Engines
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A sample of synth engines and effects available in Zynthian, for a longer list see below...
1 Engine Guides
1.1 Zynthian Native Engines
- Audio Player: Audio file player, sampler, looper.
1.2 Supported Synth Engines
- Fluidsynth: Real-time software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications.
- ZynAddSubFX (Polyphonic Aditive, Substractive, and Pad synthesis) https://github.com/fundamental/zynaddsubfx
- LinuxSampler (SFZ/GIG SoundFont Player) https://www.linuxsampler.org
- Sfizz (SFZ SoundFont Player) https://sfz.tools/sfizz/
- setBfree (Hammond B3 electromechanical organ Emulation) https://github.com/pantherb/setBfree
- Pianoteq (A proprietary Physical Modelling Synth Engine for acoustic and electric pianos, developed by Modartt)
- Helm (synth) [1]
- Aeolus (Pipe Organ Emulator) https://kokkinizita.linuxaudio.org/linuxaudio/aeolus/
- Jalv (Run LV2-plugins as standalone processors) http://blog.zynthian.org/index.php/2018/09/28/new-engine-jalv-lv2-plugins-as-standalone-layers/
- MOD-HOST & MOD-UI (Plugin Host + Web GUI, developed by ModDevices for the ModDuo device) [2] [3]
- Pure Data (Visual Programming Language) https://puredata.info
- MiMi-d MiMi-d synth https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/mimi-d-creating-a-new-software-synth-for-zynthian/8648
2 LV2 Plugins: Synths & Effects
2.1 Synths
- Dexed (Yamaha DX7 emulation)
- MDA plugins (LV2 port of MDA plugin collection, including ePiano, JX10, DX10 and others)
- TAL free plugins (Some plugins from Togu Audio Line, including Noize M4k3r and more)
- DISTRHO Plugins-Ports (A collection of plugins ported to Linux that includes OBXd and others)
- DISTRHO DPF-Plugins (A plugin collection which includes the Nekobi Bass Monosynth and more)
- Calf plugins (One of the best free software plugin collection)
- Helm (Advanced Polyphonic Synthesizer + Arpeggiator)
- AMSynth (Analog Modelling Synthesizer)
- Synthv1 (Old School Polyphonic Synthesizer)
- Padthv1 (Old School Polyphonic Additive Synthesizer)
- SooperLooper Live looping sampler capable of immediate loop recording, overdubbing,
- Surge Free & Open source hybrid synthesizer...
- DrumGizmo: Open source, multichannel, multilayered, drum plugin
- GeonKick: Free software for generating a wide range of percussive sounds
- Drum Kits as LV2 plugins: Shortcut to ready-to-use soundfont-based drum kits
- And much more ...
2.1.1 Table of synths available in Zynthian
Name | Description | Category | Sub-Category | Author/Project | User Guide/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADLplug | FM synthesiser with YMF262 chip emulation | Synth | Frequency Modulation (FM) | ||
AirFont320 | |||||
AMSynth | 2 osc, 2 envelope virtual analog synth with many presets. | Synth | Virtual Analog | Analog Modelling Synthesizer | |
Beep | Synth | ||||
Black Pearl 4A | High Quality, Resource Efficient Drum Samples | Drums | Samples | AVL Drumkits | |
Black Pearl 4B | High Quality, Resource Efficient Drum Samples | Drums | Samples | AVL Drumkits | |
Black Pearl 5 | High Quality, Resource Efficient Drum Samples | Drums | Samples | AVL Drumkits | |
Black Pearl Drumkit | High Quality, Resource Efficient Drum Samples | Drums | Samples | AVL Drumkits | |
Black Pearl Drumkit Multi | High Quality, Resource Efficient Drum Samples | Drums | Samples | AVL Drumkits | |
Calf Fluidsynth | Calfs implementation of a Fluidsynth SF2 sample player. | Synth | Soundfont | Calf plugins | |
Calf Monosynth | Simple monophonic synthesizer with 2 oscillators, multimode filter and an envelope. Designed to maximize flexibility while minimizing the number of controls. Useful for synth basses and leads. | Synth | Virtual Analog | Calf plugins | |
Calf Organ | A versatile organ/pad synthesizer, capable of producing: tonewheel organs, solid state organs, strings-like or choir-like pads, fat basses and searing leads. | Synth | Virtual Analog | Calf plugins | |
Calf Wavetable | This synthesizer is based on predefined wavetables with a ADSR section. | Synth | Wavetable | Calf plugins | |
Dexed | Yamaha DX7 emulation | Synth | Frequency Modulation (FM) | ||
DrMr Sampler | DrMr is an LV2 sampler plugin. | Sampler | |||
DrumGizmo | Open source, multichannel, multilayered, drum plugin. | Drums | Samples | User Guide | |
Drumkits Percussion | Salamander Drumkit SFZ GM file, plus percussion | Drums | Soundfont | ||
drumkv1 | Old-school drum-kit sampler synthesizer with stereo fx. | Synth | Samples | Rui Nuno Capela | |
