Since we now a have a couple of members with a LINUX DAW, i was thinking that it was a good idea, to have some overview of the actual situation.
Let's start with an overview of the win tools with the linux equivalent, feel free to complete this
MIDI sequencerEquivalent of Cubase, Sonar,....
Linux : Rosegarden (
http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/)
A midi sequencer that has all the features of a modern midi sequencer
Audio DAW Equivalent of Pro Tools,....
Linux : Ardour (
http://ardour.org/)
Full fledged audio daw in ongoing developpement, lack a good manual. Only manual that I'm aware off is the online ?
Allso : Audacity which is multi platform
Audacity is an audio editor that is highly underestamed by people that don't know it.
Integrated MIDI & Audio DAW Equivalent of Powertracks,....
Linux : Energy XT Linux version (
www.energy-xt.com)
I think this is the only midi&audio on linux at the moment, a shame it's not stable at the moment.
Music Creation toolsEquivalent of Band in a Box, Jammer Pro,...
Linux : MMA (
http://www.mellowood.ca/mma/)
MMA is at least as powerfull as the windows tools, in some domains it's even more powerfull since the definition of the styles is more detailed.
But you'll have to learn the text interface !
Live setup tools & modular studios Equivalent of Forte Brainspawn, Energy XT, Usine,...
Linux : The only equivalent I know of is the Linux version of Energy XT ?
Again it's not stable yet and there are a lot of live features from the win 1.4 version that are not implemented yet in the linux version.
TrackersEquivalent of Buzz, Renoise,....
Linux : Trackers are very well represented in the Linux domain. Milytracker amongst others are multi-platform and in continuous development on both platforms. Renoise announced allso a linux version which will be available very soon now, propably in january even.
(
http://www.milkytracker.net/ ,
http://www.renoise.com )
In what domain do Linux users still have problems ?Mainly in connectivity of hardware...
1. Most manufactors don't deliver Linux drivers for there hardware (soundcards, keyboards,...)
Meaning that users have to carefully choose what hardware they use.
2. Some hardware that needs software to work or to be configured can only be used on win.
Examples : Clavia products which needs software to be programmed (editor is only available on win), same goes for ex. Virus TI
Allso in software there are still a couple of problems
- Lack of good vsti integration. This limits the amount of virtual instruments usuable on Linux. Some good commercial virtual instruments simply don't work on linux (ex : Garitan Personal Orchestra)
- Lack of good vst integration. On Linux there are the famous LADSPA plug but... well there not that easy to use and they don't have a graphical GUI
Feel free to add your personnal observations
k