DAW Comparison for Linux (LMMS, Qtractor, Ardour)

[@JaiHebel]

🎯 Key points for quick navigation: 00:00:00 *🎶 Introduction to Linux Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)* - Introduction to DAWs available for Linux, - Mention of alternatives like proprietary software, - Focus on native Linux applications discussed. 00:03:56 *📝 MuseScore Capabilities* - Strong orchestral and notation capabilities in MuseScore, - Limitations of MIDI layer and play engine in MuseScore, - Import and utilization of sound fonts and libraries. 00:06:11 *📼 Role of Audacity* - Use of Audacity for audio editing and sequencing, - Mention of Audacity's limitations with MIDI functionality, - Final polish sequencing and mastering by using Audacity. 00:07:49 *🎹 Features of LMMS* - Strength in MIDI handling and plugin integration in LMMS, - Limitations with audio recording and interface, - Functionality for electronic and hybrid music creation. 00:11:37 *🔄 Qtractor Attributes* - Strong MIDI sequencing capabilities, - Issues with tempo and meter mapping during MIDI import, - Exclusively utilizes JACK and requires pipewire for low latency setup. 00:16:18 *🚀 Ardour's Robustness* - Ardour's proficiency in MIDI import and customization, - Comprehensive audio and video editing features, - Recommendation for serious and comprehensive usage. 00:20:05 *🔗 Carla and Patch Bay* - Use of Carla for routing and connecting multiple DAWs, - Benefits of using PipeWire for seamless audio integration, - Encouragement to update to the latest PipeWire for enhanced capabilities. Made with HARPA AI

[@DominicMoranDublin]

Thank you Carl for this. Yes Pipewire doing the business now.

[@artistlibre]

Really happy that I have watched this video today. Great insights, which solves a lot!

[@rncbc]

the tempo-map import issue on qtractor is a bug that lurks since v0.9.29 thru v0.9.35 inclusive; it has been fixed very recently.

[@carlirwinmusic]

Yep! I got you covered here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXO7qoZ8oM-Xo5Isi=8RbufpMOxMQ3GWyY I put this up right after I consulted you at the blog forum. Thanks!

[@MykeHawke-r9r]

Thank you for making this video

[@yos2413]

thanks

[@flameshard]

Doesn't Reaper also have native Linux bindings?

[@carlirwinmusic]

It's ported and now cross-platform. So it is an option. But obviously it isn't actually free with an open license, in spite of the ability to try it indefinitely.

[@Cycling.Doughnut]

I read a lot of comments that drum pads on a midi controller do not work with LMMS? And it seems there is no solution to that. I cannot find any information if they work on other software (apart from the one shipped with the controller). I use Linux, and thinking of buying a midi controller, but I do not know if all buttons and knobs will work.

[@carlirwinmusic]

@Cycling.Doughnut I believe that there is a discover feature for midi controllers that works quite well.

[@astrahcat1212]

I still believe that writing in MuseScore is just slower if you're comparing it to playing with for example the newer physical modelling libraries like SWAM, in where you can literally perform using a breath controller with a MIDI keyboard. You may say that MuseScore beats the competition, but this just isn't true, right now we're headed towards the age of physical modelled instruments. The problem with MuseScore is that you're not actually performing the lines, in the case that you'd want an actual finished WAV. You have less control over the production side, such as compression, reverb, etc... To me this seems like a slower option, unless you're printing music for instrumentalists or an actual live performance of some sort. Another thing...the point of having a Linux DAW for me personally is getting away from logins, and Ardour seems to require a login, so that's an important aspect of a Linux DAW.

[@carlirwinmusic]

Ardour does not require a login

[@carlirwinmusic]

I don't believe that swam is play from notation. It is play from midi. Musescore 4 doesn't use midi data. So the comparison only stands up between like products (other play from notation engines and libraries). With respect to 'control', I think there is a pragmatic balance in the pursuit of realism. By your logic, having a real orchestra offers less 'control' than swam, as musicians make individual unique interpretive choices in response to direction. It seems to me that the true goal is realism, within reasonable and relevant control. For folks composing to notation (for whatever reason), it seems to me that Musescore 4 and Muse Sounds are pretty efficient and effective in this end. Obviously, people will lobby for their perspective and approach... but I'm pretty confident in saying that Musescore is capable of production level mockups immediately at the moment of composition, and few products can do that.

[@graydhd8688]

Musescore is more an engraving tool than a production tool (though can definitely use it for the latter- I sometimes do as I write totally different music when approaching via notation first), there are people who write sheet music, you know, for the purpose of having others read it

[@jhonvillacis6949]

Hi I'm completely new on this. All I want is to use it for "life perzornance", actually just to add voices (synths) to my digital piano. Will Ardour work for this?

[@carlirwinmusic]

Ardour Qtractor and LMMS will work for midi controlled softsynth layering. Ardour, Qtractor, and Audacity will work for multitrack recording external sound sources, if that's your goal. In both modes, each program can work live.

[@rpatros]

Hi Carl, i am surprised that you moved to Ardour. I am trying out reaper on linux, which is extremely lightweight and stable more than Ardour

[@carlirwinmusic]

Glad you are getting good results from Reaper. For me, the Ubuntu Studio upstream Ardour packages for V7 are super stable. And it is truly open source with zero ethical loopholes (like indefinite "testing" like what one gets with Reaper). Although Reaper now offers a Linux instal, Ardour has a deep history with Linux based plugins (which I use exclusively) and constant development/packaging. That doesn't make it 'better' but those are my reasons for going with Ardour. It's 100% legit and native from all perspectives.

