Hi.
I am terminally curious, and for that reason, among others, I have been wanting to try out Linux and the many audio applications designed for it. But, I don't really have any idea where to start, or even if it is a good idea for someone like me. So, here's what is most troubling for me:
a) is linux an operating system in the same way that windows or mac os is? or more in the way that DOS used to be?
b) is it command line? (honestly, I really don't know this, I am suffering from info-overload as far as this stuff goes, so much info, no idea where to start, don't understand 75 percent of it anyway.
C) Can linux really be run side by side with another os, without a bunch of hiccups? Looked at CoLinux, but couldn't really figure out the "interface" - ie, how to work it; it needs linux to be installed I know, but where? Seperate drive or just partitions OK?
d) I am afraid that if I do install Linux, I will not know how to navigate it, and thus loose access to my Windowz system; ???
OKAY: I know that there is stuff out there that probably answers every question I could think of re; this subject, but the problem is that they all speak in teck terms that I understand only half of. I can track down the subjects I am wondering about, but trying to actually do what they say I get really lost and I don't want to f**k up my computer...
So, am I just too green to really give this any serious consideration? Would the information that I gain through something like this be interesting enough to make all the trouble worth it? (I know, hard to qualify "interesting", ignore if you want). Does anyone here do this, and if so is there any advice you could give me as to where to start learning what I need to know, in plain english?
Thanx, guyz.
I hope you all are doing well.
Gabriel.
some stupid questions about Linux
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- KVRAF
- 3528 posts since 18 Apr, 2002 from British Columbia, Canada
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- KVRAF
- 1789 posts since 17 Mar, 2004 from Bretagne, the west of France
Hello Gabriel,spoonboiler wrote:Hi.
I am terminally curious, and for that reason, among others, I have been wanting to try out Linux and the many audio applications designed for it. But, I don't really have any idea where to start, or even if it is a good idea for someone like me. So, here's what is most troubling for me:
a) is linux an operating system in the same way that windows or mac os is? or more in the way that DOS used to be?
b) is it command line? (honestly, I really don't know this, I am suffering from info-overload as far as this stuff goes, so much info, no idea where to start, don't understand 75 percent of it anyway.
C) Can linux really be run side by side with another os, without a bunch of hiccups? Looked at CoLinux, but couldn't really figure out the "interface" - ie, how to work it; it needs linux to be installed I know, but where? Seperate drive or just partitions OK?
d) I am afraid that if I do install Linux, I will not know how to navigate it, and thus loose access to my Windowz system; ???
OKAY: I know that there is stuff out there that probably answers every question I could think of re; this subject, but the problem is that they all speak in teck terms that I understand only half of. I can track down the subjects I am wondering about, but trying to actually do what they say I get really lost and I don't want to f**k up my computer...
So, am I just too green to really give this any serious consideration? Would the information that I gain through something like this be interesting enough to make all the trouble worth it? (I know, hard to qualify "interesting", ignore if you want). Does anyone here do this, and if so is there any advice you could give me as to where to start learning what I need to know, in plain english?
Thanx, guyz.
I hope you all are doing well.
Gabriel.
Like you say, it all depends on your knowledge and, even more, of the time you want to invest in it.
At the moment there are some Linux distribution that are easy to install ('allmost' as easy as Windows).
Having installed Linux is just the beginning, after that you will need software and drivers for your hardware. If your soundcard and/or soundinterface, midi interface,etc.. isn't reconized by Linux by default, you will need some technical knowledge to get it working. Software is another issue, to my knowledge at the moment there are not yet good alternives to the 'big' mutltitrack applications in Windows (cubase,cakewalk,tacktion,...). You should be aware allso that most VST & VSTi's are only available for Windows.
Don't understand me wrong, Linux is a very good operating software, I use it myself but at the moment I don't think that it is the best OS to make music.
If you want to follow that path, you will invest a lot of time searching, exploring and trying things out. And while you do that you don't make music
Hope this helps,
Rony
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- KVRist
- 31 posts since 22 Nov, 2002
a. Yes.spoonboiler wrote:Hi.
I am terminally curious, and for that reason, among others, I have been wanting to try out Linux and the many audio applications designed for it. But, I don't really have any idea where to start, or even if it is a good idea for someone like me. So, here's what is most troubling for me:
a) is linux an operating system in the same way that windows or mac os is? or more in the way that DOS used to be?
b) is it command line? (honestly, I really don't know this, I am suffering from info-overload as far as this stuff goes, so much info, no idea where to start, don't understand 75 percent of it anyway.
C) Can linux really be run side by side with another os, without a bunch of hiccups? Looked at CoLinux, but couldn't really figure out the "interface" - ie, how to work it; it needs linux to be installed I know, but where? Seperate drive or just partitions OK?
d) I am afraid that if I do install Linux, I will not know how to navigate it, and thus loose access to my Windowz system; ???
