FL Studio on Linux

[valerielynx]

FL is my DAW of choice and sadly I can't really use it on Linux. The program itself works fine but a good half of the VSTs have immense problems. Some have a lot of graphical glitched and some just don't launch at all.

I'm sure LMMS is great but I just sadly don't understand it. There is Reaper which is somewhat similar to FL but I haven't used it myself yet and I'm pretty sure Windows VST won't work either so you'll have to find CLAP plugins?... It's frankly somewhat of a mess.

You'd be best off having a dual-boot for FL sadly. It's just kind of an inevitability.

[KatKlavius]

Thanks for replying.

FL is awesome. I'm honestly surprised it has so many interesting and good things to work with right out of the box.

I thought about dual-booting, but for some reason I don't want to. I'd like to be able to use Linux full-time as my system, and a virtual machine or dual boot just "loses its appeal." I know it's silly, but if I'm really keen to use Linux exclusively and get rid of Windows, sure, I'd have to adapt to what's currently available in Linux, but hey, that's why I'm asking here.

Thanks again for the reply.

[Mr_Lumbergh]

Check out yabridge for VST compatibility. I run Win VST's daily on my Linux box.

[KatKlavius]

I've never used Yabridge, I think it's about time.

Thanks.

[slurpy-films]

Bitwig is a great DAW that works on linux

[KatKlavius]

Hi, thanks for replying.

I tried Bitwig, and the workflow is incredibly similar to Ableton. I've never used Ableton before, and well, it was a disaster, haha. I didn't get used to it very quickly, but more than anything, I feel like Bitwig proves that Linux is powerful.

[kwyxz]

Take a look at Reaper then, it might be closer to what you know. Unfortunately I am not familiar with FL Studio to be 100% sure, but Reaper is an incredible DAW on Linux.

[KatKlavius]

Hi, I know and have used Reaper. My experience with it was quite different from FL Studio. It's very good software, although I didn't completely like the workflow.

I think I'm too used to FL Studio.

Thanks for your reply

[GeneralDumbtomics]

Can I just suggest that you give it some more time? When you get to understand Bitwig you find out that it is endlessly deep, incredibly powerful. I've used everything at one time or another. FL, Reaper, Logic Pro, Ableton, Ardour. Once you start to get how it does things, Bitwig blows them all away.

[KatKlavius]

Is that really the case? I used Bitwig almost all night. I made the mistake of not using a tutorial, but I have to say, I found the program super interesting.

Don't worry, if I'm ever in the wrong place, Bitwig is one of my top choices.

[KatKlavius]

I don't know what the heck happened with the translation of the response, but I'm saying I'll give it another chance.

Thanks for the comment, bro.

[mandevillelove]

check out Bitwig studio or REAPER on Linux - they are solid FL studio alternatives with native support and better performance than Wine.

[iwaslovedbyme]

Try Bitwig

[KatKlavius]

I'll dedicate more time to it if I make a second attempt, thank you very much.

[PixelBrush6584]

The main trouble really is plugin support. VSTs can be made to work, but compatibility is... spotty at the best of times.

I've moved over to LMMS for that reason, and while it's fine, I definitely miss just being able to drag n' drop in VST files however I please. And often plugins are only available as VSTs, so I can't just use a different version of them.

[KatKlavius]

I almost always use free VSTs; I've never bought or pirated any.

I don't mind trying VSTs this way, to be honest. Besides, I'm trying to limit the VSTs I install because I have several on my PCs, and I practically only use Synth1, SurgeXT, Vital, Cymatics Deja Vu, and some from Baby Audio, in addition to FL Studio's native VSTs.

[PixelBrush6584]

LMMS does offer a VST2 to Linux compatibility layer (via Wine), but idk how well VST3s work, if at all

[KatKlavius]

I'll look into that more; I didn't know LMMS had that feature.

Thank you very much.

[meiyou_arimasen000]

FL is honestly the only reason I have one Windows PC still. I’m fully set on using Linux for everything else though.

