Best Software Synths for Linux

Compose music on Windows, Linux and macOS. Compose songs, create sequences, mix and automate in one simple interface. Play the notes with a MIDI controller or using your computer keyboard. Consolidate instrument tracks using the Rhythm + Bass Editor. Fine-tune patterns, notes, chords, and melodies with the Piano Roll Editor. Full automation based on user-defined tracks and computer controlled automation sources. Import MIDI files and Hydrogen projects. Built-in support for 64-bit VST instruments via 32-bit VST bridge (Windows 64-bit). Support for LADSPA plugins. Support for VST® Effects Plugins (Linux and Windows). Built-in compressor, limiter, delay, reverb, distortion, and bass booster. Graphic and parametric equalizers included. Built-in spectrum analyzer / viewer. Create music with your computer, making melodies and rhythms, synthesizing and mixing sounds, arranging samples, and much more.

VCV RACK simulates a modular synthesizer where each module itself can be a challenge to simulate on a modern computer, whether it’s a virtual analog model with hundreds of analog components to simulate, or a digital module designed to be run on an ARM microprocessor similar to your smart phone’s. A common patch of a hundred modules can require billions of floating point calculations per second to simulate and millions of 2D path elements to draw using OpenGL. Use VCV Recorder to record audio or video. It operates in engine “time”, not real-time, and therefore does not record real-time audio hiccups/stuttering. This means that any hiccups/stuttering you hear in real time will not be present when the recording is played back. Plugins extend VCV RACK functionality by adding one or more modules to use in your patch. Plugins are typically installed via the VCV Library. Save, share, edit, and move around selections of modules.

TyrellN6 is a compact, sporty synth. Based on concepts and ideas for a hardware synth: a few modules, novel features, analog sound, and low cost. TyrellN6 is the software version manifestation of these ideas. Available as a free download exclusively from the German online magazine Amazona. TyrellN6 is a free virtual analog synthesizer developed by u-he, inspired by the design of classic hardware synths like the Roland Juno 60. It features two oscillators, noise, a ring modulator, and two LFOs with eight waveforms. The audio source mixer includes authentic overdrive and filter feedback, while the twin filter is related to u-he's Diva synthesizer. TyrellN6 supports unison with up to eight voices and offers analog-type ADSR envelopes that are loopable or LFO-triggered. A small modulation matrix with depth modulation from a second source, a chorus effect with three modes, and MIDI learn/unlearn for hardware control are also included.

ZebraCM is a stripped-down version of Zebra2 with a selection of modules organized in a simple layout. Though smaller, ZebraCM is still an adept synthesizer with enough features to keep you busy before stepping up to the full experience of Zebra2. ZebraCM was commissioned by Computer Music magazine for their readers. Two wavetable oscillators with 16 waves each, featuring integrated sync and spectral filtering. Supports up to 16 voices, with options for duophonic, monophonic, and legato modes. Includes white, pink, digital, and crackles noise types. Equipped with 20 modes, encompassing various lowpass, bandpass, notch, shelf, and all-pass filters. Offers three LFOs and two ADSR envelopes with fall/rise sustain. Features chorus, delay, and reverb effects. Provides a resizable and skinnable UI, adjustable from 70% to 200%. Comes with 221 factory presets.

Triple Cheese is a unique freeware synthesizer that employs comb filters for sound generation instead of traditional oscillators or wavetables. It features three comb filter modules arranged in series, each offering eight different modes, allowing for a wide range of sound design possibilities. The synthesizer supports polyphonic (up to 16 voices), duophonic, monophonic, and legato modes, with adjustable portamento time. It includes two ADSR envelopes with customizable sustain stages, two host-sync-able LFOs (one regular and one "vibrator" with delay and amplitude modulation), and a VCA with amplitude modulation and pan controls. Triple Cheese also offers five built-in effects, including chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, and reverb. Modulation sources encompass wheels, velocity, pressure, breath, key follow, and random inputs. The user interface is scalable from 70% to 200% and skinnable, providing flexibility in appearance.

