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SPECIFICTION
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Hydrogen

hydrogen-music.org

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Spec score 7.4 #20 of 30 in Drum Machine Software

What it is

Hydrogen is a drum sequencer and sample-based synthesizer for pattern-based rhythm programming, songwriting, or use with an external MIDI keyboard or sequencer. Its sequencer supports unlimited patterns that can be chained into songs. The pattern editor adjusts per-note properties such as velocity and pan, and humanization functions cover velocity, timing, pitch, and swing. Hydrogen imports WAV, AU, AIFF, and FLAC samples and provides downloadable drumkits through a sound library manager. It supports MIDI and OSC automation, time-stretching, and pitch shifting. Audio driver support includes JACK, ALSA, PortAudio, and OSS; exports include WAV, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, MIDI, and LilyPond. Hydrogen is free under GPLv2+ and runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS. Listed Windows downloads support Vista and later, while the current macOS release supports 10.14 and later. The project describes use for home practice, studio work, and live performance. Its FAQ says there are no current plans for an LV2 plugin version.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Hydrogen is a software synthesizer that can run as a pattern-based drum machine or work with an external MIDI keyboard or sequencer.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Product
Hydrogen is a drum sequencer for pattern-based programming and a drum synthesizer.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support
The manual directs users to GitHub issues or discussions and the mailing list for questions about building Hydrogen.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
License
SourceForge lists Hydrogen under the GNU General Public License version 2.0 (GPLv2).Read 30 Sep 2026 · sourceforge.net
Audio features
Hydrogen supports time-stretching and pitch shifting.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Audio integration
Hydrogen supports JACK, ALSA, PortAudio, and OSS audio drivers; its manual describes JACK connections with other audio software.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Customization
The project describes Hydrogen as highly customizable, with control over instrument, sample, and note properties.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Downloads
The downloads page lists stable installers for Linux, Windows, and macOS, plus source code and demo audio files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Drumkits
Hydrogen offers drumkits that users can download and install through its sound library manager.Read 29 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Editing
The pattern editor can adjust per-note properties including velocity and pan.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Exports
Songs can be exported to WAV, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, MIDI, and LilyPond formats.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Humanization
Features include human velocity, timing, pitch, and swing functions.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Linux
The project lists Linux as a supported platform and directs users to distribution repositories or its Linux download.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
macOS
The project lists a macOS download for version 10.14 and later.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
MIDI
Hydrogen supports MIDI input and can export songs to MIDI files.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Notable limitation
The FAQ says Hydrogen has no current plans for an LV2 plugin version.Read 29 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Platform limitation
The downloads page lists the current macOS release as supporting OS X 10.14 and above.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Sequencing
Its pattern-based sequencer supports unlimited patterns that can be chained into songs.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Sound engine
Hydrogen uses a sample-based stereo audio engine and supports importing WAV, AU, AIFF, and FLAC samples.Read 30 Sep 2026 · hydrogen-music.org
Use cases
The project describes Hydrogen for home practice, studio use, and live performance.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Windows
The project lists a 64-bit Windows download for Windows Vista and later.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Sequencer supports unlimited patterns chained into songs.
  • Imports WAV, AU, AIFF, and FLAC samples.
  • MIDI and OSC automation are supported.
  • Exports include audio, MIDI, and LilyPond formats.

Limits

  • No current plans for an LV2 plugin version.
  • Current macOS download requires version 10.14 or later.
  • Listed Windows download supports Vista and later.

Who it suits

Hydrogen suits musicians who want pattern-based drum programming, sample editing, or MIDI-controlled use. The project describes it for practice at home, studio use, and live performance.

Verdict

Hydrogen offers pattern sequencing, sample import, automation, and multiple export formats across desktop platforms. Users seeking an LV2 plugin should note that the project has no current plans for one.

Where Specifiction places it

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