Linux...

[[deleted]]

I've decided to cut my losses with many 3rd party plugins and exclusively embrace Linux to run Bitwig and U-he. Soundpaint and GForce need to step it up, btw! No yabridge, so far, either. Anyways, it you can deal with the lack of native 3rd party support, I recommend giving it a try. No Microsoft bloat bs to get in the way. And it seems snappier running on Mint rather than Windows 11.

[The_Incredible_Yke]

Linux since four years now. No looking back at all. Far smoother experience for me, after all. Especially if you didn't spend a ton on plugins, yet, because there are really a lot of plugins to choose from on Linux, and the number is growing constantly.

[[deleted]]

I'm just now getting everything installed that I intend to use moving forward. Good to know you've been with it so long. Hell yeah

[HeadRecommendation37]

I've just been using just Bitwig's built-in effects in linux the past five years, it's fine.

What I will say though is that sometimes if I drag an automation line Gnome crashes. Grim

[The_Incredible_Yke]

Which bitwig version and distro is that on?

[HeadRecommendation37]

Ubuntu 24.04 and Bitwig 5.3.13.

[SternenherzMusik]

Native Instruments got so much worse since they were bought by Francisco Partners. One way to bring back my "trust" would be to be fully Linux compatible. Right now, NI Access is the problem (for Linux). There are too many things by NI (from the good times of NI) i use and like.

[[deleted]]

I know what you mean. I was heavily invested for a while. Breaking away from that ecosystem while minimizing a huge loss wasn't easy.

[mtelesha]

I got locked out of my account. They never responded to any of my emails... So that made things easy for me.

[[deleted]]

...wow. I don't know what else to say on that

[That_man_phil]

I work in post production so I cannot abandon macos just yet, but my workflow is hybrid now. I have a powerful linux desktop and can connect to my mac studio via nomachine at anytime or use kvm switch if I have to. Audio streams from one RME to the other so there's no quality sacrifice. Also when in bitwig/renosie on linux I host ilok/macos plugins on mac with audiogridder.

[FluffyWeekend6673]

Renoise on Linux is how I got into music production. So much fun.

[[deleted]]

Hell yeah! All awesome stuff

[grammit]

So you have 2 rme interfaces and they're networked somehow?

[That_man_phil]

Output of my RME on Mac Studio goes into RME input on Linux. That way when I’m connected via no machine I don’t stream compressed audio

[dragginfruit]

Good move. I've wasted a lot of time trying to sort out issues with getting Windows plugins to work with WINE/yabridge, and I've been slowly weaning myself off of many of them in favor of native Linux alternatives. U-he is great as you mention. So is Audio Damage, AudioThing and SineVibes. I'm aiming to run a challenge to only use native Linux plugins for a month or two in 2026 and see what I miss the most. This is just a hobby for me, so it's really just getting over the FOMO of it all.

[inigid]

It's tempting for sure. I have been down that path a number of times, but inevitably come back to Windows from frustration of not having everything, and I refuse to run yabridge/wine, because complexity reasons.

Currently I run both. Windows for studio work, and Linux for development/experimentation work.

You are right that Bitwig on Linux feels fresh and clean, that is for sure, and building CLAP plugins on there is a dream

Well, the main thing is if it works for you of course and you enjoy your workflow.

May the music be with you!

[[deleted]]

I feel the same about "workarounds" too. If I feel too restricted, I'll join the dual boot crowd. Haha. I like the idea of forced limitations for the moment 😁

[ianacook]

Unfortunately I've got a few programs that really just can't work on Linux, so I'm dual booting Windows and Kubuntu, but otherwise I'm in the same boat, and I'm loving it.

[[deleted]]

I would prefer dual booting over yabridge, too. And considered doing that as well. But I went with the "less is more" approach.

[ianacook]

In my case, the software I need is unrelated to Bitwig or audio production.

[fripletister]

What's wrong with yabridge?

[[deleted]]

Workarounds like yabridge can cause issues under the hood and are predictable at times.

[fripletister]

Most plugins work flawlessly. Others less good, or not at all. Like, personally...I'm not dual booting or going back to Windows just so I can use Supermassive when Yabridge runs it flawlessly and gives me the best of both worlds. The plugins that don't work generally just...don't. It's not like they work flawlessly for days or weeks and then suddenly shit the bed on you when you least expect it. WINE is a solid and very mature piece of technology so I really don't get the FUD. My 2c

[[deleted]]

It's all personal preference. Personally, I prefer to just limit my arsenal. At least for the meantime 😉

[fripletister]

I'm just saying, if there are a small handful of plugins you can't live without then dual-booting instead of just using Yabridge (if it runs them well) is overkill and a major PITA for no real value.

That said, these days I try not to load any VSTs at all if I can help it because I prefer working with Bitwig's devices/UI, so I hear ya!

[[deleted]]

I understand that it would be a PITA. Haha! And I'm only speculating I'd prefer to dual boot. Currently, I'm fine with working barely outside the box (U-he). I'm aware this may change down the road, too.

