Cardinal vs Helm
Cardinal
cardinal.kx.studioHelm
tytel.orgSide by side
| Figure | Cardinal | Helm |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Software Synthesizers | 9.0 (#2) | 8.6 (#4) |
| Documentation depth | The official site documents OSC activation, ports, message formats and headless configuration, while general usage relies heavily on VCV Rack documentation. | The official manual is a 32-page v0.9.0 PDF covering synthesis modules, modulation, patch browsing, audio settings and performance controls. |
| Plugin formats | Official builds provide AudioUnit, CLAP, LV2, VST2 and VST3 formats. | The official site distributes Helm as standalone software and LV2, VST, VST3 and AU plugins. |
| Support | The maker asks users to report bugs on GitHub and lists the #cardinal IRC room on Libera.Chat for community discussion. | The maker asks users to email bug reports with operating system, standalone or plugin details and crash information. |
| What it does | Cardinal is a virtual modular synthesizer based on VCV Rack, delivered as plugins and a standalone application. | Helm is a computer software synthesizer for creating electronic music. |
Plans
In their own words
Cardinal
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+.
Helm
Helm is a free software synthesizer for creating electronic music on a computer. It is available as a standalone application or as a plugin in LV2, VST, VST3, or AU formats, with GNU/Linux, Mac OSX, and Windows versions in 32-bit and 64-bit editions. Its sound tools include dual oscillators with cross modulation, unison, a sub oscillator, filters, modulation, a step sequencer, an arpeggiator, and audio effects. MIDI Learn lets users assign a MIDI control to a knob or slider. The maker describes Helm as software that can be run without DRM, studied, changed, and redistributed in original or modified form. The FAQ says the person who plays a sound made with Helm holds its copyright. Listed requirements include Windows 7 or later, MacOS 10.7 or later, Ubuntu Trusty 14.04 or later, and Debian Jessie or later. The project is described as being in beta with outstanding bugs. For bug reports, the maker asks users to include details such as what happened, crash reports, their operating system, and whether they use the plugin or standalone version.