I’m looking for an interface that’s reasonably well supported in Linux. The Yamaha URX44C is interesting to me because of its MIDI DIN connectors; I can connect my Axiom25 to it. Does anyone here use it and can comment on its compatibility?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Looks like a USB audio interface from a quick check. So the thing to do is to check if it works on an iPad or even just a regular mac. If so, it will work on Linux. Note however that there may be some sort of control/setup application for it which probably will not work on Linux. Sometimes this is just a convenience thing, sometimes it is essential.
Plenty of other companies make USB audio interfaces with DIN MIDI connections on the back. You probably don 't need as many inputs but my Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 has them, and the Scarlett series not only works on Linux (as almost all USB audio interface do these days), but there’s a truly excellent free/open-source control app for it.
Thank you for the recommendation. I’m only interested in DIN connectors; otherwise, I’m not tied to any specific interface. Does this Linux control surface work with the most common Focusrite Scarlett models?
EDIT: Eight microphone inputs would be ideal.
If you need 8 mic inputs and old style midi connectors take a look at Behringer UMC 1820. You can add 8 inputs more with Adat adding a Behringer ADA 8200. I have both of these and there are many threads here discussing these devices.
1 Like
I have now ordered a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen. :o)
My Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 has arrived and needs to acclimatize. During this time, I can familiarize myself with the installation instructions from @geoffreybennett on github.com.
My PC runs on AVL-MXe25 with kernel 6.15.11-1-liquorix-amd64.
I’m not sure what I need to install. I would install:
fcp-support
scarlett4-firmware
alsa-scarlett-gui
Is that correct?
I’m asking here because I want to use Scarlett with Ardour.
Thank you for your help.
I don’t recall needing any firmware installation, or any installation to “just use” my 18i20 - it’s a class compliant USB audio device, so it’s just plug-n-play. alsa-scarlett-gui was, however a great addition and I use it regularly. It was important in defining which device in my system was the word clock source. No idea what fcp-support might be …
Cheers,
Keith
Ah, so basically the infrastructure for alsa-scarlett-gui that will all be installed by the package manager when you install that.
1 Like
Thanks for the replies, I’m completely overwhelmed. It reads on GitHub that I still need to compile the GUI. To be honest, I don’t understand the description.
Most linux distributions package it, and so you’d just install it with the package manager/software installer that comes with your system.
I have Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (3rd gen) and for the longest time I honestly didn’t need anything (alsa-scarlett-gui is useful for routing stuff though). I would just load it in Ardour and everything “Just Worked™”, though my main usage is recording 1 or 2 vocals with a karaoke track loaded into Ardour, so…maybe not the most complicated usage out there!
1 Like
Yes, I’ll connect the Scarlett and see what it does. I hesitated because it’s often said not to connect the device during installation.
Some of the information on the Github page was more relevant when the software was initially released and distro kernels didn’t have the drivers in them yet. The program is packaged for Debian Trixie, so I am pretty sure it can be installed on AVL 25 via apt. Try “sudo apt install alsa-scarlett-gui”, and see if you are good to go afterwards.
2 Likes
Yes, that worked! The Scarlett GUI is available for installation in the AVL25 repository. Thank you so much! Now I’ll connect and start the device after I’ve cleared some space on my studio desk:)
2 Likes
I’ve got the Scarlett up and running as far as it works without a GUI. The GUI version in the AVL-MXe25 repositories only goes up to generation 3 and has startup errors. Recompiling the kernel modules will probably fix this. I need to look into that first and understand what steps are necessary. The Scarlett is already making a very good impression, though. Unfortunately, MIDI isn’t working yet, which is probably due to the missing GUI.
I expected the MIDI to be class compliant and work right away.
What output do you get from the command aplaymidi -l ?
Edit: I saw after posting this that your kernel is version 6.15, so ignore my previous advice about updating the kernel via backports. I think you may only need to install the firmware package in my following post.
You may also need this firmware installed after updating the kernel via backports. The author provides a deb package for it in the Releases at the bottom of the page.
$ aplaymidi -l
Port Client name Port name
14:0 Midi Through Midi Through Port-0