Linux Software

[Haaky]

Quick question, not sure if this is where to post this or not, but...

Is there any DAW software for Linux??

Was really curious.

I have Macs and PCs running in studio, was thinking about trying Linux for a DAW.

Yes..?..No..?..

 

[TimOBrien]

Sure... tons of Linux recording software out there.

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/linux/RECORDING/

But basic recording is no big deal for any computer.
...but how are you going to run all your PLUGINS???
VST, DirectX and AudioUnits dont work in Linux.

(that's the big catch....)

 

[avieth]

Dude, you can run VST plugins in ardour. But why would you? They're proprietary. Use the LADSPA plugins, there are so many, they're all free and open source, and they are very good.

My software:

JACK Audio Connection Kit
Ardour (DAW)
Hydrogen (Drum Machine)
Zynaddsubfx (Great synth)
Jack-Rack (Standalone LADSPA plugin center)
amSynth (Analogue Modelling Synth)
...
There's more, but those are the most used.

 

[jabulani jonny]

Yep...Ardour, then use Rosegarden for MIDI. I personally haven't used them. I was using Suse Linux for a while, then just got tired of trying to make things work and went back to Windows.

Ardour's found here: http://ardour.org/

Let us know your thoughts.
I'm not sure what interface you're using, but that's going to be the biggest issue on whether you'll be able to work on Linux. Most don't have Linux drivers yet. Good Luck!! I'd love to see an open source DAW that freakin' rocked. Ardour's making huge headway towards that.

 

[avieth]

Ardour is awesome, all it needs is a midi sequencer.

All the M-Audio interfaces and RME cards work flawlessly with ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) which is the backend of all linux audio applications, including JACK, which will route all your audio signals to and from interface inputs, outputs, and software ins/outs.

And then there's the Free Firewire Audio Drivers project. They support the Firepod/Firebox, TerraTec Phase 24, and a whole bunch more... And they are working on MOTU support.

 

[Seafroggys]

I'm waiting for the day that they finally make Firestudio Linux plug-ins, then I'm permently switching over.

 

[ndutle]

I installed the "Ubuntu Studio" flavor of Ubuntu linux, and it's pretty darned neat. Anything and everything you would need to record music, soundtracks for video etc. Ardour is the DAW, comes w/ Rosegarten, and much, much more software. Works flawlessly w/ everything I've got (Delta 1010, midi controller, electronic drums, drum machine). The only thing I could ask for is if was all in one program, rather than using the MIDI sequencer separate from the DAW.

VSTs can be used in Ardour, but it is an absolute pain to get going, and like jabulani jonny said, it's not worth it.

http://www.ubuntustudio.org

this is a bootable iso that will install the entire OS if you don't already have linux installed.

 

[Haaky]

Right On

Thanks for all the info guys.

I'll keep 2 of the PC and 2 of the Macs.

I got a couple spare Pentium Duel Core machines i wanted to experiment with. Try something different.

Figure Linux was a good OS. Sounds like there is a pretty healthy assortment of software around.

I use M-Audio Delta 1010's as my interface i have 8 of them. So i can spare 1 to play around with.

That's my project for the upcoming weekend then. I'll check out all the programs you guys suggested and i'll report back soon.

P.s. I really love this website. I've learned so much from here it's scary.

 

[toddyjoe]

I used to actively use Puppy Linux for DAW and MIDI use on an older Pentium PC just because I had an extra laptop that was getting little use and compiled a ton of Linux audio and music software for it. There are a few non-DAW programs that let you use VSTs aside from Ardour and Rosegarden (DSSI-VST and FST for starters) but one of the posters said it best when they mentioned the boatload of others open-source plugins you can use. While I found Linux fun and free when it came to music and audio work, I found it was hard to keep up with all the changes that were happening near daily with Linux and its software. Still, it is hard to resist the allure of open-source and/or free Linux software that is very comparable to its expensive Mac/PC counterparts, especially if you are comfortable with Linux as an OS.

 

[demensia]

Linux

I've been using linux exclusively for quite some time.
Ardour is an awesome DAW.. I don't do midi, but people seem to love rosegarden. For the last year or so I was using a Delta 4/4, but I've just moved on to a PreSonus Firepod (mainly to alleviate a PCI slot) and it's working just fine.

So, yes, linux pro audio is existant, and usable. It just takes a geek to get it working.