Re: [microsound] puff 'n stuff

[Michal Seta <mis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Alex Young <alex@xxxxxxx> writes:

> I'm still constantly frustrated when using Linux for audio work.
> Since 2.6 was
> released, there's now preemptive multitasking, and I thought things
> like Jack
> would work much faster.  

There was a discussion about this recently on linux-audio-user list.
It seems that, for now, it's better to stick to the patched 2.4.xx
kernel.  It has also been pointed out that preemptive patches aren't
actually of that importance for audio latency.  However, some people
have reported success with 2.6.

> But my machine often drops frames when I use
> Ardour (http://ardour.org/) and Ardour often crashes.  My machine is a
> 1.1ghz
> Duron with 512MB RAM, it performs worse with audio software than my
> 800mhz G3.

Have you tried 
http://myweb.cableone.net/eviltwin69/ALSA_JACK_ARDOUR.html ?

Don't be fooled by the title, it all pretty much applies to more
recent distros.  You should particularly try the sections and links
that explain tuning the setup.  Also, I found that one of the best
ways to minimize the xruns is to run a light-weight window manager.
Don't use KDE or Gnome when you're after low latency. xrun-less audio
work.  Fluxbox works well for me.  I have used ardour on a 533MHz with
256M RAM (with xruns, of course, but no audible glitches) or recording
and mixing.  Also, ecasound is excellent for recording.  I do all my
recording with ecasound with no xruns and no glitches.

> My point is, I think newbies could end up getting very frustrated unless
> they have an out of the box solution that will just let them get to
> work.  

Audio is in fact a little frustrating.  But it is much better than it
was, say, 2years ago.

> out hacking in Linux, HOWTOs were my best friend!

Amen!

-- 
	      _
      __  __ (_)___   Michal Seta
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    /  	     V |_  \ @creazone.32k.org
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http://www.[creazone]|[noonereceiving].32k.org


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