---
name: "amsynth"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "amsynth-standalone"
version: "2.0.0-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/amsynth"
---

# amsynth(1)

a two oscillator subtractive software synthesizer

## NAME

amsynth - a two oscillator subtractive software synthesizer

## SYNOPSIS

**amsynth** \[options\]

## DESCRIPTION

**amsynth** is an easy-to-use software synth with a classic subtractive synthesizer topology.

## OPTIONS

- `-h`

  show a help message

- `-v`

  show version information

- `-x`

  run in headless mode (without GUI)

- `-b` \<file\>

  use \<file\> as the bank to store presets

- `-t` \<file\>

  use \<file\> as a tuning file

- `-a` \<string\>

  set the sound output driver to use \[alsa/oss/auto(default)\]

- `-r` \<int\>

  set the sampling rate to use

- `-m` \<string\>

  set the MIDI driver to use \[alsa/oss/auto(default)\]

- `-c` \<int\>

  set the MIDI channel to respond to (default=all)

- `-p` \<int\>

  set the polyphony (maximum active voices)

- `-n` \<name\>

  specify the JACK client name to use

- `--jack_autoconnect` \<true\|false\>

  automatically connect jack audio ports to hardware I/O ports. (Default: true)

- `--force-device-scale-factor` \<scale\>

  set the scaling factor to use for the control panel

## FILES

- `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/amsynth/config`

  Configuration for amsynth.

- `$XDG_DATA_HOME/amsynth/banks/*`

  User preset banks.

## ENVIRONMENT

- `AMSYNTH_NO_GUI`

  If AMSYNTH\_NO\_GUI is set, amsynth is started in headless mode (without GUI).

- `AMSYNTH_SKIN`

  Specifies the directory from which amsynth should load its skin.

- `GDK_SCALE`

  Specifies the scaling factor to use for the control panel.

## BUGS & FEATURE REQUESTS

If you find a bug or if you would like to propose a new feature, please report it at https://github.com/amsynth/amsynth/issues .

## AUTHORS

Nick Dowell and contributors. See complete list in amsynth’s “Help” -\> “About” dialog.

The initial version of this manual page was written by Olivier Humbert⟨trebmuh@tuxfamily.org⟩\\c  on September 06, 2016 as a part of the LibraZiK project (and can be used by others).