Anything going on re Linux and NI?

nobadmojo

I;ve really been wanting to use Linux to do music. For me, it's just so much better than being stuck in the Windows platform..much faster, etc on the same Workstation. I can use Ubuntu for everything else I do save for music.

My question is can the NI vst's work using tools like Wine and Carla? Komplete Kontrol? Kontakt? Ive got Bitwig running great in Ubuntu Studio and Driven by Moss has written great Linux drivers for my LaunchpadX and NI keyboard...Id really like to use some of my NI instruments

Anybody?

JesterMgee

No plans from NI to add support, Linux will likely never be supported like with most production software, it's just a case that if that is what you want to do you need a mac or PC system or choose the limited options that will work native.

I have seen people do the usual Linux thing of cobbling together a house of cards, but with limited success so seems more time and hassle than it is worth.

JBlongz

The only solid experience I have had with Linux is using Bitwig 4 with U-He native products on PopOS on a modern laptop. Bitwig is actually a great experience on Linux, if not the best.

I think NI has their hands full keeping up with so many products on Windows and the ever-changing MacOS.

Linux for most people is the land of the free....and NI is into making "enough" money to justify the extra stress of another, very different OS family with fragmented audio driver support/performance.

nobadmojo

Yes it seems there are some people trying to force the NI stuff to work in linux, and it's spotty at best. It's unfortunate, but I can understand how Linux would not be a priority for NI...they dont even seem to ever update their instruments. The ones I have all still seem to be vs 1.0..they just keep introducing new instruments and dont bother to upgrade ones they have <which are highly upgradeable>..doesnt fit their profit model i guess.

I think Bitwig is quite a piece of kit even on Windows. It flies in Linux and doesnt bog down under what really stresses things out using windows on the same Workstation machine

I just put in the latest from Ubuntu Studio...Lunar Lobster and I didnt even have to install my audio interface (Audient)..it just worked w.o my intervention in Bitwig and for normal audio like YouTube Music. Using it for something like Loopback may present issues though,

drahcirj

Switch to Spitfire Audio instead of Native Instruments. Their installer works fine running in WINE. Then just use yabridgectl to allow your DAW in Linux to see all your VSTs. FL Studio also runs flawlessly in WINE, and they have a lot of synths.

Unfortunately not only does NI not support Linux, but they broke their installer app so it can't even be used.

blitze

Reaper also is a good alternative on Linux as a DAW and Justin (the man behind Reaper) uses it as such.

It is strange that Audio Production is lagging on the Linux Support when 3D animation and Video Editing are doing very well supporting Linux Workstations and being used in large workflows.

In the coming years the benefits of being able to move to an open system will become very apparent as Apple and Microsoft start demanding subscriptions and proprietary cloud storage solutions as part of their terms of use. Not to mention their AI agents - not keen on their attitude to ownership of creative contend made on their systems either.

Their AI will be a great means of hovering up peoples work and ideas.

GoaSkin

Unfortunately not only does NI not support Linux, but they broke their installer app so it can't even be used.

The installers still work with WINE. No problem. And Native Access 2 also nowadays.