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Hydrogen
What it is
Hydrogen is a free desktop drum sequencer and sample-based drum synthesizer for creating patterns and songs. Its sequencer supports unlimited patterns that can be arranged into songs, and it can also work with an external MIDI keyboard or sequencer. The pattern editor adjusts note properties such as velocity and pan; humanization functions cover velocity, timing, pitch, and swing. Hydrogen imports WAV, AU, AIFF, and FLAC samples, and its sound library manager handles downloadable drumkits. MIDI and OSC can be used for automation, and the software supports time-stretching and pitch shifting. Audio drivers include JACK, ALSA, PortAudio, and OSS. Songs can be exported in WAV, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, MIDI, and LilyPond formats. Hydrogen runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS and is distributed under GPLv2+. Listed downloads support Windows Vista and later and macOS 10.14 and later. The project describes it for home practice, studio work, and live performance. Its FAQ says there are no current plans for an LV2 plugin version.
For and against
For
- Supports unlimited patterns chained into songs
- Imports WAV, AU, AIFF, and FLAC samples
- Exports audio, MIDI, and LilyPond formats
- Available for Linux, Windows, and macOS
Against
- No current plans for an LV2 plugin version
- Listed macOS downloads require version 10.14 or later
- Listed Windows download supports 64-bit Windows Vista and later
The verdict
Hydrogen offers pattern sequencing, sample editing, automation, and multiple export formats at no cost. Its lack of a planned LV2 version may matter to users seeking that plugin format.
Who it suits
Hydrogen may suit people programming drum patterns for home practice, studio work, or live performance. It also supports workflows involving an external MIDI keyboard or sequencer.
On the record
- Audio features
- Hydrogen supports time-stretching and pitch shifting.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Audio integration
- Hydrogen supports JACK, ALSA, PortAudio, and OSS audio drivers; its manual describes JACK connections with other audio software.hydrogen-music.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Customization
- The project describes Hydrogen as highly customizable, with control over instrument, sample, and note properties.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Downloads
- The downloads page lists stable installers for Linux, Windows, and macOS, plus source code and demo audio files.hydrogen-music.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Drumkits
- Hydrogen offers drumkits that users can download and install through its sound library manager.hydrogen-music.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Editing
- The pattern editor can adjust per-note properties including velocity and pan.hydrogen-music.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Exports
- Songs can be exported to WAV, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, MIDI, and LilyPond formats.hydrogen-music.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Humanization
- Features include human velocity, timing, pitch, and swing functions.hydrogen-music.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- License
- SourceForge lists Hydrogen under the GNU General Public License version 2.0 (GPLv2).sourceforge.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Linux
- The project lists Linux as a supported platform and directs users to distribution repositories or its Linux download.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- macOS
- The project lists a macOS download for version 10.14 and later.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- MIDI
- Hydrogen supports MIDI input and can export songs to MIDI files.hydrogen-music.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Notable limitation
- The FAQ says Hydrogen has no current plans for an LV2 plugin version.hydrogen-music.org · read 29 Sep 2026
- Platform limitation
- The downloads page lists the current macOS release as supporting OS X 10.14 and above.hydrogen-music.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Product
- Hydrogen is a drum sequencer for pattern-based programming and a drum synthesizer.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Hydrogen is a software synthesizer that can run as a pattern-based drum machine or work with an external MIDI keyboard or sequencer.hydrogen-music.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Sequencing
- Its pattern-based sequencer supports unlimited patterns that can be chained into songs.hydrogen-music.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Sound engine
- Hydrogen uses a sample-based stereo audio engine and supports importing WAV, AU, AIFF, and FLAC samples.hydrogen-music.org · read 30 Sep 2026
