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Guitarix
What it is
Guitarix is a free virtual guitar amplifier for Linux that uses the JACK Audio Connection Kit. It takes mono input from a sound card through a main amp and rack section; those sections can be routed separately for stereo output via JACK. The rack includes more than 25 effects, such as a noise gate, flanger, phaser, and auto-wah. Users can add LADSPA and LV2 plugins, and Guitarix is also available as an LV2 plugin suite for loading amps and plugins in a DAW. The project names Ardour and says Guitarix can connect to Rackarrack or another JACK-aware host. It can process signals from a synth or other sound generator as well as guitar. The maker says a properly configured Linux system processes the signal in no more than 10 ms. Guitarix is standalone software with an IR loader and is licensed under GNU GPL version 2. It is available in most current Linux distributions, often through a software center or package manager. The source can be built for BSD and MacOSX, though the listed platforms are Linux and macOS. The project warns against using development-repository builds on productive systems because they contain code under development.
For and against
For
- More than 25 built-in effect modules.
- Accepts LADSPA and LV2 plugins.
- Can process synths and other sound generators.
- Free software under GNU GPL version 2.
Against
- Uses the JACK Audio Connection Kit.
- Development builds are not recommended for productive systems.
The verdict
Guitarix offers an amp-and-rack workflow with plugin support and standalone use. Its JACK-based design and development-build warning are worth considering when choosing a setup.
Who it suits
Guitarix suits Linux users looking for a virtual amp and effects rack built around JACK. It may also fit users who want to route other sound generators or use its LV2 suite in a DAW.
Plans and prices
Guitarix
Free software · GNU GPL version 2
Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
On the record
- Development build limit
- The maker says installation from the development repository is not recommended for productive systems because it contains code currently under development.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Effects
- The rack includes more than 25 built-in effect modules, including noise gate, flanger, phaser and auto-wah.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The site names Ardour and says Guitarix can connect to Rackarrack or another JACK-aware host.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Latency
- The maker says a properly set-up Linux system processes the signal in no more than 10 ms.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- Guitarix is free software licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Linux installation
- Guitarix is available in most current Linux distributions and can usually be installed through a software center or package manager.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Other audio sources
- The maker says Guitarix can process a synth or another sound generator as well as guitar signals.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Other platforms
- The maker says the source code can be built for other UNIX-like systems, specifically BSD and MacOSX.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Plugin support
- Users can add LADSPA and LV2 plugins, and Guitarix is also available as an LV2 plugin suite for loading amps and plugins in a DAW.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Guitarix is a virtual guitar amplifier for Linux that runs on the JACK Audio Connection Kit.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Signal processing
- It processes mono input from a sound card through a main amp and rack section, which can be routed separately to produce stereo output via JACK.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site directs users to GitHub to report bugs and submit pull requests, and links to project documentation on SourceForge.guitarix.org · read 4 Oct 2026
