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Synthack-OS

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Synthack-OS is custom firmware for the Elektron Syntakt, by @Angelo-politek. 32 stars on GitHub.

forElektron Syntakt·by@Angelo-politek

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SyntHack OS

Unofficial, modular firmware mods for the Elektron Syntakt (OS 1.41). Each mod is a small patch applied to the stock OS you download from elektron.se — no firmware is distributed here.

Not affiliated with Elektron. Modified firmware can make your device unusable and may void your warranty. Learn the recovery procedure before flashing. Use at your own risk.

Status: v0.9.0 — nine mods running on real hardware.

Features

FeatureStatusWhat it does
Bus compressor✅ v0.5.0Compressor on the FX track bus: it listens to and compresses the tracks routed to the FX track (send kick, snare, bass there and compress them together); tracks not routed to it are untouched. Digitakt-style curves. THR · ATK · REL · MUP · RAT + gain-reduction meter + ON/OFF switch on the FX track SYN page, values in dB / ms / ratio. Saved per pattern, or global with SYN global.
Dual mono input✅ v0.9With EXTERNAL IN set to mono, IN L and IN R are two separate inputs: the External Mixer page is IN L, a new IN R page in the MIXER tab has its own level and DEL / REV / FX3 sends (saved with the kit).
Boot splash✅ v0.8.1"SyntHack" logo and version after the official intro. Boot time unchanged.
Mod area✅ infra64 KB for mod code, stored compressed and unpacked at boot into a block reserved from the OS heap.
Kit storage✅ infra36 words for mod settings, saved with the kit in bytes the OS file format leaves unused.
Readable parameter values✅ v0.5.0Hz, dB, ms and % instead of 0–127: filters, envelopes, levels, sends, delay and reverb, on every track and the FX track. Computed from the same data the DSP uses; analog parts measured on the device.
Performance FX✅ v0.9Sequencer effects on all tracks (analog too): select Mod A (FUNC+15) and keys 13–16 play repeat (1/16 … 1 bar), reverse (1/8 … 1 bar) or half speed, resuming in time on release. Each key's effect is set in the Mod A setup page and saved with the kit. Replaces beat-repeat. Also quantized retrig: QNT in the Retrig setup page starts retrigs on the next step.
Third send FX✅ v0.9SND3 on every track (AMP page 1, next to DEL and REV; PAN moves to page 2) and on the external input into a chorus, flanger, phaser or crusher, with its own page (REVERB tab, page 2) saved with the kit. Sends into the delay and the reverb; SND3 is an LFO destination; the return can be routed to the FX track (FUNC+FX, trig 13).
PIN lock⬜ plannedOptional PIN at power-on, as a theft deterrent. Recovery via OS reflash stays possible.
New LFO shapes · 3rd LFO / mod matrix⬜ planned
Arpeggiator · Euclidean circle UI⬜ planned
Resampling to SP TWINSHOT · advanced sampler⬜ planned
New machines: RISER / DOWNFILTER, SY SWARM+⬜ plannedRequires custom audio-engine code (CPU #2).
Web builder⬜ plannedPick mods in the browser, build your .syx locally.

Known issues

  • v0.8.0 and earlier: projects with samples (SP TWINSHOT) can crash at boot (#4). The mod code lived in RAM that the OS uses when it loads samples. Fixed in v0.8.1: the mod code now lives in a block of the OS heap. Recovery for the old versions: flash stock 1.41; projects and samples are not affected.

Roadmap

flowchart LR
  A["Foundations ✅<br/>unpack/repack · emulator<br/>build tool · recovery"] --> B["First mods ✅<br/>splash · dual mono<br/>master compressor"]
  B --> C["UI & usability<br/>readable values ✅ · PIN lock<br/>dual mono v2 ✅"]
  C --> D["FX & performance<br/>beat repeat ✅ · third send FX ✅<br/>arp · euclidean UI · LFOs"]
  D --> E["Engine mods<br/>new machines · sampler<br/>resampling"]
  B -.-> W["Web builder"]

How it works

  • tools/unpack — unpack/repack the .syx (wraps elektron-firmware-tool).
  • mods/<name>/patch.json — where to patch, a hash of the expected original bytes, and our new bytes.
  • tools/build/build.py — stock OS + chosen mods → verified .syx (refuses wrong OS, overlaps, protected sections).
  • tools/emu — ColdFire emulator (Unicorn + our EMAC model). Every mod is tested against the original code before flashing.

Technical findings: docs/. Writing your own mod: docs/modding-guide.md.

Build your OS

Requires Python 3, WSL/Linux and your own Syntakt_OS1.41.syx (see firmware/README.md).

bash tools/unpack/setup_eft.sh                 # once (WSL/Linux)
git config core.hooksPath tools/hooks          # once: blocks firmware files from commits
python tools/build/build.py --stock firmware/Syntakt_OS1.41.syx \
    mods/splash mods/modarea mods/vparams mods/kitstore mods/dual-mono mods/master-comp mods/readable-values \
    mods/perf-fx mods/fx3 -o out/synthack.syx

Flash out/synthack.syx with Elektron Transfer (USB, Drop page). To go back, flash the stock OS the same way.

Contributing

Issues and pull requests are welcome — see CONTRIBUTING.md. Please don't post mods or instructions on Elektronauts (forbidden there); use GitHub.

License

MIT for everything in this repository (LICENSE). See LEGAL.md.