Max/MSP Alternatives for Linux

Max/MSP is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Pure Data, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Max/MSP and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Max/MSP are VCV Rack, SuperCollider, OpenFrameworks and plugdata.

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Alternatives list

  1. Pure Data icon
     41 likes

    Pd (aka Pure Data) is a real-time graphical programming environment for audio, video, and graphical processing. It is the third major branch of the family of patcher programming languages known as Max (Max/FTS, ISPW Max, Max/MSP, jMax, etc.

    46 Pure Data alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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  2. VCV Rack icon
     26 likes

    VCV Rack is a modular synthesizer inspired by Eurorack systems. It acts a host for virtual modules which perform various audio processes. E.G. oscillators, filters, envelope generators, sequencers and more that can be connected freely in almost limitless combinations.

    29 VCV Rack alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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  3. SuperCollider icon
     16 likes

    SuperCollider is a platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition, used by musicians, artists, and researchers working with sound. It consists of:

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  4. OpenFrameworks icon
     26 likes

    openFrameworks is an open source C++ toolkit designed to assist the creative process by providing a simple and intuitive framework for experimentation. The toolkit is designed to work as a general purpose glue, and wraps together several commonly used libraries, including:

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  5. plugdata icon
     2 likes

    plugdata is a free/open-source visual programming environment based on pure-data. It is available for a wide range of operating systems, and can be used both as a standalone app, or as a VST3, LV2, CLAP or AU plugin.

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • iPad
     
  6. Fugio icon
     9 likes

    Fugio is a free, open source, visual programming system for making digital art and creative projects using a wide range of technologies, for Windows, OS X, and Linux (including Raspberry Pi).

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  7. PraxisLIVE icon
     4 likes

    PraxisLIVE is an open-source, visual programming environment. Experiment with and create projects using a visual patching system coupled with the power of programming in Java, Processing and GLSL.

    35 PraxisLIVE alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  8. Cardinal is a free and open-source virtual modular synthesizer plugin based on VCV Rack but with a focus on being a fully self-contained plugin version. It's available as CLAP, LV2, VST2 and VST3 audio plugin for FreeBSD, Linux, macOS and...

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  9. Tidal Cycles icon
     1 like

    A free/open source live coding environment for algorithmic patterns, written in Haskell. Tidal is using SuperCollider, another open-source software, for synthesis and MIDI.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  10. HISE icon
     6 likes

    HISE is a cross-platform open source audio application for building virtual instruments. It emphasizes on sampling, but includes some basic synthesis features for making hybrid instruments as well as audio effects.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  11. Cables icon
     3 likes

    Cables is a tool for creating beautiful interactive content. An easy to navigate, node-based interface provides users with basic operators such as mathematical functions, shapes and materials that can be connected with virtual cables to create practically any imaginable scene.

    16 Cables alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Linux
     
  12. ORCA icon
     6 likes

    Orca is an Esoteric Programming Language and live-coding environment for musical experimentation. In Orca, each letter of the alphabet is an operation, lowercase letters operate on bang, uppercase letters operate each frame.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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