Future of Windows in pro audio

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dellboy wrote: Sun Jan 25, 2026 10:43 am So, after reading comments in this thread I splashed out and bought a new M4 Mac Mini on Friday. Before this I had been on Windows 11 on a laptop.

Like most things in life there are pros and cons do far. The Core Audio aspect is mostly a Pro, except I now have to "eject" the drive of my Kurzweil K2700 before shutting down? (it has a built in audio interface).

Folders seem to proliferate everywhere and I am constanly closing them. I gave up trying to install my Aruria software because it kept asking for my password over and over. Probably a lot of my problems are newbie, but in many ways I prefer Windows OS. I did manage to setup with just a local account though. Will things get better over time as I learn the OS?
Hey dellboy, and welcome aboard! I guess we’ll have to call you macboy from now on. :hihi:

It gets easier. For me, the most annoying things going from Windows to macOS was the reverse scrolling and having to hold Command when deleting files with the Del key. I still keep my scroll direction reversed in Settings and have the Trash bin in my toolbar.

Another thing is that when you click the 🔴 to close, you are actually only closing the window. The application itself stays running, so you need to go to Quit, or hit command+Q.

You can customize a lot about what you do and don’t see, and how folders, menus, toolbars, drives, etc are displayed. You’ll figure it out.

If you use the Arturia Software Center, you should only have to put in your password once. You can change your password to something really short, like a single keystroke, but you need to do this terminal command to remove the minimum 4-character limit:

Code: Select all

pwpolicy -clearaccountpolicies
THIS MUSIC HAS BEEN MIXED TO BE PLAYED LOUD SO TURN IT UP

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One nice thing about Macs is that, like Linux, they use BASH on the command line. So Linux users can feel right at home.
Vendor‑Dependent Copy Protection: Customers lose. Pirates win.:mad:
(Also: I'm Accused of lying about Linux—it boots, runs my pro audio workflow, stays stable, updates--though yearly dismissed as “niche”. Yet I'm the deluded one.)
:roll:

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audiojunkie wrote: Mon Jan 26, 2026 11:53 pm One nice thing about Macs is that, like Linux, they use BASH on the command line. So Linux users can feel right at home.
Yet the most optimal method of computing, for end users [including most music artists], doesn't involve any terminals or command lines.

Really the OS shouldn't even be considered when producing; It should be so seamless that you don't notice it. If you have to pop open a terminal screen, it is no longer that. It gets in the way of the experience.

I suspect though that most don't have to do this on Mac or Windows anyways. Because most people don't seem to care about tweaking or customizing much if at all. It's just install the OS, install the apps, and start recording.

It's only super geeks that want to play dollhouse with the OS. As if the customization is a Sims family. Which is fine, if that's what you like. But it doesn't seem to represent very many folks.

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I only commented on the command shell, because they both use BASH. You’ve really got the wrong idea about Linux and Linux users. I could allow myself to get offended by the insulting comments, and talk of playing “dollhouse” or “sims”, but my guess is that you probably tried Linux at some point, and couldn’t figure it out, and it made you bitter. No worries. Linux isn’t for everyone.

A bit of “one-time tuning” doesn’t equate to “constant tuning”. Any modern desktop environment gets out of the way and lets musicians get to work—and with Linux, you can have it any way you want it. It’s just as easy with Linux, once the initial set up is done—and maybe more so, since you’ve got everything exactly how it works best for you. :)

There’s less need for the command line these days, than there ever was before. Maybe you ought to swallow your pride and give Linux another chance. :)
Vendor‑Dependent Copy Protection: Customers lose. Pirates win.:mad:
(Also: I'm Accused of lying about Linux—it boots, runs my pro audio workflow, stays stable, updates--though yearly dismissed as “niche”. Yet I'm the deluded one.)
:roll:

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audiojunkie, what audio software and 3rd party plugins are you running? I know there are some, like Pianoteq, but other than that, very few others that I absolutely require. That makes Linux a non-starter for me for my music (though I do know how to use it and even created a bootable thumb drive with Ubuntu.)
THIS MUSIC HAS BEEN MIXED TO BE PLAYED LOUD SO TURN IT UP

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audiojunkie wrote: Mon Jan 26, 2026 11:53 pm One nice thing about Macs is that, like Linux, they use BASH on the command line. So Linux users can feel right at home.
Nearly right.
google AI response on 'macos default shell history' wrote:Since macOS Catalina (10.15 published 2019), Zsh (/bin/zsh) is the default shell, replacing Bash.
We are the KVR collective. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. Image
My MusicCalc is served over https!!

