Community: Linux support

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17 Replies Last post: Nov 24, 2009 11:43 AM by sheehanje 1 2 Previous Next

feprestes

8 posts since
Mar 25, 2009

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Oct 7, 2009 9:55 PM

Linux support

Hey, Guys!

Is there some project about Linux support? Drivers? Software? Tools?

Please, the Linux users need more attention, because we are now a significant part of your market!

Regards,

Felipe.

Crusty_Old_Rocker

1,959 posts since
Jan 24, 2007

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1. Oct 8, 2009 12:00 AM

in response to: feprestes

Re: Linux support

Line 6 has been around for more than 10 years without any Linux support. So, for your music gear, you should probably install Windoze or get a Mac.

Cheers,

Crusty

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feprestes

8 posts since
Mar 25, 2009

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2. Oct 8, 2009 7:38 AM

in response to: Crusty_Old_Rocker

Re: Linux support

Yeah, but I want to believe that things are going to change!

I sent them a message... let's see what happens...

Cheers,

Felipe.

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Line6Miller

7,472 posts since
Mar 28, 2006

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3. Oct 8, 2009 11:30 AM

in response to: feprestes

Re: Linux support

Currently, there are no plans to support Linux.

Line6Miller

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feprestes

8 posts since
Mar 25, 2009

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4. Oct 10, 2009 11:05 PM

in response to: Line6Miller

Re: Linux support

OK. Currently, I have no plans to buy another Line6 product...

Felipe.

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Rowbi

3,113 posts since
Nov 25, 2006

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5. Oct 11, 2009 1:16 AM

in response to: feprestes

Re: Linux support

feprestes wrote:

OK. Currently, I have no plans to buy another Line6 product...

Felipe.

it's of course your choice to do that... but let's look at it from another angle.

i imagine for line6 to create linux drivers, and test them on all the different linux platforms, they'd probably need to hire additional linux developers. it would probably take a long time to develop the drivers too, and to ensure all products are supported. this all takes more time than most people realise, and many times more money than people realise... (I work for a software development company).

so what would happen if line6 did that... they'd make a small minority very happy... it probably would bring them in a small revenue, but probably not enough to cover the cost of development for the drivers... so the money would have to come out of other R&D, and we'd not get as many new products... and i think you'll find that a company like line6 needs constant new products ever 1-2 years or they'd lose customers to other much larger companies like Boss who can afford to release products perhaps more quickly.

just a thought... do any similar companies actually make Linux drivers??? are there really that many people out there using Linux? I mean I get the idea of it being free, and I have used it on occasion, but windows just seems to be so much better supported by other companies that it seems restrictive to use Linux... if it works for you, that's great... but it seems that your choice of music gear is now being limited because of your OS choice... that's something I would think long and hard about... would a MAC or windows PC give you what you want... if so, if linux the right choice?

Cheers

Rowbi

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Crusty_Old_Rocker

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Jan 24, 2007

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6. Oct 11, 2009 1:49 AM

in response to: feprestes

Re: Linux support

I'm curious. You don't need a computer to operate PODs you only need a computer for the Tone Port devices. The only thing you need a computer for with a POD is for recording. So, what recording software are you using that runs on Linux? I'm just wondering what the DAW options are for Linux.

Cheers,

Crusty

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sheehanje

2 posts since
Dec 22, 2006

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7. Oct 20, 2009 10:25 AM

in response to: feprestes

Re: Linux support

Line 6 doesn't support Linux, but I have had some success with community developed drivers at http://www.tanzband-scream.at/line6/

This doesn't run the official Line 6 software, but you can at least record and playback, as well as use some crude tone editing programs. I run Ubuntu Studio, and I must say it rocks. For most of my stuff, I use a PreSonus Firepod to record myself and the band. I sometimes fool with RiffWorks when I hook my Pod XT Live to a notebook I have, but it doesn't come close to what you can do with JACK and Ardour supplied in Ubuntu Studio or 64Studio.

Its too bad Line 6 won't consider linux support, it's a growing OS for music profressionals as well as hobbyist. As far as the person saying it would be too hard to do, hogwash. You don't have to re-port for all distributions, just re-compile. In fact, the video card manufacturers (Intel, ATI, nVidia, etc.) are finally getting wise and release more specs to the open source community. That way the distributions can compile and package the drivers themselves. One of the reasons I cut my subscription to Guitar Port Online is because I just don't feel like dual booting anymore. I was using the notebook for Line 6 stuff, and the desktop for Studio. Then I found out you can run JACK over a net connection, and port audio between devices (ie, record on one while playing back on the other, or vice versa, really cool stuff)....

