Zrythm

Overview

Zrythm is a digital audio workstation for recording, arranging and mixing audio and MIDI across Linux, macOS and Windows. It is best suited to producers who want detailed control over editing, automation and routing. Its broad capabilities are balanced by a 25-track cap on Basic and paid plans that restrict which releases users can access.

Key features

The select tool covers a wide range of arrangement edits: selecting, moving, resizing, cloning, linking, looping, deleting and cutting objects. That concentration of controls is useful for shaping complex sessions without switching between separate editing tools. Automation can address project BPM and time signature as well as other parameters, using lines, curves, CV signals or envelopes; this is valuable for evolving arrangements, but may be more control than a simple recording requires.

Zrythm records audio and MIDI from devices or other applications using JACK, with punch in/out and multiple takes for refining performances. Its mixer supports group tracks, aux sends to FX tracks and plugin sidechain inputs, while in-context listening helps check a mix within the current work. These features make it a stronger fit for production and routing work than for basic trimming alone.

Plugin support spans LV2, VST2, VST3, AU, CLAP and JSFX, plus SFZ and SF2 soundfonts. Audio and MIDI backends include JACK/PipeWire, Windows MME and WASAPI, and Core Audio/MIDI. Audio import and export covers formats supported by libsndfile, with additional MP3 import; MIDI export supports Type 0 and Type 1. Automatic project backups, undoable actions and saved undo history provide useful safeguards for ongoing projects.

Zrythm is released under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3. Its software may contact zrythm.org at startup for release notifications, and users can review error-report data before sending it. Website visitors can opt out of Umami analytics without affecting site use; the site says it does no profiling.

Pricing

The Basic plan has a 25-track limit, making it the practical starting point for smaller projects, but it may constrain larger arrangements. Snapshot costs £14 a month, billed Purchase, and removes the track limit while including Basic and Z Series plugins, a web and PDF manual, and access to v1.0.0 only. It suits users who need unlimited tracks but do not need later major releases.

Bundle costs £24 a month, billed Purchase. It includes unlimited tracks, Basic and Z Series plugins, the web and PDF manual, and access to all v1 and v2 releases. Subscription costs £38 a year, billed /year, and includes unlimited tracks, the same plugin and manual access, all releases and nightly builds. The annual subscription is the broadest release-access option; Snapshot and Bundle trade that breadth for access limited by release family.

Platforms

Zrythm runs on GNU/Linux, Windows and macOS. Its available audio and MIDI backends differ by platform: JACK/PipeWire, Windows MME and WASAPI, and Core Audio/MIDI are supported. That makes the workstation a credible cross-platform option, though users should match their setup to the backend available on their system.

Who it's for

Zrythm is a good fit for producers who need multitrack audio and MIDI editing, extensive automation, broad third-party plugin formats and flexible mixer routing. The free Basic plan can suit smaller sessions; users who regularly exceed 25 tracks or want access beyond v1.0.0 will need a paid option. Those seeking only straightforward audio edits may not need its depth.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad plugin and soundfont support gives producers options across several plugin formats.
• Pros: Automation of tempo and time signature, alongside detailed mixer routing, supports complex arrangements and mixes.
• Pros: Backups and saved undo history help protect project work.
• Cons: Basic is capped at 25 tracks, limiting its usefulness for larger sessions.
• Cons: Snapshot access is restricted to v1.0.0, while Bundle stops at v1 and v2 releases; only Subscription includes all releases and nightly builds.

Alternatives

For a comparison across this category, browse Digital Audio Workstations or Audio Editing Software.

n-Track Studio is worth considering for readers who want a DAW with a free plan and trial across desktop and mobile platforms; its Standard plan is $69 a month and includes three years of free upgrades for the Windows and macOS edition.

SunVox is another freemium option, with support for desktop, mobile and web platforms.

Pro Tools may suit readers looking for a free entry tier, with Intro plans supporting up to eight audio, instrument and MIDI tracks.

Reason offers a free plan and trial for macOS and Windows users who want to consider its Reason+ option.

Tracktion Waveform is a cross-platform freemium alternative with a free tier that includes built-in audio and MIDI effects, utility plugins and instruments.

LMMS is a free, open-source choice for Windows, macOS and Linux.

LUNA offers a free tier with unlimited tracks for macOS and Windows users.

OpenMPT is a free software option for Windows, or for Linux and macOS users running Wine.

Verdict

Choose Zrythm if you want a cross-platform workstation with detailed automation, flexible routing and support for a wide range of plugins. Its strongest case is the combination of production controls and broad compatibility; the main reason to look elsewhere is the 25-track Basic ceiling or the paid tiers' limits on release access.