Creating Music in Linux

One of the things holding me back from ditching windows completely and moving to Linux has always been creating music. I am used to programs like Magix Music Maker and Sony Acid (actually I was using it way back when it was Sonic Foundary). I was having problems finding a comparable program in Linux to record with (primarily Loop Based recordings. Lately I have been back in Linux – this time Ubuntu and Vector Linux – I am recording with Audacity and then using LMMS (Linux Multi Media Studio) for putting the loops together – now that I understand how LMMS works – it is a rather nice program. I just add a stack of sample tracks – then you just double click in the empty track area where you want your loops to go – of course you can drag them around also – hope this helps anyone that is looking to record this way. The documentation is kinda lacking for LMMS but I did find some and a couple of you tube videos.

Ubuntu and sound input

Lately I have been experimenting with sound settings in various Linux distros attempting to record sound from an external source into a pc. I first tried Puppy Linux (one of the the offshoots called puppitup supposedly for multimedia and the latest Mandriva One 2009. This testing was on 2 pc’s with combos of onboard sound and sound cards, a mix of via onboard, nforce audio, and sound blaster cards. I tried for FOUR hours to get either of these distros to record incoming sound using any of the sound hardware – attempting multiple configurations with the operating system and I could not make audacity capture the sound. I then pulled out my latest Ubuntu disk currently 9.04. Although I liked Mandriva (a lot) I have to be able to record incoming sound. I then overwrote the Mandriva distro with the latest Ubuntu and what do you know , I was able to record incoming sound within 5 minutes after the install. Ubuntu Rules – they are doing everything right. I just want my computer to work – and with Ubuntu it does. Also for any musicians out there coming from windows I can relate my latest experiences to you , I have found using Audacity and LMMS to record with on Linux work well for me personally.  I find Ardour to be confusing. Thank you.