Linux users: what do you think is the best distro for multimedia?

[gibi]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the world of Linux (just started to use Ubuntu). Not sure if it's just a myth, but I have read here and there that Linux is nothing like Windows and Mac when it comes to multimedia.

Is that true and what's the best multimedia-oriented distro in your opinion?

[Folderol]

AV Linux is very specifically designed for music production. It's very popular although not to everyone's tastes.
Link here:
http://www.bandshed.net/2022/12/15/avl- ... -released/

[sonics]

Not sure if it's just a myth, but I have read here and there that Linux is nothing like Windows and Mac when it comes to multimedia.

In many way that's correct. You should do your research, try to decide what you want to do with your computer and then see if Linux would be suitable. Changing your mind in the future and finding out there is some fancy software you'd like to use that's only available for Mac/Windows is extremely likely.

An example of where it's worked well for me was on a recording and mixing system using compatible hardware running Mixbus. That was great. It ran like a recording studio in a box; reliable and focussed. The engineer is computer-phobic, but he got used to it.

It's a fantastic platform for certain tasks. But certainly not for them all, or everybody.

Proceed with caution.

[Old Will]

I've not used Linux myself, but I've heard good things about Ubuntu Studio, which is described as an official flavor of Ubuntu, and multimedia oriented.

For more info: https://ubuntustudio.org

[merlyn]

Something that's great about AVLinux is that there is a manual. In addition to being a guide to AVLinux, it's also a good introduction to Linux audio.

One thing that is different about Linux is that you rarely have to install drivers. Drivers come with the kernel. One thing we should ask is : what audio hardware do you have? Not all interfaces play nicely with Linux. (Being a long time Linux user, I blame the hardware manufacturers, not Linux )

[rha]

I use Fedora, but I installed AVLinux on an old computer, just so that I didn't have to configure Fedora so that the audio interface worked reliably (Roland UA101). It worked. Haven't really used any of the other media-centric distros.

Something you may find irritating in the future is hardware that is augmented by plugging into a computer and using the manufacturer's software to change the firmware, or otherwise set up the item. For example, an Arturia keystep. Or many others.

It's rare that it can be done directly from Linux. It's possible to use a virtual machine, in some instances, but it can be a bit painful. And, I'm not sure how well that approach may work on AVLinux, I haven't tried it there.

But, AVLinux does seem to just work without effort!

[Folderol]

Another point about AV Linux is that it is put together by a musician - and a very successful one - the singer and lead guitarist of a local rock group - so definitely a case of eating your own dogfood

[OKICURAQT]

Some great advice here! I have been using "Vanilla" Ubuntu Studio 22.04 for 3yrs. Prior to that I was on Manjaro and Medicio. I am a return user into LNX after getting fed up with Win10 (Updates spoiling my systems and ILOK or subscriptions Hell!) and not being able to afford (Honesty) an Apple machine with the Speed I need. (I am sniffing out AVLinux as I WAS going to load this originally) My Suggestion: Go with an OS that matches what you are going to do. E.G.- If having extra programs (Ubuntu Studio) that will help you build the marketing side of your interests i.e. grphx, photo work etc., then maybe Ubuntu Studio will allow you to switch it up etc. If you want to pair ANY distro down you can always get rid of programs or just not use or isolate etc. Although others have (Correctly) said that the Commercial offerings in the Win/Mac world completely dwarf LNX when it comes to audio--- I would argue that the ability to try up and coming ideas, carry small compact flash card studios with you (Did This and it Worked VERY well), and customizing work environments that fit YOUR work flow are ALL very much LINUX world things. I completely run my studio via LNX now. EVERY time I complain that I miss this Waves plug or THAT EastWest sample....my WIFE reminds me of the shear and utter heck-storm that would practically ruin my week/month/half a year with Windows......(Lastly) I DO believe that LINUX IS the Future. Because it was the FIRST in the past and the last in the last! (You are probably holding a linux machine in your hand called.....wait for it......a phone!

