Cardinal
Free modular synth by DISTRHO · since 2022 · version 26.02
What Cardinal is
VCV Rack as a plugin, with 1,382 modules baked in. Free, open source, runs in your DAW or in a browser.
- 1382 modules from 84 authors in one binary
- No external modules or VCV Library access
- Also runs in the browser and on FreeBSD
How to install Cardinal
Cardinal runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. It ships as VST3, VST2, AU, CLAP and LV2, plus a standalone version that needs no DAW. Logic Pro and GarageBand users need the AU build. If your DAW supports CLAP (Bitwig, Reaper, FL Studio), prefer that build. Download it from cardinal.kx.studio, run the installer or copy the plugin into your plugin folder, then rescan plugins in your DAW.
Questions
Is Cardinal free?
Yes. Cardinal is free from DISTRHO, and it is open source under the GPL-3.0-or-later license. There is no trial period and no feature lock.
What plugin formats does Cardinal support?
Cardinal is available as VST3, VST2, AU, CLAP, LV2 and Standalone.
Which operating systems run Cardinal?
Cardinal runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Free alternatives to Cardinal
A pocket Bazille: two digital oscillators with FM, phase distortion and fractal resonance, patchable modulation.
A lightweight polyphonic modular synth: 57 module types, up to 64 voices, CLAP included.
The virtual Eurorack. Thousands of modules, a whole community, free as a standalone app.