# 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 ```sh sudo av install brew:carla ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install carla ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata ### Linux - apk (92%): ```sh sudo apk add carla ``` Evidence: Alpine Linux edge package indexes: carla from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz - dnf (92%): ```sh sudo dnf install Carla ``` Evidence: Fedora Rawhide package metadata: Carla from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#carla ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ca/carla/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - pacman (92%): ```sh sudo pacman -S carla ``` Evidence: Arch Linux sync databases: carla from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz - Ubuntu apt (92%): ```sh sudo apt install carla ``` Evidence: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: carla from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz - zypper (92%): ```sh sudo zypper install carla ``` Evidence: openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: carla from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:carla - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 2.5.10 - **Source summary:** Audio plugin host supporting LADSPA, LV2, VST2/3, SF2 and more - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** GPL-2.0-or-later - **Source archive:** - **Last updated:** 2026-06-18T02:28:55-04:00 - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - carla (cli) - carla-control (cli) - carla-database (cli) - carla-jack-multi (cli) - carla-jack-patchbayplugin (cli) - carla-jack-single (cli) - carla-osc-gui (cli) - carla-patchbay (cli) - carla-rack (cli) - carla-settings (cli) - carla-single (cli) - carla (alias) - carla-control (alias) - carla-database (alias) - carla-jack-multi (alias) - carla-jack-patchbayplugin (alias) - carla-jack-single (alias) - carla-osc-gui (alias) - carla-patchbay (alias) - carla-rack (alias) - carla-settings (alias) - carla-single (alias) ## Dependencies - fluid-synth - liblo - libmagic - libsndfile - pyqt@5 - python@3.14 - qt@5 ## Build dependencies - pkgconf ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 2.5.10 - Package-manager updated: 2026-06-18 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://github.com/falkTX/Carla - Upstream latest detected: v2.5.10 (current) ## 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 Notes broad file, network, media, or database tool signal. - **Geiger risk:** blue / medium - broad file, network, media, or database tool signal ## 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:** - **Deprecated:** yes - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** head, stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Nix - carla: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ca/carla/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Ubuntu apt - carla - 2.5.8-0ubuntu5: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: carla from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | audio plugin host | https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla - Ubuntu apt - carla-bridge-linux64 - 2.5.8-0ubuntu5: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: carla-bridge-linux64 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | audio plugin host (linux64 bridge) | https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla - Ubuntu apt - carla-bridge-win64 - 2.5.8-0ubuntu5: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: carla-bridge-win64 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | carla win64 bridge | https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla - Ubuntu apt - carla-bridge-wine64 - 2.5.8-0ubuntu5: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: carla-bridge-wine64 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | carla win64 bridge (wine DLL) | https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla - Ubuntu apt - carla-data - 2.5.8-0ubuntu5: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: carla-data from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | audio plugin host (common data) | https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla - Ubuntu apt - carla-dev - 2.5.8-0ubuntu5: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: carla-dev from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | audio plugin host - development libraries | https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla - Ubuntu apt - carla-lv2 - 2.5.8-0ubuntu5: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: carla-lv2 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | audio plugin host (LV2 plugin) | https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla - Ubuntu apt - carla-vst - 2.5.8-0ubuntu5: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: carla-vst from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | audio plugin host (VST plugin) | https://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Carla - apk - carla - 2.5.10-r0: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: carla from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | Fully-featured audio plugin host | https://github.com/falkTX/Carla - apk - carla-dev - 2.5.10-r0: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: carla-dev from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | Fully-featured audio plugin host (development files) | https://github.com/falkTX/Carla - apk - carla-plugins-lv2 - 2.5.10-r0: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: carla-plugins-lv2 from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | Fully-featured audio plugin host (LV2 plugins) | https://github.com/falkTX/Carla - apk - carla-plugins-vst2 - 2.5.10-r0: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: carla-plugins-vst2 from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | Fully-featured audio plugin host (VST2 plugins) | https://github.com/falkTX/Carla - dnf - Carla - 2.5.10-5.fc45: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: Carla from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | Audio plugin host | https://github.com/falkTX/Carla - dnf - Carla-devel - 2.5.10-5.fc45: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: Carla-devel from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | Header files to access Carla's API | https://github.com/falkTX/Carla - dnf - Carla-vst - 2.5.10-5.fc45: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: Carla-vst from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | CarlaRack and CarlaPatchbay VST plugins | https://github.com/falkTX/Carla ## Related links - [Secret-risk packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/secret-risk-packages/) - Has protected-tool coverage, approval-gate, or non-low Geiger security signals. - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [Media and graphics packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/media-graphics-tools/) - Matched media, image, audio, video, or graphics metadata. - [fluid-synth](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/fluid-synth/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [liblo](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/liblo/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [libsndfile](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/libsndfile/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [pyqt@5](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/pyqt-5/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [python@3.14](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/python-3-14/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [qt@5](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/qt-5/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [pkgconf](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/pkgconf/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [ecasound](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/ecasound/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: audio, cli, jack, media. - [lilv](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/lilv/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: audio, cli, lv2, media, plugin-host. - [qjackctl](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/qjackctl/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: audio, cli, jack, media. - [abcde](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/abcde/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: audio, cli, media. - [adplay](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/adplay/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: audio, cli, media. - [adplug](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/adplug/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: audio, cli, media. - [aften](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/aften/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: audio, cli, media. - [alsa-lib](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/alsa-lib/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: audio, cli, media. - [csound](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/csound/) - Both packages touch the same language runtime or ecosystem. Shared terms: audio, cli, fluid, fluid-synth, jack. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/carla.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/carla.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph