Thursday, 15th January 2004 - The Internet

LINUXAUDIO.ORG CONSORTIUM LAUNCHED TO CREATE PROFESSIONAL AUDIO TOOLS

Launched today with 17 members, Linuxaudio.org[1] brings together the leading
projects and companies working in the field of professional audio systems
based on libre software.[2]

Linuxaudio.org is a not-for-profit consortium of libre software
projects and artists, companies, institutions, organizations, and
hardware vendors using Linux kernel-based systems and allied libre software
for audio-related work, with an emphasis on professional tools for 
the music, production, recording, and broadcast industries. The consortium
aims to co-ordinate joint projects between members, collaborate on the promotion
of Linux based systems for audio tasks, offer programs beneficial to members
and subsequently its mission, and provide a single point of contact for
prospective industry partners.

Organisations of all sizes and individuals are involved in audio development
on Linux kernel based platforms. Until the launch of Linuxaudio.org, there
has not been a formal organisation to assist and promote the development of
this technology. Linuxaudio.org takes its inspiration from the Open Source
Development Lab[3], where Linux kernel development is co-ordinated, and the
Consumer Electronics Linux Forum[4]. Both of these organisations have
attracted broad support from the leading companies in their respective
fields.

The Linuxaudio.org consortium does not charge membership fees, as this would
disadvantage small libre software projects and specialist companies who are
already making a substantial contribution to Linux audio by developing and
releasing software for free download. However, there will be sponsorship
opportunities for member organisations. This sponsorship could take the form
of support for members attending audio industry events and conferences, or
the donation of hardware to software developers and test facilities.

Members of the consortium at the launch include:

AGNULA project
Libre software and music

ALSA project (supported by SUSE)
Soundcard drivers and utilities for Linux

Ardour project
Digital audio workstation for Linux

Audacity project
Cross-platform multitrack recorder and editor

Boost Hardware
Custom built portable Linux DAW and DJ machines

Core Sound
Portable recording hardware and microphone manufacturers

Dyne:bolic project
Linux distribution running from CD-ROM

Fervent Software
The company behind the Rosegarden sequencer

4Front Technologies
Developers of Open Sound System and 3D audio technologies

JACK project
Low latency audio server for Linux

JAMin project
Mastering tool for the JACK audio server

Linux Audio Systems
The company supporting the Ardour DAW

Lionstracs
Linux-based workstation keyboard manufacturers

MandrakeSoft
Publisher of the Mandrake Linux distribution

Mirror Image Studios
Linux based recording studio

Plugin.org.uk project
Home of many LADSPA effects plugins

Rosegarden project
MIDI and audio sequencer for Linux


Linuxaudio.org members are expected to agree to the conditions set out in the
Policy[5] document. On joining the consortium, each member can nominate an
individual that will represent it on the Linuxaudio.org Management Board.
Projects and companies interested in joining the consortium can apply by
contacting the Director, Daniel James, or the Chair of the Management Board,
Dave Phillips. Contact information is available on the Linuxaudio.org site.

"As Mandrake Linux is gaining momentum in the multimedia field, MandrakeSoft
is very happy to join the Linux Audio consortium. Such an organisation is
needed to promote the use of Linux as a platform of choice for running
professional audio applications", said François Bancilhon, CEO of
MandrakeSoft[6].

Andrea Glorioso of the AGNULA[7] libre software and music project commented
"The AGNULA project is excited to join the Linux Audio consortium. Since we
base our work on the principle of maximum co-operation, typical of Free
Software projects, we can only applaud the effort to unite the key GNU/Linux
players in the audio software industry and community. We are looking forward
to contributing our experience to the expertise provided by consortium
members, with the common goal of developing ever better Linux-based systems
for professional audio work."

"4Front enthusiastically supports the Linuxaudio.org consortium and the timing is
just right for a consortium to promote the development of audio and multimedia
applications on Linux. 4Front has been laying the foundation for audio on
Linux since the very beginning with Open Sound System" said Dev Mazumdar,
President of 4Front Technologies[8].

Chris Cannam from the Rosegarden[9] sequencer project added "This initiative
is exactly what the Linux audio world needs, and the timing couldn't be
better. The Linux community has a development model that should be of
interest to professional users everywhere, and a great many interesting
technologies and applications already. It's time to start introducing them to
the world."

*ends*


Notes

[1] http://linuxaudio.org/

[2] We use the term 'libre software' rather than 'free software' or 'open
source', because some people get the wrong idea and assume that free means
'free-as-in-beer'. Since some consortium members are producing commercial
products, that assumption won't always be correct. We don't use the term Open
Source, because while libre software has source code available, not all
publically available source code is released under a libre licence - the best
known libre software licence being the GNU GPL.

[3] http://osdl.org/

[4] http://celinuxforum.org/

[5] http://linuxaudio.org/en/policy.html

[6] http://www.mandrakesoft.com/

[7] http://agnula.org/

[8] http://www.opensound.com/

[9] http://www.all-day-breakfast.com/rosegarden/