Soundplant for Linux v.60.0.4 free beta
Release Notes

by Marcel Blum 10/27/2026
Soundplant downloads: https://soundplant.org/download.htm
Soundplant home: https://soundplant.org

Thanks for checking out the Linux beta! I ported Soundplant to Linux as a fun little side quest challenge; I've gotten a bunch of requests for a Linux version over the years and I hope it makes someone out there happy. It's only been tested on Ubuntu, most thoroughly on Ubuntu 24-26; that's the main target, but technically it should be able to run on x64 Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 10+, openSUSE 15.5+, and Fedora 39+. Should also be able to run on Arch. I'm admittedly not very familiar with desktop Linux intricacies and conventions, and to what extent apps are expected to integrate with the system, so please send feedback and report bugs to soundplant@soundplant.org.

Further notes:

• This is functionally identical with the Windows/Mac versions, with 1 exception: there is no background key input. This is because of the security restrictions of Wayland which impose limitations on apps monitoring keyboard input when not in focus. The OS does allow global shortcuts, but only using modifier key combos, and each one must be registered with the system and prompt the user for permission; also, the system only allows one app to register any key combo shortcut at a time, which can make for scenarios where certain combos won't work in Soundplant because another app already reserved them. For the next release I'll further investigate the feasibility of using Linux's global shortcut capability for Soundplant background triggering, and try to implement something workable with it. In the mean time, note that you can still trigger Soundplant when minimized by using MIDI, as there are no restrictions on apps receiving MIDI input when unfocussed.
• Those running the non-.deb version may encounter permissions issues preventing the app from launching or fully functioning, depending on how your system is configured and your user privileges are set; in most cases this can be worked around by running the binary with the command line parameter --no-sandbox.
• I don't think Soundplant .keymap file association is being properly set up by the .deb. I'll try to fix for the next release.
• For details on core program functionality and usage instructions, you can refer to the latest release version 59.5 User Manual. Using the help function inside the app will send you to entries in those v59.5 docs.
• This can run on Chromebooks with the Linux environment enabled. If you try it on a Chromebook, let me know how it works for you; I'm especially curious how it runs on a cheap/slow one. Note that if you want to use Soundplant's record from input feature, chromeOS has an additional setting you'll have to turn on for enabling microphone access in Linux.
• This version is for x86-64 Linux and is untested on ARM. If you can get it to run via e.g. FEX or Box64 on ARM Linux, let me know how it works for you and if there's demand for a native ARM Linux version.
• For audio output on Linux, Soundplant uses PulseAudio by default. Experimentally, you can force Soundplant to use JACK instead by Ctrl+clicking the audio output device menu and selecting a JACK device, but I've found it to be unstable in JACK output mode.
• This beta is released as freeware. It is generally known to be stable but may yet have some bugs waiting to be discovered and is nowhere near as battle tested as the widely used Windows and Mac versions. As with any beta, use at your own risk.
• This freeware beta has no limitations or usage restrictions. There is no requirement to purchase a license, but you can if you want to support its further development. If you already own a Soundplant license, you can enter it in on the Linux version to register it.