Hello from Arch

[darth]

Hi!

I've been making music for a few years, and a Linux user for over a decade. Music stuff kept pushing me towards Windows, but I think I'm finally fed up enough to actually get things working on Linux properly.

I'm mainly using Bitwig (I kinda like the UI but also because it works on all platforms), and for the most part try working DAW-less to avoid dealing with Windows, but it's become something of a limitation, especially in terms of arranging/mixing and finishing up songs.

I'm still trying to figure out the whole Pipewire/JACK situation, currently have Pipewire installed on Arch (at least I think lol), but it's definitely far from ideal.

One thing I'm not sure about is VST effect plugins. I know the answer is going to likely be "everything good is Windows only", but ... feels maybe some routing with hardware (e.g. using eurorack & pedals for effects) could possibly solve this? But this brings me back to Pipewire/JACK, multiple audio interfaces, and overall just "I have no idea how to write all of this up".

Anyway, glad to have found this place! Hopefully there's at least some fun VSTs and music software that I can discover here than what I've been able to find on my own.

[Basslint]

Welcome! Depending on what kind of music you do, there are many good plugins out there (VST or LV2). Definitely good enough to make even great music. Go check out the various Libre Music Challenges (which are held in this very forum, in The Producer's Area) to hear what people have achieved using only free and open source plugins, you will be surprised

[sysrqer]

There are a bunch of VSTs/LV2s on linux but you can also use yabridge (or another bridge) for Windows VSTs.

Eurorack would definitely give you much higher quality and much more interesting effects, and I can fully recommend it, but it's a pricey venture.

[merlyn]

Welcome darth.

A Linux format equivalent to VST is LV2. There are free plugins :

https://lsp-plug.in/

http://x42-plugins.com/x42/

Both of those are in the Arch repos. There are commercial plugins :

https://u-he.com/

https://www.acmt.co.uk/

https://www.audiodamage.com/

https://www.auburnsounds.com/

And there is a list of just about everything at https://linuxmusic.rocks/ And, as sysrqer said, it's possible to bridge Windows plugins with yabridge.

[darth]

holycrap thanks for the info guys! Just from this post I can see it was very well worth joining

First thing I tried was yabridge with Valhalla Supermassive and it worked on first attempt ... damn ... I did not expect that.

FWIW I already do have a bunch of eurorack, so the only annoying part on that side would be figuring out the audio routing, but I imagine it should be possible to even have another audio interface that has lots of inputs/outputs and only use it for sends/returns with eurorack and wire that up with JACK/Pipewire right?

I've searched the forums a bit, looks like the main thing I might be missing in this whole setup is Kontakt/Komplete, tho seems some people got it working, but so far no luck in my attempts. Only sad thing is most of the NI/Kontakt stuff I have can't be sold :\

[sysrqer]

FWIW I already do have a bunch of eurorack, so the only annoying part on that side would be figuring out the audio routing, but I imagine it should be possible to even have another audio interface that has lots of inputs/outputs and only use it for sends/returns with eurorack and wire that up with JACK/Pipewire right?

Yeah should be able to, as far as I understand on pipewire's side.

Post your rack at some point, I'd be interested to see it.

[nils]

Hello back from Arch.

Also look at this. More software packages for you! https://arch.osamc.de/