🎶 Native Linux Plugins – New & Upcoming (VST | CLAP | LV2 | Standalone)

[mabian]

AudioModern joins the party with SoundBox Linux Native, out today

https://audiomodern.com/soundbox/

- Mario

[enCiphered]

No one is arguing that REAPER or Bitwig Studio can’t be used live or that extensions aren’t powerful.

REAPER + extensions is still a DAW project model with scripts and add-ons layered on top. You’re switching configs, snapshots, regions, containers, etc. That works, but it’s fundamentally different from a purpose-built live host with a real performance state engine.

Most importantly: glitch-free switching cannot be guaranteed by any extension, because many plugins themselves suspend audio, reallocate memory or reload engines when changing presets or snapshots (Kontakt is a well-known example). If the plugin pauses the audio thread, no amount of scripting in REAPER can make that truly seamless. At best you can reduce glitches via preloading and workarounds which is exactly what SWS, Live Configs, etc. are doing.

So yes, REAPER can be engineered into a very capable live rig. But that’s not the same as being architecturally equivalent to Cantabile, Camelot or Gig Performer, which are built from the ground up around deterministic state management, instant switching and minimizing failure modes.

This is simply not the same thing as designed for the job. That’s the whole reason those dedicated hosts exist in the first place.

Most people have heard of extensions, but have never really ever seen or used one, let alone several.

Reaper is truly more powerful than most people have ever been aware of..........most people don't even know that there are extensions for Reaper.

Unfortunately, enthusiasm doesn’t change system architecture.
This is only the evidence that the solution is complex, niche and non-standard. Professional live systems succeed precisely because they don’t require users to discover stacks of scripts, third-party tools and undocumented workflows to achieve basic reliability. If something only works after heavy customization by power users, that’s not an advantage. That’s the definition of a workaround.

[audiojunkie]

No one is arguing that REAPER or Bitwig Studio can’t be used live or that extensions aren’t powerful.

REAPER + extensions is still a DAW project model with scripts and add-ons layered on top. You’re switching configs, snapshots, regions, containers, etc. That works, but it’s fundamentally different from a purpose-built live host with a real performance state engine.

Most importantly: glitch-free switching cannot be guaranteed by any extension, because many plugins themselves suspend audio, reallocate memory or reload engines when changing presets or snapshots (Kontakt is a well-known example). If the plugin pauses the audio thread, no amount of scripting in REAPER can make that truly seamless. At best you can reduce glitches via preloading and workarounds which is exactly what SWS, Live Configs, etc. are doing.

So yes, REAPER can be engineered into a very capable live rig. But that’s not the same as being architecturally equivalent to Cantabile, Camelot or Gig Performer, which are built from the ground up around deterministic state management, instant switching and minimizing failure modes.

This is simply not the same thing as designed for the job. That’s the whole reason those dedicated hosts exist in the first place.

Most people have heard of extensions, but have never really ever seen or used one, let alone several.

Reaper is truly more powerful than most people have ever been aware of..........most people don't even know that there are extensions for Reaper.

Unfortunately, enthusiasm doesn’t change system architecture.
This is only the evidence that the solution is complex, niche and non-standard. Professional live systems succeed precisely because they don’t require users to discover stacks of scripts, third-party tools and undocumented workflows to achieve basic reliability. If something only works after heavy customization by power users, that’s not an advantage. That’s the definition of a workaround.

Fair enough. I hope it won't be long until a "purpose-built" Linux solution comes along.

[audiojunkie]

AudioModern joins the party with SoundBox Linux Native, out today

https://audiomodern.com/soundbox/

- Mario

Ooooh!!! This is cool!!! I'm going to have to get this!!!!

[keys_au1]

Nah sorry AJ, I have already spent considerable time going down the Reaper for live path. It is simply not fit for purpose. Great DAW, pretty awful at doing the jobs that I am suggesting (as is enCiphered).

I have even tried it (live gigging) with Sonar, Cubase and to a lesser extent Bitwig (only a trial on that one though)

[keys_au1]

....Fair enough. I hope it won't be long until a "purpose-built" Linux solution comes along.

I've been waiting 5 years+ now! There is simply NO desire on the part of Linux developers to do this, simply because there is no-one (as in players) willing to take the risk with Linux and live without a dedicated app. And it becomes a "catch-22" situation.

I think Linux is brilliant! However until it does this, I will, be sticking with windows.

I would even suggest that end users would be totally happy for it to be a commercial Linux app. No need for freebies!

