Pro Audio Commercial Alternatives

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Commercial/Professional Audio Software Alternatives/Equivalents

Windows

Due to inherent design limitations, such as the lack of a pro audio infrastructure and proper process synchronization, Microsoft's operating systems can barely achieve acceptable latencies for serious work without in-depth tweaking. Every application provides its own method to get around this, most notably the ASIO protocol of Steinberg fame. Aside from latency, there are other technical areas where it has still to mature. Despite these shortcomings, it is still the chosen platform for DAWs next to the Mac.

On the other hand, the Linux kernel and GNU software have been able to go under 10ms very commonly for quite some time (compare that to the 40ms of Microsoft Windows). The operating system has made much progress, so have the choices and quality of pro audio free software. The community is always growing, we now have more people from the music scene who are interested in producing content on Linux platforms. Use what you would spend on XP/Vista for recording gear instead, never prioritize software over hardware in this case.

Mac OS

Like Linux, Apple's OS (specifically the kernel) has no problems with latency or professional audio work. However, unlike other operating systems, you cannot just purchase and install it into your computer. It comes as part of a hardware bundle, and Apple states clearly that they are a hardware company. Thus, it is an expensive option for many.

With GNU/Linux, one can achieve similar results, sometimes at the cost of neither money nor freedom. This is a big advantage to producers and musicians who are just starting out, and also a very good solution for enthusiasts who want quality less the expensive price tags and obligations (think royalties and licenses). One can further benefit from the open nature of software in general. For example, if you have an idea to make Traverso better, you are more than encouraged to make yourself heard. Fast bug fixes and patches are just one part of what free software has to offer.

Audition

Audacity is an alternative while Ardour is more than just equivalent to Adobe's digital audio editor. Ardour is professional-grade software, meaning it is really meant for professional production and ready for studios. Many amateurs who claim to have some experience in Audacity find it difficult to adapt to Ardour's (user) interface, as it has a wide range of functions and features. With that said, neither Adobe Audition nor Audacity is an adequate solution for heavy DAW tasks, but they can still be used together with other tools to produce quality music.

You may also be interested in Jokosher if what you are looking for is simplicity.

Cubase/Logic Pro

Both Steinberg's and Apple's offerings are DAW suites, they are each meant to be a complete solution for musicians/producers. Basically, they have the functionalities of MIDI sequencers and non-destructive multitrack audio recorders in one programme.

  • The MIDI sequencer lets you synthesize, record/add MIDI/virtual instruments, and programme samples.
  • The multitrack audio recorder and editor lets you record physical instruments and edit the waveforms.

In Linux, we use more than one application to achieve this. However, JACK helps integrate everything in the environment so you will always feel like you are working with just one application. Two such software are Ardour and Rosegarden; the former handles multitrack recording while the latter takes care of MIDI-related work. Do take note that Rosegarden comes close to being an equivalent of Cubase and Logic Pro, but it isn't as mature and stable as Ardour (the task is bigger).

Traverso may be a direct competitor, but it is still at its infancy as of December 2007.

VST

LADPSA is the equivalent here. If you are willing to sacrifice some freedom, there is a way to use original Virtual Studio Technology effects under Wine, via the FST wrapper.

VSTi

DSSI is an extension to LADSPA, solely for instruments. To use original Virtual Studio Technology instruments, you just need the dssi-vst plug-in in addition to FST.

GigaStudio

QSampler is a graphical front-end to LinuxSampler, the obvious alternative to software samplers like TASCAM's. JSampler is the Java-based offering.

FL Studio

Since the goal here is more towards MIDI and pattern-based music (Fruity Loops has always been this way), a very close alternative is LMMS. It supports VST and VSTi natively by using Wine, without the need for the above-mentioned wrappers or Steinberg's SDK.

DFH

Hydrogen may not have all those proprietary effects and features of Drumtrack From Hell, but what is available is sufficient to warrant a professional grade. Its carefully-oriented interface is an added bonus, as both beginners and experienced users of similar software will feel equally comfortable.

ASIO

There is no need for such a protocol in Linux or Mac which eliminates mixer latency issues, so there is no such equivalent or alternative. Contrary to popular myth, JACK is not the equivalent, neither is ALSA. If you do have to equate something, then the former is more appropriate.

  • ALSA: The audio driver, more technically it is a kernel component which provides device drivers for audio hardware (sound cards).
  • JACK: The audio server, acts as a hub like ESD, PulseAudio, aRts etc.

For some proprietary applications which rely on this protocol to perform with low-latency, WineASIO handles the communication using JACK as the back-end.

Flexibility

The JACK Audio Connection Kit lets all applications interoperate as if they were a single application. You can programme drums with Hydrogen, record guitars and vocals with Ardour, sequence a virtual instrument or record your keyboard with Rosegarden and all of them will have transparent interoperability running seamlessly. In the end, that is all that really matters for a Digital Audio Workstation next to gear, latency, skill, creativity and talent.

See Also

Pro Audio

Related Links

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