KVR Audio

DRMR · Post by **DRMR** » Thu Feb 09, 2023 11:06 pm

rule #1: don't run random scripts from the internet that you don't know/understand how they work

farlukar · Post by **farlukar** » Thu Feb 09, 2023 11:24 pm

As groklaw said, software itself gets installed here there and everywhere. Configuration files/presets/whatev: pretty much the same.
In unix-like systems, files/directories starting with a dot are normally hidden from view in file explorers.
Most software stores its configuration files/folders in the user directory that way, e.g. in /home/[username]/.softwareconfig or /home/[username]/.config/softwareconfig/
Occasionally it goes in /home/[username]/Documents/softwareconfig/

There isn't an iron rule for what goes where, but I guess you can figure things out with a minor bit of effort…

audiojunkie · Post by **audiojunkie** » Fri Feb 10, 2023 12:47 am

Here's an easy tutorial that starts from a Windows user's perspective. I think it explains things quite simply and well.

https://www.howtogeek.com/117435/htg-ex ... explained/

glokraw · Post by **glokraw** » Fri Feb 10, 2023 3:04 am

Continuing on, you're now stuck in no-mans land, and should start with a time-tested, publicly supported, and properly configured audio system distro, typically AVLinux or Ubuntu Studio.
Both use debian software packages, and can use synaptic for package management. Synaptic can be installed with this command:

sudo apt-get install synaptic (you'll be prompted for your password)

Synaptic accesses a list of searchable repositories containing the linux system, categorized in a variety of ways you can choose in each session per your needs. A 'reload' button refreshes the package list, and you can choose among many options regarding what to update, and when.

AVLinux distro

https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distr ... sion=6.0.4

comes ready to record, and has locked down a few items known to cause issues in updates, minimizing chaos for both new and experienced users.

The simple command

winecfg

will launch a tabbed config panel that creates a .wine folder in
your /home/you folder, and allows you some choices and visualization of the links created between
the linux and the windows filesystems, as well as audio hardware choices. Out of the box,
using the qjackctl patchbay/configuration tool, you'll be able to hear, play along with, and record
content from streaming services like youtube and spotify,

(Spotify has a linux app available

https://wiki.debian.org/spotify

...there are several commands to copy/paste in a terminal to complete the install. This is quite normal for major 3rd party apps, including some web-browsers, and google extras etc. Use the debian 9 commands section for AVLinux)

Reaper daw demo is installed and also some 3rd party instruments and effects)
The audacity audio editor, and standalone audio instruments and effects will also work.
All these bits and pieces can be interconnected and outputs connected to your audio interface, using the qjackctl gui, like virtually routing old-skool trs/rca/midi cables. Inputs on the left,
outputs on the right. The ones labeled 'System' will be the audio interface detected by the kernel, and chosen in qjackctl preferences, should there be more than one, or separate devices for input and output, as in the case of recording from a usb guitar amp, or a hardware synth's line-out or headphone connector.

You can boot an AVLinux dvd from your computer early-boot menu, and check things out, and install later to internal or external drives, if satisfied, quite similar to the default ubuntu installation.
Best to get used to the system as a whole, before adding much on top.
The linux-reaper forum is a good resource

https://forum.cockos.com/forumdisplay.php?f=52

and also https://linuxmusicians.com/

Highlights for me are Yoshimi synth, Hydrogen drum machine, Rakarrack multi-effects, and Guitarix amp-simplugin-collection. There are free synths from U-he, Podolski, and Triple cheese, as well as Tyrell N6, which requires only to join a web letter to access it, and Zebralette, which is provided with the full Zebra 2 demo installer, and then there are U-he magazineware synths, BazilleCM, and ZebraCM.
Odin2, Surge, and Vital are three synth powerhouse synths, easy to find latest versions if not yet installed.
The timemachine recorder tool is handy for recording multiple output sources at once, again using qjackctl for routing

Cheers

Trancit · Post by **Trancit** » Fri Feb 10, 2023 8:56 am

Thx for all the tips so far!!

Need to check out AV Linux and see how it works...

Is there a way to make "hard links" from files/folders, that I can make use of different hard disks if Linux installs them on the "home" drive???

glokraw · Post by **glokraw** » Sat Feb 11, 2023 12:08 pm

I did a test by renaming my Reaper folder, and linking a duplicate from a usb drive to /home/me
on an internal drive. Reaper started up fine. I then linked a plugin from the usb drive to the /home/me/.vst folder, and re-started Reaper. Reaper found the plugin, and placed it in the 'New' list in the vst choice panel, and it loaded and worked normally.

