brew

Install fluid-synth with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, scoop, zypper

Real-time software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specs. Version 2.5.6 via Homebrew; verified 2026-07-04.

Install command Security notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%

brew install fluid-synth

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%

sudo port install fluidsynth

MacPorts ports tree · multimedia/fluidsynth/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%

sudo apk add fluidsynth

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · fluidsynth · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Debian aptverified · 92%

sudo apt install fluidsynth

Debian stable package indexes · fluidsynth · source: deb.debian.org

Fedora dnfverified · 92%

sudo dnf install fluidsynth

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · fluidsynth · source: dl.fedoraproject.org

Nixverified · 92%

nix profile install nixpkgs#fluidsynth

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/fl/fluidsynth/package.nix · source: api.github.com

Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%

sudo pacman -S fluidsynth

Arch Linux sync databases · fluidsynth · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%

sudo zypper install fluidsynth

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · fluidsynth · source: download.opensuse.org

Windows

Scoopverified · 92%

scoop install extras/fluidsynth

Scoop official bucket manifest trees · bucket/fluidsynth.json · source: api.github.com

overview

Package summary

Real-time software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specs

Project links

Commands and aliases

fluidsynth

history

Project history and usage

FluidSynth is a real-time software synthesizer and shared library based on the SoundFont 2 specifications, with a command-line shell and API used by many music and multimedia applications.

Project history

The official project site presents FluidSynth as a GUI-less synthesizer that reached widespread distribution and became reusable through a shared library API. Its feature set centers on SoundFont 2 and SoundFont 3 playback, MIDI file playback, audio drivers, and a built-in command-line shell.

The release history shows a long 1.x line followed by the 2.x series. FluidSynth 2.0.0 introduced major synthesis, MIDI, SoundFont, build-system, and API changes, including a CMake-only direction and removal of the deprecated autotools build system.

Adoption history

FluidSynth's adoption is visible in its official showcase of frontends and dependent applications, including QSynth, wxFluid, LMMS, MusE, Miditzer, Swami, jOrgan, Denemo, and other music tools. The project site also notes embedded and mobile-app usage.

How it is used

Users run the fluidsynth command to render or play MIDI with SoundFont files, script the built-in shell, or use libfluidsynth from applications that need software MIDI synthesis. Developers use the API documentation when embedding the synthesizer in games, notation software, sequencers, or audio utilities.

Why package nerds care

FluidSynth is important in package ecosystems because it provides a common free MIDI synthesis backend: one packaged shared library and CLI can enable MIDI playback across many otherwise unrelated applications.

It is also a useful packaging case because audio backends, optional features, SoundFont search behavior, ABI compatibility, and command-line rendering all matter to downstream users.

Timeline

2009: FluidSynth 1.0.9 added PulseAudio, JACK MIDI, CoreMIDI, and OS/2 support.
2010: FluidSynth 1.1.0 added file rendering, multicore synthesis, and developer API improvements.
2018: FluidSynth 2.0.0 was released with major MIDI, SoundFont, API, and build-system changes.
2025: FluidSynth 2.5.0 was released.
2026: FluidSynth 2.5.5 was released.

Related projects

QSynth is a cross-platform GUI frontend for FluidSynth.
LMMS, MusE, Miditzer, Swami, jOrgan, and Denemo are listed by the project as applications or frontends using FluidSynth.

Sources

security posture

Risk level: green

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals

Signals

metadata:no-higher-risk-signals

Install behavior

No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
Installs with 5 runtime dependencies.
Build metadata lists 2 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
`fluidsynth`	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 version2.5.6

manager updated2026-07-04

local dataok

upstreamcurrent

latest detectedv2.5.6

https://github.com/FluidSynth/fluidsynth

okNo freshness warnings were generated.

install metadata

Package metadata

Package key	brew:fluid-synth
Version	2.5.6
Package manager	Homebrew
Package manager page	https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/fluid-synth
Homepage	https://www.fluidsynth.org
Repository	https://github.com/FluidSynth/fluidsynth
Upstream docs	https://www.fluidsynth.org/api
License	LGPL-2.1-or-later
Source archive	https://github.com/FluidSynth/fluidsynth/archive/refs/tags/v2.5.6.tar.gz
Last updated	2026-07-04T12:51:44Z
Pulse	updated
Dependencies	gettext, glib, libsndfile, portaudio, readline
Build dependencies	cmake, 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	fluid-synth
Aliases	fluidsynth
Version Scheme	0
Revision	0
Head Version	HEAD
Bottle Stable Root URL	https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecated	no
Disabled	no
Keg Only	no
URL Keys	head stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

MacPorts94%

fluidsynth

sudo port install fluidsynth

installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

MacPorts ports tree · api.github.com · MacPorts ports tree: multimedia/fluidsynth/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1

