Introduction
Zyphr is a modular audio workstation for designing sound and prototyping music.
It is primarily made for the creation and generation of loops as a starting point for music production. This documentation serves rather as reminder notes for the development of the program than a user guide. Meanwhile there are early web prototypes of modules like synth and synthetic noise shaker we can already play around with.
Interface
Zyphr’s interface combines minimalist aesthetics with intentional functionality. Its monochromatic high contrast design draws inspiration from both old-school analog synthesizers like the Moog and accessible sci-fi interfaces. The interface is set in a custom typeface designed with Zyphr in mind.
Zyphr’s core interface uses more white space around it not only for aesthetics but also to use less graphics rendering to benefit performance of the program. Let’s look at the interface below and summarise the interaction and responsibilities of each component.
Docks
The upper dock consists of MIDI device selector to manage the connection of MIDI devices. CPU and memory tracking helps with monitoring performance of Zyphr. The lower dock provides comprehensive controls for adjusting tempo, triggering play, pause, stop, record, metronome, and managing files like audio exports.
Modules
Zyphr consists of a set of module devices such as tracks, synth, drums, and sampler designed to manipulate, program, and shape sound. Modules typically have knob controls, allowing us to adjust various settings. Some knobs accept connectors to channel signals, e.g, applying modulation by channelling LFO to a sine waveform; or applying reverb effect to only a snare drum and nothing else.