Quick MIDI Synth Guide
Plug your MIDI controller into a USB port. Run aconnect -o , and look for your MIDI controller in the output: 1 2 3 4 5 $ aconnect -o client 14: 'Midi Through' [ type = kernel ] 0 'Midi Through Port-0' client 20: 'AKM322' [ type = kernel ] 0 'AKM322 MIDI 1 ' The controller’s client number here is: 20 Run aseqdump -p 20 (replace 20 with the client number) to verify it is working Then: 1 2 3 $ sudo apt-get update $ sudo apt-get install fluidsynth fluid-soundfont-gm $ aplay /usr/share/sounds/alsa/Noise.wav This last command should make a noise through your speakers. Then, for my computer, the following setup seems to run best: $ fluidsynth --audio-driver=alsa --gain 3 -r=22050 -c=16 -z=64 /usr/share/sounds/sf2/FluidR3_GM.sf2 In a second terminal, run: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 $ aconnect -o client 14: 'Midi Through' [ type = kernel ] 0 'Midi Through Port-0' clie