Hi All,

I'm thinking about switching to Linux, but not too sure about what the implications are for Music software and plugins. I work 100% in the box.

I currently use the following on Windows:

Software & VST's:

Bitwig Studio / Loopcloud & Loopdrum / XLN XO / AD2 / Scaler 2 / Fabfilter / PSP / Valhalla / Brainworx / Soundtoys / Vital / U-he Hive / Phaseplant / Serum / Sononym

Hardware:

Audient iD14 audio I/F / Arturia Keystep 37 / DJTT Midifighter Twister / Novation Launchpad Pro

There is the option to dual boot but if I do this then I'm fairly sure I'll end up just reverting back to windows because I'm comfortable with it so I'm keen to force myself into linux to speed up the learning process and to avoid the easy path.

Just wondering if anyone has taken this approach before and how they got on with it, and how I find out which of my software and hardware will be problematic or will not function before taking the leap.

Thanks

 

Bitwig Studio, Vital, I tested on Linux Mint, everything works natively, without problems.
Maybe other users will say something about the rest of the software

Useful link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/linuxmusicians/

 

That's good to know, as Bitwig is my DAW of choice and Vital is my go-to synth.

Doesn't look my my Audio I/F is natively supported by the manufacturer for Linux. Is the only way to really know what is going to work or not on Linux, is by trawling the net for each thing? Just wondering if there is some site where I could find all the info (probably a long shot though!)

 

For starters, you have a compatible audio interface (Audient) and use compatible DAW - Bitwig. u-he synths, Vital, Surge XT, Vaporizer 2. TAL software synths but especially TAL-Sampler and TAL-Drum are great for handling drums. Speedrum and Sitala a nice for drums, too.

 

https://github.com/nodiscc/awesome-linuxaudio

 

Oh it is? That's good. How do you know? Thanks for the other recommendations too.

Thanks, that looks like a useful list!

For my other plugins I will do some research to see where I may struggle. What I'll probably end up doing (initially) is running dual boot while I figure it all out to see how it all goes on Linux.

 

Good luck on your journey mate!
I'd recommend Linux Mint for a start. You can also tune the kernel for even better low latency performance, because the scheduling options are shared with Ubuntu 24.04.
Mint has an edge over traditional distros, because you can backup and recall settings that'd normally mess up the OS.

Next, configure yabridge, install latest winehq-staging from winehq repo, fire up Bitwig and see if all plugins work normally.
Your audio interface, as Sinewave said, is class-compliant, so no drivers for it are necessary.
Just do yourself a favor and install pipewire, regular jack/jackctl and pulseaudio sucks for anything involving low latency audio.
Easiest way to do this is by using ubuntustudio-installer.

 

Last edited: Aug 28, 2024

that's the beauty - you will find after you do the leap


honestly, find some more enjoyable excuse to waste your time,
I'd even bet hackintosh (MacOS on PC) would work better than Linux, it did when I tried last time