Updated: 0-Cost Digital Audio Workstation

[Luca_Capozzi]

Yesterday i've finally converted my pc into a Linux Box dedicated to music. I'm totally amazed by the number of programs that I've right here. There are real time software synthesizers, with very low latency. Usually, with my SB Live 5.1 and windows, i've about 40ms of latency with standard drivers or 12/20ms with kX Drivers. Under linux I don't notice any kind of latency. I can play a lot of soft synth together without crackle or any kind of pop. Is a bit difficult respect to windows, but it worth all the efforts.

Today I will try to get to work my VST Plugins. I've read that a way exist and if it's true, I will start to experiment with audio/midi/VST recording sessions in the evening.

If, after a period of testing, the system responds well and is effectively useful for production, I'll write a full tutorial for sharing my experience.

A little note: all this software is under OpenSource GPL Licence. That means: zero cost and full source code. If some of you are experienced with programming languages, can customize those programs as your needs. Even, you can recompile them from scratch to get best performance.

See ya soon for other news.

[Wizard]

One thing you could do (if you haven't already done it) is rebuilding the kernel (either by downloading the newest full source or some patches) with the low latency option on, to almost remove the latency. :)
And if this thread will go on then it's better moving it in the Gear Talk (too bad it doesn't exist a "Computer Stuff" area in the forum) :)

Marco

[Luca_Capozzi]

well marco, i'm been using Planet CCRMA cd set. Those CD includes a lot of audio apps+new kernel with low latency patch applied :) Those guys from Stanford University are great :)

See ya

[albertors]

That's awesome, I go crazy for that kind of things but don't have enough time to dive in..I wanna try it! ;)
Alberto

[Luca_Capozzi]

well. is an hard work, but worth all the efforts. Programming the VAST engine is like smoking a cigarette compared to that. I hope that in this week end I can bring out a full working DAW and, hopefully, let run some Windows stuff under linux by emulation.

See ya

[Wizard]

i'm been using Planet CCRMA cd set.
I never heard of such a Linux distro... and I know many!! :)
and, hopefully, let run some Windows stuff under linux by emulation.
There's a program that simulates a virtual machine (I can't remember its name right now, sorry) on which you can run Win. It works really well and you can enable communication between Linux and the emulated Win using Samba as you would do in a multi-OS LAN :)

Marco

[Alessandro]

LINUX ROCKS!!! MICROSOFT SUCKS!!! :D

[Shreddy]

If I had the time I would install Linux on my 233 dell laptop but right now my PC is crapped out and I need to get it up and running so we can finish recording our 2nd CD.

My work gave me a 3Ghz Dell Laptop thats loaded, so far is seems to be running nice, I have to finish installing some apps on it and then I will try Sonar on it.

There is a Roland Juno emulator for Linux you should check it out.

ed

[Luca_Capozzi]

@ Wizard: Planet CCRMA is an addon for RedHat 7/8/9 based linbox. It provides low level kernel and a lot of audio/video apps. About emulation, i'll use Wine (win32 api emulator) instead of VMWare, because wine is under GPL and permits to use windows programs on a linux machine instead of emulate a pc. Is much faster that VMWare.

@Shreddy: are you talking about Ultramaster Juno-6? I think that isn't available anymore. :/

Btw, tonight i'll try to get this damn wine working with low level kernel. If all goes well, and VST plugs works into X apps, i'll try to install some windows apps like Cubase, Cakewalk and so on.

Stay Tuned

[Wizard]

About emulation, i'll use Wine (win32 api emulator) instead of VMWare, because wine is under GPL and permits to use windows programs on a linux machine instead of emulate a pc. Is much faster that VMWare.
I know Wine, but it's an emulator, and to run an emulator at full capabilities you need a huge computational power :) VMWare (thanks for telling the name) is a virtual machine and, as you might know, virtual machines are half way between emulation and the real thing (just think of the Java VM).
By the way, is it possible to run multiple instances of Wine? I ask that because it's possible to run multiple instances of VMWare.

Marco

[albertors]

mh, looks like "wine" is the only word I understood.

