Cardinal vs Surge XT
Cardinal
cardinal.kx.studio
Surge XT
surge-synthesizer.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | Cardinal | Surge XT |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 |
| Spec score · Software Synthesizers | 9.0 (#2) | 8.3 (#9) |
| Intended users | The maker says Cardinal was created to provide Rack as a conventional open-source audio plugin and notes that Rack Pro may suit users seeking official support and its larger module collection. | The site presents Surge XT for sound designers and music makers, and welcomes volunteer developers, designers, testers, and content creators. |
| License | The Cardinal project is licensed under GPLv3 or later. | Surge XT source and distributed binaries are released under GPL3, while music and sounds made with it can be commercially used without a separate license. |
| Plugin formats | Official builds provide AudioUnit, CLAP, LV2, VST2 and VST3 formats. | Official downloads include VST3, AU, CLAP and Linux LV2 builds depending on platform and release. |
| Support | The maker asks users to report bugs on GitHub and lists the #cardinal IRC room on Libera.Chat for community discussion. | The FAQ directs users who need help to the Surge Synth Team Discord help channel. |
| What it does | Cardinal is a virtual modular synthesizer based on VCV Rack, delivered as plugins and a standalone application. | Surge XT is a free, open-source hybrid software synthesizer available as a standalone application and plug-in. |
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+.
Surge XT
Surge XT is a free, open-source virtual instrument plugin and hybrid synthesizer for making music. Each patch has two scenes that can be layered or split, and each scene has three oscillators with 12 algorithms, including wavetable, FM, string, and audio input. Its listed library includes over 2,800 patches and over 700 wavetables. Other features include 12 LFO units, flexible modulation routing, and 16 effect units with 27 algorithms. Performance support includes MPE, Scala and MTS-ESP microtuning, and Open Sound Control. Surge XT runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with plugin formats varying by platform: CLAP and VST3 on Windows; AU, CLAP, and VST3 on macOS; and CLAP, LV2, and VST3 on Linux. It primarily needs a DAW or another compatible host, though a standalone executable is available. Version 1.3.4 is identified as the stable release for normal production use. The software is licensed under GPL3.