linuxaudio.org

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 companies and libre

software projects using Linux kernel based systems and other libre

software for audio work, with an emphasis on professional tools for

the music, 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, 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/