Ras Pi synths


#1

There is no topic in here about this yet, so now there is. :slight_smile: I just bought a Rasberry Pi 4 in a fit of pique during the Amazon Prime days as it was on sale. I have always wanted one because of the huge variety of things you can do, but I never really dove into the music angle until I had clicked the buy-now button. Lo and behold, there are a shed-load of options for using Pi in your studio, so I thought it was high time to 1. Make a list of such things, and 2. document my journey through the world of Pi in music, and encourage others to jump in with their experiences.

So here is a list I will try to dutifully maintain, of various things you can do with Pi in your studio.

  1. use it as a midi host
  2. create a synth/effect monster via Zynthian
  3. install Patchbox OS
  4. install Sunvox over linux.
    …install any number of other synths, primarily over linux, like Qsynth

Anyone else doing/have done/want to do stuff with a Pi? Please share your experiences. :grin:


#2

I have one. In my opinion version 2.5
I installed NON DAW on it. https://non.tuxfamily.org/

Very little memory to install something worthwhile, for example Linux daw Ardor
I can’t solder.


#3

I’ve always wanted to turn my Rpi into a synth but then I’ll always say, “what about MIDI ports?”.


#4

Is there any software that would let me turn a SBC into a hardware sequencer that works like the 80s machines?


#5

what do you mean with “80s machines?” like the Roland step sequencers?
I have been mostly interested in using mine for a sequencer of sorts…it should have enough power to do all sorts of sequencing things. So far I have seen a few Midi “hats” for the Pi, but also started to look at arduino as a more firmware/analog option. Less software layer, no GUI interface to speak of, just sequencing with knobs and buttons. But then I keep thinking I really want a touchscreen because it is more flexible. Not much of a point here I guess, I just wanted to comment that there are tons of ideas, and even a few solutions available if you google around a bit.

vis-a-vis Midi, you can also just get a USB-Midi adapter, they apparently work well with RPIs.


#6

Thanks for the heads up creepr…I appreciate it.


#7

That Zynthian thing looks dope but why does the tax cost so much?


#8

What the hell are you even talking about. Bro.

The only synths I know of are made by the korg and the moog.


#9

If you’re interested in live coding, you could try Sonic Pi (you’ll have to google it as I can post URLs) which is based on the SuperCollider engine.


#10

Yeah that looked cool too. :slight_smile: i found a few other things to add so I will update my list soon.


#11

I only saw this thread new, install Sonic Pi!

(Late to the party, see 2 posts above)