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tcsh > zsh > bash
Soft Knees - Live 12, Diva, Omnisphere, Slate Digital VSX, TDR, Kush Audio, U-He, PA, Valhalla, Fuse, Pulsar AUDIO, NI, OekSound etc. on Win11Pro R7950X & RME AiO Pro
https://www.youtube.com/@softknees/videos Music & Demoscene

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jamcat wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 5:48 am audiojunkie, what audio software and 3rd party plugins are you running? I know there are some, like Pianoteq, but other than that, very few others that I absolutely require. That makes Linux a non-starter for me for my music (though I do know how to use it and even created a bootable thumb drive with Ubuntu.)

Here’s a quick copy/paste of my notes:

My Personal Music Making Essentials

Apps & Tools:

Reaper 7
JSFX: Midi Strum
Reascript: Lunker’s Midi Guitar Chord Tool
Youtube — Reaper Midi Editor: The Arpeggio/Strumming Tool
Reascript: Pandabot’s ChordGun
X42’s Midi Filters
www.reapertips.com/post/how-to-strum-midi-notes
Polyphone Soundfont Editor
LoopAuditioneer
ConvertWithMoss (JAVA) - converts multiple formats
Tenacity (Flatpak)
Audacity 4
WINE
Yabridge or LinVST3 or Carla
WineASIO
WineGUI
Magillos/Cable (Pipewire control GUI)
Millisecond (on Flathub)
mangoban/StemWeaver - AI driven stem separation tool

Plugins:
Diva
Repro 1 & 5
OB-XF
Hive 2
Surge-XT
Odin 2,
Audio Damage Quanta 2
Cardinal
Shortcircuit-XT (Coming)
Sforzando
Sfizz-UI
Decent Sampler
Fluida
LinuxSampler
MT Power Drumkit 2 (Linux native version)
JC303
Guitarix.vst
NeuralRack
Uhbik 2
U-he Colour Copy
EOS 2
Dragonfly Reverbs,
Audio Damage - Circa
Linux Studio Plugins
Airwindows Consolidated
Surge-XT Effects (a separate plugin)
floe-audio/Floe
X42 plugins
LibreArp
MVerb
tiagolr/gate12
tiagolr/time12
tiagolr/filtr
tiagolr/reevr
TAL-Filter
Ildaeil
prof-spock/FluidSynthPlugin
Yoshimi
GxPlugins.lv2
ToneTwist Plugs
Dexed
Aether Reverb
CloudReverb
Fors - Sala (Ceremonial Reverb)
Vitalium-verb
Loopino
MT-PowerDrumKit 2 - Native Linux version
Brick wall limiter - LSP Limiter
Exciter - Airwindows Exciter
Auto tuner plugin - ReaTune
De-esser - Airwindows DeEss
Vocoder - ReaVocode or TAL-Vocoder
Harmonizer - Reaper Reavoice
TX16Wx Sampler (C/R)
TAL-Sampler (C/R)
TAL-Drum (C/R)
Spline (C/R)
Bliss Sampler (C/R)

—————————————————


Want to buy:

