Install faust with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper

Project links

• Homepage
• Repository
• Package manager page

Commands and aliases

• encoderunitypackage
• faust
• faust-config
• faust2alqt
• faust2alsa
• faust2alsaconsole
• faust2android
• faust2androidunity
• faust2api
• faust2atomsnippets
• faust2au
• faust2audiokit
• faust2bela
• faust2bench
• faust2caconsole
• faust2cagtk
• faust2caqt
• faust2caqtios
• faust2clap.py
• faust2cmajor
• faust2comparator
• faust2cpalrust
• faust2csound
• faust2csvplot
• faust2daisy
• faust2dplug
• faust2dssi
• faust2dummy
• faust2dummymem
• faust2eps
• faust2esp32
• faust2faustvst

Project history

Faust has been developed since 2002, with GRAME-CNCM described by the project as its birthplace and main development home. Its core design is to describe DSP algorithms as mathematical signal-processing specifications, then compile those specifications into efficient code in languages and intermediate forms such as C, C++, Java, LLVM IR, and WebAssembly.

The project grew from a compiler into a distribution. The official repository includes compiler sources, architecture targets, build tooling, documentation, examples, tests, DSP libraries, syntax-highlighting support, and a large set of helper scripts that turn Faust programs into plugins, standalone applications, diagrams, web targets, embedded targets, and audio-environment integrations.

Faust's development workflow also reflects a mature language project. Official documentation distinguishes stable release packages, a `master` branch, and a `master-dev` branch used as the main development branch, with GRAME merging development work into stable releases.

Adoption history

Faust adoption is visible in its target matrix. The official README and manual describe output for native standalone applications, iOS and Android apps, WebAssembly, and plugin or environment targets including Csound, LADSPA, Max/MSP, Pure Data, Q, SuperCollider, VST, AU, LV2, JACK, JUCE, Bela, Teensy, ESP32, and others.

The surrounding community has its own recurring venue: the International Faust Conference, which the official site describes as a biennial gathering of Faust developers and users. Past editions listed by the project include IFC-18, IFC-20, IFC-22, IFC-24, and IFC-26.

How it is used

At the package level, Faust is most often installed to obtain the `faust` compiler and the many `faust2...` tools. A developer writes a `.dsp` program, compiles it directly with `faust`, or uses a wrapper such as `faust2jaqt`, `faust2lv2`, `faust2supercollider`, `faust2puredata`, `faust2svg`, or `faust2wasm`-style tooling to generate a target-specific artifact.

The project also supports zero-configuration web workflows through the Faust IDE, Faust Editor, and Faust Playground, which lowers the barrier for experiments while keeping the command-line compiler central for packaging and reproducible builds.

Why package nerds care

Faust is interesting to package nerds because it is not just one binary. A Faust package exposes a compiler, a library interface (`libfaust`), DSP libraries, architecture templates, and many generated-target scripts, so downstream packaging has to preserve paths and auxiliary tools that users expect to compose.

It also sits at the intersection of language runtimes and audio tooling. Installing Faust from Homebrew, MacPorts, Linux packages, or source gives users a portable way to generate native code and plugins without manually assembling each audio SDK or framework workflow.

Timeline

• 2002: Faust development begins.
• 2018: First International Faust Conference takes place in Mainz.
• 2020: IFC-20 takes place in the Paris area.
• 2022: IFC-22 takes place during SMC-22 in Saint-Etienne.
• 2024: IFC-24 takes place in Turin.
• 2026: IFC-26 takes place in Cannes.

Related projects

• FaustLive and Faustgen are related prototyping tools in the Faust ecosystem; the official overview notes FaustLive is no longer the recommended primary tool, with Faust IDE preferred.
• The Faust DSP Libraries are maintained as a separate project and included by the main Faust repository as a submodule.

Sources

• https://faust.grame.fr
• https://faustdoc.grame.fr/manual/introduction/
• https://faustdoc.grame.fr/manual/overview/
• https://github.com/grame-cncm/faust
• https://faust.grame.fr/downloads/
• https://faust.grame.fr/community/ifc/