OKAY: I know that there is stuff out there that probably answers every question I could think of re; this subject, but the problem is that they all speak in teck terms that I understand only half of. I can track down the subjects I am wondering about, but trying to actually do what they say I get really lost and I don't want to f**k up my computer...
So, am I just too green to really give this any serious consideration? Would the information that I gain through something like this be interesting enough to make all the trouble worth it? (I know, hard to qualify "interesting", ignore if you want). Does anyone here do this, and if so is there any advice you could give me as to where to start learning what I need to know, in plain english?
Thanx, guyz.
I hope you all are doing well.
Gabriel.
b. Yes and no... it has a command line component, which is arguably the most important/useful feature, but it can be all GUI.
c. Yes, it can, separate partitions.
d. IF you're worried, try KNOPPIX http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html, a fully functional linux distribution on a bootable CD. What that means is you don't have to change anything on your computer's setup to try linux. It's the perfect way to check it out, and autodetects most hardware.
As for whether it's worth it, well, Linux is a great OS for programmers and stuff, and is known for stability. While there are audio apps, and some of them are decent, it's up to you whether it works for you. Me, I use FL Studio, and until it runs under WINE, I won't be switching to Linux full time.
Hope this helps
[/url]
-RLabz-
the job of the artist, is to always, is to deepen the mystery
the job of the artist, is to always, is to deepen the mystery
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- Beware the Quoth
- 35439 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
spoonboiler quoth Hi.
I am terminally curious, and for that reason, among others, I have been wanting to try out Linux and the many audio applications designed for it. But, I don't really have any idea where to start, or even if it is a good idea for someone like me. So, here's what is most troubling for me:
I'll see what I can do
a) is linux an operating system in the same way that windows or mac os is? or more in the way that DOS used to be?
Im not sure exactly what you mean by that, but Linux is a full multi-user, multi-tasking operating system in the tradition of Unix, in the way that Windows and the Mac have eventually come to be. In fact OS X on the Mac is also based on a Unix operating system core.
b) is it command line? (honestly, I really don't know this, I am suffering from info-overload as far as this stuff goes, so much info, no idea where to start, don't understand 75 percent of it anyway.
You could install Linux with or without a windowing GUI. And like Windows and OS X command-line functionality is still available even if you install a GUI front-end.
In Unix, though, what happens is slightly more 'layered'. But suffice it to say that you run an X-Windows system, on top of which you run a windows manager. And on top of that, you run a desktop environment. It sounds complex, but its very flexible, and usually, installers will take care of this for you.
There are two predominant desktop environments, one called KDE, and one called GNOME, but there are others. Linux distributions tend to favour one or other of these, but you could use one of the others that exist. As long as you install the appropriate libraries, though, an application should run under any.
C) Can linux really be run side by side with another os, without a bunch of hiccups? Looked at CoLinux, but couldn't really figure out the "interface" - ie, how to work it; it needs linux to be installed I know, but where? Seperate drive or just partitions OK?
If by 'side by side' you mean 'at the same time', then there are actually a couple of ways of doing that, which vary in their 'beta-ness'. VMWare is one mature but pricy option.
If you mean 'not at the same time but on the same machine' then definitely yes. But you'd generally need space for a dedicated drive partition. However, you can even run Linux direct from a CD without worrying about installation stuff (see Knoppix)
d) I am afraid that if I do install Linux, I will not know how to navigate it, and thus loose access to my Windowz system; ???
Try Knoppix then. But most modern Linux installations do the clever stuff for you. You'll need free space on your drive, though.
OKAY: I know that there is stuff out there that probably answers every question I could think of re; this subject, but the problem is that they all speak in teck terms that I understand only half of. I can track down the subjects I am wondering about, but trying to actually do what they say I get really lost and I don't want to f**k up my computer...
So, am I just too green to really give this any serious consideration? Would the information that I gain through something like this be interesting enough to make all the trouble worth it? (I know, hard to qualify "interesting", ignore if you want). Does anyone here do this, and if so is there any advice you could give me as to where to start learning what I need to know, in plain english?
By the sound of it, definitely start with a Knoppix distribution....
I am terminally curious, and for that reason, among others, I have been wanting to try out Linux and the many audio applications designed for it. But, I don't really have any idea where to start, or even if it is a good idea for someone like me. So, here's what is most troubling for me:
I'll see what I can do
a) is linux an operating system in the same way that windows or mac os is? or more in the way that DOS used to be?
Im not sure exactly what you mean by that, but Linux is a full multi-user, multi-tasking operating system in the tradition of Unix, in the way that Windows and the Mac have eventually come to be. In fact OS X on the Mac is also based on a Unix operating system core.
b) is it command line? (honestly, I really don't know this, I am suffering from info-overload as far as this stuff goes, so much info, no idea where to start, don't understand 75 percent of it anyway.
