[linux-audio-user] status of ams

[Dave Phillips]

Atte André Jensen wrote:

> I just rediscovered ams. What a nice synth! Actually I started 
> implementing some of the few things I feel is missing. However it 
> seems to me that nobody's using, at least the mailing lists are 
> totally dead. So:
>
> 1) Anyone using it?

I *have* used it, but currently my work doesn't call for it.

> 2) If not, why? Don't need/understand this type of synth? Use 
> something else (what) instead? Technical reasons/limitations?

See above.

> 3) If you ever tried what did you love about it and what did you hate? 
> Did you find user friendly? Did it perform well?

Its GUI wasn't exactly attractive, but I didn't really care too much 
about that. And yes, it performed nicely.

> 4) To rephrase 2): If the project was resurrected, what would it take 
> for *you* to start using it.

I don't recall if it's JACKed but that's a must.

> 5) Anyone (other than me) looked inside the code and interested in 
> discussing certain aspects of that? Maybe even a joint effort to 
> repair the quirks in ams?

Fons probably knows most about it, he contributed bits to the project.

> Finally let make it clear that I don't have the time or knowledge to 
> take over development of ams. But I'm interested in helping with 
> bringing it to a state where it's a bit more usable...

A worthy and laudable interest. I'm dismayed by the slowdown re: 
development of native Linux synths, and I see more projects languishing 
instead of moving forward. Perhaps another relevant question might be, 
"Is the native Linux softsynth going the way of the dodo ?". Om/Ingen is 
not yet well-prepared for the end-user (though the most recent sources 
might have improved the situation), no development has occurred for 
ZynAddSubFX for some time, and the list of softsynths at linux-sound.org 
has not significantly expanded for a long time. Alas, neither has there 
been a rush of new DSSI synths. Good stuff is out there, but it seems to 
me that our choices are dwindling.

Don't get me wrong, I like what we have. I just want more. :)

Best,

dp