Linux version now available (Page 1 of 2)

Everything seems to work great with no added steps to get the midi working properly.  The Roland FP-7 works fine via the USB connection built into the piano.  All I had to do was start JACK and start the pianoteq trial and things worked perfectly well.

I did notice a slight UI bug that happens when pressing "k" to toggle the keyboard display.  The window remains at the normal size (I have yet to test in windows) and shows a gray area where the keyboard used to appear.  Then, if you press "k" again to show the keyboard the whole UI moves down and left just a bit.  I'm pretty sure I'm in a fairly normal Gnome desktop environment in Ubuntu 9.04.  Maybe I'll boot into windows to observe the functionality there as it might not just be an issue with the linux version.

Mmm you are right, this is a bug, the window should resize and not move.

Unlike EastWest with PLAY.

-_-'

8.7 MB?  How did the download size drop so much?

Works perfectly here.  Ubuntu 8.10, AMD 64 (Quad-core Phenom II 940)

And I knew nothing about Jack until now.  Just winged it:

sudo apt-get install jackd
sudo qjackctl
(played with the settings a little: realtime, frames to adjust latency)

Had to run pianoteq as root (sudo) to connect to the jack server.  Not sure if I can run jackd as a user, but I bet I can fiddle with the permissions.

Thanks for making this linux version!!!  I had just bought PT for my Macbook, so this makes it that much better of a purchase!

I might build a Ubuntu box from spare parts that sits permanently at my piano's side just to run this. (my own affordable dedicated alternative)  Heck, it could probably even just boot off of a thumb drive.

Thanks, I might have had trouble running qjackctl as a user, so my default fix-all is to sudo it.  Since it's not a shared system, I typically don't worry about permissions much, but I'm sure there are those who do.

EDIT:  The actual binary is 6.2 MB, which shows just how amazing this program really is.  The other 14-15 MB in the Mac/Win versions is no doubt just extra stuff to deal with the OS.

Getting Pianoteq to run with Wine on Ubuntu requires some compiling steps due to needing a header that can only be obtained via downloading something from Steinberg if I recall correctly.  It can run otherwise but doesn't get the low latency.  The native version makes things much easier.

I can't seem to export audio when using the JACK interface.  I could export when using ALSA, but not with the high quality option.  That also causes pianoteq to freeze and I need to kill it to close.

I tried a few different JACK settings with no change.  I only have a motherborad based intel sound device but it works fine otherwise.

I had the same lockup when using the built in midi file as well as one my piano generated.

Maybe some other users of the linux trial version could try out the export feature and report back with success or failure?

For Ubuntu users, I recommend having a look at:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Ubunt...reparation

You will find every information about how to tweak well to make music.

By the way, thanks a lot to the Pianoteq team for providing the Linux Audio Users with a so very good audio application.

Toine

Just a follow up on the menu issue regarding the recently used file submenu and the file menu disappearing if you tried to scroll past it.  This appears to be a bug (I'll assume you're using Juce for the UI since that's being used for the audio as well) when I have different levels of desktop effects turned on.  If I disable fancy desktop effects on my machine I can use the menu normally.   If I turn that setting up a bit my system draws menus with a fancy bubble like pop in and that seems to break the menu code causing the issue.

Maybe I can download the Juce code on my end and see if they have any demos where I can reproduce the bug.  I can't really code in C so I might not have much luck recreating the problem myself.

Hi sawtooth,

Excellent work at chasing bugs ! I have updated the version on our site with a few corrections -- In particular the wav export issue you mentioned should no more happen.

You are correct that we are using Juce for the GUI -- that's why it was possible to do a linux port without too much difficulties. Regarding the menu bug, I can't yet reproduce it since I had disabled the desktop effects (they were causing many xruns). I'll try to re-enable them.

The "killing thread by force" should not appear anymore, it was the alsa midi thread which was not willing to die while midi events were still flowing.

It looks like all of the issues I reported earlier (besides the website check for updates one) are fixed.  That's some quick bug fixing!  I'll let the web related one slide for now as that may be more of a website issue than one in the program.

