[linux-audio-user] Real-time kernel

Chuckk Hubbard badmuthahubbard at gmail.com
Wed Dec 20 19:39:55 EST 2006


On 12/18/06, Lee Revell <rlrevell at joe-job.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 2006-12-18 at 20:27 -0500, Chuckk Hubbard wrote:
> > On 12/15/06, Johannes Mario Ringheim <jri at broadpark.no> wrote:
> > > Ivica Ico Bukvic wrote:
> > > > All this, however, is a byproduct of the fact that Linux is meant to run on
> > > > everything from a washing machine to a supercomputer. Audio being a very
> > > > specialized area begs for total integration of OS with specific hardware. In
> > > > other words, we could definitely benefit from a vendor which specializes in
> > > > professional low-latency hw/sw combo sales if we are to expect the level of
> > > > polish expected from a modern OS.
> > >
> > > Remember that Windows also requires considerable tinkering and tweaking
> > > to become a feasible audio workstation. Several people I know of have
> > > more troubles with their Windows DAWs then I have with my CCRMA
> > > installations. In fact I was pretty amazed with CCRMA, I set up two
> > > different audio boxes in less than an hour each, complete with RT
> > > patches and latest version of ardour and many other apps.
> >
> > I find this incredibly hard to believe.  Windows works for me with no
> > snags, for the most part, and I've spent countless hours wrestling
> > with several Linux distros trying to get even halfway acceptable
> > latency, to no avail.  Recompiling kernels, applying patches,
> > re-prioritizing processes, etc.  Windows has been phenomenally easier
> > in that department, in my experience.  I hope to solve this Linux
> > business once and for all over break so that I can meet some deadlines
> > using it next semester and finally start telling everyone how
> > wonderful it is and how foolish they were for laughing at me throwing
> > away endless hours on it.
> >
>
> What sound hardware?  Are you using a cheap laptop with the onboard
> sound device or something?
>
> Windows outperforms Linux on marginal hardware.  This will probably
> always be the case because such hardware is not designed to be correct,
> it's designed to work with Windows.
>
> On good hardware Linux should win.

I heard the opposite, that Linux's advantages are especially
noticeable on less fancy machines.  But:
http://www.gateway.com/home/products/ret/ret_MX6447.shtml
Will this work?  If I can't use Linux audio on this machine then I
can't afford Linux!



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