Why Linux is Becoming Impossible for Audio Developers to Ignore

[Morphoice]

For the plugin I released a few hours ago, I put up PC, Mac, and Linux builds side by side. Out of roughly a thousand downloads so far, exactly 2 were Linux. There's not much more I can do than offer it, the actual numbers just don't reflect the demand that gets framed in threads like this.

[audiojunkie]

For the plugin I released a few hours ago, I put up PC, Mac, and Linux builds side by side. Out of roughly a thousand downloads so far, exactly 2 were Linux. There's not much more I can do than offer it, the actual numbers just don't reflect the demand that gets framed in threads like this.

I haven't downloaded it yet. I don't have a lot of time, and haven't been able to sit down and test it. Downloads shouldn't be what counts, because the purchases are what really matters. As people come to appreciate it for its sound, and the fact that you support all three OSes, I'm absolutely certain you'll get purchases from all three OSes.

[Tiles]

For the plugin I released a few hours ago, I put up PC, Mac, and Linux builds side by side. Out of roughly a thousand downloads so far, exactly 2 were Linux. There's not much more I can do than offer it, the actual numbers just don't reflect the demand that gets framed in threads like this.

Yeah, this is how it looks in the real world. You are not alone. I can back that up with very similar numbers from my own software.

We all know the pattern by now.

Sales figures don't count.
Download numbers don't count.
Real-world experience from developers doesn't count.

At some point, the question is no longer whether the evidence is good enough, but whether any evidence that contradicts the narrative will ever be accepted.

[stoopicus]

It's really hard to describe how much more I would rather ship software for Linux than Windows, were there an actual market. Unlike Windows, I actually enjoy using linux and developing software on it (which I have spent a lot of my career doing).

But there isn't a meaningful market unless it's FOSS so the question is moot.

[audiojunkie]

It's really hard to describe how much more I would rather ship software for Linux than Windows, were there an actual market. Unlike Windows, I actually enjoy using linux and developing software on it (which I have spent a lot of my career doing).

But there isn't a meaningful market unless it's FOSS so the question is moot.

I guess for those developers where downloads and purchases are the only motivators, only time will help the situation. It has been established as fact that the numbers are growing. I guess it's a question of at what point will the numbers be sufficient to motivate those particular developers. And for each developer, it is probably a different number. Imageline has stated openly that for them, they want to see 10% Linux adoption before porting to Linux. Other developers that I'm aware of, said that because of the frameworks and libraries they have chosen, there isn't much of an effort at all in their porting, so they don't have any qualms at all about supporting Linux. Each person will be different in this case, I believe. I don't believe any one person can accurately speak for the whole industry when it comes to this.

There are many developers that have given their (mostly positive) experiences here:

https://linuxaudio.dev/

[Tiles]

It's really hard to describe how much more I would rather ship software for Linux than Windows, were there an actual market. Unlike Windows, I actually enjoy using linux and developing software on it (which I have spent a lot of my career doing).

But there isn't a meaningful market unless it's FOSS so the question is moot.

That basically reflects the core point being discussed here.

It’s not about willingness to support Linux or developer preference. It’s about whether there is a meaningful, economically viable market outside of FOSS that justifies the additional development and maintenance effort.

For many commercial audio plugins, that is where the decision is ultimately made.

[keys_au1]

.....At some point, the question is no longer whether the evidence is good enough, but whether any evidence that contradicts the narrative will ever be accepted.

Tell you what, create a solid hosting app for live gigging (viz Gigperformer, Camelot Pro, Cantabile etal) sellm it for $120 and you will make money.

It's only anecdotal I know, but so many sofgtware musos I know and chat with woudl drop Windows in an instant if a decent hosting (live) app were created.

Linux for me was simply teriffic for gaming, general "home office" PC work, internet, light graphics, BUT when it came to music for specific live applications, it is far behind!

[Tiles]

Well, for Windows and macOS this already exists as a mature, competitive product category. Nobody needs to create it first. That’s the difference.

I’ve tried to explain why developers often don’t take the step to support Linux. It usually comes down to practical considerations like market size, effort, and long-term maintenance.

In the end, everyone has to decide for themselves where it makes sense to invest their time.

