Native JUCE workstation

Mutagen

A native C++ desktop music workstation with a pattern sequencer, dedicated piano roll, shared live VST3 playback and editor instances, bundled instruments, samples, automation, AI composition, and release-ready Windows packaging.

Download latest release View source on GitHub Open workflow guide Open Virus Synth manual
  • Native app path only. The old Python shell is no longer the supported workflow.
  • Sequencer, piano roll, controller lane, mixer, automation, samples, themes, and floating windows.
  • Shared live engine so VST editor moves affect playback immediately.
Release flow
  1. Push changes to main
  2. Create and push a v* tag
  3. GitHub Actions builds the native Windows ZIP and installer
  4. GitHub Pages republishes from /docs

Screenshots

What Mutagen looks like

Mutagen main editor window
Main editor with tracks, sequencer, live transport, and native instrument workflow.
Track workspace and instrument lanes in Mutagen
Track workspace with mute, solo, VST visibility, per-track volume strips, and the current rack-driven instrument list.
AI TB303 editor window in Mutagen
Bundled AI TB303 editor window on the live playback path, with parameter changes applied directly to the running engine.
Native audio settings window
Native audio settings for backend, output device, sample rate, and buffer size.

Guide

Core workflow

1. Add or select a track

Create an instrument or sample track, then assign a bundled or third-party VST3 when needed.

2. Draw pattern clips

Use the sequencer to draw pattern blocks at the current pattern size. Double-click a block to edit it in the piano roll.

3. Edit notes and controllers

Use the piano roll for notes, and the always-visible lower pane for velocity, MIDI CC, or automation-style controller drawing.

4. Open the live VST

Use Edit VST or the track V toggle to open the live editor. Parameter moves apply straight to the running engine.

5. Mix and arrange

Use the mixer, locator handles, pattern tools, and floating windows to build the arrangement and balance the session.

6. Export and inspect logs

Export stems or track renders, and use the activity log plus AI HTTP debug log when diagnosing model responses.

Flagship Instrument

Virus Synth manual

Virus Synth editor overview
Virus Synth ships with a TI-style panel, LCD workflow, preview keyboard, and hardware-inspired modulation pages.

Virus Synth is the most detailed bundled instrument in the rack. It includes shared oscillator controls, modulation and matrix pages, dual filters, FX pages, a shift layer, and preset browsing through the LCD/OSD workflow.

  • LCD-based preset browsing and page navigation
  • Shared oscillator editing with per-oscillator focus
  • Filter, FX, LFO, and matrix pages through the value controls
  • Preview keyboard and background toggle inside the editor
Read the full manual

Release

Build and publish

Local Windows package

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\build_windows_release.ps1 -ReleaseVersion v0.1.0

The packaging script builds the native app, copies the bundled VST3 instruments, and creates a portable ZIP containing Mutagen.exe.

GitHub release automation

git tag v0.1.0
git push origin main --tags

Pushing a v* tag triggers the native Windows release workflow and publishes the ZIP, installer, and SHA256 checksums to GitHub Releases.

Notes

Current packaging and compatibility

Plugin support

Mutagen targets VST3 plugin hosting for the current native workflow.

Release target

The automated release pipeline currently ships the native Windows build and installer.

Bundled instruments

The portable package includes the bundled VST3 instrument set from the plugins/AdvancedVSTi submodule.

More docs

For build steps, packaging notes, and workflow details, read the README and guide.