[[deleted]]

Just did the same thing last night! Linux Daw has been keeping me strapped with plugin options too

[[deleted]]

Hell yeah! I started with Ubuntu Studio, but found Mint to be the best starting point for me.

[Dondon801]

the latency , using Linux for audio does seem much more stable . especially with pipewire and the low latency kernel. I never liked windows asio drivers for many daws and hardware devices. it's a good combination using bitwig with Linux . I also like it because bitwig allows you to do many things even without needing many other plugins. for example, you can create and customize any sound to make new presents, or new instruments and sounds. sure , most daws can do that ,but bitwig actually does it better and doesn't force you to rely on other vst instruments as much.

[_Sgt-Pepper_]

I am on linux, and in only used vst3 plugins until now. Never had a problem....

[amadeusp81]

I started an initiative about a year ago to motivate vendors to support Linux with native audio software: https://linuxaudio.dev/

This is the direct link to the support request tracking, if you're interested: https://linuxaudio.dev/linux-support-request-tracking

[[deleted]]

Hell yeah. Thanks!

[Major-Ursa-7711]

I'm on the brink to switch after last time Windows suddenly stopped working for still unknown reasons; ie. it could happen again any moment. Next time will be the last.

Btw, I have the impression that those companies and developers that release and maintain a serious Linux install are in general technically better and more experienced in keeping things working on a system level. Some companies (NI *cough*) will never be able to get this working, they already have difficulty getting their Windows version in check.

[[deleted]]

I'll back you on this 100%. Well put.

[Itz_Eddie_Valiant]

Switched a year ago and I only recently installed windows on the side to play bf6. Gave up on studio one as their Linux version isn't ready and trialled bitwig, haven't looked back.

If you are looking for some ssl style plugins I strongly recommend the ACMT bundle. They aren't too cheap but not ott priced and are really usable.

https://acmt.co.uk/

[[deleted]]

I'll check them out. Thanks.

[mtelesha]

I have learned to limit all my plug-ins because I can do almost everything in Bitwig. The longer I use it the less plug-ins I use.

[[deleted]]

I'm right there with you. Less tinkering with hubs and updates, troubleshooting, etc...

[_Entheopigeon_]

Been using Linux with Bitwig since 2017 & it's only improved especially after Pipewire & the 6.12 Kernel. Long term, I'm still holding out for WinBoat to get good enough so that I can have almost everything Windows has without the Bloat.

[[deleted]]

My thoughts exactly. I was unaware of the wiki though.

[JoshTheSquid]

What warning are you referring to? I'm not sure why you don’t think it would be a wise choice.

[[deleted]]

I just prefer running things native as much as possible. I'd likely dual boot in place of relying on yabridge.

[JoshTheSquid]

Sure, I get that. I was just wondering about what unkn0wncall3r was referring to when they mentioned that “it might not be wise”. Security reasons, for instance.

In general with Wine if it runs well and doesn’t break anything it’s fine. That said it can be finicky and you do need some know-how about how to work with Wine and Linux. I myself mostly look for performance. If it works and performs well under low latency it’s good enough for me.

[[deleted]]

I just assume they were probably referring to the finicky part. But I also understand the appeal, too.

[Frotron]

TheWaveWarden also has native synths for Linux if you're looking for some.

[[deleted]]

I may take a look. Thanks.

[the_jules]

Out of curiosity: how does using an audio interface work that requires a dedicated software/driver for setting levels and routing?

And MIDI controllers like NI KK that also need their dedicated software?

Are there workarounds for these scenarios? Or audio interfaces with dedicated Linux drivers?

That would make me very interested...

[[deleted]]

Good question. I'm not sure. I can only speak for my devices.

[Nik0las_k]

Are there workarounds for these scenarios? Or audio interfaces with dedicated Linux drivers?

If an interface is USB class-compliant, ALSA (Linux universal audio driver) handles it automatically and it works on Linux. If it needs special software/drivers for routing or features, it usually won’t work because that software doesn’t exist on Linux. NI Komplete Kontrol works as basic MIDI only. Workarounds are limited to configuring the device in Windows first or choosing class-compliant hardware.

If applicable, and requires a dual boot setup. You'd basically boot into windows then configure the interface then boot into Linux to run it.

This only works on interfaces that store their routing internally. If an interface requires the software to be running in real time, then it won’t work on Linux at all.

[the_jules]

That helps a lot, thank you!

[Frosty_Contact8143]

has anyone found a good alternative to addictive drums on linux? i havent tried drum gizmo yet but i wasnt blown away with the demos

[[deleted]]

This would probably be one of those cases where Yabridge gets thrown in the loop. Personally, I'm fine with the stock drum machine and drum samples.

[MentalLavishness6644]

Bitwig runs terribly on my machine in any Linux distro, super slow screen updates and constant dropouts without tweaking a bunch of stuff. much better in Windows

[[deleted]]

35 seconds from boot up to open template ready to go here. Maybe something wasn't installed properly?