Installation

Hardware

To install Sonik you will need a supported Raspberry Pi with at least 1 GB of RAM, and a microSD card of at least 8 GB.

Raspberry Pi family Models
Raspberry Pi 3 Raspberry Pi 3A+, 3B+, Compute Module 3, Zero W 2
Raspberry Pi 4 Raspberry Pi 4, Compute Module 4
Raspberry Pi 5 Raspberry Pi 5, Compute Module 5

Sonik also supports the legacy Allo Usbridge Signature network bridge and the Orchard Audio PecanPi+ when paired with a Raspberry Pi 3.

Warning

A touchscreen display is not supported on the Raspberry Pi 3A+.

Software

Download the Sonik image for your hardware from the download page.

Two variants are available: a regular image and a compressed (.xz) image. The compressed image is smaller, which is useful on slower connections. Balena Etcher can flash the compressed image directly without decompressing it first.

Tip

If compression sounds like ‘abracadabra’ to you: just download the uncompressed variant.

Important

Download the image that matches your specific Raspberry Pi hardware.

Network Installer

The Sonik Network Installer is a small, generic image that works across all supported Raspberry Pi models. It detects your hardware automatically and downloads the correct release during installation — significantly reducing the initial download and flashing time.

Download it from the download page.

Important

The Network Installer requires a wired internet connection and does not work on the Orchard Audio PecanPi+.

Preparing the microSD card

Use Balena Etcher or Raspberry Pi Imager to write the image to the microSD card.

Tip

There is no need to format the microSD card beforehand.

Start the installation process

Insert the microSD card into your Raspberry Pi, attach an ethernet cable, and power on the unit. Sonik will start its installation process automatically. There is nothing for you to do — grab a coffee. ☕

Internet access during installation

Sonik requires internet access during installation. A wired ethernet connection is strongly recommended.

Tip

Build your Sonik unit close to your main router or switch during installation, even if its permanent location will use WiFi. Setup is easier and faster over ethernet.

If a wired connection is not possible — for example on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W — Sonik will set up a temporary WiFi access point.

WiFi access point setup

If no ethernet connection is found, Sonik sets up a WiFi access point called Sonik-AP-[unique_id].

  1. Connect your computer to the Sonik-AP-[unique_id] network using the password gosonik
  2. Open http://192.168.250.1 in your browser
  3. Select your wireless network and enter the password
  4. Sonik reboots, connects to your network, and continues installation

Finish the installation process

During installation Sonik will reboot a few times. The green LED will blink rapidly throughout this period.

After about 15 minutes, installation completes. The green LED switches from fast blinking to a steady heartbeat at once per second (½ Hz).

You can now reach Sonik’s web interface at http://sonik.local.

Tip

If http://sonik.local doesn’t resolve, find the unit’s IP address via your router’s DHCP table or a network scanner like Fing, and connect directly by IP.

Click Continue to proceed to Sonik’s configuration interface.