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SPECIFICTION
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Guitarix

guitarix.org

Free plan macOSLinux
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Spec score 7.3 #18 of 35 in Guitar Amp Software

What it is

Guitarix is free software that acts as a virtual guitar amplifier on Linux through the JACK Audio Connection Kit. Mono sound-card input passes through a main amplifier and rack section, which can be routed separately for stereo output via JACK. The rack contains more than 25 effect modules, including noise gate, flanger, phaser, and auto-wah. LADSPA and LV2 plugins can be added, and Guitarix is also available as an LV2 plugin suite for loading amps and plugins in a digital audio workstation. The project names Ardour and supports connection to Rackarrack or another JACK-aware host. It can process synths and other sound generators as well as guitar. The maker says a properly configured Linux system can process signals in no more than 10 ms. Guitarix is standalone software with an IR loader, licensed under GNU GPL version 2. It is listed for Linux and macOS; source can be built for BSD and MacOSX.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Guitarix is a virtual guitar amplifier for Linux that runs on the JACK Audio Connection Kit.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
Integrations
The site names Ardour and says Guitarix can connect to Rackarrack or another JACK-aware host.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
Support
The site directs users to GitHub to report bugs and submit pull requests, and links to project documentation on SourceForge.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
License
Guitarix is free software licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
Development build limit
The maker says installation from the development repository is not recommended for productive systems because it contains code currently under development.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
Effects
The rack includes more than 25 built-in effect modules, including noise gate, flanger, phaser and auto-wah.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
Latency
The maker says a properly set-up Linux system processes the signal in no more than 10 ms.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
Linux installation
Guitarix is available in most current Linux distributions and can usually be installed through a software center or package manager.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
Other audio sources
The maker says Guitarix can process a synth or another sound generator as well as guitar signals.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
Other platforms
The maker says the source code can be built for other UNIX-like systems, specifically BSD and MacOSX.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org
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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org

Plans and prices

Guitarix Free Free software · GNU GPL version 2 Read 4 Oct 2026 · guitarix.org

Every Guitarix plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • More than 25 built-in effect modules
  • Supports LADSPA and LV2 plugins
  • Available as an LV2 plugin suite
  • JACK routing can produce stereo output
  • GNU GPL version 2 software

Limits

  • JACK Audio Connection Kit required
  • Development builds are not recommended for production
  • Listed platforms are Linux and macOS

Who it suits

It suits Linux musicians who want a standalone amplifier, JACK routing, built-in effects, and LADSPA or LV2 expansion. It also fits users processing synth or other generated audio.

Verdict

Guitarix provides a JACK-based amplifier and extensive effect rack, with plugin formats for expansion and DAW use. Linux installation is widely available, while development-repository builds are intended for code under development.

Where Specifiction places it

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