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THE AUDIO MAGAZINE / RESOURCES

Linux – 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.

204 listings

Box of Bass

Box Of Rules

Box of Bass builds a layered bass chain from sub, clean cabinet, driven microphone and room paths.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDistortion & SaturationEqualizersGuitar & Bass
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bubblegum

Your Smile is Art

bubblegum is a graphical pitch editor for recorded vocals and melodic material.

LinuxmacOSWindowsAudio EditingSound Design
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BYOD

ChowDSP

BYOD is a modular guitar-processing environment for connecting different distortion and supporting stages.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDistortion & SaturationGuitar & Bass
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Cabbage

Cabbage Audio

Cabbage provides tools for building audio instruments and effects around Csound with graphical controls.

LinuxmacOSWindowsSound DesignSynthesizers
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Calf Studio Gear

Calf Studio Gear

Calf Studio Gear is a Linux collection of instruments and effects for use in compatible audio hosts.

LinuxCompressors & DynamicsEqualizersMetering & AnalysisModulation Effects
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Cardinal

DISTRHO

Cardinal packages a virtual modular environment for use in supported plug-in and standalone contexts.

LinuxmacOSWindowsSound Design
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Carla

DISTRHO

Carla is a plug-in host with routing and patchbay facilities.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDAW & Multitrack RecordingLive PerformanceRecording Utilities
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Cecilia

Ajax Sound Studio

Cecilia is an audio-processing environment for transforming recorded sound with configurable modules.

LinuxmacOSWindowsAudio EditingSound Design
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Chameleon

GuitarML

Chameleon is an open-source guitar-modeling processor designed around learned device behavior.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDistortion & SaturationGuitar & Bass
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Chataigne

Chataigne / Ben Kuper

Chataigne connects and maps control information among software and devices.

LinuxmacOSWindowsLive PerformanceMIDI Tools
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Chow Centaur

ChowDSP

Chow Centaur models a guitar overdrive circuit and offers several approaches to the modeled processing.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDistortion & SaturationGuitar & Bass
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Chow Kick

ChowDSP

Chow Kick synthesizes kick-drum sounds through a model-oriented signal path.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDrum InstrumentsSynthesizers
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Chow Matrix

ChowDSP

Chow Matrix is a delay processor organized around interconnected delay nodes.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDelaysSound Design
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Chow Phaser

ChowDSP

Chow Phaser applies phase-based modulation inspired by analog circuitry.

LinuxmacOSWindowsModulation Effects
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Chow Tape Model

ChowDSP

Chow Tape Model explores the behavior of magnetic tape through a collection of modeled processes.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDistortion & Saturation
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ChucK

ChucK Team

ChucK is a programming language for real-time synthesis and music creation, with explicit timing built into its design.

LinuxmacOSWindowsLive PerformanceSound DesignSynthesizers
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COLONY

13x Audio

COLONY groups drive, movement, space, pumping, width and noise-related color around an ENERGY macro.

LinuxmacOSWindowsDistortion & SaturationModulation EffectsReverbsSound Design
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ConjureAlign

ConjureDSP

ConjureAlign compares a recording with a sidechain reference to estimate time offset and polarity.

LinuxmacOSWindowsMetering & AnalysisRecording Utilities
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Couture Free

Auburn Sounds

Couture Free shapes transients, helping alter the apparent attack and sustain of recorded material.

LinuxmacOSWindowsCompressors & Dynamics
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Csound

Csound Community

Csound is a programmable sound-synthesis and signal-processing system with a long history in computer music.

LinuxmacOSWindowsSound DesignSynthesizers
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CsoundQt

CsoundQt Contributors

CsoundQt is a graphical development environment for Csound projects.

LinuxmacOSWindowsLive PerformanceSound DesignSynthesizers
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Decent Sampler

Decent Samples

Decent Sampler is a sample-instrument player used by a wide range of independent sound-library makers.

LinuxmacOSWindowsOrchestral & Acoustic InstrumentsSamplers
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Demucs

Meta Research / Demucs Contributors

Demucs is a music-source-separation project with command-line and Python workflows.

LinuxmacOSWindowsAudio EditingAudio Restoration
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Denemo

Denemo Project

Denemo provides graphical music entry with LilyPond-based engraving.

LinuxmacOSWindowsNotation & Scoring
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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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