Felucca is an open-source synthesizer firmware project that began as custom firmware for the M-VAVE FM-1.
Originally developed for a single instrument, Felucca is evolving toward a multi-platform architecture, separating its synthesis engines from hardware-specific implementations. The aim is to make its instruments and sound engines adaptable to different hardware platforms without committing to specific ports or release schedules.
The FM-1 firmware is currently at version 1.8.1 (1.9.0, with plugin engines, is in beta). Connect the FM-1 to a computer by USB, open the web installer in Chrome or Edge and press Install; no extra hardware is needed. Installing is at your own risk: M-VAVE's updater or the installer's Return to official V15 takes you back. Try it in your browser, no FM-1 needed.
- Install: web installer
- Edit: web editor (Felucca-WebApp)
- Read: the manual and the release notes are in the wiki
- Build: BUILDING.md
- Platforms: the FM-1 (the reference; every release is tested on it) · the browser · a desktop with SDL2 (beta) · a libretro core (beta). The same sources on each, with a simulated FM-1 for the platforms that are not one: platforms/, docs/ARCHITECTURE.md, docs/PORTING.md.
- Plugins (from 1.9): sound engines that anyone can make and install without building a firmware: docs/PLUGINS.md.
- Compatibility: what an update keeps (saved work, the controls, the plugin interface): docs/COMPATIBILITY.md.
- Related: Felucca-Engines (the ANALOG, LOFI, TRIO, WHEEL, NOISE and PHASE engines and the plugin interface, MIT; still maintained) · felucca-bsp (the FM-1 hardware layer, MPL-2.0; Felucca builds on it from 1.7.0)
| Platform | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M-VAVE FM-1 | Supported | The original platform; firmware and web installer available. |
| Browser | Supported | Try it, no FM-1 needed. |
| Desktop (SDL2) | Beta | Source only, in platforms/sdl; run on macOS so far, Linux next. |
| libretro (RetroArch) | Beta | Source only, in platforms/libretro; run in RetroArch on macOS so far. |
| devkitPro (libctru) | Studied | Research only; nothing published. |
| M5Stack CoreS3 | In progress | Runs on the device; not published yet. |
| M-VAVE SMK-37 | Proposed | A board in felucca-bsp#13; untested. |
| Other hardware | Not yet supported | Ports are welcome! Linux-based devices: see the FAQ. |
Felucca began on the FM-1, but it is not intended to stay there. Contributions and ports to other platforms are very welcome. If you are interested in bringing Felucca to another device, feel free to open an issue or pull request to discuss it. No specific future ports or release dates are promised.
Felucca is developed with the assistance of AI coding agents (code, tests, documentation, translation, maintenance). The design, features, sound design and direction are the maintainer's or the community's, and no generative AI is used for music, icons or artwork. See On AI-Assisted Development and Responsibility.
Free software: GPL-3.0-only; the Hügelton Sample Pack is CC0 1.0; the engines in firmware/engines are MIT
(Felucca-Engines); the hardware layer in firmware/bsp is MPL-2.0
(felucca-bsp); the bundled fonts and ported DSP keep their own licences
(LICENSES/, LICENSING.md). Thanks to everyone whose work and contributions are in it: CREDITS.md.
M-VAVE and FM-1 are trademarks of their respective owners. Felucca is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.
Copyright (C) 2026 Leo Kuroshita (@kurogedelic), Hügelton Instruments