ams1
A modular patching software synthesizer
Usage
ams [OPTIONS]
[file]
Overview
The AlsaModularSynth (AMS) is a software synthesizer designed after the great analog modular synths of the 1960s. It employs virtual control voltages (VC) for each
module's parameter control, using the the Moog synthesizer's 1V/oct logarithmic control scale for its oscillator and filter functions.
Following the modular synth model AMS supplies the user with a variety of sound-producing and sound-processing software modules such as digital oscillators, filters, amplifiers, and DSP effects. These modules are linked together (patched) to create complex audio synthesis networks. These network patches can be played in realtime via MIDI or internal control structures, and they may be saved and reloaded at will.
Options
Runtime options for AMS are shown here with their default values in brackets.
-
--jack -
Force JACK I/O
-
--in <num> -
Number of JACK input ports
-
--out <num> -
Number of JACK output ports
-
--poly <num> -
Polyphony [1]
-
--periodsize <frames> -
Period size [1024]
-
--alsa -
Force ALSA I/O
-
--frag <num> -
Number of fragments [2]
-
--rate <samples/s> -
Sample rate [44100]
-
--edge <0...10> -
VCO edge [1.0]
-
--soundcard <plug> -
Soundcard [plughw:0,0]
-
--preset <file> -
Preset file
-
--presetpath <path> -
Preset path
-
--nogui -
Start without GUI
-
--name <name> -
ALSASEQ/JACK clientname, windowtitle
Files
Numerous example and tutorial patches can be found in /usr/share/ams or /usr/local/share/ams.
Tutorial documentation is available at http://alsamodular.sourceforge.net/alsamodularsynth_doc.html.
Releases
12 releases since Debian 3.1 (Sarge); the text changed 3 times.
--alsa since Arch Linux 2026-11-01;
--name since Arch Linux 2026-11-01.