this still works. The each wire in the pair is supposed to be exactly the same length, after all. Luckily, USB 2.0 is slow and therefore somewhat forgiving. Just wow.

[@TooSlowTube]

Do you have any tips on reattaching a mini USB socket? I have a Korg nanoKontrol which only works intermittently because the socket can move away from the tracks on the PCB. I've been wondering if re-soldering it is enough or if I need to do something more drastic to keep it in place, like epoxy.

[@pjforde1978]

​@@TooSlowTube it's kind of impressive that it works at all! there are a lot of different sockets so I'm generalizing, but your best bet is to squirt the contacts with some no clean flux and then carefully reheat the solder with a reflow gun, and ideally with a microscope or magnifying lens. This is a skillset so if it's your first time, you want to practice. The existing solder should be enough to reestablish a connection on the four main "wires". If you succeed, and it's working reliably, you can optionally apply a conservative amount of epoxy. However, these connectors usually have pins on the bottom that penetrate the board and a few dabs of solder should hold them in place for typical, non-violent wear. Good luck and feel free to ask more questions if it helps. BTW the "just epoxy" approach is not recommended. It's semi-permanent so if it dries and happens to not be working, that connector is basically done. I would at least try to reflow the solder first. You can get a cheap reflow gun and a syringe of no clean flux on the jungle store.

[@mr_floydst]

I'm sorry to have stressed you out, but I just followed along the official instructions ;-) (I admit the power saw was pure clickbait) The USB port wires are on the same potential and of the same length, which can also be seen in the video. However, I can assure you the whole procedure certainly raised my blood pressure level as well. :-)

[@TooSlowTube]

@@pjforde1978 Thanks. I've never used a reflow gun. I was hoping that part could be done by drag soldering with flux and a soldering iron.

[@pjforde1978]

@@TooSlowTube it can, with a good magnifier. I would just recommend a slightly adjacent tool that you can get for $10-15. Think of it as an opportunity to detune your oscillator.

[@ricnev]

Very informative - so good to hear you're planning more of these!

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching! Yes. There are a lot of functions I never talked about here.

[@lummsmusik3219]

I own a Zynthian V4 and it’s an amazing machine. But this V5 is even more amazing - so much more speed and power! GAS will never end. My wife starts to hate me for covering our home with cool little DIY synths 😉. But I think buying this last one she will understand 😂

[@mr_floydst]

The upgrade is worth it. If you take the DIY route, it's relatively low-cost, too. And yeah, clutter is a problem. There's ebay for that! (But taking all those photographs to sell your stuff is time-consuming as well, haha)

[@DavidDeLuge]

Great video. I am quite tempted by this piece of kit. Very nice jam at the end too 👍🏻

[@mr_floydst]

Thank you very much!

[@paoloramacciotti3532]

Hi there Floyd 😊. How it turned out to be, my omen about your upcoming video was correct! This is really useful, for those who too are in the process of performing the same upgrade modification, on the Zynthian V5. I am myself ready at the sprint blocks, and no question that your clip is a big help. All the best!

[@mr_floydst]

All the best with that update! :)

[@Grimmwoldds]

Might be a good idea to wear a mask or something when cutting the PCB. That dust is no bueno to breathe.

[@mr_floydst]

Absolutely. Don't do this inside if you can avoid it.

[@XiphosPL]

Came here to say this. Be extra careful with fiberglass dust.

[@marekdyjor]

​@@XiphosPLmust say that all my young life have no idea that it could be dangerous. My son does use all protection working with his projects.

[@audiblevideo]

I thought you upgraded your music corner with a new desk. Congratulations. ( i wonder how many people know that a raspberry pi is at the heart of some of their "hardware" synths )

[@jaydugger3291]

I'd like to see a layout of your desk and how you put everything together

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks! It's the best "synth upgrade" in years. I now can use all the stuff without moving it from A to B for videos / specific setups. That was a big annoyance previously. I think most people don't care what's inside their keyboards. We're a very exclusive club of tech nerds here, a subculture in a subculture. ;-)

[@bornach]

@@mr_floydst But try telling Espen Kraft that. He calls the Prophet X a scam because its guts are an overpriced Linux PC with SSD drive.

