LMMS

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LMMS

LMMS logo
Basic data

Maintainer Tobias Junghans
Current  version 1.2.0
(June 9, 2019)
operating system Linux , Windows , macOS
programming language C ++
category Digital audio workstation
License GPLv2
German speaking Yes
http://www.lmms.io/

LMMS (formerly Linux MultiMedia Studio) is a cross-platform open source - digital audio workstation , under the GPLv2 licensed. LMMS is used as a sound system, software synthesizer, beat / bassline editor and MIDI control system.

With the help of the graphical user interface, melodies and rhythms can be created and samples can be compiled and mixed. LMMS supports the interfaces LADSPA , LV2 (only in the master branch), MIDI , SoundFont and VST . LMMS contains a large library of ready-made synthesizer sounds and samples in the Ogg Vorbis format . From version 0.4.0 Linux MultiMedia Studios is based on the Qt4 framework. It had to be completely rewritten for this purpose, as porting from the older 0.3.x version to Qt4 was not possible.

LMMS-related content such as projects and presets can be exchanged via a platform called the LMMS Sharing Platform . This also allows you to submit ratings and comments.

A screenshot from LMMS 0.4.12, which shows the interface equipment.
A short piece of music in chiptune style created with LMMS

Furnishing

Song editor

The song editor is a central component for arranging the song, a kind of playlist for all entities to be played. It consists of different tracks that can be moved and multiplied as desired. The three main elements used in it are the instrument track, the sample track and the beat / baseline track.

Instrument track

The instrument track contains so-called patterns (notes or steps). They give you extensive setting options in the instrument window, as well as instrument plugins, envelopes, LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators), filters, arpeggios, chords, effects and MIDI.

Beat + bassline editor

With the Beat + Bassline Editor you can create special tracks in the song editor that serve the rhythm. It consists of a total of 16 steps, which are shaded differently in a 4 step rhythm for a better overview. It is ideal for creating repetitive sequences, and it can also be used to superimpose complex beats.

FX mixer

The FX mixer has 64 FX channels and one master channel. The levels of the individual channels can be set here. Any number of instrument tracks can be placed on a channel. Any number of effects can be assigned to each of the channels. The effects can be switched on and off as required (bypass). It is also possible to set the ratio between the effect signal (Wet) and the unchanged signal (Dry). There is currently no way to forward the output signal of a channel to another channel, as is possible with FL Studio, for example. The 64 channels are divided into 4 groups with 16 channels each and can be accessed using the buttons A to D on the left side of the mixer.

Piano roll editor

Piano Roll is the main tool for editing Patterns; H. setting and editing notes and steps. With it any melodies are composed and played. In addition to real-time editing, it is also possible to set the volume for the individual notes.

Automation editor

The automated change of control elements in LMMS ensures the necessary dynamics in pieces of music.
It is possible to draw a curve using the automation editor. Almost all control elements in LMMS can also be automated.

Controller rack

In the controller rack, components are listed with which almost all operating elements within the program can be controlled automatically.

  • LFO controller
With the LFO controller, values ​​can be generated using a Low Frequency Oscillator (LFO) and passed on to the controller. The waveforms available for the oscillator are sine, triangle, sawtooth, square, exponential wave, a Moog-like waveform and white noise. The base amplitude (BASE), the frequency (SPD), the amplitude (AMT) and the phase shift (PHS) of the oscillator can be set using the rotary controls. The frequency of the oscillator can be reduced or increased to a hundredth and a hundredfold using the multiplier switch. The LFO controller is added using the "Add" button at the bottom of the controller rack.
  • Peak controller
The peak controller can be used to control the controls based on the volume level of a channel or instrument. Like the LFO controller, the peak controller also has a base amplitude that can be set using a controller. The strength of the output signal can be influenced via the amplitude controller. If negative values ​​are set here, this means that lower values ​​are output as the volume increases. This can be used, for example, in combination with the volume control of an FX mixer channel to create a sidechaining-like effect. In addition, the rise and fall times of the signal can be set. The peak controller is inserted into an FX channel or an instrument like an effects module. It then also appears in the controller rack.

Instrument sounds and effects

LMMS has the following synthesizers / instruments in the instrument plug-in:

  • Sampler (AudioFileProcessor)
  • Wavetable Synthesizer (BitInvader)
  • Kick & Bass Drum Synthesizer (Kicker)
  • Monophonic imitation of Roland TB-303 (LB302)
  • melodic drum synthesizer (mallets)
  • Organ-like Synthesizer (Organic)
  • Emulation of Game Boy APU (freeboy)
  • GUS compatible patch instrument (PatMan)
  • Playback of SoundFont files (SF2 Player)
  • Emulation of Commodore 64 chips ( SID )
  • triple oscillator
  • Vibrating string modeler (Vibed)
  • Multiple ZynAddSubFX (ZynAddSubFX)

Instruments

In LMMS, external MIDI devices (e.g. keyboards ) can be used and what is played can be inserted live separately or directly. Alternatively, the keyboard can be used to play the instruments. In addition, with a few exceptions, all controls in LMMS can be connected to any MIDI controller. Thus, for example, you can control the volume of an instrument using a controller on the keyboard, provided that it transmits the movement of the corresponding controller via MIDI. Instrument tracks can also route their output to an available MIDI output. External sound generators can thus also be controlled.

compatibility

LMMS is compatible with the following standards:

Meetings

“Windows users can also live out their musical streak with the free sequencer software" Linux Multimedia Studio ". The virtual recording studio developed as open source is also available as a Windows installation package on the project website. "

- c't 3/2009

“The free virtual music studio“ LMMS ”is an interesting open source alternative to paid music production programs such as“ Magix Music Maker ”,“ Cubase ”or“ Logic ”. The "Linux MultiMedia Studio" brings a multitude of synthesizers, samplers and effects devices such as equalizers, compressors and simulations of tube amplifiers. "

- Computerbild.de

See also

Source

Web links

Commons : LMMS  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. a b Git-Commit 2a66e83f from May 24th, 2020
  2. LMMS - Linux MultiMedia Studio . SourceForge. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
  3. LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio) Computerbild.de, accessed January 17, 2012
  4. Linux MultiMedia Studio (LMMS) 0.4.10. HEISE.de in c't 3/2009, accessed on January 17, 2012 .
  5. Information on LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio). Computerbild.de, accessed on January 17, 2012 .