Realtime or low latency kernel

Roel · Post by **Roel** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:02 am

I've just broken my linuxmint system trying to get a realtime kernel going, good thing the old kernel is still in the grub menu

What is the best way of getting a realtime or low latency kernel to work? I'm using my laptop for audio/video editing and games (and other stuff that does not benefit from lower latencies).

I'm experienced enough to recompile a kernel (thanks to Gentoo: "let's get wireless working!" -> recompile kernel, "lets get bleutooth working!" -> recompile kernel etc...) so I don't really need babysteps but I could use some instructions specific for linuxmint.

As an example, when I play Day of Defeat: source in a standard Ubuntu (Feisty) install, I get around 12-15 fps. If I run it on the low latency UbuntuStudio I get 25-30 fps and if I run it as root with nice -20 it smooths out everything (mouse is less jerky and the game reacts faster) and fps is stable around 35.

Of course anything to do with multitrack music recording/editing is allmost impossible without a low latency kernel.

I allready backed up everything so I would probably go for a fresh install of linuxmint once I know how to get a realtime kernel working properly.

Thanks

Husse · Post by **Husse** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 1:59 pm

Well, neither I nor Clem "plays" with kernels (and I think it goes for most or all of the team) - the standard kernels today are generally good. The problems we've had has to do with hardware support
Sorry - can't really give you an answer

900i · Post by **900i** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 2:03 pm

Ubuntu Studio uses a low latency kernel as default, my son uses this distro on his studio setup.

Roel · Post by **Roel** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 6:45 am

900i wrote:Ubuntu Studio uses a low latency kernel as default, my son uses this distro on his studio setup.

Yes, I know, I had UbuntuStudio for a few weeks just because my games ran better. UbuntuStudio is also very slow to boot and loaded with programs that don't really work the way they should (mostly video editing stuff)

If I compile a kernel in Ubuntu I have to turn off the updates because things will break. I would like a kernel like UbuntuStudio but I want it on Linux Mint

Husse · Post by **Husse** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 7:03 am

I have to turn off the updates because things will break

Bingo! From Celena we don't use the Ubuntu update manager, but our own. There updates to the kernel is disabled by default
So you (probably) could compile to your liking and not have it destroyed.....
If things break you have to fix that on your own, but I think you'll have no big problems with that

Roel · Post by **Roel** » Sun Oct 28, 2007 4:19 pm

Husse wrote: From Celena we don't use the Ubuntu update manager, but our own. There updates to the kernel is disabled by default
So you (probably) could compile to your liking and not have it destroyed.....:

Yeah, I know, that's one of the reasons I use Mint, no more hoping my pc will still boot after an update. Fixing things I broke myself is easy, I make backups of every file I ever change.

I'm gonna give this tutorial a go, it's for Gentoo but I'm sure it won't be any more difficult on other distros.

I won't have much time the next few days but if I've done it I'll post here to let you know how it went.

Roel · Post by **Roel** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 3:22 pm

Thanks for the tips, but I already knew most of that, I've been using linux for audio stuff for years now

I already have a DAW (Fostex VF 160) and it can burn to cd, great for loading wav files in ardour. I have a drumcomputer, synths, guitars, and lots of gear. I like recording bands more than looping things and virtual synths on a pc.

Still no luck on my new kernel, I'm just to busy now to do it properly.

I'm going back to Ubuntu Studio, it now ships with a real time kernel and has the things I need pre installed (except for the games). Even Kino does not work very well in Mint and Cinelerra is not in de repositories, I can compile it myself but then I'll just run into the next little thing.

I like playing around with computers but now I want to get some work done in stead of trying to fix things.

I like Mint, I still recommend it to anybody who wants a fully featured desktop for everyday use and it looks way better than any other distro I've seen but there distros with musicians/video directors in mind and I've had good experiences with those. Especially Ubuntu Studio (except for the long time it takes to boot)

Husse · Post by **Husse** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 5:35 pm

I've only heard well about Ubuntu studio
We can't stretch Mint to serve everyone

Welcome back