Which kernel for Audio MIDI recording?

angelsguitar · 02-20-2008, 04:25 AM

Hi all.

I'm a new Mandriva user; mainly used Ubuntu before.

Searching for a real time kernel in Mandriva I found varius types, but two of them grabbed my attention: kernel-multimedia and kernel-rt (both come in desktop and laptop flavors). I understand that both are kernels with patches for low latency applied, but, what's the difference between the two? Which one is better suited for MIDI and digital audio recording (Rosegarden, Ardour, LMMS, some synths, etc)?

GlennsPref · 02-20-2008, 07:34 PM

Hi, First I assume you are an experienced user of linux.

You can recompile your kernel to turn the realtime options on, or you can download a kernel that already has the options available and preconfigured. This makes is easier for novices to get what they need without recompiling the kernel. (which can be tricky)

I also use Ardour and rosegarden, and Jack to record my guitar and vocals,

The RT kernels are Realtime, with a fast tick-rate and pre-emption enabled by default, BUT, it may not have the options for the standard mandriva kernel enabled.

I use the desktop version and recompile it to be sure I have the options of both. The last time I checked, I did not have to do anything, every thing was fine. (RT, 1000Hz tick and pre-empt.)

You can safely install the RT kernel and try it out to see if it is what you want/need. As it will not uninstall the older kernel version, but merely make the new kernel the default at boot. So if you don't want it, you can boot the old one easily from grub/lilo.

And as you may know, to have realtime recording and monitoring of the tracks being recorded, you want an off-board (pci or external(, firewire, usb)) sound card/module.

So, In short, the Desktop kernel may be all you require.

The MM kernel is for Multimedia, and suits dvd playback.

Regards, Glenn

angelsguitar · 02-21-2008, 04:09 AM

Thanks for your help.

To be honest, I've never compiled a kernel, but this seems to be a very good first time to do it. I'll look around for info on it. Thanks again for your help.

GlennsPref · 02-21-2008, 04:24 AM

I think you will be fine with the "desktop kernel".

I have found, recently, since 2007.1 (spring) the desktop kernel is already configured to do what you (and I) want.

To begin compiling a kernel, you will need a lot of free time to learn what to do. Any mistake can render your system un-bootable.

There are also quite a few development packages you will need to install.

Cheers, Glenn

Cara25 · 03-01-2008, 12:17 AM

To GlennsPref,
Are you running Ardour on Mandriva 2008 ? Is there a RPM available yet ? I've got a bare Mandriva 2008 machine that I've been waiting to install Ardour on. I've had mixed results from using source code, so I've avoided "rolling my own". I don't want to load the new machine up with a lot of failed installations.
Thanks,
Scott

ernie · 03-01-2008, 11:51 AM

Cara25,

Please do not take offense. It is poor etiquette to hijack another member's thread (add a new unrelated question to another member's inquiry). Since you are asking about the availability of a software package, and the original inquiry in this thread is about which kernel package to use for a specific purpose, your question is not directly related to this thread. You will be better served to start a new thread so your inquiry will receive the widest possible exposure.

In answer to your question, the ardour package (ardour-2.0.5-6mdv2008.0) exists in the contrib repository (media source) and can be installed using urpmi.

Open a terminal window and su to root:

Code:

[user@localhost ~]$ su
Password: (enter root password here)
[root@localhost user]#

Install the ardour package using urpmi:

Code:

[root@localhost user]# urpmi ardour

HTH,

Cara25 · 03-04-2008, 08:26 PM

Sorry for the hijack, I get easily excited and rush into things !