[LAU] Debian DAW experiences

[david]

On 08/31/2014 07:42 PM, David Christensen wrote:
> linux-audio-user:
>
> I've been running a Debian Wheezy DAW (i386, Xfce, realtime kernel,
> Audacity, Rosegarden, various synthesizers, etc.) for the past week or
> two.  It sort of worked.  But, it's clearly not ready for taking on
> stage for a performance.
>
>
> I checked for backports of more recent DAW titles, but none are available.
>
>
> So, today I rebuilt the machine using Debian Testing (Jessie).
>
>
> I started by downloading the 288 MB "netinst" ISO image.  This was
> followed by 100's of MB of downloads to install the base system,
> graphical desktop (Xfce), laptop packages, SSH server, and print server.
>
>
> I fed my list of desired general-purpose, kernel, and DAW packages to
> Apt and it wanted to download another 1+ GB of files (!).  I shook my
> head and lit it off.
>
>
> After several hours of hogging my 1.5 Mbps Internet connection, I
> noticed that Apt was downloading a 323 MB documentation package.
>
>
> Since when is documentation a *required* package?
>
>
> For that matter, when is 288 MB a "small" installation image?
>
>
> And, there are other issues with Debian (such as cdrkit/ isoinfo).
>
>
> So, it's time for me to look for another Linux distribution.  Are there
> any recommendations for a Linux distribution that:
>
> 1.  Works correctly.
>
> 2.  Is efficient in both space and time.
>
> 3.  Offers a kernel suitable for DAW use at install time.
>
> 4.  Offers current DAW software binary packages.
>
> 5.  Provides simple OOTB *user* and *administrator* experiences -- e.g.
> minimal technical wrenching around under the hood.

Musix 3. Don't know how it fits any of your above criteria, but it does 
work reasonably.

I'm not a fan of any particular specific Linux audio distro, but, sorry, 
288MB IS a small install image. Too small for me!

Don't know of any distro that keeps CURRENT with audio software. I use 
Debian Sid, and it's usually a release behind. Perhaps an Ubuntu-based 
distro would be more current?

-- 
David W. Jones
gnome at hawaii.rr.com
authenticity, honesty, community
http://dancingtreefrog.com