On 12/15/06, Johannes Mario Ringheim
<jri(a)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.