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Thread: Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

  1. #1
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    Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

    Howdy everybody!

    I am a complete noob to Ubuntu (hence the post in the "Absolute Beginner Talk"). Here is my situation.

    I have a computer with Ubuntu 8.04 (just the standard edition, not the studio edition), and I've only had about 30 minutes of experience with it. I would like to create a home recording studio (on a very basic level) with this computer as the centerpiece, and I have no clue as to how.

    First of all, I've heard that ARDOUR is the way to go (because I'll be doing more "pro tools" type production work). How do I install it? From what I gather, Ubuntu is not too keen with the '.exe's, and I DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS WITH THE "DESTINATION" COMPUTER, so is there a way I can transfer everything via flashdrive or the like?

    Do I need other softwares aside from ARDOUR?

    Are there any suggested, linux-compatable guitar/bass/mic/keyboard to computer interfaces on the market?

    Will a stock '02 or '03 Dell soundcard be good enough to do what I want (or is there some other software to download that will simulate a better one)???

    I'm not going for pro sound quality on this one...just "respectable" quality would be fine!

    All help is GREATLY appreciated!!!

    Thanks!!!

    -Jim



    P.S. I'm sorry if this was already asked. I did some digging and I couldn't find it.
    Last edited by SideOfPotatoes; August 12th, 2008 at 12:39 PM.

  2. #2
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    Re: Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

    It will be much easier to hook up the machine to the internet and use synaptic/APT/Add and Remove software to install the software you desire. Here is a link to the Ardour file, you will see that it requires you to install many other software packages to work. Here is an instruction manual for installing software without an internet connection.

    If this computer is going to be used solely as a studio computer I would install ubuntustudio. I know it's a pain because it doesn't fit on a cd. I suggest connecting your machine to the internet and just installing it by opening the terminal (applications>accessories>terminal) and entering the commands found here:
    Code:
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get install ubuntustudio-audio ubuntustudio-audio-plugins linux-rt
    I've never upgraded to Ubuntustudio personally, but I will offer you one important piece of advice. NEVER, install software using a method other than APT, synaptic, or "Add & Remove Software" unless you are specifically told to do so by someone here on the forums or it says so on help.ubuntu.com.

    Once you are done installing the software, you can disconnect it from the internet. I suggest moving the computer to a location that has internet to install the software (maybe two hours if everything goes smooth) and then move it back to your studio when your are done.

  3. #3
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    Re: Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

    You will have to install ubuntu studio. the main reason is studio uses a different kernel than the regular ubuntu OS. it uses the realtime kernel which priorities the processes running to prevent/reduce latency. If you install software that is part of the ubuntu studio package using APT or synaptic it will install the real time kernel.

    Ubuntu studio comes with a lot of software for audio production. I run ubuntu studio at home but i still use my XP machine for audio production since my m-audio USB sound card is not compatible with ubuntu. Some of the m-audio PCI sound cards are compatible, i just don't know which ones off the top of my head. My m-audio USB midi keyboard is compatible, but i have not gotten my serial fatboy midi controller to work. I have an older machine with a Creative audigy 1, with the break out box, and the 1/4 inch jacks on the break out box do function in ubuntu, i tested that using a live CD. but i have read about creative's lack of support with linux and newer audigy card have issues.

  4. #4
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    Re: Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

    Ok, I talked with a few people who have the interwebs, and I might be able to connect this puppy up within the next few days.

    Should I uninstall 8.04 when I install the studio version (and, if so, how)?

    So...my sound card may not work...and the interface may not work...

    Does anyone know of interfaces that do work?

    Is there a way to get around a sound card that doesn't work? (I thought someone had mentioned to me some freeware that emulated a sound card pretty well...?)

    Thanks again!!!

  5. #5
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    Re: Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

    if you could open up a Applications-->Accessories-->Terminal and type:

    Code:
    lspci >hardware.txt
    This will create a text file called hardware.txt, it will be located in your home directory. You will have to sneakernet it to the computer you are using for posting here. Include it in your next post, this way we can help you with any hardware problems.

    Jim
    Last edited by cariboo; July 30th, 2008 at 11:36 PM. Reason: syntax error

  6. #6
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    Re: Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

    Should I uninstall 8.04 when I install the studio version (and, if so, how)?
    No, The instructions I posted before will install the audio part of Ubuntu Studio on top of your regular Hardy Heron (8.04) install. To install the whole thing (audio, video, graphics) without removing regular Ubuntu, read this page.

    Ubuntu Studio appears to have some pretty good help pages, they're just hard to find.

  7. #7
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    Re: Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

    So...my sound card may not work...and the interface may not work...
    Does the soundcard in question work right now? If it does, I don't think you will have any problems getting it to work with Ubuntu Studio, but you might not have the quality you desire. I suggest you try it, and if you don't like it, buy a better one.

    Unfortunately, you can't buy soundcards designed for studio recording off the shelf at Best Buy. You want something that has some good inputs. I found this thing on markertek. It's cheap and looks like it's good quality (XLR and 1/4" inputs), I just don't know if it works with Linux. Sam Ash and Guitar Center probably have something too, but I suspect they are expensive. I haven't messed with that kinda stuff in a few years, although a friend of mine works in television. He only uses Windows.

  8. #8
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    Re: Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

    Read this before buying a soundcard.

  9. #9
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    Re: Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

    Tony of the Ubuntu UK podcast has done a screencast series on podcasting in Audour, it maybe some help.

    http://screencasts.ubuntu.com/Mixing...rdour_-_Part_1
    Mike: "The hardest questions in life are the ones worth answering"

  10. #10
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    Re: Ubuntu Home Recording Studio... how do I get there...

    I've had some experience configuring Ardour. You'll need to use the JACK programs, which are the behind-the-scenes configuration for your audio driver and plugins etc.

    Installing Ardour includes Jackd by dependency, but the main program through which you should use to run Ardour is 'Qjackctl'...I recommend installing that through your Synaptic Package Manager.

    In Qjackctl, you choose your audio driver, and the Alsa driver is the default setting. And Alsa usually works fine right out of the box. When you want to use Ardour, you really start the Qjackctl program first and click start, then you can run Ardour.

    I have tried long and hard to configure the Freebob driver and/or the FFado driver (it's still in beta) in order to use a Mackie firewire console, but so far no luck. After visiting the Ardour forums, I can assure you, I'm not alone there.

    But since your aim is not really pro audio quality, the alsa driver should be fine for you.

    Good Luck !

    Frank B.

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