macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install carlalocal Homebrew formula metadata
brew
Install carla with Homebrew, apk, dnf, Nix, pacman, apt, zypper
Audio plugin host supporting LADSPA, LV2, VST2/3, SF2 and more. Version 2.5.10 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-18.
install
Additional install commands
Linux
Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add carlaAlpine Linux edge package indexes · carla · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org
Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install CarlaFedora Rawhide package metadata · Carla · source: dl.fedoraproject.org
Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#carlanixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/ca/carla/package.nix · source: api.github.com
Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S carlaArch Linux sync databases · carla · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com
Ubuntu aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install carlaUbuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · carla · source: archive.ubuntu.com
openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install carlaopenSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · carla · source: download.opensuse.org
overview
Package summary
Audio plugin host supporting LADSPA, LV2, VST2/3, SF2 and more
Project links
Commands and aliases
- carla
- carla-control
- carla-database
- carla-jack-multi
- carla-jack-patchbayplugin
- carla-jack-single
- carla-osc-gui
- carla-patchbay
- carla-rack
- carla-settings
- carla-single
history
Project history and usage
Carla is a libre audio plugin host from the KXStudio ecosystem. Official docs describe it as a modular host for many audio drivers and plugin formats, with Rack, Patchbay, Single-client, and Multi-client processing modes.
Project history
The public GitHub repository dates to 2013, and the project is maintained as falkTX/Carla. The KXStudio page frames Carla as both a user-facing host and an embeddable/debuggable tool for plugin workflows, with a goal of being simple to use while exposing advanced modular-audio features.
Adoption history
Carla's adoption follows the Linux audio packaging pattern: it is distributed by many system package managers and sits alongside JACK, LV2, LADSPA, DSSI, VST, SF2, and SFZ tooling. The input package facts list apk, Homebrew, dnf, Nix, pacman, Ubuntu, and zypper packages.
How it is used
Users run Carla as a standalone host or plugin host, scan plugin folders, add plugins, connect them in rack or patchbay modes, and control parameters locally, by MIDI CC, or over OSC. The README also notes native drivers such as ALSA, DirectSound, CoreAudio, and JACK.
Why package nerds care
Carla matters in package catalogs because audio-plugin ecosystems are fragmented by format, driver, and operating system. A packaged Carla binary gives users a bridge across LADSPA, DSSI, LV2, VST2, VST3, AU, sound-bank formats, JACK workflows, and native audio drivers.
Timeline
- 2013: Public GitHub repository created.
- 2010s: Project documented as a KXStudio application and modular plugin host.
- 2020s: Package facts show broad availability across Linux distributions, Homebrew, and Nix.
Related projects
- Carla is part of the KXStudio applications family.
- The KXStudio page says its Patchbay uses the same canvas engine as Catarina, Catia, and Claudia.
- It interoperates with JACK and plugin standards including LV2, LADSPA, DSSI, VST, AU, SF2, and SFZ.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: blue
broad file, network, media, or database tool signal.
Risk classifier
blue risk · medium confidence · tool
Why
- broad file, network, media, or database tool signal
Signals
- text:database,audio
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
- Installs with 7 runtime dependencies.
- Build metadata lists 1 build dependencies.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
carla | cli | global executable | |
carla-control | cli | global executable | |
carla-database | cli | global executable | |
carla-jack-multi | cli | global executable | |
carla-jack-patchbayplugin | cli | global executable | |
carla-jack-single | cli | global executable | |
carla-osc-gui | cli | global executable | |
carla-patchbay | cli | global executable | |
carla-rack | cli | global executable | |
carla-settings | cli | global executable | |
carla-single | cli | global executable |
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-07-08
manager version2.5.10
manager updated2026-06-18
local dataok
upstreamcurrent
latest detectedv2.5.10
https://github.com/falkTX/Carla
- okNo freshness warnings were generated.
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:carla |
|---|---|
| Version | 2.5.10 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/carla |
| Homepage | https://kx.studio/Applications:Carla |
| Repository | https://github.com/falkTX/Carla |
| Upstream docs | https://kx.studio/Applications:Carla |
| License | GPL-2.0-or-later |
| Source archive | https://github.com/falkTX/Carla/archive/refs/tags/v2.5.10.tar.gz |
| Last updated | 2026-06-18T02:28:55-04:00 |
| Pulse | updated |
| Dependencies | fluid-synth, liblo, libmagic, libsndfile, pyqt@5, python@3.14, qt@5 |
| Build dependencies | pkgconf |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | carla |
| Version Scheme | 0 |
| Revision | 1 |
| Head Version | HEAD |
| Bottle Stable Root URL | https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core |
| Deprecated | yes |
| Disabled | no |
| Keg Only | no |
| URL Keys |
|
source database matches
Other package-manager records
Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.
