Aalto vs Cardinal

Aalto is a semi-modular software synthesizer by Madrona Labs, built around a patchable interface. Its complex oscillator offers FM, timbre, and waveshape controls, calculating sound dynamically rather than using static wavetables. Every voice has a built-in sequencer with independently controllable, patchable rate and offset. Voice modules include a lowpass gate with vactrol emulation and a patchable waveguide or delay whose feedback loop contains a waveshaper and peaking EQ. A state-variable filter provides simultaneous mixable outputs. Aalto runs on macOS and Windows as a plug-in: Mac provides VST and AU installers, while Windows provides VST. There is no standalone app. A free trial is available, but demo mode plays a reminder sound about every minute and disables patch saving. The listed Aalto license costs $99 as a one-time purchase. It permits installation on any number of computers, though simultaneous use requires one license per computer.

Cardinal is a free, open-source modular synthesizer based on VCV Rack, available as a standalone app and as a plugin. It bundles 1,382 modules from 84 authors or brands, but does not load external modules or connect to the official Rack library or store; modules cannot be added to an existing build. Cardinal runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, and the web. Its plugin formats are AudioUnit, CLAP, LV2, VST2, and VST3, with Main, Synth, and FX variants that all support MIDI input and output. Main provides eight audio inputs and outputs and ten CV inputs and outputs, but is unavailable in AU and VST2 and is not yet available in CLAP. Mini has a smaller hand-picked module selection, two audio ports, and five CV ports, and is available only as LV2 or standalone. OSC remote control works in standalone use, not in the plugin. The project describes Cardinal as stable, while noting CLAP support is still in progress and VST3 hosting inside Carla or Ildaeil is experimental. It is licensed under GPLv3+.