[@Ayeyomilo]

Skilled professional at work!🤙

[@mr_floydst]

Yeaah maaaayyybeee? ;-)

[@princedenzo]

Hey Floyd, this isn't entirely related to the video but you seem like the best man to ask! Do you know of a project that would allow me to sequence my cheap synths with pattern chaining? I cant find anything to "song mode" on my nts-1 that wouldn't cost many times more than the nts-1 itself. Even in the realm of diy, i cannot find anything that would do the job for cheap. Love the content, You have inspired me a ton!

[@mr_floydst]

Well, Zynthian here can do that, you don't need to buy the official kit, one Raspberry PI (3/4/5) will do. Here's how to do that kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6OVq3eOg6elsK8 Then, there's Picotracker. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIDTcpKQl7B_gdU Or MicroDexed Touch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5zQoo2MpbxljMk

[@princedenzo]

@@mr_floydst I think the picotracker is exactly what i was looking for at a price point i can afford! Thanks a ton!

[@JamesPearson]

My dog is generally healthy at the moment. Thanks for introducing me to Zynthian - I've just started getting into it recently thanks to your channel. Just about to start adding some encoders so I'm not fighting the touch screen constantly! :)

[@mr_floydst]

That's good to hear! If you're going to add encoders, you'll also need an enclosure.

[@JamesPearson]

@@mr_floydst definitely, like all these projects, the requirements grow arms and legs! I have a few options for housing it all, but will try it out first. I built my own diy analog modular synth from basic components. Trying to decided whether to integrate this (a custom panel) or keep separate in its own box. I think the later makes more sense.

[@brianhall3586]

Brilliant video ... even better that you've still got all your fingers by the end 😎 cool tunes too ... Will they do Rpi 5 versions of the kit ?

[@mr_floydst]

Yes, there will be a board for the PI5. This one is for people who bought 5.0 and where now in the unlucky position to have an obsolute machine shortly after purchase. So kudos to the Zynthian team for operning up this update path.

[@brianhall3586]

Oh definitely 👍👍

[@bornach]

My Doug has caught the flute. Ooo! That was brave, hacking up the PCB. Did you check that it wasn't a multi layer board with hidden traces in the middle layers?

[@mr_floydst]

Luckily, in that corner of the PCB, only 2 traces exist for the USB type 2 port. It's a quick fix (as seen in the video)

[@luizkowalski9476]

Nice updates! Waiting to watch more videos about it. I also like your new music corner. Which iron solder you've used on this video?

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks! I'll do more. Here's a link to that iron: amzn.to/3ZJBfxp It's cheap and I find it perfect for those small DIY projects.

[@audibal]

My dog has caught the flu too! Thanks for the great update info.

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes, then! :-) And thanks for watching.

[@mathiasfriman8927]

Got my v5.1 kit a couple of days ago, really stoked to put it all together the coming week! Glad I don't have to pull out my dremel just yet 😁

[@mr_floydst]

I made it appear more dramatic then it is in this video, but if you can, don't cut that board inside your house. That's a health risk.

[@mathiasfriman8927]

@@mr_floydst Luckily I bought the whole kit with the updated 5.1 board in it, so hopefully I won't have to use any power tools at all. At least until the NVMe drive is due to be installed. 😄 Looks like the Zynthian team outdid themselves with this release, it looks really promising!

I dont have a dog but watch a few of your videos

[@mr_floydst]

Thank you very much! :-)

[@calidadautomatica]

Thats huge... Sometimes It's imposible for me to screw some screws 😅 -Bravo 👏

[@mr_floydst]

My heart sunk when - after this procedure - the screen stayed black. I then found out the SD card extender cable doesn't work with my PI5, so that was an easy fix. Phew!

[@LachieMcg]

lol my cat has caught the groove box modding fever too

[@mr_floydst]

That's great! Please advise your cat to perform this upgrade out in the open air, otherwise it's a health risk. PETA would not approve. ;-)

[@chrisstaubyn]

Is there a battery powered version of it?

[@mr_floydst]

Not officially. But you should be able to build one - the PI5 has a USB type C power plug, so any USB power bank will do.

[@dolvaran]

My dog has got the flu too!!

[@mr_floydst]

Oh noes! All the best wishes. ;-)

[@thaJeztah]

Mine too! And don't even have a dog, go figure! 😂

[@TooSlowTube]

@@thaJeztah So, the dog you don't have presumably also has no nose...

[@unkleskunky]

Is there any way to shoehorn the SSD addon to this?

[@unkleskunky]

great vid by the way.

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks! I'm afraid there's not enought space in the official enclosure to squeeze the SSD adapters/hats that are currently available into it. So you're left to external enclosures, which takes away the convenience of the whole thing. I guess you could build something yourself with a 3D printer.