I love my Pod XT live. Really, one of the best things I've bought for my guitar addiction. But, I would love it more if I could fully integrate it with Ubuntu Studio. And anyone who hasn't tried Ubuntu Studio that does a lot of recording and mixing, give it a look. Its come a long way in the past few years...

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ricardobeat

2 posts since
Oct 15, 2007

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8. Nov 21, 2009 2:56 PM

in response to: Rowbi

Re: Linux support

let's look at that from another angle again then.

check this out: http://www.tanzband-scream.at/line6/poll.php5?results

~1200 people have asked for linux support in that poll. That might sound small, but it's almost a million US$ in Line6 Gear. And that only accounts for people who somehow ended up in that site which has no exposure.

What would it cost to develop linux drivers? One experienced linux programmer, at $4000 a month? It couldn't take longer than 2 or 3 months. Even if it takes six, that's a pretty reasonable cost. And this guy, Markus Grabner, has already set most of the groundwork. His line6linux drivers have existed for 5 years without any support or acknowledgment from Line6. It's an investment. With the plethora of tools for audio and video that linux offers, you can bet "linux support" on the packaging would generate more than enough sales to pay for the software port.

Anyway, I've pretty much given up on it. My toneport doesn't even work perfectly in a clean windows install, I could never use both mic inputs at the same time, and it loves dropping audio and hanging with a buzz on the least appropriate moments. There hasn't been any amp model updates in the last 2 years. I keep receiving e-mail offers from Line6 pushing the same old model packs over and over, only the prices change. I'd buy a POD xt pro if I had the money and use some other audio interface that supports linux, but that's out of my reach. So, in the meantime I'll rely on other gear that supports my setup.

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feprestes

8 posts since
Mar 25, 2009

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9. Nov 21, 2009 5:24 PM

in response to: Crusty_Old_Rocker

Re: Linux support

Hey, brother! Just take your time to look at:

http://ardour.org/

http://jackaudio.org/

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

http://www.hydrogen-music.org/

http://jamin.sourceforge.net/en/about.html

You can record an entire band with these tools. With professional results. And after all, you can contribute donating money and yet save some cash to buy a better hardware... \o/

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feprestes

8 posts since
Mar 25, 2009

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10. Nov 21, 2009 7:01 PM

in response to: Rowbi

Re: Linux support

Rowbi wrote:

feprestes wrote:

OK. Currently, I have no plans to buy another Line6 product...

Felipe.

it's of course your choice to do that... but let's look at it from another angle.

Cheers

Rowbi

Hey, brother!

- There is no need to test "all the different linux platforms", because they are compatible.

- "what would happen if line6 did that"? They'd make a lot of people very happy, and it would bring them a great revenue: http://www.tanzband-scream.at/line6/poll.php5?results

- "we'd not get as many new products...". How many new products you buy in a year or two? I just bought one in my entire life. And I bought the model packs too. And I would buy another, maybe sometime. But now, I think a thousand times before.

- "do any similar companies actually make Linux drivers???"- Yes! Look: http://www.linuxstudiopro.com/#

-"but it seems that your choice of music gear is now being limited because of your OS choice...". You're completely right! And I still
want to believe that things can change! And I need to change my way of thinking sometimes...

Thank you for replying, and for you efforts to make me understand these things. But I wish you comprehend what the linux's users are passing through.

cheers,

Felipe.

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feprestes

8 posts since
Mar 25, 2009

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11. Nov 22, 2009 8:09 PM

in response to: Rowbi

Re: Linux support

Hey, brother!

There are some guys offering free Linux driver development:

http://www.kroah.com/log/2007/01/29/#free_drivers

Maybe now the cost should not be the problem...

Cheers,

Felipe.

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Line6Miller

7,472 posts since
Mar 28, 2006

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12. Nov 23, 2009 12:48 PM

in response to: feprestes

RE: Linux support

Hello,

We have never supported Linux and I do not believe that this will change any time soon.

Please feel free to submit this as a feature request. Thanks.

http://line6.com/company/contact/productFeedback/?topic_id=3

Please let me know if this has answered your question.

Line6Miller

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feprestes

8 posts since
Mar 25, 2009

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13. Nov 23, 2009 3:30 PM

in response to: Line6Miller

Re: RE: Linux support

Hey, brother!

Thank you for your help, anyway. I was trying to find that link to submit it as a feature request too!

Well, let's see what happens. I've done what I can and your help was very usefull.

Cheers,

Felipe.

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Line6Miller

7,472 posts since
Mar 28, 2006

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14. Nov 24, 2009 9:07 AM

in response to: feprestes

RE: Linux support

Glad I could provide you with some useful info!

Line6Miller

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This Question is Answered

Oct 7, 2009 9:55 PM

Linux support

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