[audiojunkie]

It's really hard to describe how much more I would rather ship software for Linux than Windows, were there an actual market. Unlike Windows, I actually enjoy using linux and developing software on it (which I have spent a lot of my career doing).

But there isn't a meaningful market unless it's FOSS so the question is moot.

I reached out to some Linux developers to get their takes on this. Some of them responded, and I thought it was worth a share in this thread:

A long-ago transaction involving a tavern jukebox provided a valuable lesson I have subsequently applied throughout varied circumstances.

I believe it applies to this Linux developer's problem below.

I learned that there will always be someone who asserts the current demand for a thing is small, but they do not acknowledge potential demand, nor do they conduct tests to confirm their assertion. Ignore these people and proceed.

After purchasing a tavern/bar, my first order of business was to update the selections on the CD jukebox.

Commercial jukebox operator questioned my request: Why change it when people are playing these songs?

Me: Customers like to hear music and these are their only choices. I'd like to branch out to find out what else is popular.

I found out that the operator's reluctance stemmed from the expense of new CDs. So, we came to an agreement: I'd buy the CDs.

Long story short:

Years later, my jukebox was written up in the Seattle Weekly as the "Best Jukebox in Seattle."

The music brought in business and drew customers from outside the neighborhood.

Don't let anyone tell you that change and experimentation is "not worth it."

I hope this #Linux developer finds help with their audio pursuits. I will bet that the "tiny fragment" of perceived demand won't stay tiny for long.

----------------------------

Another comment from a different developer:

linux audio is needed. By someone. Doesn't matter if it's one "someone" or the whole world. That's the only argument you need.

-----------------------------

Another comment from a different developer:

my (about to be released) product is cross platform. Works on Linux (x86, not there with arm yet). Definitely see a lot more people complaining about windows. Feels chicken and egg to me. “Can’t use Linux cos there are no products “

Anyway happy to develop for it & will continue to do so.

also. People on forums…….

-------------------------

Another developer:

If they bother with macOS then they have absolutely no excuse to not support linux

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Another one:

bummer! Honestly, if user numbers are the only metric they're going by, they probably are not convinceable.

-------------------------

So, at any rate, I don't think all developers feel the same.

[audiojunkie]

I just received another one:

I've been developing VST, game engine & middleware plugins for almost 5 years and my main OS is Linux. As a consequence, all our plugins are also available on Linux, no showstoppers whatsoever. I also run Windows and macOS out of necessity, since our products are multi-platform and some compiler toolchains are only available on Windows.

Customer demand on the other hand is quasi non-existant since nobody targets native Linux. Shame, because Audio on Windows has been a dumpster fire for more thsn 20 years and there's no end in sight. Pipewire is so much better than WASAPI it's not even fair.

[FigBug]

Customer demand on the other hand is quasi non-existant

These are quotes you are sharing trying to convince people to support Linux?

[audiojunkie]

Customer demand on the other hand is quasi non-existant

These are quotes you are sharing trying to convince people to support Linux?

So, at any rate, I don't think all developers feel the same.

No, these quotes are trying to convince people that not all Linux developers feel the same. Everyone's motivation is different. No one can really speak for anyone else. That is my point.

And if you are going to quote the post, don't post just the part that you think helps your argument, post the whole thing:

Customer demand on the other hand is quasi non-existant since nobody targets native Linux. Shame, because Audio on Windows has been a dumpster fire for more thsn 20 years and there's no end in sight. Pipewire is so much better than WASAPI it's not even fair.

[audiojunkie]

I just got another response back:

apparently over 5% of steam users are now on linux. So still a minority, but if you're willing to shed 5% of your potential userbase just because you can't be bothered you're probably not the kind of person who makes very good work.

Granted, I didn't mention Steam, I mentioned Music Production development on Linux. That said, you can see the opinion listed above.

[audiojunkie]

And here's another developer response:

Linux needs all the contributions to enrich its open ecosystem. That is how we get rid of macOS and Windows from our day to day life.

[audiojunkie]

And here's another one:

there was a blog post about game dev where they said that Linux is a small player base, but the one that gives you the most and best quality feedback… might apply to other kind of dev?

https://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev/commen ... 38_of_bug/


0

Again, a post about game development, instead of audio. But note that the developer said that:

Linux is a small player base, but the one that gives you the most and best quality feedback