One other slight issue I found is that if you don't close the initial "Pianoteq is running in trial mode" message then you do not get the other message window that appears when 20 minutes have past.

There is an issue with the load midi file dialog box.

I have some midi files with a .midi extension instead of .mid, however I cannot get them to display in the box.  It isn't possible to change the filter by typing into the filename portion of the dialog box (or at least not how I tried it.)

If you manage to type in a filename that actually exists the open button will enable itself but you'd better know the name of the file you want!

I normally ignore a default *.mid search by typing * or *.midi in the file box and that works on most systems.   You might also be able to change the file filter pretty easily.  I don't know what format it uses though.

There can't be all that many issues left by now!

[edit]

Looking at the juce docs if you're using WildcardFileFilter you can just add a 2nd entry like:  "*.mid;*.midi"

You guys might want to update the "Buy" section so that the supported platforms includes Linux .

Fantastic product, I'm very interested in buying!

Hi! first post here!

thanks for Linux version! I'm part of Renoise team, which is one of the few commercial DAW's which has also made a Linux version, so I appreciate this news very much!

However, since Renoise also supports native Linux VST plugins, I ask you if there are any plans to release Pianoteq as a VST .so file.

Actually, when I read the news, I was expecting this kind of release too.

thanks!

Hi ! Actually the availability of renoise was part of the decision process, as it showed that you were able to distribute a common binary for all Linux distributions, which was one of the things bothering me. I must also say that I found that your linux setup page http://tutorials.renoise.com/Renoise/SettingUpLinux was really a good read.

About distributing a plugin version, we wanted to start slow, and fix issues in the standalone version first. And then there is the choice of the plugin format, which is still annoying me:
- native linux VST : as far as I know , it is only supported by closed-source hosts, such as renoise or energy-xt , because of the licensing problems of the vst sdk with gpl products. However this is for us the simplest format to support.
- DSSI plugin : probably the most supported plugin format right now, but it is said everywhere that it is now deprecated and should be replaced by LV2.
- LV2 : still not supported by many hosts, and not VST2-friendly as there is a strict separation between gui and dsp code that is enforced with the "ports" stuff as a communication channel. Would require a *lot* a work to adapt Juce for that.

I would really like that we support only one plugin format on Linux, as testing and fixing bugs in each plugin flavor can be very time consuming and we have already a lot to do with vst, rtas, au on windows, macos, .. There are already so many combinations..

Hi Julien,

Nice to see the Linux/JACK version. Works nicely on a 4 cores Dell machine using the forthcoming JACK2 version.

Note that JACK2 is also available on OSX (see http://www.jackosx.com/) and on Windows (see http://www.grame.fr/~letz/jackdmp.html).

Since the JACK output is already coded in the Linux version, I guess it would a matter or recompilation to have PianoTeq natively support the JACK API on those 3 platforms... (in case it makes sense).

Dave Phillips here. I've written a few articles about Linux audio, including a review of Renoise. A list of my work can be found at this URL:

http://www.linuxjournal.com/user/800764/track

I agree completely about Renoise. In my opinion they discovered the Right Way to present commercial Linux audio software, and their product, like Pianoteq, worked beautifully out of the box on all my systems here at Studio Dave.

Btw, those systems include two versions of Ubuntu, one of Debian, and one of OpenSUSE. All are equipped with a realtime-enabled kernel and nVidia's proprietary graphics drivers. My production boxes use M-Audio Delta 66 interface hardware, the laptop is running an Edirol UA25.

You missed the open-source JOST project, actually one of the best hosts for native Linux VSTs:

http://www.anticore.org/jucetice/?page_id=4

It's a great environment, also JUCE-based. Btw, I think going with the JUCE framework was an excellent decision by both the Renoise team and the Pianoteq crew.

I think you have confused DSSI with LADSPA. LADSPA is by far the more supported format, but it is definitely not for consideration by Pianoteq. It has no integral support for GUIs, but more importantly it is not a format for instruments. See LV2 for that evolution.