[Lostgallifreyan]

Not all interfaces play nicely with Linux. (Being a long time Linux user, I blame the hardware manufacturers, not Linux )

Which ones do? To narrow it down, which ones with USB connection for digital audio work well? Can you name some specifics so people can investigate them for themselves?

[merlyn]

Focusrite interfaces are known to work, and there is a control panel app available.

Focusrite interfaces are class compliant, and any class compliant interface should work. Often, USB interfaces work with class compliant audio and a proprietary driver to control functions like a built-in digital mixer, or turning phantom power on and off. Often USB interfaces basically work, but are missing features. Focusrite interfaces fully work, thanks to the efforts of Geoffrey Bennet, an open source developer.

Behringer interfaces work, as in e.g. an 1820 all the controls are accessible as knobs and buttons on the interface itself.

If you want to try something else, I would buy it on a sale or return basis, as the best way to tell if an interface works with your setup is to plug it in.

[Lostgallifreyan]

Thanks, a choice of two is something to go on. If Focusrite also work well on Windows, that might be the best choice for general purpose (for me anyway). Do you know if they do? I'm hoping that if cross-platform approaches are desirable, there is some hardware that makes this easier to do.

(I'm never sure about Behringer, but if they're good at the basic detail of shunting data about with low latency, then I'd be ok with that).

[merlyn]

Mackie Onyx Producer are also known to work. They're simple interfaces.

I use an RME 9632 PCI card, so USB ain't my thing.

[Lostgallifreyan]

USB is not mine either, but for futureproofing I may have to consider limiting to USB unless there's some other widely common interface standard that's likely to stick around for the next twenty years.

USB turned out to be excellent at solving wide compatibility and good performance for high speed serial comms, even to the point of variable Baud so MIDI interfaces can be built directly onto that foundation for any platform that has drivers for FTDI chips (W98~W11, RasPi, Linux in general). If I can get that kind of standardised support for low latency audio I/O I'm all set.

Point taken about buying and trying, but I bet most sellers would prefer me to narrow it down first. I doubt they'd be happy if I turned six devices into ex-demo sales offerings within a month.

[Lostgallifreyan]

Behringer interfaces work, as in e.g. an 1820 all the controls are accessible as knobs and buttons on the interface itself.

Ok, to start at the cheapest end (these are all over Ebay), does this work on Linux?
https://mediadl.musictribe.com/media/PL ... 222_WW.pdf

That manual says nothing of Linux but I doubt that means it won't. It's likely to work with no extra driver support on WXP and later Windows (implying a class compliant interface), and on a Mac, and someone claimed to have 2ms latency from it. It's not high end, so maybe not of interest to people posting on the SOS forum, but if the performance of a cheap device is good there may be no need for more in many cases, and it might indicate that spending more with that firm to get better is likely to be a good risk.

[merlyn]

That's a USB 1.1 interface. USB 1.1 has worse latency than USB 2.0, so if it's low latency you want then that interface isn't the best.

USB audio uses isochronous packets. In USB 1.1 one packet is sent every millisecond. With USB 2.0 eight packets are sent per millisecond.

I tried a Behringer UMC404HD with Linux and it was plug and play. The output level was a bit low. For a two in, two out interface a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 would work.

[Lostgallifreyan]

That's a USB 1.1 interface. USB 1.1 has worse latency than USB 2.0, so if it's low latency you want then that interface isn't the best.

USB audio uses isochronous packets. In USB 1.1 one packet is sent every millisecond. With USB 2.0 eight packets are sent per millisecond.

Thanks, I didn't consider that. Still, at 20 quid I decided to have a go. It may work for a single stereo synth on a dedicated machine, or it may not. The wide availability makes it worth a test, even if it just establishes a minimum that I can't use. I suspect it won't do low latency without ASIO but I'm interested in what it can do.

I tried a Behringer UMC404HD with Linux and it was plug and play. The output level was a bit low. For a two in, two out interface a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 would work.

