Linux flavor suggestions

Hi all,

What flavor of Linux is the current go to install for things audio such as EQ, streaming, crossover, testing.
What packages will I need to install for the audio back end and front end.

I am only in need of the OS to choose for right now as I have to download the img and install it.

Please now that I am not looking for a guarantee of success just a place to start. Also I can install multiple versions in case it is a tossup or one is better for streaming and one is better for testing.

thx
Jeremy
 
I suggest you look at Linux distribution figures, and decide whether the computer will be used for things apart from music.

Also, choose a version compatible with your hardware, the new versions do not work so well with older computers.
This was one way to extract more performance from older computers, changing to Linux from Windows...

Some versions allow a live CD use, you can use the optical drive to run the system live (or now USB stick), so you can try it out before installing it on the hard disk.
Many forums have discussed this, and some users have a dual boot system, so they can change from Linux to Windows at boot up time.

Please tell us your configuration, that will help others give more accurate suggestions.
 
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Hi all,

What flavor of Linux is the current go to install for things audio such as EQ, streaming, crossover, testing.
What packages will I need to install for the audio back end and front end.

I am only in need of the OS to choose for right now as I have to download the img and install it.

Please now that I am not looking for a guarantee of success just a place to start. Also I can install multiple versions in case it is a tossup or one is better for streaming and one is better for testing.

thx
Jeremy
If I were you and working with the typical AMD/ Intel ( as opposed to ARM) hardware, I'd pick a flavor of Ubuntu ... such as mint if you want a clean slate install or something such as Ubuntu studio if you want something more tailored towards audio / audio production

Arch variants such as Manjaro are probably not the best idea for newbies
 
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Thx
I went with Arch. I like that it is from what I can tell very lean and uses pipewire by default. I think that I am going to reinstall with a different X-Window manager. I really miss twm and fvwm.

This particular PC is an I7-4770 8gig , 128 SSD

Jeremy
 
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I prefer distros with clean package management out of the box. Ubuntu is mixing the tried and tested DEB package management with newer flavours, which causes trouble and confusion. I therefore tend to stay away from Ubuntu. That said, I like Debian, but there are many other options.
 
Arco Linux has been choice for a few years, currently on 3 different PCs.


arcolinux-project.png
 
I have had success with Linux Mint on almost any laptop or stationary pc, of any brand and type, for the last 8-10 years.
Sometimes there can be a little fiddling with a driver or setting. But the community is huge and very helpful 😍
Pulse audio can do tricks, but can also be tricky.
There's a learning curve like always... But again... Mint forums are full of smart girls and boys 👍
 
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Like anything else it depends..... I would suggest confirming your hardware and then choose a Linux distro that supports it.
Now thats out of the way Mint, POPos or Ubuntu would be a good place to start.
Another vote for PopOS if your computer is reasonably specs . Nice "looking" distro and well sorted . Feels a bit Mac-ish .

Personally, I use PopOS ( ubuntu based) and Solus ( my favorite rolling distro but I fear this distro is slowly fading away) on my main computers and Zorin (Ubuntu based) on a less powerful machine
 
What hardware incompatibilities have you had trouble with?

Hi and thanks for all the input

This morning I am going to re install arch will some different package selections. I found it odd that the iwd service/daemon was not running by default and therefore I could not connect my wi-fi. There may be a different method but probably just easier to reinstall with a different WM with a few GUI's for/OOUI's for administration.

I guess you all can keep calling me a newbie, it is actually a little refreshing. In all fairness its been a while sense I used Linux for anything other than browsing and light streaming.
 
Also, choose a version compatible with your hardware, the new versions do not work so well with older computers.
This was one way to extract more performance from older computers, changing to Linux from Windows...

Are you referring to the Linux kernel or desktops and window managers requiring sophisticated and fast graphics support?

When Debian introduced KDE requiring compositing and indexing, it was a nightmare, but the problem was not the kernel, but KDE. Needless to state, the solution was to use something else instead of KDE.
 
elementary OS, it evokes universal distain from all other OS users as its too conformist/cloney for linux users and Mac or Windows users arn't aware of things beyond their environment (aren't all linux builds the same?) Elementry OS has a nice macey feel and can run /load anything those 'other' distros can, it also has some of the same limitations (if were going to use these as 'desktop' environment could we circulate a memo about auto usb or harddirve mounting being built into the environment?).