Debian apt92%

fluidsynth 2.4.4+dfsg-1+deb13u2

Real-time MIDI software synthesizer

https://github.com/Fluidsynth/fluidsynth

sudo apt install fluidsynth

Section: sound
Architecture: amd64
7 dependencies
1 provides
1 optional deps
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: fluidsynth from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Debian apt92%

libfluidsynth-dev 2.4.4+dfsg-1+deb13u2

Real-time MIDI software synthesizer (development files)

https://github.com/Fluidsynth/fluidsynth

sudo apt install libfluidsynth-dev

Section: libdevel
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: fluidsynth
13 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libfluidsynth-dev from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Debian apt92%

libfluidsynth3 2.4.4+dfsg-1+deb13u2

Real-time MIDI software synthesizer (runtime library)

https://github.com/Fluidsynth/fluidsynth

sudo apt install libfluidsynth3

Section: libs
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: fluidsynth
17 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libfluidsynth3 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Nix92%

fluidsynth

nix profile install nixpkgs#fluidsynth

installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/fl/fluidsynth/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1

Ubuntu apt92%

fluidsynth 2.3.4-1build3

Real-time MIDI software synthesizer

https://github.com/Fluidsynth/fluidsynth

sudo apt install fluidsynth

Section: universe/sound
Architecture: amd64
7 dependencies
1 provides
1 optional deps
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: fluidsynth from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

Ubuntu apt92%

libfluidsynth-dev 2.3.4-1build3

Real-time MIDI software synthesizer (development files)

https://github.com/Fluidsynth/fluidsynth

sudo apt install libfluidsynth-dev

Section: universe/libdevel
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: fluidsynth
12 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libfluidsynth-dev from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

Ubuntu apt92%

libfluidsynth3 2.3.4-1build3

Real-time MIDI software synthesizer (runtime library)

https://github.com/Fluidsynth/fluidsynth

sudo apt install libfluidsynth3

Section: universe/libs
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: fluidsynth
16 dependencies
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libfluidsynth3 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

apk92%

fluidsynth 2.5.4-r0

A real-time software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications

https://www.fluidsynth.org/

sudo apk add fluidsynth

License: LGPL-2.1-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: fluidsynth
1 dependencies
1 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: fluidsynth from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

apk92%

fluidsynth-dev 2.5.4-r0

A real-time software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications (development files)

https://www.fluidsynth.org/

sudo apk add fluidsynth-dev

License: LGPL-2.1-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: fluidsynth
1 dependencies
1 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: fluidsynth-dev from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

apk92%

fluidsynth-doc 2.5.4-r0

A real-time software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications (documentation)

https://www.fluidsynth.org/

sudo apk add fluidsynth-doc

License: LGPL-2.1-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: fluidsynth
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: fluidsynth-doc from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

apk92%

fluidsynth-libs 2.5.4-r0

A real-time software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications (libraries)

https://www.fluidsynth.org/

sudo apk add fluidsynth-libs

License: LGPL-2.1-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: fluidsynth
1 dependencies
1 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: fluidsynth-libs from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

dnf92%

fluidsynth 2.5.4-1.fc45

Real-time software synthesizer

http://www.fluidsynth.org/

sudo dnf install fluidsynth

License: LGPL-2.1-or-later
Category: Unspecified
Architecture: i686
Source Package: fluidsynth
7 dependencies
2 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: fluidsynth from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst

dnf92%

fluidsynth-devel 2.5.4-1.fc45

Real-time software synthesizer development files

http://www.fluidsynth.org/

sudo dnf install fluidsynth-devel

License: LGPL-2.1-or-later
Category: Unspecified
Architecture: i686
Source Package: fluidsynth
6 dependencies
3 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: fluidsynth-devel from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst

dnf92%

fluidsynth-libs 2.5.4-1.fc45

Real-time software synthesizer run-time libraries

http://www.fluidsynth.org/

sudo dnf install fluidsynth-libs

License: LGPL-2.1-or-later
Category: Unspecified
Architecture: i686
Source Package: fluidsynth
16 dependencies
2 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: fluidsynth-libs from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst

pacman92%

fluidsynth 2.5.4-1

A real-time software synthesizer based on the SoundFont 2 specifications

https://www.fluidsynth.org/

sudo pacman -S fluidsynth

License: LGPL-2.1-or-later
Architecture: x86_64
26 dependencies
2 provides
installed executable or alias match
Matched by: Fluidsynth

Arch Linux sync databases · geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com · Arch Linux sync databases: fluidsynth from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz

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.

combined/fluid-synth.yml

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

Install fluid-synth with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, scoop, zypper

Additional install commands

macOS

Linux

Windows

Package summary

Project links

Commands and aliases

Project history and usage

Project history

Adoption history

How it is used

Why package nerds care

Timeline

Related projects

Sources

Risk level: green

Risk classifier

Why

Signals

Install behavior

Recommended review

Installed executables

Version and freshness

Package metadata

Source database details

Other package-manager records

Internal package links

Topical hubs

Related tools

Same workflow

Agent security guides

Generated from repository data

Combined YAML source

Used sources