Project Hub /Basic Analog & Power Electronics/Zimaboard 2 Recording Rig

Intermediate

ANALOG / DISCRETE

Project Specific

6 – 12 Hours

Partial Kit

Zimaboard 2 Recording Rig

A portable, low-noise audio recording and music server rig built around two ZimaBoard 2 single-board computers and a Behringer XR18 digital mixer.

Originally published on Hackaday.io

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: ZimaBoard 2 Kits
Two Bay NAS Kits
Behringer XR18 Audio Interface
Digital Mixer
SSDs
HDDs

Browse all components

How It Works

The Zimaboard 2 Recording Rig functions as a decentralized, portable audio production and network storage ecosystem. At the core of the audio capture workflow is the Behringer XR18 digital mixer, which converts live instruments and microphone signals into multi-channel digital audio. This digital stream is routed into the system where a Reaper DAW running on an operating system environment manages tracking and mixing. Processing and storage are handled by the two ZimaBoard 2 single-board computers paired with two-bay NAS kits and drive bay adaptors housing a combination of SSDs and HDDs. ZimaOS acts as the foundational operating system layer, running ZVM for virtualization and utilizing Docker alongside Docker Compose via Portainer to orchestrate containerized services. The mobile router establishes a localized, independent network backbone, allowing all components—including the ZimaBoards, mixer, and remote client devices—to communicate seamlessly in remote environments without relying on traditional fixed network infrastructure.

Why Build This

Create a self-contained, portable studio rig for capturing multi-track field recordings and live band sessions without relying on permanent studio infrastructure.

Build a localized media and data server utilizing ZimaOS, Docker, and dual NAS enclosures to manage large audio file storage and music production workflows on the go.

Real-World Application

Field audio recording for musicians, podcasters, and sound engineers, coupled with a localized network storage and processing server for multi-device music production.

Skills You'll Learn

Server virtualization

Container orchestration with Docker and Portainer

Network routing configuration

Digital audio workstation (DAW) management

NAS storage setup

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

ZIMABOARD

DOCKER

ZIMAOS

AUDIO RECORDING

BEHRINGER XR18

VIRTUALIZATION

NAS

PORTAINER

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an internet connection in the field to use this rig?

No, the mobile router creates a local area network connecting the ZimaBoards, audio interface, and your control devices entirely offline.

Why are two ZimaBoard 2 units used instead of just one?

Using two units allows you to separate workloads, dedicating one potentially to storage and containerized services while balancing computing resources for audio tasks.

What is the role of Docker and Portainer in an audio recording setup?

They allow you to easily deploy, manage, and scale software services and server applications in isolated containers on ZimaOS without cluttering the base operating system.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

PRJ-01556