Hello,
I am a musician and recently joined this mailing list. I use Fedora18 and would like to use it to create music. I am having trouble getting off the ground as I have not identified a USB Audio Interface that is compatible with Fedora. I have visited the ALSA soundcard matrix wiki and a number of forums in hopes of finding a device. Unfortunately many of the models and makes talked about are a few years old now and, frequently, are no longer available from distributors. I imagine a few people on this list use some sort of soundcard to test/use all of the great software that is being created for linux users.
I am inviting suggestions from people with experience in the application of audio hardware in the fedora environment. I am looking for a device that uses an independent power plug, connects with usb 2.0, and has both MIDI and analogue inputs and outputs. A device similar to this would be great:
http://www.presonus.com/products/AudioBox-44VSL/media
Thanks and I look forward to offering feedback on software once I am up and running.
-Occhi
On 07/25/2013 01:26 AM, profiles wrote:
Hello,
I am a musician and recently joined this mailing list. I use Fedora18 and would like to use it to create music. I am having trouble getting off the ground as I have not identified a USB Audio Interface that is compatible with Fedora. I have visited the ALSA soundcard matrix wiki and a number of forums in hopes of finding a device. Unfortunately many of the models and makes talked about are a few years old now and, frequently, are no longer available from distributors. I imagine a few people on this list use some sort of soundcard to test/use all of the great software that is being created for linux users.
I am inviting suggestions from people with experience in the application of audio hardware in the fedora environment. I am looking for a device that uses an independent power plug, connects with usb 2.0, and has both MIDI and analogue inputs and outputs. A device similar to this would be great:
As long as it is a class 2 compliant USB audio device you should have no issues (that's USB 1.1)
There are reports of a similar device working well here:
http://www.linuxmusicians.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7543
My Roland/Edirol UA25EX works fine here, although in advanced mode it is not strictly a USB 1.1 device. I suggest the best place to look is the ALSA device matrix [1] for compatibility and post an email on linux-audio-user@lists.linuxaudio.org just to make sure - that's your best bet.
Please , let us know how you get on
On 07/25/2013 03:43 AM, Brendan Jones wrote:
On 07/25/2013 01:26 AM, profiles wrote:
Hello,
I am a musician and recently joined this mailing list. I use Fedora18 and would like to use it to create music. I am having trouble getting off the ground as I have not identified a USB Audio Interface that is compatible with Fedora. I have visited the ALSA soundcard matrix wiki and a number of forums in hopes of finding a device. Unfortunately many of the models and makes talked about are a few years old now and, frequently, are no longer available from distributors. I imagine a few people on this list use some sort of soundcard to test/use all of the great software that is being created for linux users.
I am inviting suggestions from people with experience in the application of audio hardware in the fedora environment. I am looking for a device that uses an independent power plug, connects with usb 2.0, and has both MIDI and analogue inputs and outputs. A device similar to this would be great:
As long as it is a class 2 compliant USB audio device you should have no issues (that's USB 1.1)
There are reports of a similar device working well here:
http://www.linuxmusicians.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7543
My Roland/Edirol UA25EX works fine here, although in advanced mode it is not strictly a USB 1.1 device. I suggest the best place to look is the ALSA device matrix [1] for compatibility and post an email on linux-audio-user@lists.linuxaudio.org just to make sure - that's your best bet.
Please , let us know how you get on
Hi Occhi:
I've been shopping for a new audio interface for a couple of months now. My requirements are similar to yours, but I also want a device with S/PDIF support, preferably optical. Here are some general observations.
It seems like buying an audio interface is more similar to buying audio equipment than computer equipment. You said most of the recommended interfaces are a couple of years old, and that seems true to me too, but I don't think that's a problem by itself. Another issue is the USB 2.0 one... if you want an interface that is going to work easily, you should probably avoid interfaces that are "USB 2.0 only," because Linux support tends to be weaker. If what you're looking for is something that will work easily, I would consider buying something used. The Roland/Edirol interface Brendan mentioned seems to be widely used and recommended.
That's not where my search ended. As it turns out, digital in-/out-puts are a bit of an issue, and since I'm replacing another device (with neither MIDI nor S/PDIF---this is why), I want to be sure the new device will have superior audio characteristics. I found a device that may be exactly what you want: the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (see link below). People say it has excellent sound quality, it works out-of-the-box with Linux, and it's a USB 2.0 device with MIDI ports. To get the S/PDIF outputs, I think I'm going to get the similar 6i6 model. The 6i6 is apparently a bit of a struggle to set up, but somebody has to do the testing, and it might as well be me.
http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i4
As always, I'm curious to know about other people's experiences.
