What would make you switch to Linux?

[glokraw]

Now a specific synth comparison, yoshimi has additive, subtractive
and formant synthesis, and the unique Padsynth (code is free to other devs).

It has 16 layers, with separate outputs, selectable midi channels,
and multi fx per track, and on the master. You can save/load your multis.
It is actively developed, but not by a pro team, but by one willing to learn
better coding. It's a branch of zynaddsubfx, the sound is wonderful,
perhaps a thousand presets are out there. (My bank folder has 1972 items,
but there are some duplicates, readme files etc).

I think to get this function and sound, outside of linux,
you're in Omnisphere territory. The $479 Omni probably has a better preset collection,
but routing the 16 outputs freely, might be easier in yoshimi, and doing that
in Omni might require a commercial daw, another $60 to $600.

Some people who are skint for the $500, but would love a powerhouse synth,
can have it, at the price of learning to burn and boot a linux iso,
learn a few commands, a few ubiquitus config file settings, and some GUIs
which are there on youtube at ones convenience.
(posted for future googlers!)

Lol, the presets are what makes omnisphere a quality instruments. I have alchemy but i don't have the audio source and programming knowledge that Eric Persing have. I can never make my Alchemy sounded like omnisphere.

Dismissing the quality of omnisphere preset is why i can never take you seriously. Music is not just a bunch of feature clumped together, if i buy Omnisphere i'm also buying the time spent by Eric Persing to record and program the sound in to Omnisphere.

And another thing, that Yoshimi have ugly UI. I'd much rather use the beautiful and clear interface of Omnisphere.

You linux guys don't understand that there's more to audio plugin than just a bunch of feature and code.

- thousands of presets by well-respected sound designers
- over 40gig of sampled data
- great quality effects
- great performance options like 'the orb', live- mode and keyswitching stuff, all tightly integrated with ipad
- great, tag-able browser

the list goes on.

since when is detailing the sound and features of one synth,
the same as dissing another? Omnisphere is a world-class bargain at only $479,
compared to a Kyma at $3000, but for those who have neither,
I'm pointing out a viable option, and nowhere have I dissed omnisphere.

[xamido]

If you want to compare between two plugin everything must come in to play. The fact that Omnisphere have 40 gb of quality audio content with preset designed by world class designer is why it cost 500 bucks.

People don't buy Omnisphere for the synth feature, they buy it for the sound and presets. That's why i said you're missing the point.

A better comparison is Yoshimi and Alchemy, and alchemy is so much more intuitive in UI.

Getting back to my previous statement, professional musician doesn't want inferior tools. It's like you're telling a professional keyboardist to use 200$ yamaha PSR instead of Motif just because they both have piano sound.

[ghettosynth]

So, I'm no fan of Omnisphere, but a big selling point is not only that it has some thousands of presets, but that many of those presets were designed by "celebrity sound designers."

The yoshimi gui opens without the many editors visible. This is a feature.
It is easy on the eyes, and functional. All the 16 part and channel controls
are on the main screen, for quick layering, no manual needed.

Look, we can agree to disagree. Like I said, I don't like Omnisphere, I don't think that it's worth the asking price. That said, people that do cite the sound design quality and the ease of use. I've watched enough Omnisphere videos and spent enough time with it on demo that I agree with them on that note. For setting up modulations, Omnisphere is miles ahead of what you're showing there.

The interface is ugly and outdated. Perhaps you don't value that, no problem, but that doesn't mean others feel the same way.

33:20 is where the better sounds start being played in the above video.
I've used this for years, and know how well the sounds and usability
stack up against both free and payware. You really are blowing smoke.

Sorry, I disagree. I don't care much for the Omnisphere layered sounds, but I think that they do it well. Some of the sounds in that video were fine, but I didn't hear anything that stood out as being exceptional in the way that I think of synths like Diva or Monark.

