Will Linux be a realistic alternative soon?

masteringservice · #1 (**permalink**) 25th July 2008 , 09:16 PM

As a mastering engineer, keeping an eye on technological advances is a must, as I'm sure you'll all agree! I've have dabbled here and there with the Linux platform over the past ten years or so, and I have to say that it looks like there could be a lot of potential (in terms of stabilty & creative/technical options) for us in this platform, and in the not-so-distant future. My experiences have been very positive, however the tools available are fairly sparse and lacking in development somewhat. I'd love to hear if any other mastering engineers have had any use with this platform and if so, how do you think it could be developed further for practical professional mastering?

Looking forward to any responses!

Toby

saxman · #2 (**permalink**) 25th July 2008 , 09:40 PM

Hi Toby

I'm not a mastering engineer but I was a unix expert in a 'former life' - ie before I gave up the day job to work from home about 10 years ago.
I don't run Linux or any flavour of unix at home but I was wondering if you have ever tried using Wine from Wine HQ ?
You mention that the tools available in Linux are somewhat sparse so perhaps some useful Windows mastering software could be persuaded to run under Linux with Wine?

terminal3 · #3 (**permalink**) 26th July 2008 , 02:12 AM

With all honesty, I'd say, no, Linux isn't going to offer anything soon that will make you want to switch.

Why should it? What does it truly offer that ME's can't currently get with either OSX or Windows? There are some great, powerful tools on each platform, and Linux/Unix has not offered up any alternatives so mindblowing that you'd need to change operating systems.

And being that in general this industry is shrinking... it's going to be a difficult game for alternative OSes full stop.

masteringservice · #4 (**permalink**) 26th July 2008 , 11:17 PM

Yes I have used wine, but it is nowhere near as stable or efficient as it needs to be to work effectively (I tested out sequoia and the performance was less than ideal unfortunately. Building Ardour with VST support is also very unpredictable and buggy.)

But yes I do agree that there is more than what can be considered competition from Mac & Windows, but still, the POTENTIAL of Linux as a professional mastering, or music making environment is quite astounding. In a different field all together, Engineering (as in CAD etc), Unix is more often than not the professional choice. If you could harness the power & stabilty of a Sun Sparc workstation for example, with all the streamlined code ect, but use a Sadie (or Unix/Linux equivalent of) system, with external DSP processing power, this would be an incredibly powerful workstation. But, currently I am aware that as far as software goes at least, Windows wins hands down (Macs are not quite as flexible in terms of software choices, eg Sadie, Sequoia..)

Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated, especially if there are any mastering engineers who are software developers also. Thankyou for your feedback.

Jake · #5 (**permalink**) 22nd April 2009 , 01:48 PM

I doubt it. As Linux comes in many forms all highly user configurable and free.

Some Citizen Smith who makes a random distribution does not have the time or money to provide the support that Windows Or OSX can to their customers.

Also WINE isnt exactly the most stable thing in he world either.

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#1 (permalink) 25th July 2008 , 09:16 PM
masteringservice Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Posts: 5	Will Linux be a realistic alternative soon? As a mastering engineer, keeping an eye on technological advances is a must, as I'm sure you'll all agree! I've have dabbled here and there with the Linux platform over the past ten years or so, and I have to say that it looks like there could be a lot of potential (in terms of stabilty & creative/technical options) for us in this platform, and in the not-so-distant future. My experiences have been very positive, however the tools available are fairly sparse and lacking in development somewhat. I'd love to hear if any other mastering engineers have had any use with this platform and if so, how do you think it could be developed further for practical professional mastering? Looking forward to any responses! Toby
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#4 (permalink) 26th July 2008 , 11:17 PM
masteringservice Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Posts: 5	Appreciate your feedback.. Yes I have used wine, but it is nowhere near as stable or efficient as it needs to be to work effectively (I tested out sequoia and the performance was less than ideal unfortunately. Building Ardour with VST support is also very unpredictable and buggy.) But yes I do agree that there is more than what can be considered competition from Mac & Windows, but still, the POTENTIAL of Linux as a professional mastering, or music making environment is quite astounding. In a different field all together, Engineering (as in CAD etc), Unix is more often than not the professional choice. If you could harness the power & stabilty of a Sun Sparc workstation for example, with all the streamlined code ect, but use a Sadie (or Unix/Linux equivalent of) system, with external DSP processing power, this would be an incredibly powerful workstation. But, currently I am aware that as far as software goes at least, Windows wins hands down (Macs are not quite as flexible in terms of software choices, eg Sadie, Sequoia..) Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated, especially if there are any mastering engineers who are software developers also. Thankyou for your feedback.
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#2 (permalink) 25th July 2008 , 09:40 PM
saxman Round The Horn Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Morden, Surrey Posts: 893	Hi Toby I'm not a mastering engineer but I was a unix expert in a 'former life' - ie before I gave up the day job to work from home about 10 years ago. I don't run Linux or any flavour of unix at home but I was wondering if you have ever tried using Wine from Wine HQ ? You mention that the tools available in Linux are somewhat sparse so perhaps some useful Windows mastering software could be persuaded to run under Linux with Wine?
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#3 (permalink) 26th July 2008 , 02:12 AM
terminal3 Sound Guru Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Posts: 2,308	With all honesty, I'd say, no, Linux isn't going to offer anything soon that will make you want to switch. Why should it? What does it truly offer that ME's can't currently get with either OSX or Windows? There are some great, powerful tools on each platform, and Linux/Unix has not offered up any alternatives so mindblowing that you'd need to change operating systems. And being that in general this industry is shrinking... it's going to be a difficult game for alternative OSes full stop.
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#5 (permalink) 22nd April 2009 , 01:48 PM
Jake Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Birmingham Posts: 17	I doubt it. As Linux comes in many forms all highly user configurable and free. Some Citizen Smith who makes a random distribution does not have the time or money to provide the support that Windows Or OSX can to their customers. Also WINE isnt exactly the most stable thing in he world either.
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