The open-source Zynthian platform has a new operating system release. Vangelis-2610, covered by Synth Anatomy on October 19, 2026 and detailed on the Zynthian blog, turns the Raspberry Pi-based synth workstation into something much closer to a standalone groovebox and arranger.
The update is free. Zynthian hardware starts at 395 euros excluding VAT and excluding a Raspberry Pi, according to the coverage.
What is new
A launcher view replaces the older Zynpad. Columns correspond to sequenceable chains, and rows are "phrases," comparable to scenes in Ableton Live. Phrase start and stop can be automated, so the launcher doubles as an arranger for full songs.
Audio clips arrive through a new engine called Clippy, with autowarp, beat slicing and crop adjustments. Loops and one-shots can be sequenced from the launcher.
Sequencer and editing upgrades include a CC editor for parameter automation, velocity- and speed-ramp stutter options, better chance settings, and block copy, cut, paste and multi-edit. There are also new chain manager and config views and mixer improvements.
New content includes plugins such as Vaporizer2, Ultramaster KR-106, OB-Xf and TAL-U-NO-LX, an updated NAM engine with NAM 2 models, Airwindows effects, a MIDI pattern library, and a packages website for soundfonts and samples.
Where does MPE fit?
The coverage does not mention MPE, so this is not an MPE announcement. We are including it because the platform raises a question many expressive players ask: can I build a rig that does not depend on a laptop?
Zynthian is a MIDI-centric environment. Controllers connect over USB, and many Zynthian users already pair it with expressive hardware. Whether a given synth engine responds to per-note pitch bend, pressure and slide depends on that engine and on how the chain is configured. Support is not uniform across the plugin list, so test each engine you plan to use.
A sensible approach is to treat the platform as a flexible sound source and verify expression per instrument. Start with one engine, enable MPE on your controller, and check that pitch bend stays per note when you play chords. Our MPE explained setup guide lists the checks that matter, including bend range matching.
Why laptop-free matters
Expressive playing is physical. Many performers find that fewer screens and fewer latency variables make the instrument feel more direct. Our MPE latency and buffer size guide explains why response time affects how pressure and slide feel, and a dedicated hardware box can help keep that predictable.
We also covered the DAWless MPE rig approach earlier this year. Zynthian is a different path to the same goal, and the new launcher view makes it more realistic as a performance hub.
What to watch
The practical questions for the community are straightforward. Which Zynthian engines pass MPE data through correctly? Will the project document MPE zone handling? Can the launcher record expressive performance data alongside note events? Open platforms tend to improve fast when users report real use cases, so documenting your findings on the forums helps everyone.
If you are curious, the Zynthian site has build guides and community links.
Key takeaways: Vangelis-2610 is a free OS update adding a launcher view, audio clips and new plugins. MPE is not mentioned in the announcement, so test each engine before building a rig around it.