[audiojunkie]

....Fair enough. I hope it won't be long until a "purpose-built" Linux solution comes along.

I've been waiting 5 years+ now! There is simply NO desire on the part of Linux developers to do this, simply because there is no-one (as in players) willing to take the risk with Linux and live without a dedicated app. And it becomes a "catch-22" situation.

I think Linux is brilliant! However until it does this, I will, be sticking with windows.

I would even suggest that end users would be totally happy for it to be a commercial Linux app. No need for freebies!

I think many users are happy to pay for software on Linux. There are some hard core FOSS individuals, but most, I think, are willing to pay.

[keys_au1]

I think many users are happy to pay for software on Linux. There are some hard core FOSS individuals, but most, I think, are willing to pay.

Oh yes, I agree totally. In fact pretty much ALL the Linux users I have come across (particularly in audio production) are even happy to pay prices approaching those charged for Windows apps....assuming the quality level is as high.

I just cannot see ANY Linux developer that is non-corporate - (as in Arturia, Steinberg, UHE, Ableton, Yamaha Roland, Avid, IK Multimedia et al) having the resources to even attempt it. Even though, imho, their apps would run FAR better on Linux than on windows!

Those "majors" have zero interest, even though, anecdotally, Linux use among the audio community is approaching those from Apple MacOS. I am discounting iOS users in that. Still a long way to go but the indications are it is increasing.

[neverbeeninariot]

Linux use among the audio community is approaching those from Apple MacOS.

Perhaps more like half of macOS, but still...

This is the self-selected OS role on the Vital discord server. I'm not sure how much you can reliably read into that, it's a single data point from one synth, but I was quite surprised by the Linux numbers, (however, insert any number of caveats here: )

[keys_au1]

Linux use among the audio community is approaching those from Apple MacOS.

Perhaps more like half of macOS, but still...

This is the self-selected OS role on the Vital discord server. I'm not sure how much you can reliably read into that, it's a single data point from one synth, but I was quite surprised by the Linux numbers, (however, insert any number of caveats here: )

Interesting, and yeah I could believe that poll tbh.

I am surprised that the clever folks behind gig performer have not picked on on this (Linux versions) being a good possible future income stream! I think their platform would suit Linux the best.

[NWSM]

I tried going Linux in the last 2 weeks and although it didn't work out for me, I'm glad I learned about Auburn Selene, which I think is a very lovely reverb:

https://www.auburnsounds.com/products/Selene.html

Going Linux is not something that takes weeks. It took several months for me, fine-tuning the various pieces (Wine/Yabridge, etc.), and streamlining the plugin set to have something comprehensive and robust at the same time.

But, at least for the moment, it's quite a refreshing experience.

Agree the month-style Linux is not THAT easy yet but i got my year passed into fully using Linux. True, Linux is growing and is useable for Musicproduction.

[NWSM]

....Fair enough. I hope it won't be long until a "purpose-built" Linux solution comes along.

I've been waiting 5 years+ now! There is simply NO desire on the part of Linux developers to do this, simply because there is no-one (as in players) willing to take the risk with Linux and live without a dedicated app. And it becomes a "catch-22" situation.

I think Linux is brilliant! However until it does this, I will, be sticking with windows.

I would even suggest that end users would be totally happy for it to be a commercial Linux app. No need for freebies!

I think many users are happy to pay for software on Linux. There are some hard core FOSS individuals, but most, I think, are willing to pay.

i payed quite a bit for Linux Plugins and i don't stop.

[NWSM]

In the next few month

UNƒILTERED . ΔUDIO
https://www.unfilteredaudio.com/

will follow.

"...I've been planning on rolling out some Linux builds on our website...It might take a few months, but it's definitely on my TODO right now."

is known for:

• LION
• Sandman
• Battalion
• SpecOps
• BYOME

[NWSM]

AudioModern joins the party with SoundBox Linux Native, out today

https://audiomodern.com/soundbox/

- Mario

wow* - Surprise - Audio Modern got some nice tools and i hope they keep on.
i will try this instantly =)

CAUTION EAR DAMAGE SWEEPS can happen !!!!

[mabian]

In the next few month

UNƒILTERED . ΔUDIO
https://www.unfilteredaudio.com/

will follow.

"...I've been planning on rolling out some Linux builds on our website...It might take a few months, but it's definitely on my TODO right now."

is known for:

• LION
• Sandman
• Battalion
• SpecOps
• BYOME

Triad! And some other cool stuff, I already have them, hope the Linux version can be used without additionals costs...

- Mario