Jay Car
April 16th, 2011, 06:15 PM
I am putting this in the Cafe because it's not (strictly speaking) a support or help request on any specific technical issue, and it doesn't yet qualify as an experience or testimonial (maybe later).
What I am hoping for are some personal experiences, and perhaps a little guidance, from other UF folks who are (or who work with) musicians.
So, here's the situation...
Next week I will be setting up a new desktop system for a (very dear) friend. He has been a professional drummer for the last 3 decades, but has suffered two strokes in the last two years, the first stroke was minor, but the second was seriously debilitating. His right side was paralyzed for a while, though he never lost speaking or singing ability, his coordination and balance were badly damaged. He can no longer play drums.
However, he has begun playing guitar again and writing songs (and singing them!). It's been excellent therapy, both physically and emotionally, and resoundingly approved by his doctors and physical therapists. He's also becoming more interested in recording his music on his own computer and asked me to help.
There's no way I'd say no. :) But I AM a little worried that I'm not experienced with the kind of software he'll need.
His current computer is quite old and low in resources. It does run XP sufficiently for everyday tasks, but is mind-numbingly slow with resource-hungry apps. So the decision was made to get parts for a new desktop. Which is where I come in, because he also wants Ubuntu on the new computer.
Now, I've been happily successful with helping friends and family migrate away from Windows over the years, but the main reason has been that I make sure they are well prepared for the change, and I keep things very simple.
This is also the case with my friend. He is already using Audacity, and Open Office, Gimp, etc., so he can use those on Ubuntu too. He has also used my computers many times, so he understands most of what will change and he already likes Ubuntu a lot.
This time it's ME that's not prepared...
The software he needs for recording and editing his music seems very complex to me. Unlike the simpler setups I've done before, I'll soon be installing software I've never used myself.
I'm a bit nervous about it all, which is basically why I'm here...trying to prepare and think this task through.
I was looking over the software included in Ubuntu Studio (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuStudio/PackageList), but installing the full Ubuntu Studio seems like overkill for this situation. My plan is to just install Lucid, then add the same audio packages that are listed in Ubuntu Studio, leaving out all the video and graphics apps (except Gimp for basic image editing).
But, to be honest, that audio-package list looks rather intimidating.
About the hardware...
Because my friend is now on a fixed income, he couldn't afford a high-end machine, but I didn't think that would be a huge issue since the new one is still far, FAR better than what he currently has.
He chose to buy an inexpensive, bare-bones bundle, which is now put together (mostly). No software has been installed yet, because I ordered a better power supply than what came with it. The new PS should be here by Tuesday.
The Bare-bones bundle included a Biostar mainboard (N68S+), on-board Nvidia graphics (GeForce 7025) and on-board sound (it's described on the Biostar box as: 6-channel HD audio), 2GB ram, an AMD Phenom II x4 processor.
Hopefully he can get a better sound card soon, but for now the on-board sound will have to do. He already has a good set of speakers, as well as an "H1 Zoom" digital recorder which can connect to a computer via USB.
I'm not anticipating any hardware issues with Ubuntu, but the sound card worries me a little, in regards to recording and such.
So, at this point I'd be happy to hear what others have learned regarding setting up a simple home recording studio on Ubuntu. I know there are many musicians here, and hope some might point out any difficulties we might encounter, or things (hardware or software) that might still be needed, that we haven't thought of yet.
My friend doesn't need everything to be perfect, but just wants a setup to learn with. He isn't afraid of trying new things or learning new apps, but since the last stroke he has to work a little harder at everything. I'd like to help him get a good start with this computer, without causing him unnecessary frustrations.
And that's it. Any feedback, inspiration, encouragement, ideas, personal experiences, funny stories, I'd truly like to hear them all (and warm 'thank yous' and appreciation to all who respond).
One last thing...
I'm hoping this thread will be a good place to introduce him to Ubuntu Forums. He seems to think forums (in general) are unfriendly places and he didn't seem interested in visiting here at all. But I think he'd fit right in, if I can just get him here.
