View other reviews for this product:
petitefanfare « Ardour 3...being adopted »
Published on 08/08/11 at 00:01I chose the Tango Studio Linux distribution... it's easy to install and, more importantly, it was conceived with musicians in mind, not programmers ... low-latency and other configurations that make it ready-to-use.
I tried Ubuntu Studio but I had a hard time with my M-Audio 24/96 soundcard, even though it is recognized by linux ... However, I had no issues under tango studio (thanks to its Alsa configuration)...
I must add, though, that I chose this soundcard because, unfortunately, Linux does not recognize all soundcards, which can be a real pain...
PERFORMANCE
4 gb ram on a 3-year old pc... It would be better to have some more, but...
It has some bugs but nothing too bad (I must admit that my computer is not very recent and isn't the best for making computer music).
My M-audio soundcard has no preamps. That's why I added a tube-pre (presonus)... which has only one input, but it's better than nothing. I play one instrument after the other (guitar, piano, vocals...)...
It's more than enough together with my Audio technica AT2020 mic.
There are obviously better things out there, but they are more expensive, and I'm not for winning the hardware race.
I think I have good low-cost gear.
What's important is what you do with it (in my opinion).
OVERALL OPINION
In conclusion,
After one month of use, I've almost mastered it and I think it's pretty good.
Pros:
1 It's free but a donation to Paul Davis (ardour's creator) is very welcome....
2 Thanks to the Jack software, you can connect to it a drum machine, an additional synth (already installed under Tango Studio), compressor (jamin)...
3 Plug-ins: Heaps of them...for free.
4 It's easy to get used to it (although I still have lots to learn)...
Cons:
1 Linux doesn't recognize all soundcards, so...
I admit I don't know any other software tools, most of which aren't free, but the times are tough right now...
They are either too expensive and you have to get them illegally... I chose Ardour as a conscience decision.
And after what I've heard... Ardour has not much to envy its paid counterparts... and given the results I get, I don't doubt it (I'm talking about the sound and the huge possibilities it offers).
With hindsight, I'd definitely choose it again...If you're on a low budget, don't think it twice.
I tried Ubuntu Studio but I had a hard time with my M-Audio 24/96 soundcard, even though it is recognized by linux ... However, I had no issues under tango studio (thanks to its Alsa configuration)...
I must add, though, that I chose this soundcard because, unfortunately, Linux does not recognize all soundcards, which can be a real pain...
PERFORMANCE
4 gb ram on a 3-year old pc... It would be better to have some more, but...
It has some bugs but nothing too bad (I must admit that my computer is not very recent and isn't the best for making computer music).
My M-audio soundcard has no preamps. That's why I added a tube-pre (presonus)... which has only one input, but it's better than nothing. I play one instrument after the other (guitar, piano, vocals...)...
It's more than enough together with my Audio technica AT2020 mic.
There are obviously better things out there, but they are more expensive, and I'm not for winning the hardware race.
I think I have good low-cost gear.
What's important is what you do with it (in my opinion).
OVERALL OPINION
In conclusion,
After one month of use, I've almost mastered it and I think it's pretty good.
Pros:
1 It's free but a donation to Paul Davis (ardour's creator) is very welcome....
2 Thanks to the Jack software, you can connect to it a drum machine, an additional synth (already installed under Tango Studio), compressor (jamin)...
3 Plug-ins: Heaps of them...for free.
4 It's easy to get used to it (although I still have lots to learn)...
Cons:
1 Linux doesn't recognize all soundcards, so...
I admit I don't know any other software tools, most of which aren't free, but the times are tough right now...
They are either too expensive and you have to get them illegally... I chose Ardour as a conscience decision.
And after what I've heard... Ardour has not much to envy its paid counterparts... and given the results I get, I don't doubt it (I'm talking about the sound and the huge possibilities it offers).
With hindsight, I'd definitely choose it again...If you're on a low budget, don't think it twice.