LinuxSampler
Key Features
- Runs as a sampler engine with standalone control and plugin-host workflows, so it can serve both DAW sessions and larger routed sample setups
- Loads GigaStudio/Gigasampler instruments and supports detailed GIG behavior such as dimension switching, round robin, release triggers, looping, and disk streaming
- Includes SFZ v2 engine support for users working with text-based sample mappings and cross-platform sample libraries
- Official Windows builds include native 32-bit and 64-bit binaries with standalone and VSTi plugin versions in one installer
- macOS downloads include the sampler, AU plugin support, QSampler, Fantasia, and gigedit in the official stable package
- Linux-oriented workflows are supported through source packages, distro packages, DSSI and LV2 plugin formats, and ALSA/JACK driver options
- Runtime controls cover multi-channel setups, multiple sampler engines, and adjustable maximum voices and disk streams
Description
LinuxSampler is a cross-platform software sampler project built around a standalone engine, plugin builds, and companion frontends such as QSampler and JSampler. It focuses on loading detailed sampled instruments, especially GigaStudio/Gigasampler libraries and SFZ material, with disk streaming and multi-channel playback.
The workflow is more technical than a modern one-window sampler, but that is also the point. LinuxSampler can sit behind a DAW plugin or external frontend, letting users build larger sample setups while separating the audio engine from the graphical controller.
Current official downloads include a Windows all-in-one installer with standalone and VSTi builds, a macOS package with Audio Unit support, and source packages for Linux-focused setups. The official feature list also documents DSSI and LV2 plugin support on Linux, MIDI and audio driver options, multi-engine operation, disk streaming, round robin, release triggers, and runtime voice or stream limits.
Use it when you want an open sampler engine for legacy GIG libraries, SFZ playback, Linux studio rigs, or custom sample-server style setups. Producers who want a polished drag-and-drop instrument with a bundled commercial library may prefer a paid sampler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does LinuxSampler only run on Linux?
No. The official project lists Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux support, with Windows and macOS binary packages plus source and package options for Linux-oriented systems.
What sample-library formats are the main fit?
LinuxSampler is strongest with GigaStudio/Gigasampler material and SFZ libraries. The project also documents SoundFont v2 work, but its own feature page marks SF2 engine support as partly implemented.
Is LinuxSampler a normal single-window sampler plugin?
Not exactly. It is built as a sampler backend that can be controlled by frontends such as QSampler or JSampler, while plugin builds let the sampler engine work inside compatible hosts.
Is there a licensing caveat?
Yes. The project describes LinuxSampler as GPL with a commercial exception that does not allow use of the source code, libraries, or applications for commercial hardware or software products without written permission from the authors.