Okay, I'll shut up now... :)
What I am hoping for are some personal experiences, and perhaps a little guidance, from other UF folks who are (or who work with) musicians.
So, here's the situation...
Next week I will be setting up a new desktop system for a (very dear) friend. He has been a professional drummer for the last 3 decades, but has suffered two strokes in the last two years, the first stroke was minor, but the second was seriously debilitating. His right side was paralyzed for a while, though he never lost speaking or singing ability, his coordination and balance were badly damaged. He can no longer play drums.
However, he has begun playing guitar again and writing songs (and singing them!). It's been excellent therapy, both physically and emotionally, and resoundingly approved by his doctors and physical therapists. He's also becoming more interested in recording his music on his own computer and asked me to help.
There's no way I'd say no. :) But I AM a little worried that I'm not experienced with the kind of software he'll need.
His current computer is quite old and low in resources. It does run XP sufficiently for everyday tasks, but is mind-numbingly slow with resource-hungry apps. So the decision was made to get parts for a new desktop. Which is where I come in, because he also wants Ubuntu on the new computer.
Now, I've been happily successful with helping friends and family migrate away from Windows over the years, but the main reason has been that I make sure they are well prepared for the change, and I keep things very simple.
This is also the case with my friend. He is already using Audacity, and Open Office, Gimp, etc., so he can use those on Ubuntu too. He has also used my computers many times, so he understands most of what will change and he already likes Ubuntu a lot.
This time it's ME that's not prepared...
The software he needs for recording and editing his music seems very complex to me. Unlike the simpler setups I've done before, I'll soon be installing software I've never used myself.
I'm a bit nervous about it all, which is basically why I'm here...trying to prepare and think this task through.
I was looking over the software included in Ubuntu Studio (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuStudio/PackageList), but installing the full Ubuntu Studio seems like overkill for this situation. My plan is to just install Lucid, then add the same audio packages that are listed in Ubuntu Studio, leaving out all the video and graphics apps (except Gimp for basic image editing).
But, to be honest, that audio-package list looks rather intimidating.
About the hardware...
Because my friend is now on a fixed income, he couldn't afford a high-end machine, but I didn't think that would be a huge issue since the new one is still far, FAR better than what he currently has.
He chose to buy an inexpensive, bare-bones bundle, which is now put together (mostly). No software has been installed yet, because I ordered a better power supply than what came with it. The new PS should be here by Tuesday.
The Bare-bones bundle included a Biostar mainboard (N68S+), on-board Nvidia graphics (GeForce 7025) and on-board sound (it's described on the Biostar box as: 6-channel HD audio), 2GB ram, an AMD Phenom II x4 processor.
Hopefully he can get a better sound card soon, but for now the on-board sound will have to do. He already has a good set of speakers, as well as an "H1 Zoom" digital recorder which can connect to a computer via USB.
I'm not anticipating any hardware issues with Ubuntu, but the sound card worries me a little, in regards to recording and such.
So, at this point I'd be happy to hear what others have learned regarding setting up a simple home recording studio on Ubuntu. I know there are many musicians here, and hope some might point out any difficulties we might encounter, or things (hardware or software) that might still be needed, that we haven't thought of yet.
My friend doesn't need everything to be perfect, but just wants a setup to learn with. He isn't afraid of trying new things or learning new apps, but since the last stroke he has to work a little harder at everything. I'd like to help him get a good start with this computer, without causing him unnecessary frustrations.
And that's it. Any feedback, inspiration, encouragement, ideas, personal experiences, funny stories, I'd truly like to hear them all (and warm 'thank yous' and appreciation to all who respond).
One last thing...
I'm hoping this thread will be a good place to introduce him to Ubuntu Forums. He seems to think forums (in general) are unfriendly places and he didn't seem interested in visiting here at all. But I think he'd fit right in, if I can just get him here.
Okay, I'll shut up now... :)