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SuperCollider
What it is
SuperCollider is a platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition for musicians, artists, and researchers working with sound. Its core components include scsynth, a real-time audio server with hundreds of units for audio analysis, synthesis, and processing; sclang, a programming language; and scide, a development environment. The alternative supernova server supports multithreaded operation.
A client/server architecture allows multiple clients to control the audio server. Alongside native sclang, client implementations are available for Python, JavaScript, Haskell, and Scala. sclang includes Quarks for managing packages with classes, extension methods, documentation, and UGens. Third-party plugins can connect through C and C++ APIs. SuperCollider runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can also be used with Raspberry Pi, Bela, or in browsers through WebAssembly. The project lists version 3.14.1 as its current release. It is free software under version 3 of the GNU General Public License.
For and against
For
- Free software under version 3 of the GNU General Public License.
- Audio server supports analysis, synthesis, and processing.
- Multiple clients can control the audio server.
- Client implementations include Python and JavaScript.
- Supports third-party plugins through C and C++ APIs.
Against
- Linux builds require gcc version 9 or later.
- macOS universal binary requires macOS 11 or later.
- Windows downloads support Windows 10 and 11.
The verdict
SuperCollider combines a real-time audio server, a programming language, and a development environment, with clients for several languages. Review the listed operating-system requirements before choosing a download.
Who it suits
SuperCollider may suit musicians, artists, and researchers who work with sound and want tools for synthesis or algorithmic composition. Its client options also support workflows using several programming languages.
Plans and prices
Free and open source SuperCollider
GNU General Public License · Windows · macOS · Linux
Read 30 Sep 2026 · supercollider.github.io
On the record
- Additional platforms
- SuperCollider can be used on Raspberry Pi, the Bela platform and in browsers through WebAssembly.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Audio engine
- scsynth is a real-time audio server with hundreds of unit generators for audio analysis, synthesis and processing.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Client architecture
- Its client/server architecture allows multiple clients to connect to and control the server.supercollider.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Community
- SuperCollider is developed by a community and its official communities include scsynth.org, sccode.org and the SuperCollider GitHub organization.supercollider.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Core components
- It includes scsynth, sclang and scide, plus the alternative multithreaded supernova server.supercollider.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Current release
- The current version listed by the project is 3.14.1.supercollider.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Language integrations
- Client implementations are available in Python, JavaScript, Haskell and Scala in addition to the native sclang client.supercollider.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- License
- SuperCollider is free software available under version 3 of the GNU General Public License.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Origin
- SuperCollider was developed by James McCartney and originally released in 1996.supercollider.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Package manager
- sclang includes the Quarks package manager for downloading and managing packages containing classes, extension methods, documentation and UGens.supercollider.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Platform limits
- The downloads page lists macOS 11 or later for the universal binary, Windows 10 and 11 support, and Linux builds requiring gcc version 9 or later.supercollider.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Plugin APIs
- scsynth and supernova support third-party plugins through C and C++ APIs.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- SuperCollider is a platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition used by musicians, artists and researchers working with sound.supercollider.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Release security
- The project states that macOS builds are signed and notarized and provides a GPG signature for the Linux source tarball.supercollider.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Official support and discussion are provided through the scsynth.org forum, Slack, documentation and mailing-list archives.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
