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Line 6 - Support
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4704 Views 17 Replies Latest reply: Nov 24, 2009 11:43 AM by sheehanje RSS
feprestes Just Startin'
feprestes
8 posts since
Mar 25, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

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 Expert Line 6 User
    Crusty_Old_Rocker
    2,737 posts since
    Jan 24, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    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

  • Line6Miller Line 6
    Line6Miller
    11,613 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Oct 8, 2009 11:30 AM (in response to feprestes)
    Re: Linux support

    Currently, there are no plans to support Linux.

     

     

    Line6Miller

    • feprestes Just Startin'
      feprestes
      8 posts since
      Mar 25, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      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.

      • Rowbi Expert Line 6 User
        Rowbi
        7,450 posts since
        Nov 25, 2006
        Currently Being Moderated
        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

        • ricardobeat Just Startin'
          ricardobeat
          2 posts since
          Oct 15, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          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.

          • Rowbi Expert Line 6 User
            Rowbi
            7,450 posts since
            Nov 25, 2006
            Currently Being Moderated
            Nov 24, 2009 9:40 AM (in response to ricardobeat)
            Re: Linux support

            ricardobeat wrote:

             

            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.

            you make a good argument.  so let's say you times that number by 10 (and lets assume that all 1200 that voted actually would buy line6 just because of linux driver support, as my guesss is a lot either wouldn't or already have bought) there are newarly 250,000 users of this forum, obviously you don't have to own hardware to become a member, but if you register hardware you get a user account, so I'd guess 3/4 of those are line6 owners... so linux support is still a massive minority.

             

            also a comment someone else made about not needing to test on different versions of linux... well you'd assume all hardware that runs windows and has drivers would work, but it doesn;'t so line6 would need to do extensive testing of hardware and different linux distributions to really say they support it, otherwise there'd be a sh1t storm if the drivers didn't work properly.  like I said I work for a software house, and testing alone is a massive operation if you are to offer any level of customer support.

            • ricardobeat Just Startin'
              ricardobeat
              2 posts since
              Oct 15, 2007
              Currently Being Moderated
              Nov 24, 2009 9:54 AM (in response to Rowbi)
              Re: Linux support

              If my calculations are not far off reality, a few dozen sales would be enough to pay it off.

               

              You could make 90% of possible Linux users happy by supporting a few of the most popular multimedia oriented distributions (Ubuntu Studio, APODIO - consequently Ubuntu / Debian), and get it playing nice with JACK and Ardour. Once you got that working, the community would do the rest if there was demand (and issues) from other distributions.

            • sheehanje Just Startin'
              sheehanje
              2 posts since
              Dec 22, 2006
              Currently Being Moderated
              Nov 24, 2009 11:43 AM (in response to Rowbi)
              Re: Linux support

              Rowbi,

               

                 At the hardware level, you really don't test the distributions, but the Kernel.  I've done linux driver development, it's not the hurcluen task that people make it out to be.  I actually had to change very little in my kernel source over a 3 year period to keep it from breaking, and that was only when they went from once branch of the kernel to another.

               

                  The other option is releasing specs to the community, and having the communty develop drivers for Line 6.  Nvidia did a good job of keeping the parts of the fglrx module closed source while letting the community deliver the rest of the driver.   Most package managers now also have the ability to compile source on the fly, and is exactly how VMWare and Nvidia/ATI handle the different distributions so they don't have to test every single point release of the Kernel.

               

                  Hey, I know it's a task to write drivers and port software.  If someone commits to it, it takes time and resources, but again, keeping up with the different distributions and kernels isn't a big deal like most people think.  Kernel drivers on linux are very modular, and they made it that way because of the nature of opensource software.

               

                 In response to Linux users being a vast minority, that is very true.  But I will point out that a lot of Professionals are now using Ubuntu Studio, or Studio64, or other variants to power their DAW's.  I personally know quite a few of the professional studios around here ditching pro tools.  So, while it is a minority, it's a significant community in the music space now using Linux.

               

                  I don't expect Line 6 to port their products to linux any time soon.  If ever.  I just want to debunk some of the myths involving development on the Linux platform.  I still use my Podxt all the time.  I record with Ardour and Jack now, as it is really the only viable replacement to Pro Tools for me.  It would be a convience for me to run the Line 6 software on my DAW, but it's not a show stopper for me.  Most of my tones are pretty much setup now, I just don't use things like Guitar Port Online anymore.  And if I have to mess with my tones, I just drag the laptop to the studio and it has a dual boot with windows on it.

        • feprestes Just Startin'
          feprestes
          8 posts since
          Mar 25, 2009
          Currently Being Moderated
          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.

           

          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

           

          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.

        • feprestes Just Startin'
          feprestes
          8 posts since
          Mar 25, 2009
          Currently Being Moderated
          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.

      • Crusty_Old_Rocker Expert Line 6 User
        Crusty_Old_Rocker
        2,737 posts since
        Jan 24, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        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

  • sheehanje Just Startin'
    sheehanje
    2 posts since
    Dec 22, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    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...

  • Line6Miller Line 6
    Line6Miller
    11,613 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    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

    • feprestes Just Startin'
      feprestes
      8 posts since
      Mar 25, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      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.

  • Line6Miller Line 6
    Line6Miller
    11,613 posts since
    Mar 28, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    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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