The backwards step of Ubuntu professional audio

[badmotor]

My biggest concern is what I have seen with the development of Ubuntu (namely Hardy). I used to record with it and Ubuntu Studio, and Linux Mint Daryna. Since the latest has come out (Ubuntu 8.04, Ubuntu Studio 8.04, Linux Mint Elyssa - and I have tried all of these), I have found that setting up hardware inputs and latency is a major pain in the butt! (and I suspect this is to do with Pulse Audio). I thought SURELY Ubuntu Studio would work well - trying to do a simple task like enable the mic input (failed!) or setup a decent latency ... what a nightmare - and I have tested this on a number of computers.

Low and behold (as I suspected) I installed Ubuntu Studio 7.10 and automatically the inputs are all there, latency is setup fine and it sounds great.

I definitely tested this on a couple of different machines with the same results (before you all cry "... it's your hardware..."). I really think Ubuntu has taken a big leap backwards as far as audio is concerned. Leap forward for normal desktop - leap backwards for semi/professional audio.

[Stochastic]

Are you using Jack? Pulse audio is killed as qjackctl starts up, from what I remember. I do think that for general purpose applications Pulse Audio may not quite be ready, but it's very promising with all of its capabilities (fixes many issues that were constant pains in the audio system).

I personally love the improvements to ardour in the new version, and can't wait for MIDI to show up. There are some apps that are plagued by buggs in Hardy, but from what I hear the UbuntuStudio devs are concentrating on bug squashing for Intrepid.

[badmotor]

Are you using Jack? Pulse audio is killed as qjackctl starts up, from what I remember. I do think that for general purpose applications Pulse Audio may not quite be ready, but it's very promising with all of its capabilities (fixes many issues that were constant pains in the audio system).

I personally love the improvements to ardour in the new version, and can't wait for MIDI to show up. There are some apps that are plagued by buggs in Hardy, but from what I hear the UbuntuStudio devs are concentrating on bug squashing for Intrepid.

Yeah, I guess - roll on Intrepid. Interesting to see what happens to Ubuntu Studio there.

[badmotor]

Actually, I would like to hear from anyones experience with recording audio with Ubuntu Studio 8.04...

[wkulecz]

Actually, I would like to hear from anyones experience with recording audio with Ubuntu Studio 8.04...

Recording? I'd be happy if playback worked correctly in 8.04.

--wally.

[arthursucks]

I had little issue with running Jack on my desktop in 8.04, but on my laptop I had to uninstall Pulse. I did it through synaptic and restarted, everything works find now.

[zipperback]

If Ubuntu 7.10 was working great for you, and 8.04 isn't working great for you in your specific situation, then just stick with 7.10 for now until the issues with Pulseaudio are resolved that are causing you problems.

As far as my needs go, I would say that Hardy is a major step in the right direction.

- zipperback
:popcorn:

[russo.mic]

I'm recording with Ubuntu Studio 8.04. In fact, my studio is 3 presonus firepods sync'ed up under freebob as a mobile recording rig with ardour. Runs great for me.

I'm also using Jack sync to have video sync to MIDI timecode with Open Movie editor for video playback for ADR and post sessions.

8.04, no complaints here.

Russo

[badmotor]

I'm recording with Ubuntu Studio 8.04. In fact, my studio is 3 presonus firepods sync'ed up under freebob as a mobile recording rig with ardour. Runs great for me.

I'm also using Jack sync to have video sync to MIDI timecode with Open Movie editor for video playback for ADR and post sessions.

8.04, no complaints here.

Russo

Wow.... really?

[lapcat66]

For me, on three different computers, 7.10 (gutsy) Ubuntu Studio is rock solid, but 8.04 (hardy) US doesn't play nicely. I can't eliminate the xruns.

I just set up an intrepid alpha 3 partition to experiment, from which I am writing. First issue was all sounds were coming out the computer speaker only!

[russo.mic]

Wow.... really?

Yeah, really. I'm suprised to see all the negitave posts on 8.04 studio. Not saying anybody is wrong, maybe I'm just lucky or something.

It's been pretty good so far. I would def. say better than 7.10 for me. I'm running on a MBP C2D, if that makes a difference.

Russo

[badmotor]

Yeah, really. I'm suprised to see all the negitave posts on 8.04 studio. Not saying anybody is wrong, maybe I'm just lucky or something.

It's been pretty good so far. I would def. say better than 7.10 for me. I'm running on a MBP C2D, if that makes a difference.

Russo

Maybe that IS what is making the difference...

[Stochastic]

Maybe that IS what is making the difference...

I don't think it is, as I'm running on a Compaq Presario and I find 8.04 to be a much nicer recording system than 7.10. However, I also have a Firepod as my pro soundcard - my inbuilt one works fine too though.

[badmotor]

Maybe it's my inbuilt laptop card. Although I tried on my desktop machine with the exact same results. I'm dreading I'm going to have to do what I have avoided in the last year, and that's install Windows for recording music.

[SunnyRabbiera]

Well pulse is still experimental, but at the same time it shows promise to surpass other audio servers in linux.

[wkulecz]

Well pulse is still experimental, but

I'd prefer the experimental, not ready for prime time features be left out of LTS releases. No sound issues for me in 6.06, my needs are modest, but big dissapointment that sound in 8.04 can't meet them. If sound were mission critical I'd have already rolled back to 6.06.

--wally.

[Stochastic]

Maybe it's my inbuilt laptop card. Although I tried on my desktop machine with the exact same results. I'm dreading I'm going to have to do what I have avoided in the last year, and that's install Windows for recording music.

Maybe if you posted a "please help me get this to work" thread rather than a "this software is bogus" thread then those who understand the audio server changes in 8.04 would be happy to help you fix the issues. Try posting a new thread and see how far you get. Besides, why go buy a copy of windows when you admitted 7.10 works fine for you.

[badmotor]

Maybe if you posted a "please help me get this to work" thread rather than a "this software is bogus" thread then those who understand the audio server changes in 8.04 would be happy to help you fix the issues. Try posting a new thread and see how far you get. Besides, why go buy a copy of windows when you admitted 7.10 works fine for you.

A. I think I will start a new help thread, sorry to come across negative
B. Don't need to buy Windows, I have a copy.
C. I'd like to use newer versions of Ubuntu (doesn't everyone?) because of the newer apps, all the bugs fixed, better looks etc.etc. I don't thank that is unreasonable?

And from the outside, and all the threads I have read - it does concern me that recording in Ubuntu/Studio seems to be getting harder not easier.

[russo.mic]

Oh, thats your problem i suspect. I'm using Jack with a firepod. The built in cards are prob. always going to have more problems as the latency will increase. There just not made to record pro audio with.

My firepods work great (the old ones, not the new fire studios, although they might work too, not sure) and they can be fetched on ebay for fairly cheap. Works great with freebob through jack.

I don't even bother with pulse, I don't see the point...

Russo

[badmotor]

firepods ay? hmmmm Might have to go do some research there.

[zipperback]

Recording? I'd be happy if playback worked correctly in 8.04.

--wally.


Playback works fine for me. What application are you having a problem with?

- zipperback
:popcorn:

[eye208]

Disable Gnome system sounds.
Remove package "pulseaudio", install "esound".
Reboot.
Enjoy fully operational audio in all applications.

[badmotor]

Disable Gnome system sounds.
Remove package "pulseaudio", install "esound".
Reboot.
Enjoy fully operational audio in all applications.


You think that will work for recording purposes?

[eye208]

You think that will work for recording purposes?
Yes.