DrumSynth | A realtime 32/64-bit virtual drum synthesizer providing a host of sonic options for creating sounds. | Drums | DISTRHO | ||
Example Metronome | Metronome | ||||
Exampler | Stupidly simple sampler | Sampler | MOD Devices | ||
Fabla | Fabla is a drum sampler plugin instrument. Ideal for loading sampled sounds and performing via midi controller or programming beats. Includes ADSR envelope allows shaping and compressor beefs up the sound. | Drums | Samples | OpenAVProductions | |
Fluid Bass | Real-time software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications | Synth | Soundfont | ||
Fluid Brass | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Chromatic Percussion | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Drums | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Ensemble | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Ethnic | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Guitars | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Organs | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Percussion | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Pianos | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Pipes | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Reeds | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid SoundFX | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid Strings | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid SynthFX | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid SynthLeads | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Fluid SynthPads | Synth | Soundfont | |||
FluidGM | Synth | Soundfont | |||
Foo YC20 Organ | Physical modelling combo organ synthesizer (based on Yamaha YC20) | Synth | Physical Modelling | ||
GeonKick | Generate a wide range of percussive sounds - User Guide | Drums | |||
Helm | Advanced Polyphonic Synthesizer + Arpeggiator | Synth | Softsynth | ||
JuceOPL | Classic game sounds in Plugin form, as heard in late 80s / early 90s sound cards. | Synth | Frequency Modulation (FM) | ||
Kars | Strong plucked string synth | Synth | Physical Modelling | ||
LSP Multi-Sampler x12 DirectOut | Sampler | Linux Studio Plugins | |||
LSP Multi-Sampler x12 Stereo | Sampler | Linux Studio Plugins | |||
LSP Multi-Sampler x24 DirectOut | Sampler | Linux Studio Plugins | |||
LSP Multi-Sampler x24 Stereo | Sampler | Linux Studio Plugins | |||
LSP Multi-Sampler x48 DirectOut | Sampler | Linux Studio Plugins | |||
LSP Multi-Sampler x48 Stereo | Sampler | Linux Studio Plugins | |||
LSP Sampler Mono | Sampler | Linux Studio Plugins | |||
LSP Sampler Stereo | Sampler | Linux Studio Plugins | |||
LVTK Silence | |||||
MDA DX10 | Simple 2-op FM synth with metallic acid-like sound. | Synth | Frequency Modulation (FM) | Suffice to say, you cannot model 2-op Yamaha sounds accurately using DX10 (without losing your mind that is), you can however use it for its own merits. One of those merits include a waveform modulator, where you can modulate between a sine and "saw" approximation that contains additional harmonies added to the fundamental sine. -cyrb review at KVRaudio | |
MDA ePiano | Based around 12 carefully sampled and mastered Rhodes Piano. | Synth | |||
MDA JX10 | Emulation of Roland Super JX-10 | Synth | Virtual Analog | ||
MDA Piano | 32 poly piano with decay, release, stereo width, stretch and random tuning | ||||
MiniOPL3 | Used in Sound Blaster Pro sound cards; very efficient and light FM Synth. | Synth | Frequency Modulation (FM) | ||
Nekobi | Single-oscillator synth based on the Roland TB-303 | Synth | Virtual Analog | ||
Noize Mak3r | Virtual analog synthesizer with a great sound and low CPU usage. 128 factory presets included. | Synth | Virtual Analog | ||
Obxd | Synthesiser that has been designed to recreate the sound and behaviour of the Oberheim OB-X. | Synth | Virtual Analog | ||
Odin2 | The design approach of Odin 2 lets you choose from a large variety of modules, which can be mixed and matched for virtually endless sonic capabilities. | Synth | Virtual Analog | ||
OPNplug | FM synthesiser with YM2612 chip emulation | Synth | Frequency Modulation (FM) | ||
OS-251 | OS-251 is a "JUNO" style digital subtractive synthesizer with a simple yet powerful DSP algorithm. Unlike other plugins that use analogue simulation, OS-251 uses digital algorithms to give warm, lo-fi sounds. | Synth | Digital Subtractive | ||
Padthv1 | Old-school polyphonic additive synthesizer with stereo fx. | Synth | Virtual Analog | Rui Nuno Capela | |
Pianoteq 7 STAGE | High quality physical modelling of a wide spectrum of real-world instruments | Synth | Physical Modelling | ||