Created in 2005 and still going strong. Podolski is a free, straightforward, CPU-efficient virtual analog synthesizer. One oscillator, one filter, one envelope, and an arpeggiator/sequencer. Simple, but with a few tricks up its sleeve. Create high-quality sounds with ease. Podolski is a simple, CPU-efficient virtual analog synthesizer. Basically a cut-down version of FilterscapeVA with just one oscillator, one filter, one envelope, and two LFOs, it also features a Zebra-style arpeggiator/sequencer plus chorus and delay effects. Podolski's specialties are the click parameter (which emphasizes the filter attack) and its ability to seamlessly morph between three waveforms (WaveWarp). Oscillator with variable symmetry (sawtooth to triangle, PWM) and glide. Combination arpeggiator/16-step sequencer with extra modulation source. ADSR or HDSR, linear or exponential. Sustain has fall/rise control.

Zebralette is our version of a Trojan horse. A free synthesizer and an introduction to Zebra2's fantastic oscillators. Perhaps it will persuade you to try Zebra2 and upgrade. If one oscillator is this powerful, imagine what you can achieve with four, and all the other great features available in Zebra2. Zebralette is an introduction to Zebra2's powerful oscillators. Zebra2 can seem overwhelming at first glance, so we stripped it down to a single oscillator plus a few other features and created Zebralette, the little Zebra. Once you master Zebralette you can move up to Zebra2 with confidence. Your presets can come with you, as Zebralette presets can be opened in Zebra2. But more than a teaching tool, Zebralette is an incredible-sounding synth in its own right. Surrounding Zebra's spectral oscillator with a few core modulation options and effects makes Zebralette highly capable.

Give new life to wavetables by using Vital's spectral oscillator warping. Spectral warping acts on a waveform's harmonics and can create drastically different shapes and timbres from a simple source. Turn your own samples into wavetables by using Vital's pitch-splice or vocode wavetable converter. Create wavetables from scratch using the built-in wavetable editor and even generate wavetables from text. Vital is a visual synthesizer. See what's happening behind the scenes with animated controls, filter responses, waveforms, smooth LFOs, oscilloscopes, spectrograms, and more. All animations run at 60 frames per second and are GPU optimized which leaves your CPU to do its real job, the audio processing. Modulate Vital's controls with a fast, drag-and-drop workflow. Vital gives you a preview of the modulation before committing so you can quickly experiment without ruining your sound.

SunVox is a compact, fast, and powerful modular synthesizer combined with a pattern-based sequencer (tracker), designed for music enthusiasts who wish to compose music anytime, anywhere, on any device or system. It is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux (x86, x86_64, ARM, ARM64), iOS, Android, and Windows CE, with free versions for most systems except Android and iOS. SunVox features highly optimized synth algorithms and a flexible architecture, supporting various sound systems such as ASIO, DirectSound, MME, ALSA, OSS, JACK, Audiobus, and IAA. It functions as an AU instrument/effect on iOS and supports 16/24/32-bit WAV, AIFF, and XI samples, along with multitrack WAV export capabilities. The software offers MIDI In/Out/Import/Export, real-time sample recording, and a powerful microtonal sequencer. Users can import XM (FastTracker) and MOD (ProTracker, OctaMED) files and perform real-time recording of various sound events.

Helm runs in GNU/Linux, Mac OSX and Windows. Run Helm as a standalone synthesizer or as an LV2, VST, VST3 or AU plugin. Comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. This means you are free to run Helm anywhere without the pains of DRM, you can study and change the source code and redistribute exact or modified copies of Helm. Helm is a software synthesizer. You use it to create electronic music on your computer. Helm is free as in freedom. This means you control this software, it doesn't control you. In terms of money, Helm is pay what you want. So you are free to pay nothing. Any sound that comes out of Helm belongs to the person who played it. You are the copyright holder to any sound you create with Helm. You can turn some modules on and of. They have little power buttons in the top left that you can click to turn them on or of. The SUB module is one of the three sound producers in Helm. It controls a single oscillator that by default plays one octave below the currently played note.

