[ubuntu-studio-devel] Feature Spec Discussion: introduce ubuntustudio-audio-minimal meta package

[Len Ovens]

On Wed, 21 May 2014, Kaj Ailomaa wrote:

> An ubuntustudio-audio-minimal package would make it easier for users to
> install only the core audio applications for the audio workflows. Also,
> it could be used in our suggested smaller ISO.
>
> What should it include?
>
> Out of the current packages available, I'm thinking:
>
> # audio plumbing and tools
> jackd

I am assuming this is the jackd we have now that includes jackdbus.

> a2jmidid
> alsa tools and utils (alsa-tools, alsa-tools-gui, alsa-utils)
> ffado (ffado-tools, ffado-dbus-server, ffado-mixer-qt4)
> pulseaudio-module-jack
> gladish

The only thing I can think that is missing is some kind of patch bay for 
jack. I would suggest jack.tools too. (in fact, even though it is CLI only 
I would suggest adding it to the main ISO as well.) I am thinking in terms 
of tools that can be used for automated testing from scripts.

>
> # ubuntu studio kernel
> linux-lowlatency (already depends on rtirq-init)
> rtirq-init
>
> # midi essentials
> vkeybd
> midi tools (gmidimonitor, qmidiarp, qmidinet, qmidiroute)
> jack
> zita-ajbridge
>
> Possibly also jack-rack and a small selection of great plugins?

Many of these assume X. I don't have a comment one way or the other 
really. I am guessing the small iso already presupposes X and gtk so 
ubiquity can run. I would suggest trying to keep the lib set needed as 
small as we can. That is try to fill this with meta with tools that are 
all based on the same toolkit. For example, you have not included 
qjackctl, but it would pull in all the qt libs. The starting and stopping 
of jackd(bus) does not require much, but the patchbay for many people 
needs to be there. I know -controls is meant to be able to set up and run 
jackd(bus) but is it also intended to allow connecting jack ports?

Speaking of patchbays. A qjackctl like patchbay for PA would be nice too, 
I have seen a lot of people asking how to route audio from application to 
application with pulse.

--
Len Ovens
www.ovenwerks.net