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Gjalla
What it is
Gjalla is a free, open-source guitar amp simulator aimed at black metal and other raw styles. Its processing chain includes input trim, noise gate, pedal, preamp, tone stack, power section, presence, cabinet, frost, and output trim. The pedal offers three voicings: 90s distortion, an HM-2-style chainsaw, and starved transistor fuzz. Three analytic cabinet voicings are included, and users can load WAV or AIFF impulse responses up to two seconds, or disable the cabinet when using an external IR loader. Gjalla includes six factory presets, input and output meters, editable knob values, undo and redo, and a resizable interface with tooltips. It reports 6 samples of latency to the host, stated as 0.13 ms at 48 kHz. Plugin formats are VST3 and CLAP, plus AU on macOS; standalone builds are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. However, no packaged release is available yet. Users are directed to build from source or follow the GitHub releases page. A source build requires Git, CMake 3.22 or later, and a C++20 compiler.
For and against
For
- Offers three pedal voicings
- Loads WAV or AIFF impulse responses
- Includes six factory presets
- Available as plugin and standalone builds
- No telemetry, network access, update checks, or accounts
Against
- No packaged release is available yet
- Building requires Git, CMake 3.22 or later, and C++20
- AU format is for macOS
The verdict
Gjalla provides a detailed signal chain and several cabinet and pedal options for raw guitar tones. The absence of a packaged release means installation currently requires a source build or waiting for a release.
Who it suits
Gjalla is suited to guitarists seeking a raw-style amp simulator in a DAW or as a standalone app. It is also a fit for users comfortable building software from source.
Plans and prices
Free
Free and open-source; GPLv3 or later
Read 8 Oct 2026 · sognevo.com
On the record
- Build requirements
- Building from source requires Git, CMake 3.22 or later, and a C++20 compiler.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Cabinets and IRs
- It includes three analytic cabinet voicings and can load WAV or AIFF impulse responses up to 2 seconds, or disable the cabinet for an external IR loader.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Download status
- The maker says there is no packaged release yet and directs users to build Gjalla from source or watch the GitHub releases page.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Formats and operating systems
- It offers VST3, CLAP, AU on macOS, and standalone builds for Windows, macOS, and Linux.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Gjalla can be loaded in a DAW as VST3, CLAP, and, on macOS, AU; it also has a standalone version.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Latency
- The simulator reports 6 samples of latency to the host, stated as 0.13 ms at 48 kHz.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- Gjalla is licensed under the GNU GPL version 3.0 or later.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Maker and audience
- Sognevo describes itself as a one-person project making free, open-source audio plugins for black metal and other dark music.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Pedal voicings
- The pedal has three voicings: a 90s distortion style, an HM-2 style chainsaw, and starved transistor fuzz.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Presets and controls
- It includes six factory presets, input and output meters, editable knob values, undo and redo, and a resizable GUI with tooltips.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The maker states that Gjalla has no telemetry, network access, update checks, or accounts.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Signal chain
- Its processing chain includes input trim, noise gate, pedal, preamp, tone stack, power section, presence, cabinet, frost, and output trim.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker invites users to open an issue on the plugin repository or email [email protected] for problems or feature requests.sognevo.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Gjalla is a free, open-source guitar amp simulator aimed at black metal and other raw styles.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