Christopher
On Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 12:40 PM, Christopher Antila < crantila@fedoraproject.org> wrote:
That's not where my search ended. As it turns out, digital in-/out-puts are a bit of an issue, and since I'm replacing another device (with neither MIDI nor S/PDIF---this is why), I want to be sure the new device will have superior audio characteristics. I found a device that may be exactly what you want: the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (see link below). People say it has excellent sound quality, it works out-of-the-box with Linux, and it's a USB 2.0 device with MIDI ports. To get the S/PDIF outputs, I think I'm going to get the similar 6i6 model. The 6i6 is apparently a bit of a struggle to set up, but somebody has to do the testing, and it might as well be me.
http://us.focusrite.com/usb-audio-interfaces/scarlett-2i4
As always, I'm curious to know about other people's experiences.
I can second checking out Focusrite. They're known for directly supporting Linux firewire development, as most of their devices are/were firewire.
USB however is a bit of a new area for pro-audio interfaces, I was in the market for "DJ" interfaces about a year back (4 outputs) and the choices were extremely limited, I ended up purchasing a Focusrite Saffire 6 "Mk I" which is a USB 1.1 device (they all were at the time, I don't really understand why) meaning there is only enough bandwidth for at best 24bit/48khz. It is also not class compliant and does NOT work in Linux yet although some hints for writing a driver were dropped on a blog...
http://focusritedevelopmentteam.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/saffire-6usb-techni...
However there is a new Saffire 6 Mk II out that is USB 2.0 and class compliant thus is supposed to work in Linux out of the box. If you really need USB give that one a look, or the new USB Scarlett models. (Didn't exist a year ago!) But you may want to go firewire if you have the budget for it.
Focusrite is a friend to Linux, buy their stuff. :)
I've had great success with the Lexicon Lambda with Linux.
-- It's not my fault that I can't draw the human posterior with a mouse.
On 07/25/2013 09:40 PM, Christopher Antila wrote:
On 07/25/2013 03:43 AM, Brendan Jones wrote:
On 07/25/2013 01:26 AM, profiles wrote:
Hello,
I am a musician and recently joined this mailing list. I use Fedora18 and would like to use it to create music. I am having trouble getting off the ground as I have not identified a USB Audio Interface that is compatible with Fedora. I have visited the ALSA soundcard matrix wiki and a number of forums in hopes of finding a device. Unfortunately many of the models and makes talked about are a few years old now and, frequently, are no longer available from distributors. I imagine a few people on this list use some sort of soundcard to test/use all of the great software that is being created for linux users.
I am inviting suggestions from people with experience in the application of audio hardware in the fedora environment. I am looking for a device that uses an independent power plug, connects with usb 2.0, and has both MIDI and analogue inputs and outputs. A device similar to this would be great:
As long as it is a class 2 compliant USB audio device you should have no issues (that's USB 1.1)
There are reports of a similar device working well here:
http://www.linuxmusicians.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=7543
My Roland/Edirol UA25EX works fine here, although in advanced mode it is not strictly a USB 1.1 device. I suggest the best place to look is the ALSA device matrix [1] for compatibility and post an email on linux-audio-user@lists.linuxaudio.org just to make sure - that's your best bet.
Please , let us know how you get on
Hi Occhi:
I've been shopping for a new audio interface for a couple of months now. My requirements are similar to yours, but I also want a device with S/PDIF support, preferably optical. Here are some general observations.
It seems like buying an audio interface is more similar to buying audio equipment than computer equipment. You said most of the recommended interfaces are a couple of years old, and that seems true to me too, but I don't think that's a problem by itself. Another issue is the USB 2.0 one... if you want an interface that is going to work easily, you should probably avoid interfaces that are "USB 2.0 only," because Linux support tends to be weaker. If what you're looking for is something that will work easily, I would consider buying something used. The Roland/Edirol interface Brendan mentioned seems to be widely used and recommended.
For a while there, even this was not working for me properly in advanced mode (advanced mode gives you full 24bit/96 plus MIDI - normal mode is just class 2 1.1 compliant). The problem with USB audio devices is they are somewhat temperamental when having to share bandwidth with other USB devices. This is further complicated in laptops when your internal USB root hub is used by the webcam for example. On my desktop I ensure that the sound card is the only device on that particular bus - having a wireless mouse desktop on the same bus can cause Xruns for example. I have not tried a USB 2.0 device on linux as yet.
They are more expensive, and you may need to buy a PCI-firewire card these days, but you are less likely to have problems with a firewire device. The ffado project has a comprehensive list of devices reported to work: http://www.ffado.org/?q=devicesupport/list
Here in Germany for example there seems to be a saffire Pro 26 for only 275 euro on ebay-kleinanzeigen. It is listed as having full support by ffado.