Nix95%
carla
nix profile install nixpkgs#carla- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
Ubuntu apt95%
carla 2.5.8-0ubuntu5
audio plugin host
https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla
sudo apt install carla- Section: universe/sound
- Architecture: amd64
- 22 dependencies
- 4 optional deps
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
Ubuntu apt95%
carla-bridge-linux64 2.5.8-0ubuntu5
audio plugin host (linux64 bridge)
https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla
sudo apt install carla-bridge-linux64- Section: universe/sound
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: carla
- 5 dependencies
- 1 optional deps
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
Ubuntu apt95%
carla-bridge-win64 2.5.8-0ubuntu5
carla win64 bridge
https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla
sudo apt install carla-bridge-win64- Section: universe/sound
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: carla
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
Ubuntu apt95%
carla-bridge-wine64 2.5.8-0ubuntu5
carla win64 bridge (wine DLL)
https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla
sudo apt install carla-bridge-wine64- Section: universe/sound
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: carla
- 6 dependencies
- 1 optional deps
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
Ubuntu apt95%
carla-data 2.5.8-0ubuntu5
audio plugin host (common data)
https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla
sudo apt install carla-data- Section: universe/sound
- Architecture: all
- Source Package: carla
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
Ubuntu apt95%
carla-dev 2.5.8-0ubuntu5
audio plugin host - development libraries
https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla
sudo apt install carla-dev- Section: universe/sound
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: carla
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
Ubuntu apt95%
carla-lv2 2.5.8-0ubuntu5
audio plugin host (LV2 plugin)
https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla
sudo apt install carla-lv2- Section: universe/sound
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: carla
- 11 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
Ubuntu apt95%
carla-vst 2.5.8-0ubuntu5
audio plugin host (VST plugin)
https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla
sudo apt install carla-vst- Section: universe/sound
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: carla
- 11 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
apk95%
carla 2.5.10-r0
Fully-featured audio plugin host
https://github.com/falkTX/Carla
sudo apk add carla- License: GPL-2.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: carla
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
apk95%
carla-dev 2.5.10-r0
Fully-featured audio plugin host (development files)
https://github.com/falkTX/Carla
sudo apk add carla-dev- License: GPL-2.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: carla
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
apk95%
carla-plugins-lv2 2.5.10-r0
Fully-featured audio plugin host (LV2 plugins)
https://github.com/falkTX/Carla
sudo apk add carla-plugins-lv2- License: GPL-2.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: carla
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
apk95%
carla-plugins-vst2 2.5.10-r0
Fully-featured audio plugin host (VST2 plugins)
https://github.com/falkTX/Carla
sudo apk add carla-plugins-vst2- License: GPL-2.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: carla
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
dnf95%
Carla 2.5.10-5.fc45
Audio plugin host
https://github.com/falkTX/Carla
sudo dnf install Carla- License: GPL-2.0-or-later AND BSD-2-Clause AND BSD-3-Clause AND BSL-1.0 AND ISC AND MIT AND Zlib
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: Carla
- 25 dependencies
- 11 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
dnf95%
Carla-devel 2.5.10-5.fc45
Header files to access Carla's API
https://github.com/falkTX/Carla
sudo dnf install Carla-devel- License: GPL-2.0-or-later AND BSD-2-Clause AND BSD-3-Clause AND BSL-1.0 AND ISC AND MIT AND Zlib
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: Carla
- 2 dependencies
- 2 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
dnf95%
Carla-vst 2.5.10-5.fc45
CarlaRack and CarlaPatchbay VST plugins
https://github.com/falkTX/Carla
sudo dnf install Carla-vst- License: GPL-2.0-or-later AND BSD-2-Clause AND BSD-3-Clause AND BSL-1.0 AND ISC AND MIT AND Zlib
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: Carla
- 13 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Carla
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- Geiger risk classifier
- Nucleus package database
- av.db category and tag curation
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated package history
- external package-manager database matches
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment