Hydrogen vs mpump
Hydrogen
hydrogen-music.orgmpump
mpump.liveSide by side
| Figure | Hydrogen | mpump |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · Drum Machine Software | 7.4 (#20) | 8.6 (#3) |
| MIDI | Hydrogen supports MIDI input and can export songs to MIDI files. | mpump accepts MIDI clock input with transport controls and tempo display, and it can connect to MIDI devices. |
| Product | Hydrogen is a drum sequencer for pattern-based programming and a drum synthesizer. | mpump is a browser drum machine, groovebox, and step sequencer for making and sharing beats as links. |
Plans
In their own words
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a drum sequencer and sample-based synthesizer for pattern-based rhythm programming, songwriting, or use with an external MIDI keyboard or sequencer. Its sequencer supports unlimited patterns that can be chained into songs. The pattern editor adjusts per-note properties such as velocity and pan, and humanization functions cover velocity, timing, pitch, and swing. Hydrogen imports WAV, AU, AIFF, and FLAC samples and provides downloadable drumkits through a sound library manager. It supports MIDI and OSC automation, time-stretching, and pitch shifting. Audio driver support includes JACK, ALSA, PortAudio, and OSS; exports include WAV, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, MIDI, and LilyPond. Hydrogen is free under GPLv2+ and runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS. Listed Windows downloads support Vista and later, while the current macOS release supports 10.14 and later. The project describes use for home practice, studio work, and live performance. Its FAQ says there are no current plans for an LV2 plugin version.
mpump
mpump is a browser drum machine, groovebox, and step sequencer for creating beats and sharing them as links. Someone opening a shared link can change the groove and send a revised version. The browser tool includes drums, bass, synth, a mixer, and effects with real-time synthesis, as well as patterns, arpeggiators, and Euclidean rhythms. It supports MIDI clock synchronization and an Ableton Link bridge for use with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Bitwig, Traktor, djay, and other Link-enabled apps. Recordings can be saved as WAV, and sessions can be imported or exported as JSON. The PWA works offline after its first load. Live Jam supports up to 4 peers, and Live Set supports up to 49 listeners; both are opt-in and currently need a user-provided relay because the public hosted relay is offline. The maker says there are no accounts or personal tracking and music stays on the user's device. mpump is free on Android, iOS, and the web, with source code under AGPL-3.0.