[linux-audio-announce] LINUXAUDIO.ORG CONSORTIUM LAUNCHED TO CREATE PROFESSIONAL AUDIO TOOLS

[Daniel James]

Thursday, 15th January 2004 - The Internet

LINUXAUDIO.ORG CONSORTIUM LAUNCHED TO CREATE PROFESSIONAL AUDIO TOOLS

Launched today with 17 members, Linuxaudio.org[1] brings together the 
leading projects and companies working in the field of professional 
audio systems based on libre software.[2]

Linuxaudio.org is a not-for-profit consortium of companies and libre 
software projects using Linux kernel based systems and other libre 
software for audio work, with an emphasis on professional tools for 
the music, recording and broadcast industries. The consortium aims to 
co-ordinate joint projects between members, collaborate on the 
promotion of Linux based systems for audio tasks, and provide a 
single point of contact for prospective industry partners.

Organisations of all sizes and individuals are involved in audio 
development on Linux kernel based platforms. Until the launch of 
Linuxaudio.org, there has not been a formal organisation to assist 
and promote the development of this technology. Linuxaudio.org takes 
its inspiration from the Open Source Development Lab[3], where Linux 
kernel development is co-ordinated, and the Consumer Electronics 
Linux Forum[4]. Both of these organisations have attracted broad 
support from the leading companies in their respective fields.

The Linuxaudio.org consortium does not charge membership fees, as this 
would disadvantage small libre software projects and specialist 
companies who are already making a substantial contribution to Linux 
audio by developing and releasing software for free download. 
However, there will be sponsorship opportunities for member 
organisations. This sponsorship could take the form of support for 
members attending audio industry events and conferences, or the 
donation of hardware to software developers and test facilities.

Members of the consortium at the launch include:

AGNULA project
Libre software and music

ALSA project (supported by SUSE)
Soundcard drivers and utilities for Linux

Ardour project
Digital audio workstation for Linux

Audacity project
Cross-platform multitrack recorder and editor

Boost Hardware
Custom built portable Linux DAW and DJ machines

Core Sound
Portable recording hardware and microphone manufacturers

Dyne:bolic project
Linux distribution running from CD-ROM

Fervent Software
The company behind the Rosegarden sequencer

4Front Technologies
Developers of Open Sound System and 3D audio technologies

JACK project
Low latency audio server for Linux

JAMin project
Mastering tool for the JACK audio server

Linux Audio Systems
The company supporting the Ardour DAW

Lionstracs
Linux-based workstation keyboard manufacturers

MandrakeSoft
Publisher of the Mandrake Linux distribution

Mirror Image Studios
Linux based recording studio

Plugin.org.uk project
Home of many LADSPA effects plugins

Rosegarden project
MIDI and audio sequencer for Linux


Linuxaudio.org members are expected to agree to the conditions set out 
in the Policy[5] document. On joining the consortium, each member can 
nominate an individual that will represent it on the Linuxaudio.org 
Management Board. Projects and companies interested in joining the 
consortium can apply by contacting the Director, Daniel James, or the 
Chair of the Management Board, Dave Phillips. Contact information is 
available on the Linuxaudio.org site.

"As Mandrake Linux is gaining momentum in the multimedia field, 
MandrakeSoft is very happy to join the Linux Audio consortium. Such 
an organisation is needed to promote the use of Linux as a platform 
of choice for running professional audio applications", said François 
Bancilhon, CEO of MandrakeSoft[6].

Andrea Glorioso of the AGNULA[7] libre software and music project 
commented "The AGNULA project is excited to join the Linux Audio 
consortium. Since we base our work on the principle of maximum 
co-operation, typical of Free Software projects, we can only applaud 
the effort to unite the key GNU/Linux players in the audio software 
industry and community. We are looking forward to contributing our 
experience to the expertise provided by consortium members, with the 
common goal of developing ever better Linux-based systems
for professional audio work."

"4Front enthusiastically supports the Linuxaudio.org consortium and 
the timing is just right for a consortium to promote the development 
of audio and multimedia applications on Linux. 4Front has been laying 
the foundation for audio on Linux since the very beginning with Open 
Sound System" said Dev Mazumdar, President of 4Front Technologies[8].

Chris Cannam from the Rosegarden[9] sequencer project added "This 
initiative is exactly what the Linux audio world needs, and the 
timing couldn't be better. The Linux community has a development 
model that should be of interest to professional users everywhere, 
and a great many interesting technologies and applications already. 
It's time to start introducing them to the world."

*ends*


Notes

[1] http://linuxaudio.org/

[2] We use the term 'libre software' rather than 'free software' or 
'open source', because some people get the wrong idea and assume that 
free means 'free-as-in-beer'. Since some consortium members are 
producing commercial products, that assumption won't always be 
correct. We don't use the term Open Source, because while libre 
software has source code available, not all publically available 
source code is released under a libre licence - the best known libre 
software licence being the GNU GPL.

[3] http://osdl.org/

[4] http://celinuxforum.org/

[5] http://linuxaudio.org/en/policy.html

[6] http://www.mandrakesoft.com/

[7] http://agnula.org/

[8] http://www.opensound.com/

[9] http://www.all-day-breakfast.com/rosegarden/