| - FLAVOR: Ubuntu Desktop - HEADLINE: Low Latency Audio Server + Touch support for pro audio - DESCRIPTION: Running pro audio apps under any linux distro is still pretty much a pain, mostly due to the problem of getting a low latency audio server to run without lots of manual configuration at the risk of breaking your system, by installing jackd, running a rt kernel, and not breaking existing sound servers (pulseaudio). _Audio stack and drivers_ Google has announced that android O 8.x would ship with a completely new low latency audio server, enabling pro audio apps under android, all such apps have been iOS, OSX and windows exclusives up until now. Since google has done it under android it should be doable on GNU/Linux ? Today more devs are porting pro audio apps to GNU/linux: Bitwig Studio, Renoise, Harrisson Mixbus have linux native versions and REAPER has a beta linux native build. However running these DAWs at rock-solid low latency with an up to date audio interface is hard/impossible for config issues and lack of driver support. This would most likely require engaging discussion with audio interface manufacturers to develop/port their drivers to linux (Focusrite, Presonus, RME, Avid, Roland, Tascam) Focusrite Scarlett in particular is the best selling enthusiast-level USB 2.0 audio interface range in the world today, with Presonus a close second. RME, Apogee, AVID, MOTU, etc. are high-end stuff that will not appeal to enthusiasts. RME already has rock-solid support under linux. _Multi-touch_ Most current and future audio DAWs and apps are going the down the multi-touch route (Bitwig, Presonus Studio One, etc). Sanitizing the audio stack on linux and enabling proper touch support would allow Pro audio apps to run on linux (most likely using WINE at first, as most pro VSTs are windows -- or mac -- only). Considering all the privacy issues and crap ads that ship with win10 (browsing through pro audio forums will show you that that most people are stuck with win7 for running their DAW computer, do not want to upgrade to win10, and win7 support will stop really soon) and the absolute ripoff that the Apple HW is nowadays, linux might become attractive to audio enthusiasts, maybe pros in the long run? - ROLE/AFFILIATION: Comp. Sci. Researcher, music enthusiast. |
Multitouch on Ubuntu is not fantastic, but it does work. I can use Bitwig without trouble on my touchscreen laptop.
The only major problem I've run into is that I can't figure out how to control the multitouch gestures, and some of them conflict with multitouch gestures that the DAW needs (for instance, making a three-finger chord on the on-screen keyboard).