Subject: Re: [linux-audio-user] A machine for live gigging?
From: Russell Hanaghan (hanaghan_AT_starband.net)
Date: Wed Feb 18 2004 - 02:53:31 EET
On Tue, 2004-02-17 at 13:06, Richard K. Ingalls wrote:
> I'm still very new to Linux Audio Workstations
> (I've been a Cakewalk/Sonar/SoundForge user for
> years), so please forgive me if the question seems
> very basic...
>
> I'd like to build a computer to take with me for
> live gigs that can replace sound module racks (do
> softsynth/sample playback, multi-timbral,
> polyphony, etc.). In other words can it replace
> an Alesis QSR, a Kurzweil K2000RS and a Korg TR?
> Can I do this and still have great
> sounds/synth/samples?
I was using a Dell CPXj 650mhz with Fluidsynth, USB Midisport 2x2, etc.
The soundcard was incidental...Fluidsynth is soundfont based so whatever
soundfonts you can get yer hands on...Just like Livesynth Pro in Sonar.
Also, using a cheap SB Live (also soundfont based) I was able to get
fairly tight latency. But I' not a keys player...
I have recently been using the same laptop for live FX processing on my
PA. Used it last Sat eve and it worked like a charm! Ardour, Jack and
LADSPA plugs. Freeverb was the reverb of choice for this night. Warm and
smooth. It worked rock steady all night!
I too have been a Sonar XL user for 2 years. I'm just starting to find
my way around in Mandrake Linux...These folks on this LAU group ROCK!!!
They are very helpful. I'm largely using Sonar for playing midis in my
Duo. I like the CW format as it easily saves all mix data and I can pull
it up from a "playlist" and roll thru the set with minimum of fuss. I'm
starting to think about what Linux based apps might work. Rosegarden and
Muse are nice looking but I have not had great luck with them in
previous versions. Also the fact that I use Roland VSC as my
softsynth...well, it helps a bunch to get GS sounds without the
expensive hardware. Now if Fluidsynth could load a GS soundfont set and
respond to GS format midi messages....
>
> So the question is can a Linux DAW do this? If
> yes, what are the specs for such a machine?
> CPU? RAM? Motherboard? Sound card (very
> important, eh)?
>
> Thanks to all who post!
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