Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FluidSynth VS Hydrogen

Compare FluidSynth VS Hydrogen and see what are their differences

FluidSynth logo FluidSynth

FluidSynth is a real-time software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications and has...

Hydrogen logo Hydrogen

Hydrogen is an advanced drum machine.
  • FluidSynth Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-29
  • Hydrogen Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-21

FluidSynth features and specs

  • Cross-platform compatibility
    FluidSynth is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a broad range of users.
  • Real-time MIDI synthesis
    It offers the ability to synthesize and manipulate MIDI streams in real-time, providing a responsive performance for musicians and developers.
  • SoundFont support
    FluidSynth supports SoundFont files, which allows users to use a variety of high-quality instrument samples to enhance their MIDI performances.
  • Open-source software
    As an open-source project, FluidSynth allows users to view, modify, and contribute to its codebase, fostering a community-driven development model.
  • Low CPU Usage
    FluidSynth is efficient in terms of CPU usage, which makes it suitable for use in environments where computational resources are limited.

Possible disadvantages of FluidSynth

  • Complex setup for beginners
    New users might find the initial setup of FluidSynth challenging due to the need for configuring SoundFonts and settings manually.
  • Limited GUI options
    While it supports command-line usage, FluidSynth lacks a robust graphical user interface option, which could be a deterrent for users who prefer GUI-based interaction.
  • Dependency on SoundFonts
    FluidSynth's output quality relies heavily on the SoundFont used, meaning low-quality SoundFonts can result in subpar audio output.
  • Technical knowledge requirement
    To fully leverage FluidSynth’s capabilities, users may need a solid understanding of MIDI, audio routing, and synthesizer technologies.
  • Limited native effects
    FluidSynth offers only basic effects, which might require users to employ additional software for advanced audio manipulation and effects processing.

Hydrogen features and specs

  • Open Source
    Hydrogen is an open-source software, which means it is free to use and the source code is publicly available for modification and improvement by the community.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software features an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, making it accessible for users at all levels of expertise.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Hydrogen runs on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering flexibility and convenience to users across different platforms.
  • MIDI Support
    Hydrogen supports MIDI input, allowing for the use of electronic drum kits and other MIDI devices for creating and editing drum patterns.
  • Customizable Drumkits
    Users can create and customize their own drumkits, enabling a high degree of personalization in their music projects.

Possible disadvantages of Hydrogen

  • Limited Plugin Support
    Compared to other digital audio workstations, Hydrogen has limited support for third-party plugins, which might restrict some advanced functionality.
  • Focus on Drums Only
    Hydrogen is specifically designed as a drum sequencer, which limits its use to drum programming and does not include broader music production features.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic features are easy to grasp, some of the more advanced functionalities may require time and effort to learn.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users have reported occasional stability issues including crashes, which can disrupt the creative process.
  • Limited Community Support
    As a niche open-source project, the community support and resources available for troubleshooting and tips may be more limited compared to larger, commercial software.

FluidSynth videos

MIDI SoundFont synthetizer with Intel Edison and Fluidsynth

More videos:

  • Review - Triggering Fluidsynth with my Alesis Nitro Mesh MIDI in Linux
  • Review - Setting up Fluidsynth MIDI channels on phone

Hydrogen videos

RED Hydrogen One Review: I Wanted this to be Great!

More videos:

  • Review - The Red Hydrogen One Holographic Smartphone
  • Review - I Drove 900 Miles In A Hydrogen Car: Hyundai NEXO Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FluidSynth and Hydrogen)
Email Marketing
43 43%
57% 57
Audio & Music
23 23%
77% 77
Work Management
100 100%
0% 0
Music
14 14%
86% 86

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare FluidSynth and Hydrogen

FluidSynth Reviews

We have no reviews of FluidSynth yet.
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Hydrogen Reviews

Top 18 Free Music Making Software for Beginners [2023]
Hydrogen is a software synthesizer (softsynth) that allows music producers to create a variety of drum sounds either through its inbuilt tools or through an external MIDI controller or sequencer software.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Hydrogen seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 10 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FluidSynth mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FluidSynth yet. Tracking of FluidSynth recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Hydrogen mentions (10)

View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FluidSynth and Hydrogen, you can also consider the following products

ZynAddSubFX - ZynAddSubFX is an open source software synthesizer for Linux, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows.

drumbit - A very easy to use drum machine.

VirtualMIDISynth - VirtualMIDISynth is a software MIDI synthesizer implemented as a Windows multimedia user driver...

Hammerhead - Hammerhead Off-Road® has been distributing off-road vehicles since 2003. Our mission is to provide quality products and focus on safety and innovation.

Surge XT - Open-source subtractive-hybrid synthesizer formerly sold commercially as Vember Audio Surge.

HTML-909 - A classic beat box in your browser.