Learn what Rosegarden offers musicians on Linux, from MIDI sequencing to notation editing, and how this open-source project got started.
Category
Media & Audio/Video Tools
Pricing
Free and open source, from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 19, 2026
Founded
1993
Open Source
Overview
Rosegarden is a free, open-source audio and MIDI sequencer with a full music notation editor, built specifically for Linux. Its origins trace back to 1993 as an academic project at the University of Bath started by Chris Cannam and Andy Green, with the current codebase restarting fresh in 2000 under a new SourceForge project.
Development has passed through several lead maintainers over the decades, from the original core team of Cannam, Richard Bown, and Guillaume Laurent, through D. Michael McIntyre in the 2000s and 2010s, to Ted Felix leading the project as of 2023.
Key Features
Rosegarden combines a track-oriented MIDI and audio sequencer with a notation editor that treats musical structure and presentation as first-class data, producing higher-quality printed notation than typical MIDI-only sequencers. It supports the JACK audio server, LADSPA and DSSI plugins for synthesis and processing, and advanced ALSA MIDI features.
The software supports synchronization with external hardware and software through MIDI Clock, MIDI Machine Control, and MIDI Time Code, along with automatic MIDI channel assignment to simplify multi-instrument setups.
Pricing
Rosegarden is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License, with no cost to download, use, or modify. It is typically installed through a Linux distribution's package manager or built from source.
Key Features
Combined MIDI and audio sequencing — Track-oriented sequencer supporting both MIDI and basic digital audio recording and editing in one environment.
Full music notation editor — Stores detailed musical structure and presentation data beyond standard MIDI, enabling high-quality printed notation output.
JACK audio server support — Integrates with the JACK audio connection kit for professional-grade audio routing on Linux.
LADSPA and DSSI plugin support — Supports LADSPA and DSSI plugin formats for synthesis and audio processing within projects.
Advanced ALSA MIDI features — Supports multiplexed MIDI input/output and synchronization with external devices via MIDI Clock, MMC, and MTC.
Automatic MIDI channel assignment — Simplifies working with multiple instruments by automatically assigning MIDI channels.
Free and open source — Distributed under the GNU General Public License with full source code access and no licensing cost.
Long-running active development — Continuously maintained since a 2000 codebase restart, with active releases as of 2023 under current lead Ted Felix.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free and open source under the GPL
Rare combination of serious notation editing and MIDI/audio sequencing in one application
Supports professional Linux audio tooling like JACK, LADSPA, and DSSI
Long project history spanning three decades with continued active maintenance
Cons
Linux-only, with no native Windows or macOS builds
Interface and workflow feel dated compared to modern commercial DAWs
Audio recording and editing capabilities are more basic than dedicated DAW software
Smaller community and slower update cadence than mainstream commercial alternatives
Pricing
Open Source Free N/A
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rosegarden free?
Yes, Rosegarden is free and open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License.
What platforms does Rosegarden run on?
Rosegarden is developed specifically for Linux, using ALSA and JACK for audio and MIDI.
When did Rosegarden start?
Rosegarden began as an academic project in 1993 at the University of Bath; the current codebase restarted fresh in 2000.
Who currently maintains Rosegarden?
As of 2023, Ted Felix has been leading Rosegarden's development and releases.
Does Rosegarden support music notation, not just MIDI?
Yes, Rosegarden includes a full notation editor that stores musical structure and presentation data beyond what standard MIDI can represent.
Does Rosegarden support audio plugins?
Yes, it supports LADSPA and DSSI plugin formats for synthesis and audio processing.
Can Rosegarden sync with external hardware?
Yes, it supports MIDI Clock, MIDI Machine Control, and MIDI Time Code for synchronization with external devices and software.
Where can I download Rosegarden?
Rosegarden is distributed through SourceForge, Codeberg, and GitHub mirrors, and is often available via Linux distribution package managers.