Warmth and tonality are hallmarks of the human singing voice. Behind the scenes, Synthesize V leverages a deep neural network-based synthesis engine capable of generating incredibly life-like singing voices. Plus, unlike other solutions that utilize neural networks, our first-of-its-kind synthesizer is 100% offline yet runs at lightning-fast speeds. Bad connection? No worries, you will never lose access to your work. Experiment with an expanding inventory of voices ready to plug and play with Synthesizer V Studio. Dive deeper and customize voices with dynamic vocal modes like chest, belt, and breathy. Visualize your modifications in waveforms in real-time via the live rendering feature, helping you minimize hearing fatigue and reduce the idea-to-sound cycle. Synthesizer V AI voices are available natively in English, Japanese and Chinese. Plus, the cross-lingual synthesis feature breaks the language barrier, empowering any voice to sing in any of our three languages!

Diva captures the spirit of five decades of analog synthesizers. Oscillators, filters, and envelopes from some of the greatest monophonic and polyphonic synths of yesteryear were meticulously modeled for unmatched analog sound. More than a single synthesizer: Recreate an old favourite or mix-and-match modules to design your unique hybrid. Authentic, award-winning analog sound. Per-voice oscillator detunes and user-definable modulation source. Zero delay feedback (ZDF) filter design for authentic resonance behavior. 3 ADS(S)R envelope models based on classic synth hardware with keyboard follow and velocity scaling. Host-sync-able arpeggiator with continuous rate offset, swing, and various progression options. 2 host-sync-able LFOs with multiple waveforms, restart options, and phase controls. 2 stereo effects slots, each with chorus (3 modes), phaser (2 modes), plate reverb, delay, rotary speaker.

BazilleCM is a streamlined version of u-he's modular synthesizer, Bazille, offering a compact yet powerful synthesis environment. It features two digital oscillators capable of simultaneous frequency modulation, phase distortion, and fractal resonance, providing a rich palette for sound design. The synthesizer includes a multimode analog-style filter with six parallel outputs, two ADSR envelopes with adjustable sustain slopes, and a low-frequency oscillator with multiple waveforms. A 16-step sequencer with eight morphable snapshots allows for intricate pattern creation. Additional components such as multiplex units for mixing and modulation, a built-in stereo delay, and various audio-rate signal processors enhance its versatility. BazilleCM supports a polyphony of up to eight voices and offers a resizable, skinnable user interface. It comes with over 265 factory presets to inspire creativity.

Beatzille is a compact version of our monster modular synthesizer Bazille. Although its condensed feature set makes it the ‘little brother’, Beatzille is still an engaging and capable synthesizer. Power and style run in the family. Digital oscillators, analog-style filters,s, and flexible patching will keep you busy for a good while before thinking about tackling Bazille. Striking the balance between too much and too little, Beatzille is the happy medium. It presents an introduction to modular synthesis and a taste of the power of Bazille without being overwhelming. All three synthesis methods run simultaneously, so you can combine them to create an extensive range of sounds. Beatzille is great at generating weird modular blips and squeaks, but you can even coax soft pads and organic keys from the oscillators, as demonstrated by the factory library. Add modulation for even more sound possibilities.

Compact, clear, careful selection of modules and semi-modular architecture makes ACE easy to learn. Simple but not simplistic. Compact but not limited, clear but definitely not underpowered. With the ability to connect any output to any input, ACE is a powerful synth with tools and features ready for beginners or seasoned users. The “boxes and cables” philosophy of modular synthesizers gives you the freedom to create your own custom instruments. Once you start connecting the sixteen modules in ACE, exploring new combinations, and cross-pollinating ideas, the vast potential of modular soon becomes clear. The two VCOs act as the main sound generators, but as ACE does not differentiate between audio and control (modulation) signals, the full-range LFOs can also be used to generate audio frequencies. ACE’s oscillators are modeled on analog circuits, including instabilities and various non-linear characteristics.

Repro dives into the past for analog inspiration, meticulously modeling two famous synthesizers. Every detail of the original was captured using component-level modeling technology to create the most authentic model possible. All the subtle characteristics and quirks found in the originals are present in Repro. One product, one installer, two synths. The classic design gives you immediate access to all the raw power. Two oscillators, a self-oscillating 4-pole lowpass filter, an arpeggiator, a step sequencer, the unique modulation section, and five stomp-box effects can be arranged in any order. Hard-working, raw sounding, and immediately playable, it's a simple and intuitive synthesizer that belies a deep feature set capable of a wide range of sounds. Our plug-in version includes all the lovable quirks of this classic synth, but with a much more capable sequencer, lots of presets, several under-the-hood tweaks, and more modulation options.

