LinuxSampler vs Vaporizer 2

LinuxSampler is free, open-source audio sampler software for loading and playing sampled instruments. Its engine runs as a separate backend process from its user interfaces, and the project describes it as streaming-capable. It supports GigaStudio/GigaSampler, SoundFont, and SFZ formats, and can run on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. Users can operate it standalone or as a plugin in sequencers and DAWs including Cubase, Logic, Ardour, QTractor, and Reaper.

Supported plugin formats include VSTi, Audio Units, DSSI, and LV2. Listed audio and MIDI drivers include ALSA, JACK, CoreMIDI, MidiShare, MME, ASIO, CoreAudio, and audio over Ethernet. The engine can be controlled through a native C++ API or LSCP, an ASCII network interface; frontends can also connect remotely. Gigedit can create and edit GigaStudio/Gigasampler instruments, with changes audible during playback. QSampler lacks some engine features, including instruments-database support, while JSampler supports all currently available engine features. Commercial use of the source, libraries, or applications in hardware or software requires prior written authorization.

Vaporizer 2 is a free, open-source synthesizer and sampler workstation for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It brings together wavetable, additive, FM, subtractive, and sample-based sound generation, with a granular mode. Four alias-free wavetable oscillator banks support up to 24-oscillator unison. The editor can draw wavetables with Bezier curves, edit cycles, and import Serum- and Icarus-format files. Sampling supports WAV, AIFF, OGG, and MP3, as well as loop points, key tracking, and sample-to-wavetable resampling. The product page lists more than 780 wavetables and single cycles and more than 410 factory presets. Modulation offers 25 sources, 220 destinations, five MSEG envelopes, and five LFOs; MIDI Polyphonic Expression is supported. It is available as a standalone app and in plugin formats including VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP, and LV2. The README specifies at least 1 GB RAM and a CPU supporting AVX or SSE2. The maker lists lifelong free updates.