Download Csound

Step 1 — Core Audio Engine

Choose Your Operating System

macOS

v7.0.0

Installer package and framework bundle for macOS (Apple Silicon & Intel).

Download macOS Package (7.0.0)

Framework Bundle (CsoundLib64) Download .zip
Previous Csound 6.18.1 (.dmg) v6.18.1

Windows

v7.0.0

64-bit, ARM64, and 32-bit distributions for Windows 10 and 11.

Download Windows x64 (7.0.0)

Windows ARM64 Installer / ZIP Installer · ZIP
Windows i386 (32-bit) Installer Download
Previous Csound 6.18.1 (x64) Installer · ZIP

Linux

v7.0.0

Prebuilt x86_64 minimal bundle, distribution packages, or build from source.

Linux x86_64 Minimal (7.0.0)

Distribution Repositories Debian · Ubuntu · Fedora · Arch
Source Code (7.0.0) .zip · .tar.gz

Step 2 — Creative Environments

Choose an Editor or Frontend

While Csound can run directly from the terminal, most musicians use a graphical frontend to edit code, build control panels, or compose on a timeline.

Csound Web IDE

Zero-install cloud environment with Csound 7 support, built-in examples, live GUI widgets, and project sharing.

Launch Web IDE

CsoundQt

Feature-rich desktop IDE for Csound with interactive widgets, integrated manual lookup, and hundreds of built-in examples.

Download CsoundQt

Cabbage

Develop and export professional VST/AU audio plugins and standalone instruments powered by Csound.

Download Cabbage

Blue

Modular music composition environment with a multi-track timeline, parameter automation, and object-oriented sound design.

Download Blue

Step 3 — SDKs, Embedded & Integrations

Mobile, Embedded, Game Engines & Host Languages

Mobile & Web SDKs

Embed Csound 7.0.0 in native iOS, Android, or browser WebAudio applications.

iOS SDK (7.0.0) Download .zip
Android SDK (7.0.0) Download .zip
WebAssembly (@csound/browser) npm / jsDelivr
Csound for Android App GitHub Releases

Embedded & Microcontrollers

Official Csound 7.0.0 builds for bare-metal and microcontroller audio hardware.

ARM Cortex-M7 (7.0.0) Download .zip
ESP32-S3 (7.0.0) Download .zip
ESP32-P4 (7.0.0) Download .zip

Host Bindings & Archives

Use Csound inside Python, Max/MSP, PureData, Unity, Godot, or download offline manuals.

Python ctcsound · csoundengine
Max/MSP & PureData csound~ · csound_max · PureData
Game Engines CsoundUnity · Godot
Manuals & Archives Manuals · GitHub · Bath Archive

Installation Notes (macOS & Windows Gatekeeper)

Because Csound is community-maintained free software (LGPLv2.1+), some installers are not signed with commercial Apple or Microsoft developer certificates:

macOS: If macOS Gatekeeper reports that the package is from an unidentified developer, Control-click (or right-click) the installer and select Open, or allow it under System Settings → Privacy & Security.
Windows: If Windows SmartScreen displays a prompt, click More info → Run anyway.

External Plugins & Additional Tools

Official Csound Plugins Repository — External opcodes (Python, Faust, FluidSynth, Jack, etc.)
csound-plugins by Eduardo Moguillansky — Additional opcodes and the risset package manager
Csound for Visual Studio Code — Syntax highlighting, documentation lookup, and live evaluation inside VS Code
WinXound — Lightweight Csound editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux
Nightly / CI Builds — Latest automated development builds from GitHub Actions
Legacy Builds by Richard Knight — Builds for older operating systems (including Windows XP)

Building from Source

Building Csound from source is straightforward on Linux, macOS, and Windows using CMake. Full step-by-step instructions and dependency lists are maintained in BUILD.md in the Csound GitHub repository.