How to install Guitar Pro 7 on Linux and enjoy the best software for guitarists with the best sound

A few days ago I wrote an article It was about a topic we don't like to acknowledge: developers don't pamper Linux users that much. Although we have everything, it is not usually as good and intuitive software as the one they make for Windows and macOS, and as examples we have the GarageBand that I like so much or that famous program to write and read scores or even to create music. I am talking about a software whose latest version is Guitar Pro 7, although they have already released many updates for the series.

Tux Guitar is the alternative we have on Linux. MuseScore is also commonly proposed, but I think neither of the two is comparable. Guitar Pro 7 is the natural evolution of the previous version, and no, it is not available for Linux. In AUR there is a version of GP6 for users who have a license, but it cannot be made to sound in the best way because there is no such package. sound banks, which makes everything sound so much better.

Install Guitar Pro 7 on Linux with PlayOnLinux

I have tested this system with Manjaro and Ubuntu, so it works. Installing Guitar Pro 7 is easy, in fact it is done in a moment thanks to PlayOnLinux, but it does not sound if we do not add the Soundbanks. Here we are going to show you how to install everything so that you can enjoy Guitar Pro 7 on Linux almost like Windows.

1. We got a copy of Guitar Pro 7 for Windows. The how and where depends on each one.
2. We also need the executable / installable of the Soundbanks, which is an EXE file. Those that come with the .gpbank extension usually crash; the program hangs when trying to add them.
3. We install PlayOnLinux. It is in the official repositories, so it can be installed from the software center of most Linux distributions.
4. We start PlayOnLinux.
5. We click on "Install a program."
6. We search for "Guitar Pro". The seventh version appears as an option.
7. We choose "Guitar Pro 7" and accept the notice that tells us that it is in the testing phase and that something could go wrong.
8. It asks us if we want to go to the official website to download the software. You can say yes, but in the example I already had everything I needed and I said no.
9. We click "Browse", find the installable file for Guitar Pro 7 and click next.
10. He will tell us that he needs some tools. We install everything you ask of us.
11. Then the installation process will start, almost exactly what we would see if we did it from Windows. We accept everything as is. Although I ask you not to create the shortcut on the desktop, you believe it, but the important thing is that you also create it for us in the start menu.
12. Although nothing should happen if we start it, it is best to uncheck the box that tells us that the program will start and click on "Finish" (finish).
13. We wait a moment for the installation to finish and click next. In the video you will see that I start it, but to show that, although it should sound, the GPX files do not sound.
14. Now we click on "Install" and choose "Install an unlisted program".
15. When we get to a point, we have to choose "Edit or update an existing application".
16. We click on «Next» and choose «Guitar Pro 7».
17. We leave it in 32-bit installation.
18. Once again, we chose "Explore", but this time we chose the Soundbanks EXE.
19. The installer will reopen. We are accepting as it is. This installation will last longer. If you are watching the video, here I open Tux Guitar to compare. If you think that everything is going very slowly, the computer I have used is very discreet, and it tends to suffer when I install software.
20. When the installation of the Soundbanks is finished, it tells us to wait, but it always fails me and the wait is infinite. I close the window after a few seconds and there seems to be no problem.

Perfect for the average user

One thing is clear: we are using Guitar Pro 7 through WINE And, although I have not found any limitation, it is also true that I have not connected any recording device, so I cannot confirm that all this works. Yes I can say that the program behaves quite well, although in the video it seems the opposite, and I think it is worth it.