Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

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bobruzzo

Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by bobruzzo »

Hello. I am a musician and have been using a Win PC for YEARS to do music recording and production. I want to eventually use Linux for this but have always encountered PROBLEMS (config) with DAWS like "Arduor" and those others. The main issue was with "JACK". Never was able to get it to work. So I am poking around here to see if there are any producers who have actually got these DAW's under Linux to work. Worst case, I could use a VERY stripped-down set up. Just a MIDI keyboard. I can use my USB connected one. But getting the software to actually recognize it......So I am all ears if someone can walk me thru this.......Bob
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MintBean

Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by MintBean »

Bitwig is a very strong commercial offering. I had a play with it a while back, pretty sure it worked with Jack but I could be mistaken.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWVF4gGeE98
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by all41 »

bobruzzo wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 3:18 pm Hello. I am a musician and have been using a Win PC for YEARS to do music recording and production. I want to eventually use Linux for this but have always encountered PROBLEMS (config) with DAWS like "Arduor" and those others. The main issue was with "JACK". Never was able to get it to work. So I am poking around here to see if there are any producers who have actually got these DAW's under Linux to work. Worst case, I could use a VERY stripped-down set up. Just a MIDI keyboard. I can use my USB connected one. But getting the software to actually recognize it......So I am all ears if someone can walk me thru this.......Bob
Hi,
You may be interested in these links:
free music production software for Linux
http://libremusicproduction.com/tools?
and musicians forum here:
https://www.linuxmusicians.com/
Everything in life was difficult before it became easy.
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by Flemur »

"Jack" is tricky; you might want to check out "ubuntu studio", a complete setup which uses jack.
Audio
Whether your aim is recording, mixing, mastering, live processing, or even coding, there is a variety of tools for you.
https://ubuntustudio.org/
Please edit your original post title to include [SOLVED] if/when it is solved!
Your data and OS are backed up....right?
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by phd21 »

Hi bobruzzo,

Did you install the Jack meta package "multimedia-jack" from the "Synaptic Package Manager (SPM)" with any recommended and suggested packages you may want? I also recommend installing "ubuntu-restricted-extras". One article claims it is a good idea to have Java installed as well and I recommend Java 8 and setting that as a default (see link below).

*** Demystifying JACK – A Beginners Guide to Getting Started with JACK | Libre Music Production
https://libremusicproduction.com/articl ... arted-jack

/chapter: Starting-Jack-On-Ubuntu / ARDOUR
http://write.flossmanuals.net/ardour/st ... on-ubuntu/

Installing and starting jack · overtone/overtone Wiki
https://github.com/overtone/overtone/wi ... rting-jack

Linux Ubuntu getting started with jack - Google Search
https://www.google.com/search?ei=QfieW9 ... PcmrYPPey0

Java - This post in my last reply has instructions for installing various Java runtimes.
bluray playing-menu not available - Linux Mint Forums
viewtopic.php?f=90&t=277758


UbuntuStudioPreparation - Community Help Wiki
- see jack related section
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ubunt ... reparation

Linux DAWs

Tracktion’s T7 DAW is Now Free to Download on Linux | It's FOSS
https://itsfoss.com/tracktion-t7-daw/?u ... 2018-09-16

3 Best Digital Audio Workstation Apps for Ubuntu/Linux
https://www.debugpoint.com/2018/08/3-be ... m+Feeds%29


Linux App Release Roundup: HandBrake, GPaste, Qtractor, FreeFileSync
https://www.debugpoint.com/2018/09/linu ... m+Feeds%29

Qtractor - Browse Files at SourceForge.net - click the green button for the AppImage
https://sourceforge.net/projects/qtractor/files/


Hope this helps ...
Last edited by phd21 on Sun Sep 16, 2018 11:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Faust

Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by Faust »

bobruzzo wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 3:18 pm ......The main issue was with "JACK". Never was able to get it to work. So I am poking around here to see if there are any producers who have actually got these DAW's under Linux to work. .......
KXStudio is a good package , based on Ubuntu 14.04 ( I have the 32-bit version on an old Toshiba laptop )
Yes , it is out-dated but it's good for fiddling around and learning in general .

A utility called " Cadence " seems to do the hard work regarding JACK .
I run this on start-up along with " Claudia Launcher " , which is a front-end for LADISH
Then I launch LMMS and play around .... everything seems to work .

