Yoshimi is a sophisticated, algorithmic MIDI software synthesizer for Linux, a fork of ZynAddSubFX.
It synthesizes in real time, can run polyphonic or monophonic, with multiple simultaneous patches on one or more MIDI channels, and has broad microtonal capability. It includes extensive additive, subtractive, and pad synth capabilities which can be run simultaneously within the same patch. It also has eight audio effects modules.
The software is released under an open source license.
Key Features
- Graphical user interface and command-line access. The command-line interface can access all top level controls, as well as the part editing controls, and can select any effect and effect preset.
- Contains three separate synthesis engines, AddSynth, SubSynth, and PADSynth; any single patch can use one or all. Furthermore there is a kit mode where the patch can have up to 16 of these engine sets for making multi-layered sounds or drum kits.
- Combines several different methods of audio synthesis in order to create sounds: additive synthesis by the ADDsynth engine, subtractive synthesis by the SUBsynth engine, and an algorithm original to Nasca Octavian Paul used to generate wavetables in the PADsynth engine.
- Supplied with 710 instruments spread across 23 banks.
- Two-dimensional simultaneous FX control.
- Supports MIDI Learn.
- Can run as an LV2 plugin with:
- Sample-accurate MIDI timing.
- State save/restore support via LV2 State Interface.
- Working UI support via LV2 External UI Widget.
- Programs interface support via LV2 Programs Interface.
- Multi-channel audio output. ’outl’ and ’outr’ have lv2 index 2 and 3. All individual ports numbers start at 4.
- MIDI CC – implements CC 2, Breath Control. The software implements the “legato footswitch control”.
- Vectors.
- Bank Support.
- JACK/ALSA MIDI and audio interfaces.
Website: yoshimi.github.io
Support: Mailing List, GitHub Code Repository
Developer: Will J. Godfrey, Jeremy Jongpier, Alan Calvert, Mark McCurry, Harald Hvaal, Nasca Octavian Paul
License: GNU General Public License v2.0


Yoshimi is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
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|---|---|
| Surge XT | Hybrid polyphonic synth supporting MPE; run as an LV2 plugin, or VST |
| ZynAddSubFX | Realtime software synthesizer with many features |
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| Six Sines | Compact software synthesizer built around audio-rate inter-modulation |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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