Like I said, I'm sure that it's fine, but it's not Omnisphere. This is what people expect when you tell them your synth is as good as Omnisphere.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

since when is detailing the sound and features of one synth,
the same as dissing another?

look, you were the one who tried to make comparisons. you might not have dissed omnisphere, but you definitely seem to not understand it's worth

Omnisphere is a world-class bargain at only $479,
compared to a Kyma at $3000, but for those who have neither,
I'm pointing out a viable option, and nowhere have I dissed omnisphere.

many here agree that there is definitely a market for linux, and that if it were the choice for someone to have nothing or to have linux, then linux is a preferred option. but, once again, most computers (even those that end up in the hands of the poor), will have some version of windows installed, which opens them up to a world of free software, and still without many of the hassles that go with linux

in fact, you kind of shoot yourself in the foot using something like omnisphere (or many other paid or free windows/mac software) to make your argument, as you are only demonstrating how greener the grass is for everyone else

and one last thing, speaking to this idea of affordability - we know that those in underprivileged areas covet that which we in other countries take for granted. given this, it is not hard to see that someone in this situation will be far more likely to just end up choosing pirated software rather than being the "one of these kids is doing his own thing".

the linux community is a niche community, fueled by geekdom. it clearly has some strong benefits in certain scenarios, but it will never become what you hope it will while the community remains as it is, nor without any real corporate funding which, of course, will just defeat half of the purpose

[warp x]

Hilarious video. Thanks!

[ZenPunkHippy]

Sound like Deadmau5 with Linux Multimedia Studio in Under Ten Minutes ...

[ghettosynth]

Sound like Deadmau5 with Linux Multimedia Studio in Under Ten Minutes ...

It's pretty sad when DubTurbo sounds more legit.



...but then again, everything is high grade and professional quality.

[briandc]

Lol, go to any professional audio and music studio and tell them that you use linux. Let's see how they react to your statement.

The very definition of professional is they get paid to do specific task for a living. Studios don't give a shit on the OS. What they need is for the software to just run perfectly. They don't want to waste their time on computer technicality.

And i'm sorry, all those linux plugin that you guys share here. When i go to youtube they all sounded lacking. If i'm a professional and i have a dedicated budget for audio, i wouldn't touch those plugins. I need better quality software. Professional don't settle with inferior tools. Until company like UAD, Waves, Slate, Avid, U-He, Native Instruments care about linux, Linux is just a platform for audio hobbyist.

And no, Wine and Vst wrapper on linux doesn't count. If i have to jump through hoops with buggy implementation on linux, i'd rather get a windows or mac.

Paid software quality in Windows and MacOS is so much better than linux stuff. We buy the time and effort from the dev, that's how the world revolve.

I have to disagree. But if you feel better about paying for software, I'm ok with that. Personally, I think there are many apps in linux that are "professional" level. And they're free.

So we need to understand what it means to be "professional." After all, someone can pay me for a job, but that doesn't mean that the job was done well, nor that it was done to my liking. I use several different synths in linux, all for free, and are very powerful instruments.


brian

[Arglebargle]

what is it about Linux apps that make them chronically and inescapably ugly? Well I guess it's the lack of corporate funding for skilled graphic designers. doesn't matter if you're using the command line, but it's something that has always turned me off. they all have a "look"... flat and as if the elements don't all belong belong together.

[briandc]

many here agree that there is definitely a market for linux, and that if it were the choice for someone to have nothing or to have linux, then linux is a preferred option. but, once again, most computers (even those that end up in the hands of the poor), will have some version of windows installed, which opens them up to a world of free software, and still without many of the hassles that go with linux

in fact, you kind of shoot yourself in the foot using something like omnisphere (or many other paid or free windows/mac software) to make your argument, as you are only demonstrating how greener the grass is for everyone else

and one last thing, speaking to this idea of affordability - we know that those in underprivileged areas covet that which we in other countries take for granted. given this, it is not hard to see that someone in this situation will be far more likely to just end up choosing pirated software rather than being the "one of these kids is doing his own thing".

the linux community is a niche community, fueled by geekdom. it clearly has some strong benefits in certain scenarios, but it will never become what you hope it will while the community remains as it is, nor without any real corporate funding which, of course, will just defeat half of the purpose

I don't think everyone in underpriviledged areas covets. Not at all. (Although I do think that some in America would like to think that the rest of the world envies them.)

Spain and Italy also have other reasons, perhaps more politically-oriented, for choosing to not use Windows. But it's not out of jealousy.


brian

[briandc]

what is it about Linux apps that make them chronically and inescapably ugly? Well I guess it's the lack of corporate funding for skilled graphic designers. doesn't matter if you're using the command line, but it's something that has always turned me off. they all have a "look"... flat and as if the elements don't all belong belong together.