But I'm no expert on DAWs , just a dabbler :)
bobruzzo

Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by bobruzzo »

Thank you, gentlemen! I have a spare PC with Mint 18 on it in basement office. I will take all these suggestions and start from scratch. I can even install Ubuntu Studio on an extra hard drive and mess with that. My only concern is if I can get the software to even recognize my USB MIDI keyboard, I still need a VST (keyboard plugin) so I can actually use the keyboard. Most all plugins are for MAC or WIN and unless a bridge is used to get them to work in linux......I use a plugin called "Lounge Lizard" which emulates many kinds of electric pianos and organs. Once I lay my keyboard track over the drum track I use various synths to get an acoustic bass sound and other elements. So I am not sure how multi-instrumentalists deal with music production under linux. But I will try these tips you guys posted and see what I can do. Thanks....
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by phd21 »

Hi bobruzzo,

You are welcome from all of us that replied...

KXStudio Cadence is covered in the first Link on "*** Demystifying Jack" I provided before
KXStudio Cadence - Link to Linux self-contained archive (64-bit or 32-bit), just save the file, extract it, and run "cadence" from their folder.
http://kxstudio.linuxaudio.org/Applications:Cadence

There is a lot of information to go through and absorb, so let us know how it works for you and which apps you liked the most...

Check the "Synaptic Package Manager (SPM)" for "vst" plugins in there, perhaps searching for and installing "multimedia-midi" with recommended and suggested packages, searching for LADSPA, DSSI, midi, keyboard, as well.

linux ubuntu VST keyboard plugin - Google Search
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp ... lFMiae2Wcg

5 Free Software Synths for Linux | Vintage Synth Explorer
http://www.vintagesynth.com/articles/5- ... nths-linux

Running VST instrument in Ardour | ardour
https://community.ardour.org/node/8203

Tested VSTs - LMMS Wiki
https://lmms.io/wiki/index.php?title=Tested_VSTs

osxmidi/LinVst: Linux Windows vst wrapper/bridge
https://github.com/osxmidi/LinVst

dssi-vst - A VST plugin adapter for Linux
https://breakfastquay.com/dssi-vst/


KDE Minuet ‒ Music Education Free Software
https://minuet.kde.org/

Hope this helps ...
Phd21: Mint 20 Cinnamon & xKDE (Mint Xfce + Kubuntu KDE) & KDE Neon 64-bit (new based on Ubuntu 20.04) Awesome OS's, Dell Inspiron I5 7000 (7573) 2 in 1 touch screen, Dell OptiPlex 780 Core2Duo E8400 3GHz,4gb Ram, Intel 4 Graphics.
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by Hoser Rob »

I've been searching for years for evidence of real, professional music producers using Linux. I've never been able to find any. I don't think Linux is ready for real professional music production because of hardware and software (eg vst plugin) incompatibilities.

The cost of WIndows or OS X DAW software (which IS commonly used by pros) isn't significant compared to all the other hardware needed, so where's the big advantage? If you can afford decent mics you can afford any commercial DAW software.

Linux DAWs are fine for playing around with but for real pros? I don't see any evidence of that.
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by phd21 »

Hi "Hoser Rob",

professional music producers using linux - Google Search
https://www.google.com/search?client=fi ... 5DzwvzW2F8

linux musicians - Google Search
https://www.google.com/search?client=fi ... 36&bih=687

Linux helped me grow as a musician | Opensource.com
https://opensource.com/life/16/9/my-lin ... y-musician

Linux Gets Loud | Linux Journal
https://www.linuxjournal.com/content/linux-gets-loud

LinuxMusicians - Index page
https://linuxmusicians.com/

10 Applications Every Linux Using Musician Should Know About
https://fossbytes.com/best-applications ... -musician/

etc ...
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by Flemur »

Hoser Rob wrote: Wed Sep 19, 2018 8:03 amI've been searching for years for evidence of real, professional music producers using Linux. I've never been able to find any.
PhD21's links pretty much confirm that. Having messed with "jack" and the linux DAWs, I'd never use linux for anything more complicated than converting a file format. I do all my minor A/V stuff under wine anyway.
Please edit your original post title to include [SOLVED] if/when it is solved!
Your data and OS are backed up....right?
Pascal Illustrator

Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by Pascal Illustrator »

I just don't understand 'Jack'. From what I have read it's a sound server. But what is that? My computer? A server somewhere on the internet that you have to log in to download a driver?
I don't get it. If Linux plays music files on Rythmbox fine and can make a startup sound, then why is it so hard to get sound from a DAW without that 'Jack' server. Every computer these days has sound capabilities, right?
I used Logic Pro on Mac, then switched to Reaper on Windows and now I try different DAW's on Linux, but when it comes to music production, sound doesn't work.
I tried an application 'QjackCtl' , but it says it can't connect with the jack-server. And I have no idea which server this is, why I need a server if I already have a good computer and how to fix it. It's so frustrating when I can't get any sound from a DAW after days of trying.
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by jimallyn »

Jack server runs on your computer. It allows you to route audio and MIDI from any piece of hardware or software on your computer to any other piece of hardware or software. I played with it maybe 5 or more years ago, and while it did take a little fussing to get going, it worked great for me. Not doing anything these days that would require Jack, now I'm mostly just doing some light editing in Audacity.
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by Pascal Illustrator »

Thank you.
I was capable to import an audio file, but still have to figure out how to connect with my MOTU midi express 128 interface.
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by bulevardi »

I tried lots of daw's and workarounds with different distro's before too. Long story long...
But I have now a fully working solution, wanted to share this:

My favorite one is Reaper:
http://reaper.fm/download.php#linux_download

It has direct alsa support, no jack worries, no wine, ...
For Synth I use U-He linux native synths.
For guitar effects I use Moddevices Mod Duo pedalboard system (which runs on Linux too).

No need to look further ;-)

Tracktion Waveform is great too, however bugged lots of times and had to configure the audio settings each time I started.
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Pascal Illustrator

Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by Pascal Illustrator »

Thank you.
I have Reaper both on Linux Mint and Windows 10.
I tend to use the Windows version more. There are a lot of VST plugins available.
In General I use Linux more.
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by Hoser Rob »

all41 wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 5:06 pm ... You may be interested in these links:
free music production software for Linux
http://libremusicproduction.com/tools?
and musicians forum here:
https://www.linuxmusicians.com/
Just noticed that, I cannot think of a better [sic] link to discourage wannabe Linux music producers than the 2nd one.

Of course, if you don't have good original songs ans the ability to put them across it doesn't matter one bit what OS you're using.
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong - H. L. Mencken
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Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by bulevardi »

Hoser Rob wrote: Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:50 am
all41 wrote: Sun Sep 16, 2018 5:06 pm ... You may be interested in these links:
free music production software for Linux
http://libremusicproduction.com/tools?
and musicians forum here:
https://www.linuxmusicians.com/
Just noticed that, I cannot think of a better [sic] link to discourage wannabe Linux music producers than the 2nd one.

Of course, if you don't have good original songs ans the ability to put them across it doesn't matter one bit what OS you're using.
There are music forums where you can get the Linux section.
For example: KVR Audio:
https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopi ... 6&t=160807

Or perhaps your DAW has a forum, like Reaper, which has a Linux section too.
https://forum.cockos.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52
Instagram, BandCamp, SoundCloud, Spotify, iTunes,....
Get In Touch^^
jxt206

Re: Any music producers out there using Linux DAW's????

Post by jxt206 »

I have just switched to Linux Mint from Windows to see if I can get some music production done. I've been using FLStudio since version 5 and Cubase since version 6. About two years ago I picked up Studio One and I bought Bitwig earlier this year.

You don't have that much to choose between when it comes to DAW's on Linux if you are coming from OSX/Windows. I would say Bitwig, Reaper and Tracktion / Waveform are the best ones with Tracktion 7 being the only free one.

As it happens I do all my stuff in Bitwig now and as it has a native Linux version and I decided to see if I could move on from Windows. To keep it simple I don't use wine for windows vst's and only use the bundled fx and instruments that comes with Bitwig + U-He Hive. So for now my NI and Arturia stuff is gathering dust :)

I'm using Cadence and that made the setup easy, so no problems there. I'm happy right now with how things are going. I have no troubles and everything is working as expected. So right now I'm quite happy with music production on Linux. I don't have as much choice as I had on Windows, but maybe it gets better in the future.
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