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THE AUDIO MAGAZINE / RESOURCES

LV2 – Free Music Software & Plug-ins

Find permanently free recording tools, instruments, effects and audio utilities for desktop, mobile and the browser. Each listing explains its purpose, compatibility and important free-edition restrictions, with links to the official source.

These are researched directory entries, not hands-on reviews. Optional purchases, account requirements and limited editions are identified on product pages. Format availability can differ by operating system.

38 listings

Linux Studio Plugins

LSP Project

Linux Studio Plugins is a broad open-source processing suite for Linux production.

LinuxCompressors & DynamicsEqualizersMetering & AnalysisRecording Utilities
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OB-Xf

Surge Synth Team

OB-Xf continues the last open-source OB-Xd codebase within the Surge Synth Team’s current development infrastructure.

LinuxmacOSWindowsSynthesizers
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Overtonium

Benjamin Dehli

Overtonium presents additive synthesis as a mixer of 32 harmonic sine oscillators plus a noise channel.

LinuxmacOSWindowsSound DesignSynthesizers
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padthv1

rncbc / Rui Nuno Capela

padthv1 is a synthesizer centered on the PADsynth approach to creating complex sustained spectra.

LinuxSound DesignSynthesizers
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plugdata

plugdata Team

plugdata brings a graphical patching environment into standalone and plug-in workflows.

LinuxmacOSWindowsSound DesignSynthesizers
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QMidiArp

QMidiArp Contributors

QMidiArp generates arpeggiated patterns and other MIDI modulation in a Linux music setup.

LinuxLive PerformanceMIDI Tools
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samplv1

rncbc / Rui Nuno Capela

samplv1 is a polyphonic sample-based instrument for Linux workflows.

LinuxSamplersSound Design
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sfizz

sfizz Contributors

sfizz is an open-source SFZ instrument engine and plug-in.

LinuxmacOSWindowsSamplers
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Surge XT

Surge Synth Team

Surge XT is a hybrid synthesizer with multiple oscillator models, extensive modulation and integrated effects.

LinuxmacOSWindowsSound DesignSynthesizers
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Surge XT Effects

Surge Synth Team

Surge XT Effects makes the project's effect algorithms available for processing other audio.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDelaysDistortion & SaturationModulation EffectsReverbs
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synthv1

rncbc / Rui Nuno Capela

synthv1 is a polyphonic subtractive synthesizer designed for Linux music systems.

LinuxSynthesizers
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Tape Echo 2

Dusk Audio

Tape Echo 2 models a three-head tape-delay system with a spring-reverb path.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDelaysDistortion & SaturationReverbs
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Vital Basic

Vital Audio

Vital Basic is the free tier of a spectral-warping wavetable synthesizer.

LinuxmacOSWindowsSound DesignSynthesizers
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x42 Plugins

x42

The x42 collection includes open-source audio utilities, metering and specialized processing tools.

LinuxMetering & AnalysisMIDI ToolsRecording Utilities
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Availability, licensing and system requirements can change. Verification refers to official documentation and download availability, not installation or hands-on testing. Check the developer's current terms before installing.

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