linuxaudio.org

On Wednesday 21 December 2005 10:09, Dave Phillips wrote:

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> I. I. Ooisen wrote:

> >right. "command line", the way we see it now, is a primitive way to put

> >a computer to work.

>

> No, it's a very powerful way of working with a computer. As Emiliano

> noted, there are certain tasks that are best suited to a GUI and others

> that are best served from the command prompt.

I whole-heatedly agree with Dave, but for a slightly different reason.
Having command line accessible applications available in GNU/Linux means that

you have a greater number of options with regard to how you can interact with

your production environment.  For example, tedious and difficult tasks (i.e.

batch format conversion, advanced synthesis techniques,  sound library

searches, etc.) can easily be automated with the results fed directly to your

current project.
It's simply a different way to work and like everything else - it has pros and

cons.  But for many, it's a truly empowering way to produce music.
> I believe the primary reasons more musicians don't use Linux have to do

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> with at least these conditions:

>

>   1. The perpetuation of outmoded perceptions re: usability and interfaces.

>   2. The lack of wide hardware manufacturer support.

>   3. The reticence of the major music journals to cover the growing

> Linux audio scene.

>   4. The lack of serious attention given Linux audio from within the

> larger Linux community itself.

>   5. No-one has released a hit created with Linux audio tools.

While I agree with points 1-4, I think there needs to be a bit of

clarification added to point #5.
Hundreds (probably more like thousands) of commercial releases involve

GNU/Linux audio tools.  I know this because I have contributed dozens myself

(national television and radio spots, theatrical scores, commercial CD

releases etc.).  But how would anyone know which tools I've used?
There also needs to be clarification regarding music produced for commercial

purposes and music created for other reasons.  
Generally speaking, the majority of commercially available music software is

designed for the quick and easy production of popular music.  By definition

this means that the software is created in such a way that important musical

decisions have been pre-made for the user.  Most of the time, the user isn't

even aware that this is happening - if the option is never presented to you

how can you miss it?
Having said that, there is a definite advantage to this approach. Commercially

produced software is usually optimized for a few specific tasks, and it can

manage those tasks with relative ease.  As with most commercial enterprises,

time is money and there is great value to having tools like this.
What can we do to promote the use of Linux audio tools?  We can take advantage

of the unique and "unusual" ways of producing music that the GNU/Linux

environment provides.  Don't come to FOSS looking for a Cubase clone - Cubase

already exists - and works reasonably well.  
Build a better musical product - and people will want to know, "How'd you do

that?" 
> Perhaps you should look into the latest development in Csound5, Common

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> Music, and Pd ?

Amen.  ;-)
Greg

www.steeprockmedia.com