this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2025
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I have literally zero experience with creating audio, but I want to try something new for me.

I know most people who are "properly" into music production are just using a Mac, because it just works and where a lot of the software is available.

Thing is, I have zero expectations.
I don't need a lot of features, plug-ins, and whatever. Most stuff will probably just be fine for me.

Heck, I don't even know what I need in the first place to get a full "stack" of audio production software.

For the start, I'd prefer something simple. Mostly just something where I can arrange a few recorded audio tracks onto each other and maybe edit them a bit. Something where I can record the tracks with my microphone (and some time later maybe an input device like a piano keyboard, e-guitar, etc.) and listen them at the same time, preferably in the same program.

What are your experiences with making music on Linux?
What software would you recommend?

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[–] hendrik@palaver.p3x.de 7 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

I'd try some of the Multimedia / Audio Linux distributions. I believe there are some which have everything set up for you and you can just try and explore. Notably Ubuntu Studio, AV Linux

Other than that, LMMS and Ardour, Qtractor, ZRhythm, Rosegarden, MuSE, or Mixxx for DJing... There's generally a lot. DAWs, trackers, sequencers, synthesizers... you can do professional multitrack recording or just mess with your guitar or sample some electronic music...

It's a bit difficult as a beginner, since there are a lot of options and they all have different user interfaces and you might need to learn a few concepts first. And /or read the documentation or watch some Youtube tutorials.