It's not lack of funding. It's simply personal taste. I've seen non-free apps that are quite ugly too. The difference is, that you can make a new skin for a linux app if you want, the code is there for you to access and change the way you like. That isn't always the case with non-free software.


brian

[UltraJv]

Lol, go to any professional audio and music studio and tell them that you use linux. Let's see how they react to your statement.

The very definition of professional is they get paid to do specific task for a living. Studios don't give a shit on the OS. What they need is for the software to just run perfectly. They don't want to waste their time on computer technicality.

And i'm sorry, all those linux plugin that you guys share here. When i go to youtube they all sounded lacking. If i'm a professional and i have a dedicated budget for audio, i wouldn't touch those plugins. I need better quality software. Professional don't settle with inferior tools. Until company like UAD, Waves, Slate, Avid, U-He, Native Instruments care about linux, Linux is just a platform for audio hobbyist.

And no, Wine and Vst wrapper on linux doesn't count. If i have to jump through hoops with buggy implementation on linux, i'd rather get a windows or mac.

Paid software quality in Windows and MacOS is so much better than linux stuff. We buy the time and effort from the dev, that's how the world revolve.

I have to disagree. But if you feel better about paying for software, I'm ok with that. Personally, I think there are many apps in linux that are "professional" level. And they're free.

So we need to understand what it means to be "professional." After all, someone can pay me for a job, but that doesn't mean that the job was done well, nor that it was done to my liking. I use several different synths in linux, all for free, and are very powerful instruments.


brian

Something that hasn't been mentioned is support. When a PC or laptop is sold, the support is only for the OS installed by the vendor. If you ring up with a problem, whether its hardware or software, they will ask you to go into Windows to do x, y ,z etc When you tell them you've installed Linux - game over. Youll get the same from ISPs. That's a no go for professionals

[xamido]

I have to disagree. But if you feel better about paying for software, I'm ok with that. Personally, I think there are many apps in linux that are "professional" level. And they're free.

So we need to understand what it means to be "professional." After all, someone can pay me for a job, but that doesn't mean that the job was done well, nor that it was done to my liking. I use several different synths in linux, all for free, and are very powerful instruments.


brian

Not feel better, paid software is better.

I've mention some examples. UAD, Waves, Slate, Avid, U-He, Native Instruments, Fxpansion, Sonnox, Tone2, Arturia, Spectrasonics.

Better UI, Better workflow and design, Better Sound, Better Support.

You talk about professional, professional make full music not a bunch of loops like what your souncloud is. Professional don't settle for 'good enough' tools, they want the best. And there is none of the best in linux that is native.

[briandc]

Something that hasn't been mentioned is support. When a PC or laptop is sold, the support is only for the OS installed by the vendor. If you ring up with a problem, whether its hardware or software, they will ask you to go into Windows to do x, y ,z etc When you tell them you've installed Linux - game over. Youll get the same from ISPs. That's a no go for professionals

I usually go to the forum of the distro that I am using. I register and then post my question/problem; most distros have very active forums and you can get help from others sometimes in a matter of minutes.
There are some good "general" linux websites, too. For audio issues, linuxmusicians.com is good. There are several other linux audio websites with tips and tuning tips to get your system very fast, etc.


brian

[briandc]

Not feel better, paid software is better.

I've mention some examples. UAD, Waves, Slate, Avid, U-He, Native Instruments, Fxpansion, Sonnox, Tone2, Arturia, Spectrasonics.

Better UI, Better workflow and design, Better Sound, Better Support.

You talk about professional, professional make full music not a bunch of loops like what your souncloud is. Professional don't settle for 'good enough' tools, they want the best. And there is none of the best in linux (unless u cheat and use wine or other vst host, which is also buggy since linux was never supported in the first place).

You need to be specific. "Better" is very vague. What does a DAW in Windows do that a DAW in linux cannot do? How specifically is the workflow better? (BTW, I'm assuming you've already been using linux, since you have said that it is not as good.)

Can you give me some specific examples?

As far as my soundcloud page, it's just stuff I'm experimenting with, but not a "proof" of what linux can do. Just my own playing around..


brian