Helm vs Repro

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.

Repro is a synthesizer plug-in containing Repro-1 and Repro-5 in one product and installer. Repro-1 models a monophonic analogue keyboard and can step-record two patterns of up to 32 notes each. Its five rearrangeable effects include a wavefolder, delay, EQ/resonator, reverb and sonic conditioner. Repro-5 supports up to eight-voice polyphony or unison, with optional glide, and includes more than 950 factory presets and a polyphonic distortion unit with four modes, including a bit crusher. The product runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, but is not standalone and requires host software; it supports nearly all DAWs. The listed plug-in formats include CLAP, AUv2, VST3 and AAX on macOS, and VST3, CLAP and AAX on Windows. Repro is NKS-ready and compatible with Maschine and Komplete Kontrol hardware. The listed Repro plan costs €149 as a one-time purchase, and a free trial is available; its demo emits a crackling sound. Linux builds are beta and receive less support than macOS and Windows versions.