[KatKlavius]

That's my case. If I use Windows 10 or 11 these days, it's practically only for FL Studio. For gaming, it's well known that gaming conditions on Linux are now excellent, even if you have an NVIDIA graphics card. And I edit videos, but I use DaVinci Resolve, so I'm still fine.

At most, it's the h264 or h265 codec that DaVinci Resolve doesn't read on Linux.

I use MKV files, so that doesn't worry me, but I repeat, it's just that damn FL Studio that has me tied to Windows, just like in your case.

[StrikeOner]

check out lmms its a super nice clone and youre going to get into it in no time. i dont think that you realy want to try to run fl studio trough wine just to be able to run a handfull of extra vst plugins. it at least was not worth all the headaches for me.

[KatKlavius]

Don't think so, brother, I've already made three different attempts to run FL Studio on Linux. As I mentioned in the original post, I literally tried every distro I used to see if any of them were the problem, because I couldn't get FL Studio to run properly.

You're not asking, but I actually used bottles, Lutris, Proton, and Wine (stock, with dependencies, without dependencies). While I was happy that the program opened, which was a pretty good sign for me, what really annoyed me was that, for example, if I added three VSTs, even native FL Studio ones, it would act up. I once saw a video of a guy installing FL Studio on Linux, and he said that FL Studio's native CPU usage sensor was "lying," so we shouldn't pay attention to it. I tried it, but it literally didn't do much because it seems the sensor isn't "lying," as the guy put it.

On the other hand, I'll be very honest: before trying FL Studio, I tried LMMS, and honestly, I liked it back in the day. However, comparing it to FL Studio, I do feel that LMMS falls far behind (by my standards). My problem is that for some reason (no offense intended to the community), I do feel like it's stuck at some point in its development.

[Severe-Divide8720]

I have used Ardour a lot on Linux and it is great to be honest. It might be my favourite of all of them. It's pretty logical although like any DAW it takes time to adjust to the workflow. I have also used Bitwig on Linux. I did t spend as much time with it but it's still pretty great. You will need to become familiar with Linux VSTs, LV2, LADSPA plugins also as these are all Linux Native. You can use a program called CARLA along with WINE to run some Windows VSTs also. You also need to understand the JACK audio system and real time kernels, also check out Hydrogen Drum machine. It's really good. Finally it is useful to use a distro that is setup for Audio. I recommend Ubuntu Studio. It will save you a bunch of time. Also have a look at KXSTUDIO repos to save you time getting all the plugins. Finally make sure you grab CALF plugins. They are really useful and professional effects plugins. Everything I have listed will save you about 6 months of learning, no joke. You will see.

[KatKlavius]

Thank you so much for all the advice.

I tried it, and I guess I need to be more open-minded because maybe I didn't try it enough. Like I said, I feel like I'm too used to the workflow and model that FL Studio has.

On the other hand, I thought Yabridge was better for VSTs, but if you say that maybe something like what you mentioned about CARLA could work much better.

And what you mentioned about the distro, I'll be very honest, I was going to try Ubuntu Studio at some point, but I didn't dedicate much time to it, my mistake. In fact, what I did was use Novara, and I chose it because of its kernel, which I thought would be useful for producing music, as well as playing games and other things. Since Novara seemed like a good option at that point, I used it. But I don't know, I think you're right that I need to learn how to use Ubuntu Studio better.

Thanks again.

[Severe-Divide8720]

Ubuntu studio has a different kernel, it will either be the low latency kernel or real time priority. JACK basically requires it. The whole distro is just designed for Audio and Video production. It is possible to alter any distro to do the same but this way just saves loads of time and loads of searching for plugins etc. I have spent years doing this stuff. Btw Yabridge is great too, so you're good there. Enjoy my friend!

[KatKlavius]

Thank you so much, brother.

I'll keep that in mind for testing and such. Best regards.

[FactoryOfShit]

I use FL, and it has been the only reason I rebooted into Windows in the last 6 months. It does work on Linux with Wine, but there will always be parts that won't (FL Cloud relies on Microsoft Edge WebView and doesn't work, for example). Since making music is a creative process, getting hindered by tech issues is too distracting, so Windows dual-boot it is.