Hive 2, developed by u-he, is a versatile software synthesizer designed to deliver high-quality sound with a streamlined workflow. It features two oscillators capable of generating standard waveforms or 2D wavetables, each supporting up to 16x unison and tunable sub-oscillators. The synthesizer offers three distinct synth engines, normal, dirty, and clean, allowing users to tailor the character of their sounds. Hive 2 includes a drag-and-drop modulation assignment system, a 12-slot modulation matrix with modifiers, and four user-definable XY control pads for dynamic sound manipulation. Additional features comprise an arpeggiator, a step sequencer with real-time recording, a unique 8-step shape sequencer with four independent outputs, and seven rearrangeable effects, distortion, chorus, delay, phaser, EQ, reverb, and compressor. The interface is resizable from 70% to 200% and offers an alternative Izmo skin. Hive 2 comes with over 2,400 NKS-ready factory presets.

Zebra Legacy is a comprehensive synthesizer suite developed by u-he, encompassing the renowned Zebra2 synthesizer, the ZebraHZ variant, and all associated sound sets, including The Dark Zebra, totaling over 4,300 presets. Zebra2 is celebrated for its versatility, featuring four wavetable oscillators, four FM oscillators, and an array of filters and modulation options, making it a favorite among sound designers and composers, particularly in Hollywood. The ZebraHZ version, initially created in collaboration with composer Hans Zimmer, offers additional features such as Diva filters and polyphonic compressors, enhancing its sonic capabilities. Zebra Legacy supports various formats, including VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP, and is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms. The suite also includes NKS-ready presets for integration with Native Instruments hardware. Existing Zebra2 owners can access Zebra Legacy and its content at no extra cost.

Vanguard2, developed by reFX, is a virtual analog synthesizer that offers a blend of classic and modern sound design capabilities. This updated version introduces a cleaner, vector-based user interface that is resizable to accommodate various screen resolutions. It features ten new wavetables, two additional filter types, a new delay mode, an enhanced reverb, and a new distortion effect, expanding its sonic versatility. The advanced librarian system provides three columns for easy navigation, color-coded tags, bookmarks, and favorites, and a dedicated location for user presets, facilitating efficient sound management. Vanguard2 is compatible with all existing Vanguard1 projects and libraries, ensuring seamless integration for users upgrading from the previous version. The synthesizer includes 2,440 sound presets across 23 categories and 63 one-shot drum samples, offering a comprehensive toolkit for music production. It supports major digital audio workstations.

NEXUS, developed by reFX, is a powerful software synthesizer designed to streamline music production with high-quality sounds and an intuitive interface. It features a vast library of over 2,000 factory presets, organized into categories such as arpeggios, basses, leads, pads, and more, catering to various musical genres. The advanced librarian system offers three columns for easy navigation, color-coded tags, bookmarks, favorites, and a dedicated location for user presets, facilitating efficient sound management. NEXUS includes a comprehensive suite of effects, including reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, and distortion, allowing users to enhance and customize their sounds directly within the plugin. The arpeggiator features 16 layers, each with its own pattern and settings, enabling the creation of complex sequences and rhythms. NEXUS also supports expansion packs, providing access to additional sounds and presets tailored to specific genres or styles.

Bazille, developed by u-he, is a modular synthesizer that combines digital oscillators with analog-style filters and extensive modulation capabilities. It features four digital oscillators capable of frequency modulation, phase distortion, and fractal resonance synthesis, allowing for complex sound design. The synthesizer includes four self-oscillating multimode filters, each with up to six parallel outputs, providing versatile filtering options. Bazille offers four ADSR envelopes with adjustable fall and rise controls, two LFOs with multiple waveforms and outputs, and a 6-step morphing sequencer with eight snapshots for dynamic modulation. Additional components include mapping generators, multiplex modules for signal mixing and modulation, and built-in effects such as stereo delay, distortion, phaser, and spring reverb. The interface is fully modular, allowing users to connect any output to any input, facilitating intricate patching possibilities.