ExampleCommandLines

Example Command Lines to start fluid synth

Introduction

This page gives examples of how to start fluidsynth from the command line with different configurations. Please feel free to add the configuration that works best for you.

fluidsynth with JACK

fluidsynth -a jack -j -m jack /path/to/some/soundfont.sf2

Starts a new instance of fluidsynth that uses jack as audio and midi driver. If jackd is not already running, it should be started automatically. The parameter -j attempts to automatically connects fluidsynths output to system loudspeakers. Otherwise this must be done manually.

fluidsynth on macOSX

fluidsynth -a coreaudio -m coremidi /path/to/some/soundfont.sf2

Starts an instance of fluidsynth that uses coreaudio as audio driver and coremidi as midi driver, using the given soundfont. Use a MIDI Patchbay to connect MIDI I/O devices to fluidsynth.

fluidsynth on NetBooks and low performance computers

First you need to reduce the CPU usage which helps reduce the chances of data under-run which causes the audio cut out. This can be done by turning off the Reverb and Chorus with the flags '-C0 -R0' and also by halving the sample rate with the flag '-r22050'. Changing the sample rate does not work with the alsa hw layer so use the plug layer instead. For example this command line works quite well on a eeePC 901 NetBook. And consider reducing the polyphony count (i.e. number of voices that can be played in parallel) in order to relax memory requirements of fluidsynth.

fluidsynth -C0 -R0 -r22050 -l -a alsa -o audio.alsa.device=plughw:0 -o synth.polyphony=64

If you get problems with unsteady playback or the audio cutting out then try closing all other programs,

turning off your wireless network and unpluging any network cable.