AudioThing JUNE ($40 sale)
U-he Zebra 3 (Coming)
Chipsynth OPS7 (Coming) $50
Apisonic Audio - Speedrum 2 ($25 upgrade fee)
Sinevibes - Hollow (Vast Space Reverb) $40
Sinevibes - Luminance v2 (Shimmer reverb) $40
Sinevibes Albedo (Granular Cloud Reverb) $40
Auburn Sounds - Selene (reverb) $40
Redux Sampler
Chipsynth OPS7
Fors - Pivot (FM synth)
Mulab
Geonkick
Venomode Phrasebox 2 $95
HY-Plugins HY-Slicer2 $60
HY-Plugins HY-Seq32 $50
Kushview Element (For layered synth patches)
Impact Soundworks’ Acoustic Revolutions: Strum Designer (WAV Loop library)
Acon Digital Acoustica
Audio Damage Other Desert Cities (includes granular delay)
Helgoboss.org — Playtime 2
Ursa Major Stargate 323 reverb
Loomer Strings $65
Altitude (synth with 4 SFZ slots for oscillators
Geonkick
General Compressor - Kazrog Retro Sta-level
Loudness Maximizer - Venomode Maximal 3
DDMF products
Ultra
Vendor‑Dependent Copy Protection: Customers lose. Pirates win.:mad:
(Also: I'm Accused of lying about Linux—it boots, runs my pro audio workflow, stays stable, updates--though yearly dismissed as “niche”. Yet I'm the deluded one.)
:roll:

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BertKoor wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 10:34 am
audiojunkie wrote: Mon Jan 26, 2026 11:53 pm One nice thing about Macs is that, like Linux, they use BASH on the command line. So Linux users can feel right at home.
Nearly right.
google AI response on 'macos default shell history' wrote:Since macOS Catalina (10.15 published 2019), Zsh (/bin/zsh) is the default shell, replacing Bash.
Ah, they changed. Good to know. Linux can use Zsh too. :)
Vendor‑Dependent Copy Protection: Customers lose. Pirates win.:mad:
(Also: I'm Accused of lying about Linux—it boots, runs my pro audio workflow, stays stable, updates--though yearly dismissed as “niche”. Yet I'm the deluded one.)
:roll:

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audiojunkie wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:11 pm
BertKoor wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 10:34 am
audiojunkie wrote: Mon Jan 26, 2026 11:53 pm One nice thing about Macs is that, like Linux, they use BASH on the command line. So Linux users can feel right at home.
Nearly right.
google AI response on 'macos default shell history' wrote:Since macOS Catalina (10.15 published 2019), Zsh (/bin/zsh) is the default shell, replacing Bash.
Ah, they changed. Good to know. Linux can use Zsh too. :)
Bash is still available, it is just not the default shell anymore.

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jamcat wrote: Fri Jan 16, 2026 7:00 pm
Seafire Mk2 wrote: Fri Jan 16, 2026 6:47 pm What's the problem with not having a 'local account' ?

(Whatever that is)
A local account is your Windows user account as you’ve known it. It exists locally on your machine. A Microsoft account is like an online 365 account. That account exists on their cloud servers, and you have to login online.

Those accounts already exist, and are now the default accounts users need to login online into their desktops with. Microsoft is systematically eliminating local accounts, and you will only be able to use your Windows computer if you are logged into such an account, likely by October of this year, when support for Windows 11 24H2 is discontinued.

Microsoft is absolutely railroading users into their cloud environment.
local account removed on HOME version of Windows, not on the PRO side (just select to use a domain user and you avoid the problem). On price side a user can buy w11 pro with 10 euros.

the infinite fight of Windows vs OSX vs Linux and x86 vs Arm to me is me most stupid thing in the world, just only a chitchat for religious fanboys.

I use the 3 os (with Cubase, Protools and Logic) like i still using an Atari ST with Notator, an Amiga with Bars'n'Pipe and Protracker and... i have fun with all the computers

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Id love love to use Bars n Pipes. I was using Temper which was sadly dropped, a windows 'copy'. So much fun Had the best arp Ive ever used. The modular pipe system for drawing midi just mind blowing. I hope Bitwig eventually does it, or Ableton. Ableton are closer

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audiojunkie wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:07 pm My Personal Music Making Essentials
The selection of available standard studio software and plugins in your list is pretty slim. It looks like mostly u-he, Audio Damage, and TAL. I don't use anything from those developers, though I will get TAL's JX-8P when it becomes available.

