Qtractor
An open-source audio and MIDI multitrack sequencer for Linux built on Qt, JACK and ALSA.
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1 more ways to get Qtractor
Package managers
- Flathub
flatpak install flathub org.rncbc.qtractor
About Qtractor
Qtractor is a multitrack audio and MIDI sequencer for Linux, written in C++ with Qt. It uses JACK for audio and the ALSA sequencer for MIDI, and it follows a traditional multitrack tape recorder model of recording and editing.
It reads WAV, FLAC, AIFF and OGG files and plays MP3, and it is aimed at personal home studios. A user manual is available in PDF and EPUB form. It is released under the GNU GPL version 2 or later.
Strengths
- Combined audio and MIDI multitrack recording
- Familiar tape-recorder style workflow
- User manual available as PDF and EPUB
Limitations
- Linux only
- Depends on JACK and ALSA setup
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source under the GPL version 2 or later.
- License
- GPL-2.0-or-later
- Developer
- Rui Nuno Capela
- Platforms
- Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Home-studio recording and MIDI sequencing on a Linux desktop
- Categories
- Audio tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to Qtractor
Compare allSoftware that can replace Qtractor for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Ardour
A full digital audio workstation for recording, editing and mixing, with no subscription and no dongle.
Ardour is a fuller open-source DAW that also runs on Windows and macOS, with a flexible mixer and control surface support, though official binaries are paid.
REAPER
Full digital audio workstation for multitrack recording, editing, mixing and MIDI.
REAPER is a paid, small and fast DAW for Linux, Windows and macOS, customisable through themes, scripts and extensions, with an unlimited evaluation period.
Bitwig Studio
A commercial digital audio workstation with a clip launcher, timeline and modular sound design tools.
Bitwig Studio is a paid commercial DAW with a native Linux build, clip launcher, modular Grid and sandboxed plug-ins.
Zrythm
An open-source digital audio workstation with extensive automation, chord tools and broad plugin support.
Zrythm is an open-source DAW for Linux, Windows and macOS with extensive automation, chord tools and broad plugin format support, though version 2 is still alpha.
Tracktion Waveform Free
Free full-featured DAW with no track limit for music production.
Tracktion Waveform Free is a closed-source but free DAW with no track limit and native Linux support alongside Windows and macOS.
Rosegarden
A Linux MIDI sequencer and music notation editor with basic digital audio support.
Rosegarden is a Linux MIDI sequencer with strong music notation support, suited to composition, but its audio support is basic compared with Qtractor's multitrack recording.
LMMS
A free digital audio workstation with a piano roll, beat sequencer and a pile of built-in synths.
LMMS is a free open-source workstation with piano roll and built-in synths, but it cannot record audio, so live instruments need another program.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
JACK Audio Connection Kit
Connect audio and MIDI applications through an audio server.
Carla
A modular audio plugin host that loads LV2, VST2, VST3, AU, LADSPA and DSSI plugins.
Hydrogen
Program drum patterns with a desktop sequencer and drum machine.
qpwgraph
A graphical patchbay for PipeWire that routes audio and MIDI between applications and devices on Linux.
Surge XT
An open-source hybrid synthesizer available as a plugin and a standalone app.
