diff --git a/src/atonatui/audio_mixin.py b/src/atonatui/audio_mixin.py
index d237179..eb29ee5 100644
--- a/src/atonatui/audio_mixin.py
+++ b/src/atonatui/audio_mixin.py
@@ -1,8 +1,13 @@
 import time
 import os
 from importlib import resources
+import sys
 
-import fluidsynth
+try:
+    import fluidsynth
+except ImportError:
+    print("Error: The 'pyfluidsynth' python package is missing.", file=sys.stderr)
+    sys.exit(1)
 
 from atonatui.constants import NOTE_TO_MIDI, GENERAL_MIDI_PROGRAMS, SOUNDFONTS
 from atonatui.settings_mixin import Settings
@@ -10,8 +15,24 @@ from atonatui.settings_mixin import Settings
 
 class AudioMixin:
     def __init__(self):
-        self.fs = fluidsynth.Synth()
-        self.fs.start(driver="alsa" if os.name != "nt" else "dsound")
+        try:
+            self.fs = fluidsynth.Synth()
+        except OSError:
+            print("\n[!] Error: FluidSynth system library not found.", file=sys.stderr)
+            print("Please install the system fluidysnth package first:", file=sys.stderr)
+            print("  - Arch Linux: sudo pacman -S fluidsynth", file=sys.stderr)
+            print("  - Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install fluidsynth\n", file=sys.stderr)
+            print("  - mac: brew install fluidsynth\n", file=sys.stderr)
+            sys.exit(1)
+
+        if sys.platform == "darkwin" or sys.platform == "darwin":
+            audio_driver = "coreaudio"
+        elif os.name == "nt":
+            audio_driver = "dsound"
+        else:
+            audio_driver = "alsa"
+
+        self.fs.start(driver=audio_driver)
 
         self.sf_id = None
         self.update_sf(SOUNDFONTS[Settings.INSTRUMENT])