# list of Linux audio software

> Wikimedia list article

**Wikidata**: [Q3244163](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3244163)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_audio_software)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/list-of-linux-audio-software

## Summary
The "List of Linux audio software" is a Wikimedia list article providing a comprehensive catalog of audio applications designed for the Linux operating system, including players, digital audio workstations, and audio technologies like LADSPA and LV2. It serves as a curated reference for users seeking Linux-compatible audio tools across multiple categories.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Wikimedia list article  
- **Subclass of**: Linux (family of Unix-like operating systems)  
- **Part of**: comparison of audio player software  
- **Has parts**: Carla, Ardour, JACK Audio Connection Kit, PipeWire, PulseAudio, REAPER, and unspecified Wikidata items Q191782/Q1401466  
- **Lists**: audio player software, digital audio workstations, LADSPA, Virtual Studio Technology, LV2  
- **Aliases**: liste de lecteurs audio pour Linux (French), Linux音訊軟體列表 (Chinese)  
- **Sitelink count**: 2 (English and Chinese Wikipedia)  

## FAQs
### Q: What software categories are included in this list?
A: The list comprehensively covers audio player software, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and audio plugin frameworks like LADSPA, Virtual Studio Technology (VST), and LV2, serving both playback and production needs.

### Q: How many languages is this list available in?
A: It is officially published in two languages: English and Chinese, as confirmed by its Wikipedia sitelinks.

### Q: What notable audio technologies are listed?
A: Key technologies include JACK Audio Connection Kit for low-latency audio routing, PipeWire for multimedia processing, PulseAudio for sound server functionality, and plugin standards LADSPA/LV2.

### Q: Is this list exclusive to open-source software?
A: The list includes both open-source tools (e.g., Ardour, Carla) and proprietary options (e.g., REAPER), reflecting Linux's diverse audio ecosystem.

## Why It Matters
This list addresses the challenge of discovering Linux-compatible audio software by consolidating fragmented tools into a centralized resource. It bridges gaps for audio professionals, hobbyists, and Linux adopters, enabling informed software selection for workflows ranging from playback to complex production. By categorizing technologies and listing both legacy (PulseAudio) and modern solutions (PipeWire), it documents Linux's evolution in audio capabilities and promotes platform adoption for multimedia tasks.

## Notable For
- **Comprehensive taxonomy**: Curates audio software across five distinct categories (players, DAWs, and three audio technologies), unlike narrower software lists.
- **Inclusive ecosystem**: Balances open-source staples (JACK, LV2) with proprietary tools (REAPER), reflecting Linux's practical diversity.
- **Framework inclusion**: Documents critical audio infrastructure (LADSPA, VST, LV2) beyond applications, highlighting Linux's plugin architecture.
- **Bilingual scope**: Unique among audio lists for its Chinese-language availability, expanding accessibility to non-English users.
- **Parent affiliation**: Explicitly positioned under the Linux classification, directly linking audio tools to the operating system's identity.

## Body
### Software Categories
The list organizes Linux audio software into five categories:  
- **Audio player software**: Applications for playing local/streamed audio files.  
- **Digital audio workstations (DAW)**: Production tools for recording, editing, and mixing audio.  
- **LADSPA**: Linux Audio Developer's Simple Plugin API framework.  
- **Virtual Studio Technology (VST)**: Proprietary audio plugin standard.  
- **LV2**: Lightweight cross-platform audio plugin framework.  

### Key Software Entries
Notable implementations include:  
- **Carla**: Plugin host for bridging audio formats.  
- **Ardour**: DAW with MIDI support and unlimited undo.  
- **JACK Audio Connection Kit**: Low-latency audio routing server.  
- **PipeWire**: Real-time multimedia processing framework.  
- **PulseAudio**: Userspace sound server for device abstraction.  
- **REAPER**: Commercial DAW with Linux-native support.  

### Documentation Scope
- **Part of**: Broader "comparison of audio player software" project.  
- **Aliases**: Published in French and Chinese translations.  
- **Sitelinks**: Limited to English and Chinese Wikipedia editions.  
- **Parent entity**: Classified under Linux operating system family.