Subject: Re: [linux-audio-dev] What else am I missing?
From: Allan Klinbail (sonofzev_AT_free.net.au)
Date: Wed Sep 27 2000 - 18:06:49 EEST
Steve,
First off Muse is probably the software you need to check out first, it is a
sequencer along the lines of Cubase VST.
I msut add though, you are reflecting what many of us are looking for.
However, don't expect everything to be here already. What is written so far is
designed for the needs of the authors (hackers) themselves and only true
discussion with these people (most who are on this Mailing List) will respond
and modify.
However do not fear work is being done in this direction. I urge you to take a
look at both Jazz++ and Muse as environments that are approaching the
sequencer/mutitracker model you know so well. LADSPA is becoming the VST of
Linux. As for your Nord Modular (a hybrid soft /hardware synth that is patched
and programmed via a winblows software and played on a hardware synth) unless
WINE can handle the Nord software you are better off looking at Quasimodo and
the huge variety of soft synths coming up and will probably find more
interesting options as these are not written by a corporate looking to make
the ultimate selling analogue synth but hackers with a keen interest in sound.
On the downside if you are a live performer and are reluctant to take your PC
with you (like me) then this could be a big issue for you. Multitracking is
possible already in Linux but I believe you will probably need to sell your
12/12 and look at the ALSA pages to find something similar (I haven't seen it
in any compatibility list from memory). My strongest suggestion would be the
RME Hammerfall / DIGI96 series. While you won't get the Multitrack and editing
facilities of Vegas as yet, I think that it won't be too far away (check Slab,
Ecasound and Ardour).
One warning for you as you seem to have a decent rig - MIDI sync and SMPTE for
many softwares are non-existant and ALSA is in the process of finalising the
MIDI clock and SPP features of its sequencer engine. (THe latest development
version of Jazz++ implements these features and MUSE seems to be working on it
(including MTC/SMPTE although I have not tested the latest version).
One suggestion, test the softwares with their origins in mind and write to the
authors politely making suggestions of what you would like to see. This isn't
the corporate world and you are not a paying customer. Whether you end up
using someones work or not is of little relevance to them - (and as I have
learned the hard way (he - he)) nor should it be.
BUT do not turn away if you don't find what you are looking for, things change
rather quickly around here (months though not days). Your positive
suggestions, comments and criticisms will be heard and are necessary (it took
about three hackers to convince me of this when I was ready to give my life
back to Gates) even if sometimes you feel you are getting nowhere. However if
you stick around for the ride you and all other studio based producers will
benefit. (MIDI sync was not an important issue until I stuck my head in. I'm
sure there is an essential feature you require but cannot find yet that many
of us also need). YOu may need to run a dual boot system like mine, but I
guarantee you will get great satisfaction when you begin to use software you
have had even the slightest influence on, and even more when you start to use
the Low Latency patches.
SO keep on trucking and enjoy the new tools at your fingertips.
cheers
Allan
By the way anyone who has been expecting test results or has been missing my
highly emotional discussion I have been a little tied up at the moment but
don't worry I'll be back and I'm still listening to as much of the discussion
as I can.
I'll be trying to install and test stuff in between a heavy gigging schedule
over the next couple of months.
As I've finished all the recording of my album (even if the mastering has been
delayed) I think my fiery emotive posts may become more toned down -this could
also be attributed to the fact I have MIDI sync to some degree and my hardware
cooperates with Linux (i.e. thanks).
Anyone in Australia going to the "This is not art" festival in Newcastle next
weekend - I'll see you there.
Steve Harris wrote:
> Hmmmm, I just found out about Broadcast 2000 and Quasimodo today (the last
> is interesting, 'cos I'm a Nord Modular addict - easily my favourite
> synth). I'm just about to try it.
>
> So, what else am I missing? I check the Linux music software pages that I
> know of fairly often, but none of them have much that is useful (i.e.
> just great big lists with no qualitative info) or just go on about
> trackers (not my thing).
>
> --
> Stephen Harris
> MALIBU Technical Officer & JoDI Webmaster
> IAM Research Group
> University of Southampton, UK
> 07970 557047
> swh_AT_ecs.soton.ac.uk 023 8059 2774
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