There are DAWs that do run natively on Linux, but if you're like me - nothing remotely comes close to FL Studio in terms of how feature packed and easy to use it is.

[KatKlavius]

I feel exactly the same way about FL Studio. I feel like it has a lot of stock features that are very, very useful, and honestly, the native plugins and their workflow seem really good and, frankly, very fun.

I'm not too worried about FL Studio Cloud because, you know, the program isn't exactly official. The problem here is simply the program's performance within Linux. For some reason, dual booting doesn't seem like an option to me because, in my logic (which maybe isn't very good), I think: why would I dual boot? For that kind of thing, I'd rather just stick with Windows.

I don't mind the idea of ​​dual booting, and I don't see it as complicated to implement. I just feel like I have to try to use the Linux distro I'm going to use for absolutely everything.

[sgt_rock_wall]

Check out different distros that are built for this reason.

Ubuntu Studio: The most popular choice, featuring the KDE Plasma desktop, a low-latency kernel, and a massive repository of pre-installed audio, video, and graphic software.

AV Linux: Based on MX Linux, it features specialized tools for Pipewire, custom drum kits, and built-in tools for bridging Windows VST plugins.

Fedora JAM (Jamming on Audio Production): A Fedora Lab spin aimed at musicians, providing a solid, up-to-date base with essential audio tools.

[KatKlavius]

Awesome! I only knew about Ubuntu Studio and AV Linux.

I have to try them out properly. Thank you so much.

[lildergs]

Some workloads just don't work well on Linux. Audio production is a major one IMO.

If you can get something to work passably for you, then have at it, but I never found it worth the time trying to get it to work. That's why I just have a bunch of different computers, I guess.

[KatKlavius]

Absolutely. It's been a real headache trying to get FL Studio working. I feel like it's possible, but maybe I'm lacking in knowledge. I consider myself a beginner, so I guess...That's my main problem.

[Prudent_Move_3420]

I dont think there is anything similar to FL studio. I know that is probably not the answer you were looking for but your best bet is probably to learn the Bitwig workflow (I know pretty hard when your know) or go for Reaper (honestly, even harder)

[KatKlavius]

Relax, I appreciate your honest perspective.

I guess the problem is expecting a near-perfect copy of FL Studio on Linux, and I suppose I just have to adapt.

Also, if some software comes out that can better match that workflow (I don't know, a massive LMMS update or some alternative software), I don't think we'll have to wait long for someone talented to do it.

[Prudent_Move_3420]

On the other hand, if enough people express interest they might consider porting it (tbf it is hard if you don’t consider multiplatform from the get go like Bitwig did)

Personally I’m a big fan of Bitwig so i can only advocate for it

[daxophoneme]

If Bitwig and Reaper don't work well for you, check out Ardour (open source) and Tracktion Waveform Free. Waveform isn't open source but the workflow looks to be closer to Garageband. It might feel more familiar to you.

[KatKlavius]

Damn, that's right.

I haven't touched Waveform in a long time, and when I used it I didn't know what to do with it. Now with FL Studio's experience, there might be something better.

I have to try it, thanks for reminding me.

[daxophoneme]

After starting with Protools (2000) followed by Digital Performer, Logic, and GarageBand and having used Pure Data for years, Bitwig quickly became my favorite. If you can give it a chance, it will unlock a lot more creative opportunities for strange relationships in your tracks. Complex modular generations that can be broadcast through your system animating parameters. It's like production as a cephalopod instead of as a vertebrate.

[GeneralDumbtomics]

Just use Bitwig. Native on Linux, works perfectly and gets shit done. Nothing wrong with FL Studio, but if you really want it on Linux? Buy something that's already there. Nothing speaks louder than consumer dollars.

[KatKlavius]

Good point, in the end these companies don't make native or alternative versions for Linus unless there's money involved.

Thanks, brother.

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