This is a living post that will be updated over time
Feel free to make suggestions in the comments
open-source DAWs
- Ardour – multitrack audio/MIDI recording, editing, and mixing DAW
- LMMS – pattern-based DAW with built-in synths; great for beats/electronic
- Qtractor – lightweight JACK/PipeWire-friendly audio/MIDI sequencer
- Bespoke Synth – modular DAW/synth environment
livecoding
- Sonic Pi – Ruby-based live-coding synth with precise timing
- SuperCollider – synthesis server + language for algorithmic music/DSP
- TidalCycles – pattern-focused live-coding DSL (commonly with SuperDirt)
tools
- Carla – plugin host/patchbay and LV2/VST bridging
- JACK – low-latency audio/MIDI routing between apps and devices
- PipeWire – modern low-latency audio graph integrating JACK/PulseAudio workflows
- WineASIO – ASIO driver for Wine to run Windows DAWs/plugins with low latency
patchbay / routing
- qpwgraph – PipeWire patchbay
- helvum – simple GTK patchbay
- qjackctl – JACK control/patchbay (still handy on PipeWire)
session management
system-wide FX
plugin bundles (LV2/VST)
synths & instruments
samplers, drums & loopers
guitar & amp modeling
recording / editing / analysis
MIDI & control
bridging windows plugins
- yabridge – run Windows VST2/3 on Linux via Wine
- LinVst – alternative bridge
DJ / playback / collaboration
notation
handy CLI libs
- SoX – swiss-army audio tool
- Rubber Band – time-stretch/pitch-shift library & CLI
OC text by @incentive@lemmy.ml