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About Cardinal
Cardinal is a modular synthesizer based on VCV Rack, created to make Rack usable as a conventional open-source audio plugin. It does not load external modules. Instead, 1382 modules from 84 authors and brands are built in, in a main variant and separate Synth and FX variants.
It is available in AudioUnit, CLAP, LV2, VST2 and VST3 formats. It also runs as a standalone app on FreeBSD, Linux, macOS and Windows, and in the browser. The LV2 version supports real CV ports for integration with other modular systems.
Strengths
- 1382 built-in modules with nothing extra to install
- Works as AU, CLAP, LV2, VST2 and VST3 plugin or standalone
- Runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, FreeBSD and the web
- Real CV ports in the LV2 version
Limitations
- Cannot load external Rack modules
- Modular patching has a learning curve for newcomers
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- DISTRHO
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Web
- How it runs
- Downloadable app, Web application
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Musicians who want VCV Rack style modular synthesis inside a DAW
- Categories
- Audio tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to Cardinal
Compare allSoftware that can replace Cardinal for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
VCV Rack
A virtual Eurorack modular synthesizer for Windows, macOS and Linux with a large module library.
VCV Rack is the upstream virtual Eurorack, can load a large library of free and paid modules, and hosts VST plugins, though some modules and features cost money.
SunVox
A small modular synthesizer with a pattern-based tracker sequencer for desktop and mobile.
SunVox combines a small modular synthesizer with a tracker sequencer and runs on desktop and mobile, though it is freemium and closed source.
Similar software
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Surge XT
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Vital
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Dexed
A free FM synthesizer plugin closely modelled on the Yamaha DX7, also usable as a DX7 cartridge manager.
Pure Data
Open-source visual programming environment for building interactive audio and multimedia works.
SuperCollider
A programmable platform for real-time audio synthesis and algorithmic composition.
Carla
A modular audio plugin host that loads LV2, VST2, VST3, AU, LADSPA and DSSI plugins.
