Hi there, Great( est ) day to you,

How would i successfully, and in a fun & manageable ( easy to use ) way, use all my Windows Based Software, like Bitwig, Cubase 14 ( with all the extra install options out there ), FL Studio, Renoise ( and insert your favorite software here ) and all my VST plugins & Instruments ( including JBridge versions ) natively, Under Linux ( using any available method( s ) to achieve such a system fully working, and working fully and smoothly ) ( ? )

I am asking, because i just finished a project to install all my software from an earlier Windows Build, as a means to future proof my setup - only to learn, we are being forced to have Local Accounts on Windows - now that all userbase is routed to TPM monitored/Controlled systems

The reason why i don't like this, is because i want a system that is fully functional for sure - and as many of you having an experience with windows will know, it will be perfectly fine one day, and then out of the blue, something might happen, that either will just make all your work no longer be there, or force you to spend days to retrieve everything from various means of backups & workarounds

All of this is almost becoming more work, than dealing with anything related to music...

The same time, would be well spent on actually working on the songs, instead of maintaining a system, that is ( as many know what is going on in the world ) kind of built to not support musicians specifically.

So i am looking for an easy way, and easy alternative, to have a fully functional, rock solid, future proofable system, where i am able to use my native Windows VST instruments, and installing all my favorite software.

Thank you for all solutions

Stay Blessed & Have a Great Fun ahead,

Z

 

anybody tried yet/running anything like this/running things like this successfully.. ?

 

First question first: Why for f sake do you want to fit a square peg in a round hole? If you are concerned regarding privacy on Win: pull the internet plug.

 

MS will very likely back down on the forced account thing in Win 11. Win 10 is unaffected, just continue to use that until they stop making drivers for it. It will last another couple of years. Don't worry about the "security updates", that's just FUD.

 

If you want a secure, stable, and long-lasting music computer system, unplug the modem and stay offline. Forget Linux. Instead, change your behavior and go online with a different, second system. Forgo updates!

Buy a second hard drive that's slightly larger than your C:/ drive and create a full backup of your C:/ drive using excellent backup software. This backup software allows you to create an emergency boot disk and restore your system in case of an emergency.

Monitor your C:/ drive for errors. Install CrystalDiscInfo, https://crystalmark.info/en/software/crystaldiskinfo
so you can back up your old drive to the new one before it dies.

Back up all important files separately to Blu-ray, DVD, CD, or an external hard drive.

 

It's a no go, just forget it.

 

You should understand that Docker is virtualisation that could be a problem for audio latency and have potential audio synchronization issues

 

I do love Unix, Xenix, Linux...for servers
BUT for serious musik making they are just not feasible.

Instead stay with Win 10 and internet connection with...
- a good firewall and make USE of it. Block everything and only allow apps, services, ports..., you know what they do (win firewall control helps a lot for the built in and IMHO very capable firewall [I use it for several internet/db/mail servers for >20y w/o problems]).
- Do make weekly backups.
- If you'll like to slow down your machine OR can't stay away installing every random app OR click any link then install an A/V.

That's it. Works great for me for years now without a hassle and myriads of apps.

As a musician/producer you won't get happy with Linux.

 

Last edited: Oct 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM

Then you need to stick with your Windows setup. No willingness to learn, adapt, and be flexible when changing OS to or from Linux/Mac/Android/Windows = no go.

As others have said, go offline on your music PC instead.

 

Here comes that tired, old, ignorant, malevolent, bigoted BS again.

Linux is just fine for music production within its constraints. The choice of compatible software and hardware is limited compared to MacOS and Windows platforms, but all necessary tools are available in native Linux form.

AV Linux is a turn-key version of Linux which is fully optimised and ready for music production right off the bat. It takes half an hour to install it and add Reaper (or Bitwig, Mixbus, Waveform, Renoise etc.), press the Record button and there's nothing in there that can even remind you that you're not operating under MacOS or Windows. All the functionality of the chosen DAW is there, latency is just as good (sometimes even slightly better) than on other platforms, all the stock plugins work just as well and there's a decent assortment of third party plugins available in native Linux versions (Airwindows, u-he, TAL, The Usual Suspects, Tracktion, Harrison, Auburn Sounds, Audio Damage, Overtone DSP, etc.). Most users will never realistically need anything more than that.

