EasyEffects vs JACK Audio Connection Kit

EasyEffects is free, open-source Linux software for applying audio effects to applications managed by the PipeWire audio server. It can process application output and microphone audio sent to recording applications. Available effects include equalizer, compressor, convolver, limiter, noise reduction, reverberation, pitch shift and stereo tools, with control over their processing order. Users can process input or output streams and exclude selected applications. Processed audio can be exposed through Easy Effects Source for recording and communication applications. Configurations can be saved, imported, reused on another system and set to load automatically for selected devices. A PipeWire tab reports version, quantum values, sample rate, installed modules and loaded clients. Most current Linux distributions package the application, and a sandboxed Flatpak includes available plugins. Some distribution packages may omit plugins needed for certain effects. EasyEffects is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 or later, and PipeWire must be installed.

JACK Audio Connection Kit is a free sound server API and daemon implementation for connecting audio and MIDI applications with real-time, low-latency operation. Client applications can connect to an audio device and share audio with one another. JACK emphasizes synchronous execution among clients. Applications communicate through callbacks and registered ports to send and receive data, and audio is represented internally as 32-bit floating-point values. Compatible applications listed by the project include Audacity, Ardour, Blender, Mixxx, QjackCtl, and VLC. JACK is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Linux users are directed to their distribution’s package manager for binaries; listed macOS installers are for macOS 10.12 or higher, and Windows installers are for Windows 7 or higher. The project hosts JACK1 and JACK2 source repositories on GitHub. The server uses the GPL, while the library uses the LGPL, which permits proprietary programs to link with it. The project directs users to mailing lists, IRC channels, and community forums for help. The software is distributed without warranty, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.