I recently moved over to Linux. As a long-time Sonar user, I would be interested in what other users think of the Bitwig DAW that runs on Linux? Unlike other Linux softare, this is not free, it's a commercial ($400) program.

I watched a bunch of the promo material out of curiosity after they first released it and it certainly has a lot of interesting components but it does seem to lean very heavily toward the production of electronic music. My impression of Linux based DAWs, as is the case with a lot of programs in the Linux/Unix world that emulate traditionally Win/Mac based apps, is that these projects are done more as an adventure in coding and simply to prove it can be done. That said... those Linux dudes REALLY know their stuff and put out some impressive tools. Bitwig looks like it has some serious potential but I'm going to assume it will take a while for them to shake out the bugs and deal with compatibility issues. Also, as more of a flesh and bone artist, I was kind of hoping there would be more focus on actual audio capture and mixing type stuff. It seems to be more geared toward the Ableton or FL crowd based on the promo material. Nothing wrong with that but I think X3 is more my speed right now.
 
Cheers.

donholmes@comcast.ne
I recently moved over to Linux. As a long-time Sonar user, I would be interested in what other users think of the Bitwig DAW that runs on Linux? Unlike other Linux softare, this is not free, it's a commercial ($400) program.

Unless you're extremely well versed in the technical aspects of an OS, I'd forgo trying to using Linux as a DAW platform.  Even if you're tech savvy, it's literally *years* behind Windows/Mac.
Windows is a rock-solid... well established DAW platform.
There's no need to create more angst in life.   

Plus you would be very limited as to what hardware you can use and plugins. The key to any DAW is its drivers. Few developers provide drivers for Linux. Then the problem is which linux?

hmm... well, not to refute the wise words of Jim and John and indeed if you do not have the skill or will to wrangle with OS nuances Linux may not be a wise move BUT I've been dabbling with some Linux stuff lately and I've found it all rather easy to navigate. No harder than learning a new Windows release, really.
 
The driver thing though will likely be a problem for a while unless you have hardware that has taken Linux into consideration. VST options will be severely limited too but knowing those Linux script kiddies I'm sure a plethora will be forthcoming now that BW is out.
 
Still not my thing though so I'll stick with X3.

Beepster
hmm... well, not to refute the wise words of Jim and John and indeed if you do not have the skill or will to wrangle with OS nuances Linux may not be a wise move BUT I've been dabbling with some Linux stuff lately and I've found it all rather easy to navigate. No harder than learning a new Windows release, really.

With a pre-packaged version of Linux... using only pre-integrated applications/components, I could see that as relatively simple.
When you have to kludge together various components to solve a particular issue (very common), it's way beyond the casual Windows/Mac user.
The problem with an open source OS is just that... there's so many variables.
There's a reason why Linux server admins get paid well.    

I've done a Linux session myself. So much effort never again. I hope to try again in 5 years time, I love the Linux platform but it is very much love/hate.

I did some development with Linux back in the late 90s, not a pleasant experience. But I think John has nailed it with the view towards drivers. I'm sure there are some out there but why would you want to go down that path?
 
At this point, it seems, Linux is starting to suffer from the same problems that plagued the various flavors of Unix, your code might compile on your version of Unix but it wouldn't run on any other vendors...I seem to recall Unix flavors by IBM, SUN, HP, DEC and all the other large players in enterprise development work.
 
It is kind of interesting that there is a new DAW on the market though, nice to see some more competition, particularly if it leads to more innovation across the playing field.
 
Regards,

Jim Roseberry
 
 
With a pre-packaged version of Linux... using only pre-integrated applications/components, I could see that as relatively simple.
When you have to kludge together various components to solve a particular issue (very common), it's way beyond the casual Windows/Mac user.
The problem with an open source OS is just that... there's so many variables.
There's a reason why Linux server admins get paid well.    

Definitely and it is certainly a chore trying to figure out (and even find) the right distro for your needs but I'm assuming that Bitwig has a recommended distro list for users to snag. Might even have one specially designed for it. I should look into that... just out of curiosity though. I just spent the past couple years trying to make all this audio gack work on Windows so that level of nerdery can wait for a while. Certainly not spending $400 on it either.
 
I think we need Mr. gswitz in this thread. He uses Linux and some of the DAW releases.

Went through putting Ubuntu onto a desktop and a laptop during the winter, with poor (PC) and terrible (laptop) results..despite about 100hrs over a month trying to resolve multiple issues. A complete and utter waste of time.
 
$99 for a windows license for about 5 years viable use is peanuts.