FOSS stack for MIDI composition
from ordinarylove@lemmy.blahaj.zone to linux@lemmy.ml on 21 Jun 17:47
https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/27836070

I want to put together a stack for hobbyist midi music composition. I understand there are a few more components to it than one might expect, but I think VMPK and Qtracer are going to be part of it?

Any tutorial links or suggestions appreciated!

vmpk.sourceforge.io

qtractor.org

#linux

threaded - newest

pebbles@sh.itjust.works on 21 Jun 19:28 next collapse

Here is my software set up for open source music making (I often use midi and audio input):

Core software:

  • Ardour as my DAW.
  • Liquid SFZ as my SFZ player.
  • SurgeXT as my soft synth.

For SFZ instruments:

  • Virtual Playing Orchesta (free full orchestra)
  • Versilion freeware instruments (mostly orchestra)
  • Blonde Bop drumkit

Raw samples:

  • samples.kb6.de for drum machine samples

For effects:

  • LSP plugins for my basics (eq, compression, etc)
  • Airwindows Plugins for fun effects (and some basics)

Ardour is supposed to have a midi related update for its next big release, so stay tuned.

From my perspective, the simplest set up would be Ardour and SFZ instruments. Mainly because I’m quite used to those two.

For set up you’d just open Ardour, make a new midi track, place liquidsfz as the first plugin on the track, then open liquidsfz and browse to the SFZ file you want to use.

Then you just draw in the midi notes you want using either the edit or draw tool.

XXIC3CXSTL3Z@lemmy.ml on 23 Jun 15:30 collapse

I come from fl studio prod but I want to use ardour since I am trying to keep everything within linux now. What are the best synth instruments for ardour?

pebbles@sh.itjust.works on 23 Jun 19:42 collapse

Surge XT can do 98% of everything I need. It has a ton of waveforms, filter types, and modulation options. It’s a great synth.

In the rare case that SurgeXT can’t do what I want, I turn to zynaddsubfx. It is complicated, but really one of the wildest synths out there.

Last resort is this open source fork of VCV rack I found. So at the end of the day if you need to you can just build the synth you need.

AzzyDev@beehaw.org on 21 Jun 21:29 next collapse

Signal (github.com/ryohey/signal, signal.vercel.app/edit) is generally what I use for midi composition! it’s usable in a web browser, and rather good.

ordinarylove@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 21 Jun 21:37 next collapse

this is a very cool app

XXIC3CXSTL3Z@lemmy.ml on 23 Jun 15:28 collapse

wait what da heck this seems very simple and fun to use. Is it good for mixing + mastering as well?

AzzyDev@beehaw.org on 24 Jun 17:33 collapse

It’s just for midi! I recommend using other tools for that purpose.

tasankovasara@sopuli.xyz on 22 Jun 05:56 collapse

Whatever you end up using, have JACK sync 'em up. I used to have two Macs, one for recording with Nuendo and one for doing MIDI sequencing and programming. They synced via MIDI sync and there was always issues. Now I have everything on one Linux machine (Ardour records and mixes, Reaper sequences MIDI and Renoise does beats and other sampling related stuff) and with JACK the sync is seamless <3

ordinarylove@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 25 Jun 01:46 collapse

i am trying to figure out how to configure JACK, a 32 key M-Audio Keystation, Surge XT, and Ardour and it is very challenging, i should have gone to school for this i guess

tasankovasara@sopuli.xyz on 25 Jun 11:55 next collapse

I did! John Marley Centre for Music and Media 2000-'02 represent :3 It was still 2" tape and patching outboard at the time though.

pebbles@sh.itjust.works on 26 Jun 00:03 collapse

Ooof it can get pretty techy. Once you get it set up you likely won’t have to mess with it again though.

I’ve done that set up many times, so if you want help I’m happy to answer questions.

I use a pipewire w/ qjackctl to connect Ardour to my speakers and midi keyboard. I do this on fedora Linux.

ordinarylove@lemmy.blahaj.zone on 26 Jun 02:45 collapse

yeah i am on popos

i know i can’t be that far off, i’m gonna have my buddy try and walk me through it and if i’m still kicking rocks by then i will hit you back

pebbles@sh.itjust.works on 26 Jun 16:45 collapse

Awesome sounds good!