Hello,

Having been a linux and a sound reinforcement/studio enthusiast for 12 years now, I figured I would share my thoughts on Linux in the real audio world.

Everyone uses Mac because it's said to be the best way to go in terms of active audio processing. This is not true.

Having tested OSX in the past and having used Linux extensively for this, I can tell you that OSX (or windblows for that matter) absolutely cannot process audio as quickly as linux.; the latency is always higher, often even with major hardware differences. With linux we have the option of the low latency audio kernel! This gives priority to audio processing at the fundamental level of the OS. ie: increasing cpu priority on your DAW is not the same thing.

Allow me to ask you this: What is the main difference between digital and analog audio processing?

answer: Latency.

Ok, so now that you know linux is faster for this task, how about the flexibility?

One word: Jack (or Jack 2)
Jack routes audio in whatever manner you so choose, and it does a lot of other cool things outside of the scope of this thread. It's primary purpose is inter-application audio routing and it does so extremely flexibly/well.

Granted.

How about utilities and plugins?

Here's a list of (just a few of what's available) audio applications available for Linux: There are EQ's VST's, DAWs (I love Aurdor.. just sayin'), drum machines, etc..
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ub...o/Applications

Just wanted to clarify here on the forums that linux is the best choice for pro audio work so long as you know your way around the *nix world a little bit.

Agreed. Former Logic-on-Mac user here; there was nothing as flexible as JACK(2), and realtime processing was limited just a few tracks; I had to constantly stop to freeze tracks. On Linux, equivalent setup, I was astonished at what I could do. Still am, today.

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I now a couple of people who make music on Linux (one of them uses Linux thanks to me ) and know of a great many more.

there's also http://wiki.linuxaudio.org/wiki/start

I think the bigger show stopper is the lack of commercially recognised vst plugins on linux. For that reason I have not done any recording for the last few years. I might revisit it.

I made this with Linux (audio and video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JshW0GcsyA

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this is brilliant!
i mean artistically, both audio and video.
and charming.

technically, i don't know, i am easily satisfied.

Regarding music and linux, this is one stands out but is not that well known. http://lilypond.org/

Here's a link to some that exist (not all):

http://linux-sound.org/linux-vst-plugins.html

Also, there has been good support for windows VST plug-ins via WINE since approx. 2012.

My friend has bought a few VSTs so I know some do work. Keep looking and I am sure you'll find ways to get things working.