Behringer UMC404HD is a big jump in price but I like the look of it, and the spec. Thanks for the Scarlett tip, I looked for Focusrite yesterday and missed that one because I saw a bunch of Scarletts various that all looked like input only! This looks useful, fewer and better channels works for me (context is everything..) The price (and easy availability on Ebay) makes it likely to be the next thing I'll test after the cheap one.. Maybe not the 3rd generation one though. I like the older choice of a USB type B socket on the back. The newer type C is a lot more fragile. A captive lead (like on the cheap Behringer box) might have been a better choice.

[Lostgallifreyan]

For a two in, two out interface a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 would work.

The 2i4 has a lot to interest me, 5-pin MIDI I/O too, and the two balanced TRS outs are good for a stereo synth. I don't know how easy it will be in future to find these, but they look very good.

Do you know if the Raspberry Pi's standard Linux-based OS might be able to use one?

[Folderol]

Yes it will. The Focusrite series are class compliant.

[James Perrett]

Ok, to start at the cheapest end (these are all over Ebay), does this work on Linux?
https://mediadl.musictribe.com/media/PL ... 222_WW.pdf

I can confirm that one works under Linux Mint on a PC and under various flavours of Linux on the Raspberry Pi. Only 16 bit and 48kHz but my lad is using it happily on those systems.

Some of the RME interfaces have a class compliant mode although not necessarily all features are supported in class compliant mode.

I think the Zoom U-44 is class compliant too - it certainly works in Android which is a form of Linux.

[Lostgallifreyan]

Thanks James. I thought it might. It looks like a great choice to recommend to people who might want to try a free synth. Still leaves MIDI to add, but I can do that. The modest spec is OK. Missing more esoteric features is why I started looking deep at the cheap end. It's the hardware extras that start to cost.. The Focusrite boxes seem to do well there, not too steep a rise for the extra quality. I'd considered putting the Behringer in my own metal box with added socketry. THAT thought lasted about 3 minutes..

Folderol, I think your post tipped the balance. I just nabbed a Focusrite 2i4 2nd generation box for £80.64 on Ebay. The condition looks new, it's got MIDI, and I doubt I'll regret this one for my own use, added to a Mini-PC. 24 bit 192 KHz might have been overkill but it will let me explore a modification of an Icom radio I made, to get enough AF bandwidth for stereo demod. My scope said yes, a demod board found on Ebay said no. This Focusrite box might settle which of those answers was right. Could be a lot of fun for £80... Not least because I could do my own stereo demod in code with this one!

[Folderol]

Just to add, that someone has been developing Linux drivers for full access to Focusrite kit, and has done so well that Focusrite themselves are now supporting him, and the drivers are starting to appear in the Latest Linus distros.
See here for the start of the story, and this for the point where he gets both Focusrite attention, and acceptance for inclusion in the kernel

[Lostgallifreyan]

Just to add, that someone has been developing Linux drivers for full access to Focusrite kit, and has done so well that Focusrite themselves are now supporting him, and the drivers are starting to appear in the Latest Linus distros.
See here for the start of the story, and this for the point where he gets both Focusrite attention, and acceptance for inclusion in the kernel

This is very good news. I was considering selling my Focusrite 2i4 because I don't think there will ever be low latency driver support for WXP, let alone W98, so it won't be a general purpose box for me, but if that kernel inclusion (still very active) gets into the Raspberry Pi OS it would make me feel like an idiot if I'd sold the box and soon afterwards discovered how well it can extend a Pi. I usually like to wait till things are more settled, and I suspect the Pi Foundation do too, but good things often come to those who wait.. Now that Focusrite are actively backing this, it will help. (But I'll not hold my breath waiting for them to back a low latency driver for WXP, let alone all the bells and whistles! Older Windows can be nice, leaner and faster as a general rule.. Good platforms for a dedicated synthesiser. Licensing is usually cheaper too.)