[@unkleskunky]

@mr_floydst No adapters I suppose, so that you could offset? Both the hat and zynthian board use the pins I believe but can they be dual utilized? I thought I saw some possible alternatives but its been a while since I contemplated it.

[@mr_floydst]

@@unkleskunky There are a lot of adapters, but all of them choose to arrange the SSD on top of the PI5, and that design prohibits its use inside the Zynthian 5 enclosure. The PI is aligned upside down in that box.

[@unkleskunky]

​@mr_floydst bummer, thought I saw a new style that might work. Love the zynthian stuff, moar plz. I could dig a synth corner vid too. Keep it up my man. If you have a minute, what is your background for all the hacking you do? I am a tinkerer but have zero programming or electrcal knowledge. I feel I could probably tackle most of these builds you do but my fundamental understanding of the components and circuit theory is nil. What would you recommend for a diy guy teaching himself? maybe even light prototyping goals.

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

It's a mini MPC Live II

[@mr_floydst]

With this update, they're really closing in. I'd argue MPC 3 has the edge still, but Zynthian is a serious competitor now.

[@Grimmwoldds]

@@mr_floydst I'm not even sure if all that added capability is even necessary. Between things like the Zynthian and the upcoming H4MIDI WC, there's exciting options for the bedroom setup.

[@mr_floydst]

@@Grimmwoldds I think the main advantage here is it can run Surge XT now, which is a popular synth that's also quite the resource hog.

[@6581punk]

It doesn't have a very well designed interface compared to the MPC. It needs big pads, more encoders etc. This is what puts me off trying one out.

[@gmeader3]

@@6581punkPlug an inexpensive (AKAI, M-Audio, Arturia) USB MIDI controller into the Zynthian to get pads and more encoders. Or You can just use a RPi running Zynthisn software as a low-cost way to try it. No need for the Zynthian hardware, the MIDI controller can substitute for that.

[@scottk3292]

Speaking of dogs and bugs - I'm really disliking how the software (VST) licensing world is changing, and I have some fears of a major VST company going under, with the result that I can't install or use my VSTs any more. So I'm wanting to move to hardware as much as possible (force-update the OS on this!). I've seen some of your videos on Zynthian and various hardware, but do you have any overview videos on the different "DIY" hardware paths and how someone would get started in this realm? ie: Raspberry Py vs Arduino vs ...I don't even know what the other contenders are. Not which one is "better," but just overviews - what they are, what programming languages are available, what good audio boards are available for each, etc.? Many thanks

[@mr_floydst]

I made a video with Bo of BoBeats this summer! It's here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGG1c2aDoZqnmpI If more companies follow Roland's idea, we'll have software licensing for hardware synths pretty soon, too. Oh well.

[@WoodsyAlyn]

can i have your motor synth?

[@mr_floydst]

uhm, no? ;-) But If you want me to record a part of your song with it, why not. send me the midi file and I'll see what I can do. I've stopped posting as much music videos as 2 or 3 years ago because no one watches those (compared to gear and DIY videos). That doesn't mean I don't use my instruments ;-)

[@WoodsyAlyn]

​@@mr_floydst🤣🤣🤣 That's actually a very generous response to a very unserious request. ❤ I might take you up on that at some point. I just bought a M8 and stumbled onto your channel. It's wild the kind of gear you find once you step into the more hobbyist environment. That being said the motor synth is an absolute beast.

[@braveheartsbeardstudios]

My cat is called Sharuk too!

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching that far! :-)

[@russellzauner]

Now would be a great time to start porting to RISCV, seems to me. :-D

[@mr_floydst]

I've seen the new boards, but I think RasPI still is in a strong position. ;-)

[@calidadautomatica]

The jam at the end... I love it 👌

[@mr_floydst]

Thank you very much!

[@thoughtandco]

My dog has got the fluuuu tooooo

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes :-)

[@MiiukiSama]

My dog got the flu too... so sad!!!

[@mr_floydst]

Oh noes! All the best wishes :)

[@arcanics1971]

Nurse says I am not allowed powertools anymore.

[@mr_floydst]

:-( You're missing on cutting edge technology, then Yeah I'll show myself the door, thank you. :-)

[@TeslaDanser]

I'd love one but don't think I could drop the money

[@mr_floydst]

You can build one from a PI5. The OS itself is free...

[@TeslaDanser]

@@mr_floydst gun to your head- MDT or Zynthian?

