plugdata
Based on Pure Data, plugdata provides visual audio patching with desktop, mobile, and plugin formats listed for several platforms.
About plugdata
plugdata is a visual programming environment for audio based on Pure Data (pd-vanilla). Users place objects on a canvas and connect them to create synths, effects, and other audio systems without writing code. It runs as a standalone app on macOS, Windows, Linux and BSD and as a native iOS app, and the same patch can load in a DAW as a VST3, AU, CLAP or LV2 plugin. It includes the ELSE, Cyclone and Gem libraries, reads and writes the standard .pd format, and can export C/C++ code through Heavy/hvcc for Electro-Smith Daisy hardware.
Key features
- Connect visual objects on a canvas to build audio systems
- Run as standalone app on macOS, Windows, Linux and BSD
- Run as native iOS app on iPhone and iPad
- Load patches in a DAW as VST3, AU, CLAP or LV2
- Export C/C++ code with Heavy/hvcc for Daisy hardware
- Includes ELSE, Cyclone and Gem object libraries
Best for: Students, teachers, and artists who want to create audio tools through visual patching.
Good for
- Free under GPL-3.0 with no account required
- Reads and writes standard .pd files with same runtime as Pure Data
- Same patches work across standalone, plugin, mobile and hardware targets
plugdata at a glance
- Website
- plugdata.org
- Category
- Music & Audio › Audio Editing & Production
- Type
- Online tool
- Pricing
- Free
- Platforms
- iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Guides for Audio Editing & Production
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plugdata FAQ
What is patching in plugdata?
Placing visual blocks on a canvas and connecting them with cables to create and hear audio systems.
Is plugdata compatible with Pure Data?
Yes, it is based on pd-vanilla and reads and writes the standard .pd format, so patches open in both programs.
Can a patch run outside the standalone app?
Yes, the same patch can load as a VST3, AU, CLAP or LV2 plugin and can be exported to Daisy hardware through Heavy/hvcc.
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