Performing Live with Jack,Qsynth, and Bristol Organ

Purpose of This Resource

To Demonstrate how Ubuntu Studio can be used for live keyboard performances on a netbook computer...

Background

After playing keyboards in "garage bands" over 2 decades, I have appreciated to "Keep it Simple".

The less you have to bring and setup - the better!

I have kept my performance set-up to a minimum:

• Midi Keyboard / usb cable
• Netbook Computer (runnin Ubuntu studio), power-chord, Audio Adaptor cable from netbook to Amplifier
• Two folding chairs (one to sit, other to place netbook computer)

That is it!

I have viewed over the Internet many posts indicating "struggles" of how to performing live as a keyboardist in the Linux environment. The answer is that it can be done, it just takes some knowledge of commands to launch and start Jack audio server, as well as launching keyboard emulators and making the appropriate connections (patches) via the Jack audio server.

Over the next few months, I will be posting on this page how to use Linux Ubuntu Studio for live performances. Contrary to other Internet postings, you don't have to use an application such as Reaper (although that approach would make it more user-friendly for non-Linux users or "Newbies"). Instead, a well-written Bash shell script can be used to launch Jack and necessary keyboard applications such as Qsynth (Piano, and other sound-font voices), as well as Bristol Organ Emulator (Hammond B3, Vox, Rhodes Piano, Phophet5, Juno, Moog, etc).

Therefore, you can switch to different voices by switching to different transmitting MIDI channels (which may be more convenient than pointing and clicking on an instrument icon via the Reaper or Cubase applications (which are not free applications). I have used MS Windows OS with Native Instruments Hammond B4, and other Native Instruments applications, so I have some experience when comparing open-source software against proprietary software (i.e. pros vs cons).

Setting up the Netbook

Here is a step-by-step guide to installing and configuring my netbook computer to run Ubuntu Studio:

Hardware / Software Setup

I'm "pulling-out all the stops". I have decided to test the power of the Acer Aspireone netbook for live performances. It would have the advantage of small size and weight.

Here is my Hardware/Software Information:

Hardware (Acer Aspireone netbook) and Peripherals:

• Model 715h Wireless (ZA3)
• 11.6 inch screen
• 1 GB RAM (expandable to max of 2 GB - I will upgrade to 2 GB in the future)
• 160 GB Hard Drive (80 GB dedicated to Linux Ubuntu Studio - Dual boot Linux,MS Windows XP)
  
  
• MAudio 61 Keystation (USB interface)
• Tascam US122 USB interface (Optional)

Software (Ubuntu 10.10 Netbook Remix) Ubuntu Studio applications include:

• Realtime Kernel
• Jack Audio Server
• Qsynth (Graphical Frontend for Fluid Synth)
• Bristol Organ Emulator
• Swamy Sound Font Editor

Setup / Configuration

I obtained the Ubuntu Netbook version for Ubuntu: [ http://www.ubuntu.com/netbook/get-ubuntu/download ]
I didn't worry about Ubuntu Studio or loading updates - I would recommend to follow "MY SEQUENCE" (listed below):

• I need to setup my 11.6 inch screen Acer Aspireone after install. I have noticed that the video card chipset is different than the older 10 inch screen model (ZA3). Although a "pain", I followed some of the steps from the Ubuntu resource for the Intel GMA500 "Poulsbo" video driver: [ https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportComponentsVideoCardsPoulsbo#karmic ]
  
  From with resource, I performed the following:

• Opened terminal and ran the command:
  sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gma500/ppa && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install poulsbo-driver-2d poulsbo-driver-3d poulsbo-config
• Rebooted the computer.
• After reboot, then installed updates (ie. Ran "update manager" from Admin).
• Rebooted the computer.
• Ran Synaptic Package Manager (from Admin), and installed Ubuntu Studio Desktop (I pretty well selected ALL packages associated with Ubuntu Studio).
• Followed instructions to make my Tascam US122 device work with my netbook: [ https://help.ubuntu.com/community/TASCAM_US-122 ]
  
  

• "Tweaked" the appearance of my Gnome Desktop like running the Avant Window Navigator (docking panel appearance like Mac OSX), and removed the "old-style" gnome-panels. Here is a resource that I created to help: [ Replacing Panels with Docking Station (awn) ]
  
  
• Now you have Ubuntu Studio on your machine. Here are some guides that I have written to help you get started (even performing some basic recording sessions). This is assuming that you are using the Tascam US122 usb interface:

• [ Quick & Simple - Setting up Jack Server and Q-synth ]
• [ Quick & Simple - Recording With Audacity ]
• [ Quick & Simple - Recording With Ardour ]
  
  
• The organ emulator called Bristol Organ can simply be run via the startBristol command (using the correct options). To simply the process of starting jack audio server, launching and making input/output connections for both Qsynth and several Bristol Organ emulations, it is easier to place commands into a Bash shell script and run shell script as a program! Please see next section for an example of how I did this...

FYI, the Maudio Fasttrack Pro is a good usb interface and "works out of the box" (after a couple of Jack server settings)... There is also a cheaper version for approx $87 CDN, but lacks MIDI connection (which may not be a problem since newer MIDI musical keyboards are USB anyways...)

How to Perform Live with Ubuntu Studio

To be completed...

"Putting it All Together" with a Bash Shell Script

To be completed... Coming soon to a WIKI near you! ;)

Sound Font Editing in Linux

Note: The Swamy sound-font editor allows me to build or modify sound fonts. I must admit that I'm not an expert on sound-fonts.

In the future, I will discuss how to use a sound-font editor to create your own sound-fonts (instruments) to play with the keyboard.

Here is a link to the Project Swamy Webpage: http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/swami/index.php?title=Main_Page

Results

My net-book system works well (to my surprise). I will be taking my hardware set-up to band practice next week to make certain it works for the entire practice. I will keep taking it to practices and monitor my netbook's performance until I am confident to use for live "gigs". So far, so good...

Tips, Pros & Cons

To be completed...

What I Love About Open-Source Applications

What I really love about open-source applications is being able to communicate with many of the software developers.

I have even suggested an improvement to an application that was implemented immediately!

Here is a link to e-mail correspondence to Nick Copeland, developer of the Bristol Organ emulator (open source equivalent of Native Instruments B4, Electrik Piano, etc...)

[ Correspondence with Nick Copeland ]

Is it Worth It?

In my opinion: YES!

I can't begin to estimate the amount of money that I have saved from using Linux Ubuntu Studio. No doubt, I should start donating to these developers to acknowledge their great products!

At the same time, I realise that I have an advantage having used and taught Unix and Linux over many years. I have tried to convert people to using Linux and open-source applications over the years. I have had some success and some failures in this campaign. After many years, I consider it comes down to an issue of empowerment:

Either take the time to learn how to use open source applications, or simply accept what others have to offer...

Here is one of my previous blog posts that pretty much explains my position: [ http://murraysaul.wordpress.com/2010/01/22/hacking-can-be-a-good-thing/ ]