I’ve notice and read many topics about Linux on here and I’ve been thinking about how our favorite DAW could evolve to meet the needs of its diverse user base.
Open Source DAW’s like Ardour show’s that Linux can be used in the Pro audio world, and many users on Youtube like Arkforest and LinuxCreative have demonstrated to use Linux as there daily driver for music production and video editing.
Many of us in here are already dipping our toes into Linux and loving it. Bigger DAW’s like Bitwig Studio and Studio One are working natively using the advanced Pipewire audio driver that has low latency, real-time processing, and has multi Architectural capabilities.
Lastly, Linux is on the rise with a passionate community that’s hungry for pro-grade tools and why let your competitors have all the fun?
I’ve been running Cachyos that is based on Arch Linux installed on my Asus Scar G15 laptop and has been working phenomenally without any issues. Making Cubase native on Linux would make it so existing and new community members thrive in this so everchanging market. Steinberg has a chance to not just follow the trend but set it-to show the world what professional audio can be in an open-source era.
What would you think? Would you jump at a Linux version of Cubase?
Let’s get this conversation going in 2025! I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Definitely, I’d love to see a Linux Cubase. Would finally be the chance to get rid of Windows. But anyhow this would also require all those plugins having Linux support. So I doubt that this is ever gonna happen.
Not to mention any other software one may be using - Wavelab? Video editor/graphics editors? Etc.
And having 3 platforms to look after, instead of 2? I doubt if it’s economically viable.
Well given that MacOS nowadays has a Unix core I doubt it that much of a hassle. In our company we do this as well, where we got the following order of users: Windows > Linux > MacOS.
And yes, “Linux is on the rise”, though you might not know about it. Just consider Android which is based on the Linux kernel. How many people are using an Android-based smartphone?
But you are definitely correct, I’m very unsure about how many Linux would-be users are there. And given how many unfixed bugs/requests there are I doubt that Linux Cubase is feasible in any sense.
–
P.S.: Typing this reply was also done on Linux (which I use at work and at home most of the time).
If you feel attracted to Linux, then just use Reaper, build your Cubase lookalike
I personally never would want Steinberg to invest in this area, just to get applauded by some -so called- nerds. But I am also convinced they will never do .
Sorry but unless you’re a super nerd that’s rooting your phone through ADB or something, using an Android phone is NOTHING like using a Linux desktop, I really wish people would stop using that stupid comparison. The majority of professional musicians, producers, engineers, are not geeks that sit at home all day tweaking their machines. They are not the handful of people that have enough time to sit and contribute here (and somehow think they represent the entire recording industry).
Also never leaving the Mac to go Unix/Linux. Just give me my tool that gets the job done. Been there, done that ages ago, there’s a reason I don’t have Linux at home anymore. I spend all day at work troubleshooting and configuring things, when I get home I want my machine to just work and do its thing.
Moving to Linux might seem attractive, however this would open up the same can of worms on yet another platform. Would it be easier to deal with? Maybe, but maybe not!
For many, it would be a reconstruction of an entire infrastructure of software, including VSTs, for an unpredictable outcome.
Sounds attractive on the surface, but you should also consider that the Linux kernel is also not a real-time OS, and its usage would bring a whole new set of issues to the table. It would also increase software costs by adding an additional testing platform for system/regression testing.
Would it free you from some of the “hidden” issues with Windows and/or Mac? Maybe, maybe not!
If people were willing to use dedicated platforms, rather than “general purpose” computers, many issues could be resolved. Even here, real-time issues still require a good overall software architecture and detailed understanding of the OS tasks, audio buffering, etc.
As a retired software engineer with experience in embedded development, I can’t begin to express how even many who deal with this daily don’t fully grasp the real-time constraints and how to address them without moving the subsequent issues into another subsystem.
Strongly discourage Steinberg from taking this on seeing as how they do not have enough resources currently to stabilize either the Mac or Windows versions sufficiently yet in my experience (I use both now, they both have stability/performance issues for different reasons).
I’m very wary of Steinberg spreading themselves even thinner. Dear Linux enthusiasts: go support the DAWs that actually exist for Linux currently. They would appreciate it.
Been using Cubase since Cubase 4 LE and the only other DAW that comes close to my needs is Bitwig Studio which natively supports Linux and works out of the box along with it being snappy from many users i know personally. Stability comes from personal user experience it’s not due to it being a software issue.
Can of worms? there’s other paid DAW’s that have native linux support along with there stock vst’s. Also, you can update the linux kernel with a real time audio kernel like zen, linux-cachyos-rt-bore. I’m also not a software engineer btw. Speaking of which so why do major companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google utilize Linux as there backend infrastructure?
I’m totally with you @mirrez yet this will only happen if this is profitable for Steinberg. I’m unsure whether there is a true market for this - even though I’d like to see it happen (+ all the plugin manufactures going the same way… which is truly unlikely).