I assume folders of samples and other data would be found OK using such links. I created the links using the pcmanfm filemanager tool, which offers linking along with copy and move options, when dragging a file between two filemanager windows. For many things, I like pcmanfm better than the 'thunar' filemanager that is part of xfce desktop gui's, as found in many linux distros. But each has features justifying keeping multiple tools in the same class. Thunar has a lot of nice extras.

sudo apt-get install pcmanfm ...installs pcmanfm and some support files

sudo apt-get install thunar ...this will also install the core of xfce, if it is not already there. xfce can be chosen as default desktop gui, if desired.
Cheers

Trancit · Post by **Trancit** » Sun Feb 12, 2023 11:24 pm

FranklyFlawless · Post by **FranklyFlawless** » Wed Mar 08, 2023 9:45 am

Hello everyone, I am just here to share my current Linux setup.

I use Debian, Ardour, Surge XT, and the LinnStrument connected to my laptop. In the studio, I use the Shure KSE1500, and during live performances, I use the JBL Eon One Compact.

Those are the key components, but most of the time I only use Surge XT in standalone with the LinnStrument. I occasionally use Ardour for MIDI analysis.

audiojunkie · Post by **audiojunkie** » Thu Mar 09, 2023 7:16 pm

Sounds like a good setup to me!

Those LinnStruments look cool!

FranklyFlawless · Post by **FranklyFlawless** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 10:26 am

I make a strong effort to use FOSS whenever possible. It is a significant part of my identity now and is inseparable from my work. Other than that, I also try to have few, portable, but substantial hardware. If it is not made to last, I do not bother considering it.

The LinnStrument is a powerful and expressive MIDI controller, but it requires samples or synthesizers that are capable of utilizing its potential. I purchased it as a complete replacement to the keyboard/piano, so my interests are polyphonic in nature, and thus dramatically differ from the other LinnStrumentalists.

glokraw · Post by **glokraw** » Fri Mar 10, 2023 11:46 pm

j-e-f-f-g has received an award from Sourceforge based on the download count of his
'No Budget Orchestra' project. The project is quite ambitious, aiming to provide a compelling Orchestra solution with thorough midi integration. Details, links, and discussion are at

https://linuxmusicians.com/viewtopic.php?t=25524

glokraw · Post by **glokraw** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 12:06 am

FranklyFlawless wrote: Fri Mar 10, 2023 10:26 am I make a strong effort to use FOSS whenever possible. It is a significant part of my identity now and is inseparable from my work. Other than that, I also try to have few, portable, but substantial hardware. If it is not made to last, I do not bother considering it.

The LinnStrument is a powerful and expressive MIDI controller, but it requires samples or synthesizers that are capable of utilizing its potential. I purchased it as a complete replacement to the keyboard/piano, so my interests are polyphonic in nature, and thus dramatically differ from the other LinnStrumentalists.

Not familiar at all with LinnStrument, so went to youtube to get some examples. Very interesting device, and among the obvious studio uses, could be great to take on vacation with perhaps an iPad or various laptops to provide the sounds. (Sweetwater has a demo model for $990, and new ones for $1099)

Sonic Labs walk-thru with iPad:

The inventor's intro:

Cheers

FranklyFlawless · Post by **FranklyFlawless** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:17 am

Outside of the studio, when I do not want or need to bring my laptop, I use the Synthstrom Deluge paired with the LinnStrument. I have not seriously considered installing Ardour and/or Surge XT on my phone as another pairing option, but I think it would be fun to test it out sometime in the future.

Roger Linn provides support through multiple channels, and one of them is the Roger Linn Design board on KVR Audio, which is where most of my public presence resides. At the moment, I provide and maintain various resources in the board for the community to utilize. I do not have many opportunities to talk much about Ardour over there though.

For Linux DAWs, other than Ardour, I have also used LMMS, some Reaper, a little bit of Rosegarden as well as Renoise. My focus has been on the LinnStrument's MPE capabilities, which is one of the reasons why I use Ardour. The MIDI editing workflow is rather obtuse, so I have held off on recording my performances using it until I properly review that specific part of the documentation again.

glokraw · Post by **glokraw** » Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:43 am

Cool you share your creations and skillz! This vid has some Linnstrument E-Pianos and sundries all made with Surge XT, with Roger Linn offering some explanations of the sound structures.

Cheers

FranklyFlawless · Post by **FranklyFlawless** » Mon Mar 13, 2023 7:17 am

Unfortunately most of the MPE patches suffer from one issue or another that make them undesirable for my playing purposes. Some are simply monophonic, but many of them audibly clip when playing more than one note. Others lack continuous expression for Z/pressure, only using aftertouch instead, and several lack dynamic range.

The Sound on Sound article is making me rethink my stance about MIDI editing on Ardour. Maybe it would be simply better to do a retake of the performance instead.

The linux DAW thread