# zynaddsubfx/zynaddsubfx

ZynAddSubFX open source synthesizer

Repository: https://github.com/zynaddsubfx/zynaddsubfx
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/zynaddsubfx
Homepage: http://zynaddsubfx.sf.net
Language: C++
License: GPL-2.0
License Family: copyleft
Topics: music, synth, synthesizer, jackaudio, oss, alsa, osc, hacktoberfest
Last push: 2026-07-26T20:57:46+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 65/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 94, release rhythm 8, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 4442, "days_push": 38, "days_rel": null, "gap_med": null, "n_releases_24m": 0}
- flags: no_readme
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1171, forks 122 (observed 2026-08-28T04:03:51.616593+00:00)

## What it is
ZynAddSubFX is a fully featured open source software synthesizer with three synthesis engines (additive, subtractive, and PAD) capable of producing a vast range of instrument sounds. It runs standalone or as a VST/LV2 plugin across Linux, Windows, and macOS with extensive MIDI and audio driver support.

## Use cases
- create synthesizer instrument sounds for music production
- generate pads and ambient textures with pad synthesis
- make microtonal music with custom scales
- use a software synth as a VST or LV2 plugin in a DAW
- play a virtual keyboard without a MIDI controller
- layer multiple instruments into kits for drum or layered sounds

## When to choose
- you need a free, powerful polyphonic software synthesizer on Linux, Windows, or macOS
- you want multiple synthesis engines (additive, subtractive, PAD) in one tool
- you need microtonal scales and flexible MIDI/audio driver support like JACK or ALSA
- you want a synth that works standalone or as a VST/LV2 plugin

## When to avoid
- you need a simple, lightweight synth with minimal CPU usage
- you require a fully open-source UI without any paid binary components
- you want sample-based or wavetable synthesis rather than synthesis engines
- you need a mobile or web-based synthesizer

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: active
- function: audio-processing, gui
- domain: media, cross-platform
- platform: windows, cross-platform
- tags: synthesizer, music-production, vst, lv2, jack, alsa, midi, additive-synthesis, subtractive-synthesis, pad-synthesis, microtonal, audio, linux, macos

## Member repositories
- zynaddsubfx/zynaddsubfx (main) score 65

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:03:51.616593+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T06:28:34.287525+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - homepage: http://zynaddsubfx.sf.net (fetched 2026-08-29T12:34:11.616631+00:00, sha 2116f46283b4)
  - site_page: https://zynaddsubfx.sourceforge.io/demo.html (fetched 2026-08-29T12:34:11.619122+00:00, sha 49af7a0fc0c3)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.