You could install Linux with or without a windowing GUI. And like Windows and OS X command-line functionality is still available even if you install a GUI front-end.
In Unix, though, what happens is slightly more 'layered'. But suffice it to say that you run an X-Windows system, on top of which you run a windows manager. And on top of that, you run a desktop environment. It sounds complex, but its very flexible, and usually, installers will take care of this for you.
There are two predominant desktop environments, one called KDE, and one called GNOME, but there are others. Linux distributions tend to favour one or other of these, but you could use one of the others that exist. As long as you install the appropriate libraries, though, an application should run under any.
C) Can linux really be run side by side with another os, without a bunch of hiccups? Looked at CoLinux, but couldn't really figure out the "interface" - ie, how to work it; it needs linux to be installed I know, but where? Seperate drive or just partitions OK?
If by 'side by side' you mean 'at the same time', then there are actually a couple of ways of doing that, which vary in their 'beta-ness'. VMWare is one mature but pricy option.
If you mean 'not at the same time but on the same machine' then definitely yes. But you'd generally need space for a dedicated drive partition. However, you can even run Linux direct from a CD without worrying about installation stuff (see Knoppix)
d) I am afraid that if I do install Linux, I will not know how to navigate it, and thus loose access to my Windowz system; ???
Try Knoppix then. But most modern Linux installations do the clever stuff for you. You'll need free space on your drive, though.
OKAY: I know that there is stuff out there that probably answers every question I could think of re; this subject, but the problem is that they all speak in teck terms that I understand only half of. I can track down the subjects I am wondering about, but trying to actually do what they say I get really lost and I don't want to f**k up my computer...
So, am I just too green to really give this any serious consideration? Would the information that I gain through something like this be interesting enough to make all the trouble worth it? (I know, hard to qualify "interesting", ignore if you want). Does anyone here do this, and if so is there any advice you could give me as to where to start learning what I need to know, in plain english?
By the sound of it, definitely start with a Knoppix distribution....
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 3528 posts since 18 Apr, 2002 from British Columbia, Canada
Wow!
Thank you all for your help. I will check out each of the suggestions. It seems like a really intriguing system, and I hope that sooner than later there will be more options for musicians on Linux. bucodi, rlabz, and whyterabbyt; thank you for your kindness and advise.
Thank you all for your help. I will check out each of the suggestions. It seems like a really intriguing system, and I hope that sooner than later there will be more options for musicians on Linux. bucodi, rlabz, and whyterabbyt; thank you for your kindness and advise.
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- Beware the Quoth
- 35439 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
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- KVRist
- 264 posts since 8 Jul, 2002 from Lake Superior
Good answers about Linux. However, it raises a question: is there a standard music plug-in format for Linux? For instance, Windows has VST and DX, Mac has AU, and Linux has ???
Or will a VST run in Linux because it is really still playing around in the PC Zone.
Also, one last note. I would definitely recommend a cool magazine called Linux Format from the UK. They really explain Linux well and have fun doing it.
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- KVRist
- 112 posts since 31 Aug, 2003 from Nether regions of Netherlands
Another vote for Knoppix here. It has restored my faith in Linux - absolutely brilliant.
Also highly recommended is http://dynebolic.org - it's a live linux distribution configured as a streaming multimedia studio. Well worth checking out - especially since you don't have to install it.
Also highly recommended is http://dynebolic.org - it's a live linux distribution configured as a streaming multimedia studio. Well worth checking out - especially since you don't have to install it.
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- KVRAF
- 3964 posts since 31 Aug, 2003 from In a foreign town, in a foreign land
LADSPA.Mo Verdigast wrote:However, it raises a question: is there a standard music plug-in format for Linux? For instance, Windows has VST and DX, Mac has AU, and Linux has ???
Groet, Erik
Pop music delenda est.
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- Beware the Quoth
- 35439 posts since 4 Sep, 2001 from R'lyeh Oceanic Amusement Park and Funfair
Mo Verdigast quoth
Good answers about Linux. However, it raises a question: is there a standard music plug-in format for Linux? For instance, Windows has VST and DX, Mac has AU, and Linux has ???
LADSPA
And also the JACK route any-audio-to-anywhere system.
Or will a VST run in Linux because it is really still playing around in the PC Zone.
There are ways to do it, yes....
Good answers about Linux. However, it raises a question: is there a standard music plug-in format for Linux? For instance, Windows has VST and DX, Mac has AU, and Linux has ???
LADSPA
And also the JACK route any-audio-to-anywhere system.
Or will a VST run in Linux because it is really still playing around in the PC Zone.
There are ways to do it, yes....
An idiot on Set Theory:
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."
"In some cases there is an object called red that contains everything that is red. In much the same way a pot is a plate."