This is a list of things Beast can do - as we start this list in the middle of Beast development, it's a work in progress that doesn't necessarily show all features Beast actually has.

Beast is free software, has the following features (some are already mentioned on the "about" page):

• Code portions are licensed under the GNU GPL and GNU LGPL
• Modular Software Synthesis
• Sample Player
• Midi Input: Beast can be used as a realtime MIDI synthesizer, processing MIDI events from /dev/midi, by creating a "New MIDI Synthesizer" and setting up synthesis instrument networks with it.
• Realtime Playing capabilities
• Piano Roll Editor
• multi track polyphonic song editor with an unlimited number of tracks
• unlimited undo/redo support
• integrated scripting suport with the scheme language
• LADSPA support
• support for full duplex IO
• Ogg/Vorbis, MP3, WAV, AIFF and BSEWAVE playback
• skin support
• multiprocessor support
• sample precise timing
• 32 bit audio
• GNOME Desktop integration
• on demand loading of samples - low RAM usage (doesn't need to have all samples used in a song in memory all the time, only when needed and only partially)
• i18n support, translations into a variety of languages
• runtime loadable effects and plugins
• module sdk (software development kit) - anyone can enhance beast
• integrated scripting with scheme - all functions can be scripted
• wavetable synthesizer support
• internal midi sequencer (midi output not ready yet)
• bse file format that can save:
  • song information (midi notes, tracks, etc.)
  • any wave samples used in that song (optional)
  • instruments with synthesizer networks
• aliasing free oscillators

A list of features yet to come is maintained in the FeatureRequests page! Take a look at our UseCases page to see how things can (or should) be accomplished using the facilities outlined.