[@haliaeetus8221]

So being lightweight, might Reaper be a better option than Ardour on a "not so brand new laptop" ;) ?

[@carlirwinmusic]

@haliaeetus8221 see my previous comment regarding decisions on using Reaper in Linux. For me, Ardour is the better option for what I do with film scoring. For some, Reaper may be the more suitable option (in spite of the licensing and non-native porting).

[@jyothishkumar3098]

But it is paid :p

[@carlirwinmusic]

@@jyothishkumar3098 Reaper is paid, Ardour is not (using Linux repository builds or building oneself).

[@Fabermorrow]

would be nice if you showed some of the features you are talking about while you are talking so we can see too

[@carlirwinmusic]

My guess is that Linux users already know... and Win/Mac users have no reason to 'convert'. So this is really just a general 'overview of existence' for the major packages on Linux for those that are curious. Many out there on Win/Mac don't realize that Linux music is as robust and serious as it is.

[@Fabermorrow]

@@carlirwinmusic what? I came here to learn about DAWs that are available for Linux and see some of this stuff in action. Not everybody watching this is gonna be hardcore Linux users that know everything about anything.

[@Fabermorrow]

@@carlirwinmusic and many windows users have reasons to migrate

[@Fabermorrow]

That's literally why I'm watching this video lol

[@Fabermorrow]

And to be clear, I used Linux 15 years ago, since then I have used windows but I have been thinking of moving back for a variety of reasons. So I'm fully aware of how deep it goes and how much better it is but my only concern is not having fully fledged DAWs to work on and unfortunately its impossible to find any good videos out there that showcase them properly

[@edrickblade]

Hi, What audio backend you recommend the most, Jack or Pipewire?

[@carlirwinmusic]

@edrickblade Pipewire. It's the way of the future and seamlessly implemented right now.

[@edrickblade]

@@carlirwinmusic Thanks for the advice 👍🏼

[@edrickblade]

@@carlirwinmusic Thanks for the advice 👍🏼

[@titanmoruma5834]

have you checked Zrythm?

[@carlirwinmusic]

I believe they only offer a limited free version (25 tracks and limited plugin compatibility). I don't know of any repositories that offer compiled binaries of the complete source code (as is the case with Ardour). I likely won't attempt to compile it myself.

[@titanmoruma5834]

@@carlirwinmusic Understood! Thnaks for the response. I had difficulties getting it to work. And indeed the free version is limited! Thanks again =D

[@edrickblade]

What linux distro you're using?

[@carlirwinmusic]

@@edrickblade Ubuntu Studio

[@edrickblade]

@@carlirwinmusic Which version, 22.04 or 24.04?

[@carlirwinmusic]

@@edrickblade 24.04

[@edrickblade]

@@carlirwinmusic I've tried 24.04 but it gives me errors in the installation then downgraded to 22.04 also some plugins doesn't work and Tracktion Waveform 12 have libraries conflict

[@carlirwinmusic]

@edrickblade I would imagine that using ported proprietary software will give you problems on bleeding edge Linux distros from time to time. Be sure to disable secure boot when installing, use the latest ISO images, and do forum searches for any errors that you find. I have never had a problem that couldn't be resolved.

[@jyothishkumar3098]

Why are you connecting multiple DAWs?

[@carlirwinmusic]

What are you referring to?

[@jyothishkumar3098]

​@@carlirwinmusic I first thought you mentioned using Audacity inside Carla with LMMS. Anyways, why do we have to set up complex PipeWire based routing?

[@carlirwinmusic]

@@jyothishkumar3098 Pipewire removes complexity. Pipewire automates connections between Alsa Pulseaudio and Jack. Most distributions going forward will have Pipewire by default.

[@jyothishkumar3098]

​@@carlirwinmusicI understood that, I use PipeWire. I meant, why use JACK based routing? But I guess I understand the idea now, with plugging in different instruments and all, like a physical patchbay. If there's anything else you can add, do mention.

[@carlirwinmusic]

@@jyothishkumar3098 Jack based routing provides timecode synchronization and master/slave transport. Pipewire accomplishes this through its Jack emulation (but it is still Jack routing). This capability is essential for film scoring and synchronization of playback between applications.

[@LinuxCreative]

Hot take: LMMS is not a DAW

[@carlirwinmusic]

@LinuxCreative some would say that it is a midi sequencer. But, can it sequence digital audio? Yes. It does essentially everything but record. The creator of Qtractor is adamant that Qtractor is not a DAW but rather IT is a sequencer... in spite of the fact that it does record audio. It seems to me that the criteria is pretty straight forward: Does the application sequence digital audio? Anything beyond that is really one fabricating their own meaning for words. Ultimately, Audacity is a DAW, as is LMMS and even Hydrogen (although we have the term Drum Computer/Sequencer for that type of application as well) albeit with significant differences in purpose and mode. But beyond the point I have made here regarding definitions, I can create identical orchestral mockups in LMMS, Qtractor, and Ardour using the same plugins and audio... so... Some folks may not be aware that LMMS can handle a project like that.

[@LinuxCreative]

@@carlirwinmusic LMMS is absolutely a neat piece of FOSS, but I would not call anything a DAW if you can't record audio into it. I didn't consider FL Studio a DAW until that feature was added back in the mid 2000's. It must just be my musician criteria. If I can't plug in an instrument or microphone and hit record, that means I need a real DAW to do half the work!

[@EugeniaLoli]

The git version of lmms has both recording and vst3 plugin support. It's just not released yet, but it's actively developed.