Get Started
Reaching the Controller and Transferring Files
On this page
  1. Finding the Address
  2. Installing an SSH Server
  3. Connecting over SSH
  4. Transferring Files
  5. Automatic Login
  6. Preparing Stock Raspberry Pi OS

Reaching the Controller and Transferring Files

These are the ways to run commands on the controller directly, or to place files such as soundfonts and AI models on it. This is a different path from the file upload used inside a project (Part 3).

Finding the Address

SSH and SFTP need the controller's hostname or IP address. The hostname set when the operating system was installed works directly; on a Raspberry Pi it defaults to raspberrypi or raspberrypi.local. Once connected, ip a reports the actual IP address. If the hostname does not resolve, scan the local network with an IP scanner.

In an IP scanner (Angry IP Scanner, for example), enter the address range of the network the PC is on. If the PC's IP address is 192.168.207.30, for example, enter 192.168.207.0 to 192.168.207.255 as the range and start the scan. Found devices are listed with their IP address and hostname, so look for the controller's hostname.

Installing an SSH Server

Raspberry Pi OS and Debian-based distributions include an SSH server by default, but some distributions require installing it. With the controller online, run: 

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y openssh-server

Raspberry Pi OS includes an SSH server, but it is disabled by default. Enable it in one of the following ways.

  • When writing the SD card: In the OS customisation settings of Raspberry Pi Imager, enable SSH and choose password authentication (Part 2).
  • From the terminal: Run sudo raspi-config and choose Yes under Interface Options > SSH.
  • From the desktop: Turn on SSH under Preferences > Control Centre > Interfaces.

Connecting over SSH

An SSH client connects to the controller and runs commands remotely. On Windows, use PuTTY; on macOS and Linux, use the ssh command in a terminal, or a client such as Termius or MobaXterm. You need the hostname or IP address, the port (22 by default), and an operating system account. 

ssh username@raspberrypi.local

PuTTY is a Windows client, available from putty.org. Launch it, enter the hostname or IP address in Host Name (or IP address) and 22 in Port, and click Open. When the black shell window appears, enter the Linux login account and password. If a warning asks whether to trust the server on the first connection, accept it.

Transferring Files

Moving files between a PC and the controller uses SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol). Enter the controller's hostname, login account, and port (22 by default) in an SFTP client such as FileZilla, then upload and download between the PC directory on the left and the controller directory on the right.

  1. Enter the host, username, password, and port (22) in FileZilla's top bar and click Quickconnect.To connect over SFTP, prefix the host with sftp:// or enter 22 as the port.
  2. When asked whether to trust the host, click OK.
  3. To upload, select files on the left (PC) and choose Upload from the right-click menu; to download, select files on the right (controller) and choose Download.
Note Without a root account, files can only be uploaded to directories you have rights to, such as /home/username or /tmp.

Automatic Login

Grablo runs as a system service, so it starts on boot without anyone logging in. Features that draw to a screen, however, such as Display Image and video playback, need a desktop session. For unattended operation with a monitor attached, turn on automatic login. On Ubuntu and Debian, open Settings > System > Users, click Unlock, and switch on Automatic Login.

Preparing Stock Raspberry Pi OS

To install Grablo yourself from the .deb package instead of using the preinstalled image, first install Raspberry Pi OS (Part 2). The procedure is the same as writing the preinstalled image with Raspberry Pi Imager, except that you pick Raspberry Pi OS from the operating system list instead of a custom image.

  1. Insert the microSD card into the PC.If the PC has no microSD slot, use a USB SD card adapter.
  2. In Raspberry Pi Imager, choose the device (Raspberry Pi model), the operating system, and the storage (microSD card) in turn.The recommended operating system for the model appears at the top of the list.
  3. In the OS customisation settings, enter the hostname, username and password, Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password, and time zone and keyboard layout, and enable SSH.The hostname serves as the connection address when the IP address is unknown. If you skip customisation, the same information is requested at first boot.
  4. Continue past the confirmation that existing data will be erased to start writing.
  5. When writing finishes, insert the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi and boot it.
Note Current Raspberry Pi OS has no default account (pi). Log in with the account created during writing or at the first-boot setup.