[Wizard]

mh, looks like "wine" is the only word I understood.
Then have a glass of a good red, if you can find one there :)

Marco

P.S.: sorry for the techie, but alas I'm an IT graduated... :P

Marco

[albertors]

Don't be sorry about the techie! Jokes apart, this is a great topic, I can't wait to read about the results, I wish I had your deep knowledge and experience in all of this!

About the wine you are right: not so great ones available around here..but you know, I had some Napa Valley Merlot and I have to admit it wasn't bad at all!

*hic*
Alberto

[Luca_Capozzi]

you're right. wine isn't an emulator itself, but implements the win32 APIs to let win software runs on a linux box. but for shortness, I usually call all of that "emulation" because they don't run on a "native" win32 platform.

Btw, due to its nature, you can run a lot of apps together with wine. It acts as a middleware between your system and the win32 application. An instance of wine is an instance of an application, so you can run multiple apps without problems.

For example:

axiom@localhost$ wine notepad.exe
axiom@localhost$ wine eudora.exe
etc... will launch those apps as you are using X11 apps, so multi-instance are possible.

see ya

p.s.:
I'm an IT professional too ;)

[Darkon]

I've got Red Hat 9 on one of my machines here and put the CCRMA apps. on as soon as possible....just updated them using Synaptic as a matter of fact :)

Darkon

[Wizard]

About the wine you are right: not so great ones available around here..but you know, I had some Napa Valley Merlot and I have to admit it wasn't bad at all!
Well, time for some "porchetta" and "vino de li castelli" then!!! :lol:
you can run a lot of apps together with wine. It acts as a middleware between your system and the win32 application. An instance of wine is an instance of an application, so you can run multiple apps without problems.

For example:

axiom@localhost$ wine notepad.exe
axiom@localhost$ wine eudora.exe
etc... will launch those apps as you are using X11 apps, so multi-instance are possible.
And that's the difference with VMWare. You run VMWare and VOILA'! you have Windows running, not just a single application :) That's possible because VMWare is a VM, thus you can "install" Windows on it like you did on your PC. And running more VMWare instances means you can run many Windows at once (not and avisable thing to do though, Windows sucks! :P )

Marco

[Luca_Capozzi]

True, but I prefer better overall performances instead of easyness or full compatibility. ;)

[Wizard]

Me too, but you know, it's better to have a single "box" than too many of them :) I just like to have everything in control... Hey, where's my mouse going??? *runs after the mosue*

Marco

[albertors]

oh please don't tell me! :) I'm going to enjoy them for sure as soon as I get back home for Christmas Eve!

[Wizard]

oh please don't tell me! :) I'm going to enjoy them for sure as soon as I get back home for Christmas Eve!
Yeah! Stuff yourself fully!!! :D

Marco

[albertors]

Count on it! ;)

[Luca_Capozzi]

A new step was done. Vstserver seems to be more tricky than expected and wouldn't collaborate with wine. But, with great pleasure, I've seen that SynthEdit runs quite well under wine. So... SynthEdit can use VST plugins and... THEY WORK! :D

Now, i'm been recompile wine trying to add a better support for jack daemon.

Stay Tuned

[Wizard]

VMWare... VMWare... VMWare...
:lol:

Marco

[Luca_Capozzi]

Some news:

I'm still having troubles with VSTs but i'm in contact with author of vstserver, so it's only a matter of time.

I've started to fun with some applications and they're very stable and very tricky. some thinks that seems easy, are thought and some times very hard to make but once learned how, all become more easy.

I've found a great piece of code (Alberto would be really happy for that ;) ) called LinuxSampler. It aims to be a linux-style GigaSampler with some nice features. It will support more standard file formats, included Kurzweil-Gigs-Roland-Akai and so on.

It's still in heavy alpha stage, means that can't be absoulutely used for make music and we have to wait. Btw, if you would give a glance to it, here are project site: www.linuxsampler.org

Check it out and stay tuned.

See ya

[albertors]

(Alberto would be really happy for that ;)

I am man, I am! I think that can be a great piece of software!

Keep the throttle at max and whenever it's about being pioneers for your sound and style, damn rock the stage hard!