That's not where my search ended. As it turns out, digital in-/out-puts are a bit of an issue, and since I'm replacing another device (with neither MIDI nor S/PDIF---this is why), I want to be sure the new device will have superior audio characteristics. I found a device that may be exactly what you want: the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (see link below). People say it has excellent sound quality, it works out-of-the-box with Linux, and it's a USB 2.0 device with MIDI ports. To get the S/PDIF outputs, I think I'm going to get the similar 6i6 model. The 6i6 is apparently a bit of a struggle to set up, but somebody has to do the testing, and it might as well be me.
It seems to have almost the exact same specs as the UA25EX. Does anyone have any experience with the 6i6 or 18i18 models? They are still pretty affordable here at 248 and 348 euros respectively. Hmmm, very interested.
As always, I'm curious to know about other people's experiences.
Look I'm really interested in peoples experience with there USB devices that have more than two ins and outs. I haven't tried one as yet but will be on the market for a new interface soon. I am using a cheap Behringer UCA 202 when I need an extra out for monitoring (but that's not recording, just useful for DJing at parties ;)
At 08:28 on 26 Jul 2013, Brendan Jones wrote:
Look I'm really interested in peoples experience with there USB devices that have more than two ins and outs. I haven't tried one as yet but will be on the market for a new interface soon. I am using a cheap Behringer UCA 202 when I need an extra out for monitoring (but that's not recording, just useful for DJing at parties ;)
I have a stable setup with an M-Audio Fast Track Ultra. USB2.0, 8-in/8-out, MIDI, digital in/out (coax, not optical), upto 24-bit @ 96kHz. The sound quality is good (although the mic pre-amps are nothing to get excited about).
Seems not to be sold by M-Audio anymore, but there are some on ebay etc...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-Audio-Fast-Track-Ultra-8-x-8-USB-Audio-Interface...
On 07/26/2013 10:19 AM, Mark Knoop wrote:
At 08:28 on 26 Jul 2013, Brendan Jones wrote:
Look I'm really interested in peoples experience with there USB devices that have more than two ins and outs. I haven't tried one as yet but will be on the market for a new interface soon. I am using a cheap Behringer UCA 202 when I need an extra out for monitoring (but that's not recording, just useful for DJing at parties ;)
I have a stable setup with an M-Audio Fast Track Ultra. USB2.0, 8-in/8-out, MIDI, digital in/out (coax, not optical), upto 24-bit @ 96kHz. The sound quality is good (although the mic pre-amps are nothing to get excited about).
Seems not to be sold by M-Audio anymore, but there are some on ebay etc...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-Audio-Fast-Track-Ultra-8-x-8-USB-Audio-Interface...
Thanks for sharing! Do you often use more than two inputs with success? I have a number of devices in my office/studio and it is a pain to be always plugging/un-plugging devices. With my current requirements 6 would be almost enough, 8 is better/awesome.
At 12:44 on 26 Jul 2013, Brendan Jones wrote:
On 07/26/2013 10:19 AM, Mark Knoop wrote:
At 08:28 on 26 Jul 2013, Brendan Jones wrote:
Look I'm really interested in peoples experience with there USB devices that have more than two ins and outs. I haven't tried one as yet but will be on the market for a new interface soon. I am using a cheap Behringer UCA 202 when I need an extra out for monitoring (but that's not recording, just useful for DJing at parties ;)
I have a stable setup with an M-Audio Fast Track Ultra. USB2.0, 8-in/8-out, MIDI, digital in/out (coax, not optical), upto 24-bit @ 96kHz. The sound quality is good (although the mic pre-amps are nothing to get excited about).
Seems not to be sold by M-Audio anymore, but there are some on ebay etc...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-Audio-Fast-Track-Ultra-8-x-8-USB-Audio-Interface...
Thanks for sharing! Do you often use more than two inputs with success? I have a number of devices in my office/studio and it is a pain to be always plugging/un-plugging devices. With my current requirements 6 would be almost enough, 8 is better/awesome.
Yes, I've used 6in/6out (+MIDI) in live situations with no problems. Note that it has only 6 analogue ins and outs, you have to use digital to use all 8. Also 2 headphone jacks with independent volume control which are useful. All routable with alsamixer.
On 07/26/2013 05:42 PM, Mark Knoop wrote: <snip>
Yes, I've used 6in/6out (+MIDI) in live situations with no problems. Note that it has only 6 analogue ins and outs, you have to use digital to use all 8. Also 2 headphone jacks with independent volume control which are useful. All routable with alsamixer.
Fantastic! Especially interested with the independent monitors. Nice
On 07/26/2013 05:42 PM, Mark Knoop wrote: <snip> Similar question being asked on jack-devel@lists.jackaudio.org right now.
Adrian is a good authority on this subject.
-
Brendan Jones -
Callum Lerwick -
Christopher Antila -
Joseph Ottinger -
Mark Knoop -
profiles