Overview

Rosegarden is an audio and MIDI sequencer, music composition and all round editor for audio that runs in the Linux operating system only.

The software has audio plug-in support using LADSPA. Both audio and MIDI playback, plus recording, can be performed with JACK and ALSA support. Scores can be edited, worked on track by track, until the entire score or soundtrack has been completed. MIDI files can be exported using MusicXML, Csound, and Lilypond. There are also share-able device files (RGD) which aids portability with MIDI usage.

A multi-channel audio mixer can be pulled in to adjust the sound levels on individual audio channels to get the audio balance just how you like it.

Sound effects like echos, echoed synth, drums and other audio to add to a recording which can be implemented using Rosegarden. The software includes the LADSPA plugin API which provides access to hundreds of already developed LADSPA plugins that the software can then take advantage of.

The user interface is well developed with grays and blacks and occasional splashes of color along the way. It is based around the KDE develop which runs on Linux operating system as a front-end.

There is also a useful Notation Editor where the musician can compose on the digital page first, and then play the music out once their composition is compete.

Installation

Rosegarden installed successfully on the Linux platform. There was no malware or spyware added with the application setup.

The software requires Linux to install it.

Interface

The interface uses black and muted grays in its overall appearance. The interface has many additional windows that overlay the main window providing extra features.

RoseGarden is attractively designed. It should be fairly simple for the musician or editor to get to grips with Rosegarden.

Pros

• Audio and MIDI sequencer, music composition, and editor on the Linux OS
• ALSA, JACK and MIDI support for recording and playback
• LADSPA audio plug-in support included providing access to hundreds of free plug-ins
• Notation Editor to plan music on digital paper first
• Export MIDI via Csound, Lilypond or MusicXML
• Based on KDE desktop interface on Linux
• Language translation in 10+ languages
• Event list, piano-roll, scores and track overview

Cons

• None.

Conclusion

RoseGarden is a decent Linux audio and mixing editor which provides LADSPA plug-in support, MIDI export, a synth, a notation editor, and enough control over the editing process to be a useful software addition for editors who use Linux.