![]() Even if the big names in audio plugins are ported to linux, these plugins will always be proprietary software just like in the case of Bitwig, Traktion and U-he linux ports (which are the same price as PC/Mac) defeating the purpose of using an open source OS for a DAW. Linux really isn't a great option for audio professionals ie producers or mastering engineers - until it's widely supported by professional DSP developers. But I don't use it in a production environment. I have used KXStudio for years because I support and appreciate what they are doing. Or in other words, Linux is great for those who cannot justify spending the tens of thousands of dollars needed for a basic studio setup. Linux is a great alternative for any budding hobbyist musician/producer/DJ or whatever starting out. Bitwig Studio runs VSTs in a separate process to prevent BitWig Studio from crashing when a plugin misbehaves. VST effects and instuments are supported in 32 and 64-bit versions. Bitwig Studio supports you VST(i) plugins. What programs you use is up to you but the software I recommend and what is usually provided with the audio-centric distros are the following: The rest you can find here since the list is HUGE. The following is a list of programs that specifically support JACK. This is an example of setting up JACK connections with Cadence tools: Simliar to how most modern, high-end mixer boards work. The session manager records all the different settings and connections in JACK and saves them as a set for later, automatic use. ![]() The tool-set provided includes a separate mixer tool, recording tool, sequencer, and a session manager. Most JACK focused, Unix styled tools are from Jon Liles who is the author of the Non Series which reinvents the DAW which is fast and light enough to run on a eeePC or Raspberry Pi. With KXStudio, you get the Cadence suite of GUI tools. The UNIX approach to software is that you have multiple small programs that do one or a couple things well instead of having one huge, monolithic all-in-one program. JACK can start and stop all the playback from multiple programs with any one set to be the master timekeeper. Utilizing JACK, a synthesizer output can go into a reverb plugin and then on to a recording program while a separate drum program plays. JACK or Jack Audio Connection Kit provides a backend that supports arbitrary paths for audio and MIDI to and from any supported programs. But what is JACK and why should you care? They can also be helpful for multimedia production like video editing and image editing. These advantages dont just work for audio. ![]() This removes all the overhead of modern environments which can affect audio performance and stability. Example: AVLinux uses XFCE and KXStudio uses a stripped down version of KDE (no effects etc). They also use very lightweight desktop environments. In the case of KXStudio, JACK automatically runs upon login.You may have to initially setup JACK with your audio interface but once that is done, you can practically forget it is there. It allows you to enjoy normal desktop audio from browsers, media players and so on. Specialized distros use JACK for everything audio related and are setup to make JACK run in the background with very little user setup or interference necessary. Specialized distros use JACK for all their audio needs. It is also not very friendly towards JACK. The end result is that audio processes are prioritized by the OS which provides stable and low latency audio.Īnother reason to use a specialized distro is that most distros use PulseAudio which is all fine and dandy for regular desktop users but for professional users, PulseAudio is not suited for professional work. Latency is inherent in computers but can be minimized. Basically this means having the recorded signal played back through the playback system without any audible delay. This allows you to have a stable Ubuntu LTS or Debian Stable distro with new audio software which is a win-win scenario.Īnother feature I mentioned is the Realtime Kernel. In the case of distros like KXStudio, AVLinux, Fedora Jam, Musix, and Dynebolic, software is made available soon after official releases for that software are made public. The stability is made possible by updating their software while remaining on stable base releases. This also adds the latest software libraries that are important to Linux audio that get updated more often. Another advantage they have is additional repositories and software. Why? Audio-oriented distros are VERY stable platforms. While this can be done, it is best to just use an Audio-Oriented Linux distro like KXStudio. Im looking at you off, let us throw out the idea of starting with stock Ubuntu or Debian. This guide is for all you Music dudes out there.
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