 

Most people here are able to express their opinion without offending others. Maybe you could try that too.

Your post has no relation to the question posed by the OP and is therefore off topic

The question was not whether he can use Linux within it's constrains, but whether there is a way to use ALL VST in Linux ("How to run all ( windows ) DAWs & VST Plugins under Linux".)

That does not work. To predict that the OP will not be happy with Linux for this task is not far off.

 

I would like to comment that it is totally possible and there are a large number of people using Windows plugins on Linux.

I understand that some users here may have had bad experiences, but it is not generally like that.

Here is the way: https://github.com/robbert-vdh/yabridge

And you can find more people to talk about that here (yabridge discord channel): https://discord.gg/pyNeweqadf

Good luck.

 

Why is no one talking about the fact that the WINE update broke Yabridge and caused problems with the mouse cursor in the plugins window?

Of course, you could just say, ‘Downgrade to version 9.21 and everything will be fine.’ But that's what Linux is turning into: instead of being able to use programmes without any problems, you have to look for ways to make them work.It's unclear whether this bug will be fixed in Wine or not.

Can you write music on Linux? Yes.
Are there a large number of plugins and instruments on Linux? No.

There is a debate about Windows and Linux, when the problem lies elsewhere entirely.

 

How is this different from Windows or MacOS updates regularly breaking things?

The reason we are unable to discuss such issues with Linux is a constant stream of hateful BS, persistently denigrating Linux users and Linux generally as an OS, despite abundance of observable and verifiable evidence, both technical and empiric, to its usability, including music production.

Since there are many hundreds of native Linux plugins and instruments, what is a large enough number of plugins in your opinion? Thousands?

 

@ptepper Show me
1. alternative to soothe, melodyne
2. good sampler with large number of libraries
3. ARA2 supported plugins
4. good multi band comp

 

Not from me....

"You can create a local account during installation by pressing Shift + F10 to open a command prompt and typing start ms-cxh://localonly. After setup, you can switch to a local account in Settings > Accounts or disable some prompts by going to Settings > Sign-in options and setting "Require sign-in" to "Never"."

 

My post was off topic only to the extent yours was.

I had replied to the OP in a previous post and told him that what he requires was a no go. In your post you expressed your preference for and gave him an advice on how to use Windows. That's not what he asked for. That was off topic.

You also added some blanket statements about the suitability of Linux for music production which are observably, factually wrong, and have been debunked countless times, on this forum and elsewhere.

So your BS was called and now your feelings are hurt. They should be.

Because it's the BS the likes of you keep propagating that plays a significant role in software developers' and hardware manufacturers' refusal to support Linux. It's remarkable how often they quote exactly that as an excuse in their replies to the requests from the Linux community.

Stop being part of that vicious circle. Know your preferred tools and learn to appreciate them without having to denigrate your peers' tools. It does no one a favour, it's intellectually dishonest, unfair and plain wrong.

 

What does it have to do with numbers?

I could reply to your questions in a reasonably satisfactory way, but by flooding me with them you are avoiding the answer to my question and resorting to a number of logical fallacies. In a serious discussion it is tantamount to admitting defeat.

 

I keep seeing this misinformation everywhere this week, not sure if spread by Linux fanatics or why...
I just installed latest official Win11 Pro 25H2 fresh today on very outdated hardware, internet connected, picked domain/organization join during install and then made local account no problems at all

if you're concerned about unwanted alterations of system, just disable Windows feature updates via registry or InControl app - https://www.grc.com/incontrol.htm
it's more likely your (by then) outdated hardware breaks, in which case you should have backups and clean installer ready anyway

you basically described use of Linux

decent desktop PC fully dedicated for audio work, running version of Windows that has functional drivers for it and is compatible with software and plugins you want, completely cut off from internet nonsense - only caveat is once you stay behind, there will be a moment when some new fancy DAW/plugin will be no longer compatible