Please allow me to encourage that work then. LV2 is the future of native Linux plugins. See the CALF plugin set by Krystof Foltzman for a good demonstration of LV2's potential:

http://calf.sourceforge.net/

Check the screenshots. I've been using these plugins with Ardour, I recommend them highly.

We're just trying to keep up with the Big Boys on the block.

I suggest deciding between native VST and LV2. You may want to contact JOST developer Lucio Asnaghi about his work converting VSTs to native Linux .so versions, he's been pretty successful with some ports.

HTH,

dp

A Google search for 'ProFire 610 Linux' revealed a thread on the M-Audio forum regarding the possibility of M-Audio contributing driver source code to the FFADO and/or FreeBob projects. Alas, Digidesign (they own M-Audio now) isn't exactly Linux-friendly, and the responses on the thread aren't encouraging. I suggest that you write to M-Audio or post on the forum and indicate (politely, of course) that your purchase depends upon the existence of Linux support, either directly or indirectly. It's real simple: If they want the business they'll do something to get it. Otherwise they don't want or need your business. Btw, you might want to check with the FFADO site for a supported similar product.

yeah, would be cool if VST plugins were compiled natively as well. The VeSTige header file makes it possible without the bother of the Steinberg licence so one can distribute linux binaries.

Julien, please do so, enable a linux VST version. JOST users will figure out issues if any. The big guys like ardour (LV2, win32 VST via FST) or rosegarden (DSSI) will have to evolve. Damn, the VST plugin devs should know more about this!

I'm writing as someone who knows almost nothing about Linux, largely because Linux scares me: too many choices, and too little time to research the advantages and limitations of each choice.

Is there now a simple way to just insert a CD and install Linux and everything needed, without having to choose various interfaces and download multiple drivers and other code? I don't want to have to choose between Wine and other platforms and install drivers from several companies. Yes, I hate to admit it, but I essentially want to be able to install everything much as I might install Windows XT or Mac OS-X, install programs, and get to work.

I understand that this is a simpleton's worry, but it seems to me to also be the worry that keeps Linux underused. There is disagreement about what interface is best and a lot of discussion about what needs to be downloaded to make specific programs work. (And I'm simple...)

The only driver I ever download is nVidia's binary driver for my video cards. All other drivers are included in the Linux distribution itself. Downloading drivers from 3rd-parties is far more common on Windows.

Nothing wrong with wanting seamless and hassle-free installs.

I suggest you take a trial spin with Linux by using a "live" CD/DVD. That's a nice way of testing Linux without going through the install process. Alas, you won't get the low-latency action until it's installed, but at least you can check out the system without committing to it.

However, I want to make something very clear: If you have no compelling reason to switch operating systems, DON'T DO IT. I'm dead serious about that, I've seen too many well-intentioned people try Linux without really understanding what it is or how different it is from the Win/Mac world. If you're productive and happy with what you have, then stay with it. If you want to experiment with Linux, try the live discs before you try a real installation.

The problem is that people are uninformed and continue to make bad choices because of it. There's no problem with interfaces (assuming you mean audio interface hardware), just use an RME Hammerfall or one of M-Audio's Delta pieces. There's very little choice where pro-audio interfaces are concerned.

If you install an optimized distro such as 64 Studio or Planet CCRMA most of your concerns are already addressed. But I still suggest taking some time to learn about the system before diving into it. Linux is very powerful, like a tank. Maybe you can drive a car, but would you trust yourself behind the operating system of a tank if you know nothing about it ?

One thing more: Avoid Ubuntu Studio 9.04. Once again the UStudio realtime kernel is broken.

Hi,

Ubuntu (Studio) seems to be quite popular among Pianoteq-on-Linux users here, reading this thread.

I'm using Pianoteq on Fedora 10 with the real-time kernel from PlanetCCRMA. Runs perfectly.

Any other other Linux flavours around here ?

debian sid / experimental, intel 32bit, core 2 duo E6600
kernel 2.6.29.4-rt15 I believe (home-compiled)

Thanks a lot!