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MusE

Free, open-source MIDI and audio sequencer for Linux, built around JACK and standard plugin formats.

Open sourceAudio editors and DAWs
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About MusE

MusE is a long-running digital audio workstation for Linux that combines MIDI sequencing with multitrack audio recording. It was started by Werner Schweer, who later created MuseScore, and is now maintained by a volunteer team. On the MIDI side it has a piano roll, a drum editor, a list view and a score editor, plus built-in synths such as a FluidSynth soundfont player and a DX11-style FM synth. Audio tracks, group tracks and aux sends cover mixing, and automation is drawn graphically. It hosts VST, LV2, DSSI and LADSPA plugins and is meant to run with JACK for audio and MIDI routing, though basic output through PulseAudio or ALSA also works. It is free software under the GPL and most distributions package it. Compared with Ardour it leans more towards MIDI composition, and the interface feels older than commercial DAWs. Development is slow but continuing: version 4.3 arrived in October 2026 after a three-year gap.

Best for: Linux musicians who want a free MIDI-first sequencer that fits a JACK-based studio.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Strong MIDI editing with piano roll, drum and score editors
  • Hosts VST, LV2, DSSI and LADSPA plugins
  • Free under the GPL and packaged by most Linux distributions
  • Works well alongside other JACK apps

Why people leave

  • Linux only
  • Releases are infrequent, with a three-year gap before 4.3
  • Dated interface and a manual that is still a work in progress

Top MusE alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1Ardour logo
    Ardour

    The best-known open-source Linux DAW, stronger for audio recording and mixing and still JACK-friendly.

    68.8
  2. 2Qt
    Qtractor

    Another Qt-based Linux sequencer for JACK, with a simpler, more modern feel.

    62.6
  3. 3LMMS logo
    LMMS

    Free pattern-based music maker with built-in synths, easier for beat making than a classic sequencer.

    61.8
  4. 4Zrythm logo
    Zrythm

    Newer open-source DAW with a modern interface and strong automation, also on Linux.

    59.4
  5. 5Re
    REAPER

    Inexpensive commercial DAW with a native Linux build, far more features and active development.

    57.5

Why people left MusE

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MusE: common questions

Is MusE free?

Yes. MusE is free, open-source software.

Is MusE open source?

Yes.

What platforms does MusE run on?

MusE is available for Linux.

What are the best alternatives to MusE?

The highest-ranked MusE alternatives right now are Ardour, Qtractor and LMMS. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 MusE alternatives