Finally Got some new Linux MIDI and Audio going.

[909mjolnir]

I'm feeling kinda happy. I finally got the linux 'vmpk' (Virtual MIDI Piano Keyboard) working on Linux with the Linux Reaper (in Manjaro Linux).
I'm using PulseAudio with editing buffer settings and set Reaper to work in ALSA/Pulse. Yabridge is there for connectivity to the 'Super-7' VSTi synth.

I've been able to get a better qwerty keyboard response with 'vmpk', and I can use more keys too.
Since I don't yet have an external USB MIDI keyboard, this can help me a lot.

Also, I'm happy because the 'Super-7' VST instrument I got to sound like Technotronic. This is good.



UPDATE:

I got Hydrogen up and running too. It's really nice! It saves to 32-bit int instead of 32-bit IEEE floating point, but it can export stems and has good meters.
I'm really impressed with the easy interface. It's really fun to use.

[909mjolnir]

If anybody is curious about this, it's possible to...

A) run WinDOS compatible Cockos Reaper via WINE in Linux with it's own DDL VST effects.
b) run Linux compatible Cockos Reaper and run VST effects via Yabridge.

Right now, I'm trying to figure out which is more stable and advanced.

[909mjolnir]

well, the virtual keyboard had better latency than the Cockos Reaper built in one, but I was able to buy a used MIDI controller from a pawn shop and it was plug and play (USB Class Compliant). If you are new to making music in Linux, you'll always want to prefer USB Class Compliant so you don't need extra drivers to be installed or to have to fuss with all that with business corporations and their odd policies and vagueries about which stuff is supported.

Most advertisers IGNORE LINUX, and yet it's usually supported on whatever works on both MacOS and Windows OS. The support might not be official, but usually the stuff works a percentage greater than zero percent. Sometimes it works 100%, like the USB Class Compliant stuff. So be sure to notice stuff like that. Also, certain brands are nicer about accidentally(?) working on Linux. Logitech seems to always work with Linux for example, even when they don't list it. You get the idea.

Anyways, if SoundCloud doesn't have as much free hosting anymore so I can't share much of my tunes there even if I had many. But other sites might work out. Stay tuned.
https://soundcloud.com/909mjolnir/hyper-lapdog

I might test run a new distro in a few days. Hopefully I can innovate better MIDI response.

[909mjolnir]

OK, so Soundcloud DOES have a free trial account and it's working better, so I'm okay for now.
Also, I finally got Hydrogen working like an old school Tracker, and I really like it!

I got some great ideas for samples, so I'm gonna start recording and then shove em into Hydrogen for some fancy drums and FX.
If Reaper has got you wondering what's up, I strongly recommend Hydrogen as a nice offline alternative.

If you've ever used the FL Studio step editor, then you already pretty much know how it works. It's actually easier, though.
It's not just for drums, you can load and pitch almost anything.
I'm so happy about this.

[xinuzi]

O.M.G., 909mjolnir, what arst thou busy with?

[909mjolnir]

Thanks, xinuzi.
I'm still in the process of relearning how to use my DAW programs. Time away had me forgetting how to do certain things. I still need to assign hotkeys to some of them.
Just recently I finally got auto-quantize turned on in Reaper if I need it. Also, I don't have all the DSP plugins I need, so I have to download and install those. Nevertheless, I had to delete a few of the dud ones too. And I'm running out of drive space so I might need to get an external drive. I also got most of my DAW optimizations done, finally I think (except for installing more RAM).

What kinds of stuff are you up to, xinuzi?

[909mjolnir]

I'm not using VMPK anymore, I got a USB MIDI Keyboard. Here's my recent tune:
https://soundcloud.com/909mjolnir/salutations

It's a remix of "Salute"...
I needed to fill it in with more sonic materials and glue it together.

I guess I'll quit posting my tunes up here, though.
Just bookmark my page if you like my tunes, though.

[xinuzi]

I'm not using VMPK anymore, I got a USB MIDI Keyboard. Here's my recent tune:
https://soundcloud.com/909mjolnir/salutations

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