Raffo Synth | Simple but fun 4 osc monosynth | Synth | Virtual Analog | ||
Red Zeppelin 4 | High Quality, Resource Efficient Drum Samples | Drums | Samples | ||
Red Zeppelin 5 | High Quality, Resource Efficient Drum Samples | Drums | Samples | ||
Red Zeppelin Drumkit | High Quality, Resource Efficient Drum Samples | Drums | Samples | ||
Red Zeppelin Drumkit Multi | High Quality, Resource Efficient Drum Samples | Drums | Samples | ||
reMID | Implementation of the SID 6581 chip used in the Commodore 64 | Synth | Softsynth | ||
samplv1 | Old-school all-digital polyphonic sampler synthesizer with stereo fx. | Sampler | Rui Nuno Capela | ||
setBfree DSP Tonewheel Organ | Designed to imitate the sound and properties of the electromechanical organs, a 'Tonewheel Organ Construction Kit' with 1000 configurable parameters. | Synth | Physical Modelling | X42 Plugins | |
sfizz | SFZ SoundFont Player | Synth | Samples | ||
sfizz-multi | SFZ SoundFont Player | Synth | Samples | ||
SO-404 Bass Synthesizer | SO-404 is a simple bass synthesizer using 1 oscillator and 1 filter. | Synth | Virtual Analog | ||
SO-666 Feedback Synthesizer | SO-666 is a feedback based drone synthesizer building upon the SO-KL5 synth. It creates haunting cacophonic howls and drones. It's a bit hard to play but making good use of the modwheel will help keep the sound in control. | Synth | Virtual Analog | ||
SO-kl5 Piano Synthesizer | SO-KL5 is a string based "piano" synthesiser. The strings are modeled using the Karplus-Strong String simulation method. | Synth | Physical Modelling | ||
SooperLooper | Live looping sampler capable of immediate loop recording, overdubbing, | ||||
Sorcer | Sorcer is a polyphonic wavetable, synth, its sonic fingerprint is one of harsh modulated sub-bass driven walls of sound. | Synth | Wavetable | ||
String machine | Digital model of electronic string ensemble instrument | Synth | Virtual Analog | Arp Solina, Roland RS-101 etc. | |
Surge | Featuring many synthesis techniques, a great selection of filters, a flexible modulation engine, a smorgasbord of effects, and modern features like MPE and microtuning. | Synth | Softsynth | Free & Open source hybrid synthesizer... | |
Synthv1 | SynthV1 is an old-school all-digital 4-oscillator subtractive polyphonic synthesizer with stereo FX. | Synth | Virtual Analog | Rui Nuno Capela | |
The infamous cellular automaton synth | An additive synthesizer, where 16 harmonics are added to the fundamental according to rules of elementary cellular automata. | Synth | Infamous | ||
Triceratops | Triceratops is a virtual subtractive synthesizer plugin with 3 oscillators, 3 ADSR envelopes and 3 LFOs. Oscillators have unison mode, filter has three modes low pass resonant 24db, high pass and band pass. Oscillator sync, inertia (portamento) and basic FM is implemented. | Synth | Virtual Analog | ||
Vex | Vex is a 3 oscillator subtractive wavesample synth with variety of waves for initial tones. | Synth | |||
Vitalium | Spectral warping wavetable synth | Synth | Wavetable | ||
VL-Tone | Old school bleep bloop machine | Synth | |||
Wolpertinger | Wolpertinger is a subtractive, antialiased polyphonic software synthesizer | Synth | |||
ZynAddSubFX | Polyphonic Additive, Subtractive, and Pad synthesis | Synth | Softsynth |
2.2 Effects
All kind of effects:
Category | Includes |
---|---|
Delay | Delay, Echo |
Distortion | Overdrive, Distortion, Fuzz, Wave-shaper |
Dynamics | Compressor, Limiter |
Filter | Filter, Equalizer, (Auto-)Wah, Envelope Filter |
Generator | Synthesizer, Piano, Organ, Drums, Noise, SoundFonts |
Modulator | Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Vibrato, Tremolo, Ring modulator |
Reverb | Reverb, Shimmer, Plate, Room, Spring |
Simulator | Amplifier, Cabinet, Leslie, Tube |
Spatial | Panner, Auto-panner, Stereo field manipulator |
Spectral | Pitch-shifter, Auto-tune, Harmonizer, Vocoder |
Granular | Granulator |
MIDI utilities | MIDI filter & tools |
Other | Arppeggiator, SooperLooper |
This is not a complete list of all synths & effect plugins, see the MOD devices wiki page to see some amp and cabinet sim plugins available:
Details about each of the MOD plugins
3 Supported plugin types
Currently, Zynthian supports only LV2 plugins compiled for RBPi (ARM):
Here is an unmaintained repository of LV2-plugins for Zynthian: https://github.com/zynthian/zynthian-plugins/tree/master/lv2
Support for VST, DSSI and LADSPA has been removed for simplicity, but it could be re-enabled in the future if we have good reasons for doing so.