It seems like using Linux pretty much confines you to making techno with u-he plugins. Is that what you're doing, and if so, is it because using Linux has dictated it, or is it what you would be doing anyways? That wouldn't work for me, and I'd just give up music and become an accountant instead, since I'd sooner run GnuCash than Reaper. :ud:
THIS MUSIC HAS BEEN MIXED TO BE PLAYED LOUD SO TURN IT UP

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I don't understand how using Linux confines or dictates a techno genre.

My Linux list is Modartt et al, u-He et al, Tracktion Biotek3, F.'em, Collective, Audio Damage Axon, Quanta2, Eos2, Other Desert Cities, Discord4, MOK Minirazor, Waverazor, and Algonaut Atlas.
What I regularly use is much less than that. And what I play leans closer to Fusion and World Music...

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jamcat wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 10:38 pm
audiojunkie wrote: Tue Jan 27, 2026 1:07 pm My Personal Music Making Essentials
The selection of available standard studio software and plugins in your list is pretty slim. It looks like mostly u-he, Audio Damage, and TAL. I don't use anything from those developers, though I will get TAL's JX-8P when it becomes available.

It seems like using Linux pretty much confines you to making techno with u-he plugins. Is that what you're doing, and if so, is it because using Linux has dictated it, or is it what you would be doing anyways? That wouldn't work for me, and I'd just give up music and become an accountant instead, since I'd sooner run GnuCash than Reaper. :ud:
Hehehe!! I’ve played with GnuCash. That’s setting the bar pretty low! :D I actually like Reaper—it’s flexible, powerful, stable, and efficient—like Linux. ;)

I actually have things intentionally narrowed down quite a lot. I try to keep one or two tools for a particular job—including a backup. So I could probably cut my list in half if I’m being honest.

I’m actually not a big fan of techno at all. I’m more into styles like Shoegaze, Dreampop, Triphop, Indie, Ethereal, Post Rock, and Dub.

It’s more my philosophy of having the best tool for the job, and knowing how to use it, rather than having ten or twenty or 100 of similar synths. For example, with TX16Wx, Speedrum, Quanta 2, Zebra3, Chipsynth OPS7, Cardinal, and Diva, I cover instrument and drum sampling, granular synthesis, wavetable synthesis, FM synthesis, Modular synthesis, and analog modeled subtractive synthesis. These are all high quality synthesizers/samplers. With these instruments (along with many varied effects), I can layer and create probably 95% of any sound possible. I would rather have a few tools that I know thoroughly inside and out, than 400 to 500 plugins that I know partially or just for presets.

The one area where there is a gap, in my opinion, is in deeply sampled real and acoustic sampled instruments with lots of articulations. I have Musiclab’s guitar plugins that are Windows plugins. I have to run them with WINE. I also have several other plugins and tools that I have to run in WINE, but I didn’t list those, because that isn’t representative of native Linux tools. And I want to highlight Linux native tools. Here’s my list of Windows software that I have and/or I’m thinking of getting:

Blue Cat Audio Patchbay
Musiclab’s RealGMS
Musiclab’s RealStrat
Musiclab’s RealLPC
Pfundstein Audio Plugins - Bass Guitars
SynthMaster 3
KarmaFX Synth 2
VSTSynthFont64 v3.x
Zampler RX
Sugar Bytes Guitarist
XotoPad
Awave Studio 12.9
Bjorn Bojahr’s tools (Session2Wav, EndlessWav, Bjorn’s Sample Mapper, EXS2SFZ, WizCalc)
Wavosaur
TX2SFZ (TX16Wx to SFZ)
SfzEd
Sonic Projects — OP-X Pro II
Full Bucket Music plugins
PG-8X
SQ-8L
Tone 2 Plugins (Serial number only)
Valhalla plugins (Serial number only
Melda Products - Especially MSoundfactory as a rompler
Devicemeister Stepic $50
Synthesizer V (C/R) $100
Vendor‑Dependent Copy Protection: Customers lose. Pirates win.:mad:
(Also: I'm Accused of lying about Linux—it boots, runs my pro audio workflow, stays stable, updates--though yearly dismissed as “niche”. Yet I'm the deluded one.)
:roll:

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