2026: Linux distro choices

[ampetrosillo]

So, once upon a time, you needed a low-latency kernel or a real-time kernel, but apparently that's not needed any more.
I've read up on some "audio-focused distros" and it appears that, for example, MX Linux isn't really all that good.
I don't want to fiddle too much. Something that will allow me to get going straight away with sane defaults.
What I'm really looking for, I suppose, is up-to-date open source plugins in the repos, a system that otherwise "just works".

[TechHaus]

Manjaro for me.

Check out what's in the Arch repositories:

https://archlinux.org/packages/?sort=&q=vst3
https://archlinux.org/packages/?sort=&q=clap

https://aur.archlinux.org/packages?O=0&K=vst3
https://aur.archlinux.org/packages?O=0&SeB=nd&K=clap

[audiojunkie]

So, once upon a time, you needed a low-latency kernel or a real-time kernel, but apparently that's not needed any more.
I've read up on some "audio-focused distros" and it appears that, for example, MX Linux isn't really all that good.
I don't want to fiddle too much. Something that will allow me to get going straight away with sane defaults.
What I'm really looking for, I suppose, is up-to-date open source plugins in the repos, a system that otherwise "just works".

Why not try one of the other audio focused distros? There's more than one. These are the most popular and active turn-key purpose-made distros. Most of them already come with software. You don't have to just choose AV Linux:

* AV Linux - MX Linux (Debian based) with Enlightenment (or Moksha) as its desktop environment
* Ubuntu Studio - Based off of Ubuntu (Debian based) with KDE Plasma as its desktop environment
* LibraZik - Based off of Debian Stable with MATE as its desktop environment.
* Fedora Jam - An outdated spin--not recommended

Another option is to use a normal distro that has extended support repositories, such as:

* Debian/Ubuntu/Ubuntu derivatives all work with the kxstudio repositories
* Fedora with the Audinux repository on the COPR
* OpenSUSE with Geekos DAW which is an OBS project

[kvotchin]

CachyOS is another distro worth a look. Arch-based, fast as hell, and actually very good for music production (I’ve found). Your mileage is your own and so on, but yeah, you might find it to be a worthy contender anyway.

[ruralaudio]

I have been really happy with CachyOS, which I mainly use because of the modified Kernel securing better performance from my laptop, so I can get a lower latency. CachyOS also have a modified Wine (Winecachyos) which is build on proton, and some of the changes made for gaming actually helps translate plugins installed in Wine better.

But I see people succesfully use Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch and more, so there is a way to use most distro’s these days.

[GaryG]

With regard CachyOS, do people find the rolling updates ok, doesn't cause issues?

My (Mint) based install is working well so I only update when I need to (tiptoeing around wine/yabridge etc But have had to bump up the buffers once or twice to avoid xruns so wondering if Cachys fabled performance is worth a look?

[TechHaus]

New kernels add new audio and hardware compatibility, so that is a big advantage of rolling release.

I like manjaro because the updates come in a few days, after some community testing.

[Paree]

Im gonna say the most basic stuff - ubuntu or mint, stable, more proprietary software support, lot of documentation available for issues, you don’t need to tinker much. I prefer Mint over ubuntu. Arch or arch based series is good if you want to tinker but its also not the most stable family of distros.

[EnGee]

I've returned to Linux Mint from CachyOS which was wonderful for about one month, but after an update, I had some problems in stability in Bitwig especially and with graphics in general (I have nVidia).

I'm now with Mint Linux 22.3. I have zero problems with my setup for few months now. My setup is Bitwig 5.3 with native Linux VST/CLAP plugins: u-he synths (RePro, Hive, Diva, Zebra2 and Bazille), TAL (TAL-MOD, TAL-J8 and TAL-Drum) and Vital. Hardware: Yamaha MODX and DeepMind 12D.

So, in the end, it depends on your setup (Hardware and software). For me, Linux Mint is the most stable one (but CachyOS was the fastest and the most interesting one!). I chose stability over fun in the end.

[TechHaus]

Interesting benchmarks from phoronix.

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Leads Over Windows 11 In Creator Workstation Performance (Threadripper)
https://www.phoronix.com/review/ubuntu-2604-windows-11

and

CachyOS Linux Performance Leading Over Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, Fedora Workstation 44
https://www.phoronix.com/review/cachyos ... -fedora-44

[OddJuffAudio]

Manjaro + has worked for me though it sometimes is buggy.

[Freaqpeak]

I personally prefer Debian. Or Debian-based. Buts that is just taste.

Im running Ubuntu Studio (updated to 26.04 yesterday) for my fast modern workstation PC. Just works and looks good. Dont like snap versions of apps though. Only using native Linux apps on that one.

Other tips:
PopOS (also Debian-based) for gaming and running windows apps (and lightweight window management).
CachyOS if you prefer Arch-based distro.

On this topic:
Last week I bought the cheapest HP AMD laptop I could find, with 4 core and 16 gig ram (350 euros) for my 8 year old daughters birthday. Laptop came with Windows 11. Underwhelming performance and user experience.. win11 has become intrusive as hell. Bloated with online news, ads in start menu etc. It sucked even for gaming which was the purpose...
Could not even install Windows 11 without creating a online MS account for my kid, since MS "fixed" the workaround. Wtf.
It was slow and asked tons of stupid questions when installing.

So I installed PopOS just to test, heard it was good for gaming and running windows games without any extra config.
Took less than 1-2 minutes to install...so fast that i thought something went wrong when it rebooted.
Crazy how nice it works now, didnt expect a Linux dist to just run windows games. All the Windows games I installed just works and some games performed better in linux which I dont understand how..

Installed Steam on it directly from the "app store". So easy. Im so happy Linux now can 100% replace desktop OS for beginners and the avarage home user. Also installed native Linux Bitwig and Reaper directly from the app store just to test. I didnt even have to go to the web and download each app..

....Soon gonna test Cubase + all my goto plugins + RME interface.. If that works without showstopper issues, there is finally no reason for me to run Windows 11 on my main daw for Cubase duties...

[EnGee]

I did mess up with the EFI partition when I was trying Fedora 43 several weeks ago. So, I couldn't access any OS installed (Windows, Mint). I reinstalled Windows 11 (after some headache fixing the EFI partition).
Now, I run Windows 11 only, but I'm waiting for next Mint that will support Wayland completely (out of beta). I think they said that it will be released Christmas time.

I haven't tried Cubase, I only tried one synth from Tone2 and it was sluggish performance, but I didn't try enough with Wine really. I don't know! I think Studio Pro, Bitwig and Reaper are more than enough for me as native linux apps, but I'm looking for other's experiences as well. Maybe one day we can run Cubase like some Windows games now (depending on Steam project). We will see

[audiojunkie]

Don't forget Ardour! It's starting to look pretty nice with the latest 9.5 release.

[TechHaus]

Don't forget Ardour! It's starting to look pretty nice with the latest 9.5 release.

Oh cool, didn't know about this. Just caught the video in my algorithm.

Ardour 9.5: chord editing, ghost notes, and stacked automation lanes



https://ardour.org/whatsnew.html