Helm vs Sonic Pi

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.

Sonic Pi is a code-based tool for composing and performing music. Users can work with algorithms, live loops, synths, samples, and effects, making it relevant both to music creation and to learning code through music. It is described as suitable for computing and music lessons as well as professional musicians and DJs, and as accessible to blind and partially sighted people.

Sonic Pi is free and open source, with a browser version and a downloadable app. The browser version runs on computers, tablets, and phones without installation; Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox are listed. The desktop app runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and works offline. It supports gamepads, MIDI, OSC, Ableton Link and Link Audio, and low-latency audio through ASIO, Core Audio, and PipeWire. The web version has stereo audio but lacks low-latency interface audio, OSC, and Ableton Link; MIDI input and output are unavailable in Safari. Its listed price is free.