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Open Synth Platform

Imagine having all the sounds you ever dreamed of in the palm of your hand.

Open Synth Platform

Imagine having all the sounds you ever dreamed of in the palm of your hand.

Concept

Zynthian is a compact, self-contained, music-making computer that can be used as a keyboard expander, audio effects unit, MIDI processor / router and groovebox / micro-DAW.

Zynthian is a community-driven project and it's 100% open source. Free software on Open hardware. Completely configurable and fully hackable! Free as in Freedom. You can build your zynthian from scratch or buy an official DIY kit.

Zynthian's software includes:

  • over 30 synth engines::
    • accurate emulations of classic instruments:
      pianos, electric pianos (rhodes, wurly, etc.), hammond organ, combo organ, pipe organ, yamaha DX7, oberheim OBX, ...
    • amazing virtual analog synthesizers:
      zynaddsubfx, helm, noizemaker, surge, amsynth, synthv1, padthv1, ...
    • soundfonts:
      SF2, SF3, SFZ & GIG formats are supported. 4GB of soundfonts included.
  • over 500 audio effects, including reverb, delay, echo, chorus, distortion, EQ, compressor, wahwah, flanger, phaser, granulator, vocoder, auto-tune...
  • midi filters & tools: map, chorder, strum, arpeggiator, LFO, sequencer, quantization, split, velocity map, ...
  • step sequencer: zynseq is a full featured step sequencer that turns zynthian into a powerful groovebox. It features live capture, quantization, swing, humanization, playing chance and much more.
  • live looping sampler: the sooper looper engine, capable of immediate loop recording, overdubbing, multiplying, reversing and much more.
  • mod-ui: a fancy canvas environment for designing crazy arrangements of sound processors.
  • pure data: a visual language for sound & midi programming
  • multitrack audio recorder: chain's output can be recorded independently in a multitrack WAV file.
  • midi file recorder/player: standard midi files can be easily recorded and played back.
  • audio sampler engine: zynsampler is an innovative audio sampler that is being actively developed. It features crop & loop points, ADSR, pitch shifting, time stretching, varispeed and much more!

Use-cases

  • Zynthian over a Keayboard

    Keyboard Expander

    Let your fingers play the sound you want.

    Acoustic & electric pianos, organs, vintage synthesizers, virtual analog synthesizers, soundfonts, ...


    MIDI learning is quick & easy, allowing you to manage everything from your MIDI keyboard/controller, including fast instrument changes and controlling the sound parameters you want. [Learn More]

  • Zynthian & Mic

    Effects Unit

    Would you like a custom FX-chain for every song?
    A full-featured looper?

    Sooper Looper, reverbs, echoes, delays, choruses, flangers, phasers, distortions, EQs, compressors, wahs, grains, vocoders, autotune, ...


    Create FX-chains arranging processors in series/parallel. With MOD-UI you can create the more bizarre pedalboards you ever imagined. Infinite fun with the live looping sampler! [Learn More]

  • Zynthian connected

    Groovebox / micro-DAW

    A powerful production tool in a small container

    It's fully multi-timbral and it features multitrack recording, audio sampler and a powerful step-sequencer designed for live-performing and song composing.


    Plug & play control with a growing list of supported midi controllers. Explore sonic landscapes and go beyond the limits with Pure Data generative capabilities.
    [Learn More]

Build your Zynthian

Zynthian is not available as a finished product. You have to build your own unit. But don't be afraid! It's an easy task that anybody can carry out, and you get a bunch of advantages by doing this way:

  • You can repair your unit. Every single part is available separately.
  • You can customize your unit, adapting it to your needs.
  • You can upgrade your unit, re-using parts, reducing waste and saving money.
  • Moreover, you may learn something interesting in the process.

You can choose between building your device from scratch or buying one of the kits that we offer, adapted to the different skill levels.

V5.1 Kit

The easy way. Simply plug the wires & tighten the screws.

V5 Main Board

Do it your way! Build your custom zynthian.

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Hardware

  • Based on Raspberry Pi and Open Hardware
  • Balanced Stereo Audio Input/Output
  • MIDI-IN/THRU/OUT
  • Touchscreen
  • Rotary encoders + Push switches
  • Push buttons with RGB LEDs
    [More...]


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Software

  • Based on GNU-Linux and Free Software
  • Real-time audio processing, low latency & jitter
  • Multi-timbral, multi-chain, master FX-chain
  • Step-sequencer, looper & sampler
  • Remote control & Web configuration tool
    [More...]