[@hansjbs]

My dog has got the flu too! For several days now. Poor thing

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes, then! :-)

[@dandimusc]

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching! :-)

[@jhohiii]

My dog has caught a flu, too.

[@mr_floydst]

All the best wishes and thanks for sticking around. :-)

[@marekdyjor]

There are problems with new version and pi 5. Lots of problems

[@mr_floydst]

I encountered one crash so far, which problems did you experience specifically?

[@Scab5679]

and my dog too has cought something!

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes :)

[@kneticmusic]

My dog has got the flu too!😂

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no, poor dog. What's going on here? ;-)

[@TAune-K7HPY]

Mein Hund hat sich auch die Grippe eingefangen!

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best. ;-)

[@luizkowalski9476]

My dog has cough the flu too

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes, then! :-)

[@superkeenaudio2095]

My Dog is inside the piano

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching that far!

[@TheCuri]

my dog has caught a flu, too!

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes :-)

[@imark7777777]

My cat doesn't have the flu?

[@mr_floydst]

Phew! That's good to hear. :)

[@MichaMaschiene-jd8wd]

My Dog 🤒 have Flew , Me too ... Let IT flow 🎛️🌀

[@mr_floydst]

@@MichaMaschiene-jd8wd Thanks for watching hat far into the video! :)

[@danbunge9787]

My dog caught the flu too!

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes, then! :-)

[@geroblacksmith]

Poor dog, I hope it went well

[@mr_floydst]

It'll get over it. :-)

[@ohmgroan2363]

My dog's got the flu 2! The Sequel.

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes. ;-)

[@multim6571]

Oops, my zynth caught a flu, but now I need to download oram update and heal it myself.

[@mr_floydst]

That's the spirit we need here! - thanks for watching. :-)

[@ooxx1xxoo927]

My dog has got the flu too 😂 🐶 🦠

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes :-)

[@lummsmusik3219]

My dog has caught a flu too.

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes, then.

[@BoxOfSnoo]

My dog has caught the flu, too!

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes :-)

[@1_of_4]

My dog has caught the flu, too!!

[@GongMaster]

I have a cat :)

[@mr_floydst]

I hope he/she's doing fine, then. :-)

[@ikestoddard2458]

My dog has caught the flu too. Except, I have two cats instead of a dog, and both are well. So there. 😁😁😁😎

[@mr_floydst]

I'm a cat owner, too, glad they're ok. I guess they've already telegraphed you that their food bowl is empty, right? ;-)

[@GertBoers]

I don't have a dog, but if I did it would certainly have caught the flu too. ;)

[@mr_floydst]

Phew! :-)

[@NoiseCommander3DS]

My flu caught a dog

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes, then! :-)

[@MiltonGrimshaw]

My dog has got the flu too!, honest

[@mr_floydst]

That's so sad! All the best wishes. :)

[@Musicamatica]

I caught the flu, not the dog :)

[@mr_floydst]

Ouch! Get well soon!

[@dirtypauwz2109]

Not a great product for the price of the kit. Most module elements can be bought/made for a fraction of the price, and even then you dont have a true controller surface. Buy an MPC 1 and have far better musical results. If you are a programmer, this can be cool like the oean labs stuff was....except not a POS and cheaper by almost 500% than open labs.

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching! Please remember they give away the OS for free, so you can use anything you like. You could use a pi4 plus touchscreen, buy everything used and land at roughly $60 grand total.

[@arcticfoxstudios2018]

Oh no, I don't have a dog. I sold him for money to buy synths.

[@mr_floydst]

I guess we have to choose our priorities!

[@ReneKnuvers74rk]

I don't have a dog. If I had a dog though, it would probably have caught the flu too.

[@mr_floydst]

Thanks for watching that far. :-)

[@ReneKnuvers74rk]

@@mr_floydst not only that: I ordered, received and build my own Zynthian 5.1. Nice piece of gear!

[@alancalvitti]

-1 all talk just play the f thing

[@mr_floydst]

Nay, this is the video explaining how to install the update. There are plenty of demos on my channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqitoaKdar9op7Msi=ZskAT7AThh9PQhGS. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqXHeqR4nryXoM0&si=lcKJTOb_NadndD9M

[@spud4242]

My dog has got the flu too!!

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes, then! :-)

[@whenry8]

My dog has got the flu too!

[@mr_floydst]

Oh no! All the best wishes, then! :-)