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/