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RME User Forum → Linux → Official Linux drivers/tools a possibility?
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=38917
Feel free to contribute ;-)
I can test that with 802 and UFX+ devices, but I need clear instructions on how to install those programs on my machine. I'm not exactly a programmer or an application developer, so clear instructions are desirable in order to gather information.
I can test that with 802 and UFX+ devices, but I need clear instructions on how to install those programs on my machine. I'm not exactly a programmer or an application developer, so clear instructions are desirable in order to gather information.
Thanks for your interest.
I understand that you need instructions. I prefer to have some stable state, first. Before writing detailed instructions or integrating it into the makefile, etc...
Feel free to ask your questions via github, irc or me forum-mail.
And please, do not expect a usable FF802 implementation for now. It is in WIP state. Levels work, and a few settings, but i am far away from mcf's c skills, so its a learnig process for me. As you may have noticed, the goal of mcf's (and mine) generic branch is to do some kind of abstraction which should make it easier to adapt other devices.
Happy Let's Pester RME About Linux Support Day. How will you be spending it?
Happy Let's Pester RME About Linux Support Day. How will you be spending it?
It's the old chicken and egg problem. RME doesn't do Linux drivers because of small market share and small market share is caused by RME not doing Linux drivers.
But look at the competition - recently Focusrite broke ranks and pledged their official support for Linux driver development. RME should really take note and lead the way, instead of lagging behind.
Things don't have to be black and white. If RME so much as showed initiative of supporting independent devs in this endeavour, like Focusrite did - that would already be a big step.
if you remember a company called Nokia. What happened to it when it thought it was the greatest in the world and stopped listening to customers. It was destroyed and dragged the Finnish economy into distress with it. A company called Microsoft was involved in the destruction. RME should be friends with them if they want to go out of business. Apple is exactly the same.
Hexspa wrote:Happy Let's Pester RME About Linux Support Day. How will you be spending it?
It's the old chicken and egg problem. RME doesn't do Linux drivers because of small market share and small market share is caused by RME not doing Linux drivers.
But look at the competition - recently Focusrite broke ranks and pledged their official support for Linux driver development. RME should really take note and lead the way, instead of lagging behind.
Things don't have to be black and white. If RME so much as showed initiative of supporting independent devs in this endeavour, like Focusrite did - that would already be a big step.
Yeah, that's my understanding of it as well. The quoted number I see is 3% adoption of Linux across domains like gaming and pro audio. It's not that I don't understand the economics of it, it's that I see it as a values issue.
RME strikes me as a company that wants to control the variables of their platform. In a concrete sense, they develop their own (renowned) drivers instead of using generic ones. Since this is a core tenet of their business, I'd think they'd want to be on an OS that gives the users the same level of control. Sometimes businesses do things that make less economic sense but make more brand value sense.
Either way, I bought in here at a time when they didn't support Linux so I got what I paid for. Still, I believe that every customer gets a virtual 'ticket' to voice their preferences so that's why I speak. They are doubtlessly aware of the potential to serve this market so all I can do is help keep the flame burning.
But definitely even unofficial support of independent initiatives would be something this segment would welcome.
HardRock wrote:Hexspa wrote:Happy Let's Pester RME About Linux Support Day. How will you be spending it?
It's the old chicken and egg problem. RME doesn't do Linux drivers because of small market share and small market share is caused by RME not doing Linux drivers.
But look at the competition - recently Focusrite broke ranks and pledged their official support for Linux driver development. RME should really take note and lead the way, instead of lagging behind.
Things don't have to be black and white. If RME so much as showed initiative of supporting independent devs in this endeavour, like Focusrite did - that would already be a big step.
Yeah, that's my understanding of it as well. The quoted number I see is 3% adoption of Linux across domains like gaming and pro audio. It's not that I don't understand the economics of it, it's that I see it as a values issue.
RME strikes me as a company that wants to control the variables of their platform. In a concrete sense, they develop their own (renowned) drivers instead of using generic ones. Since this is a core tenet of their business, I'd think they'd want to be on an OS that gives the users the same level of control. Sometimes businesses do things that make less economic sense but make more brand value sense.
Either way, I bought in here at a time when they didn't support Linux so I got what I paid for. Still, I believe that every customer gets a virtual 'ticket' to voice their preferences so that's why I speak. They are doubtlessly aware of the potential to serve this market so all I can do is help keep the flame burning.
But definitely even unofficial support of independent initiatives would be something this segment would welcome.
I think an official linux driver makes a lot of sense especially with the amount of bloat windows and mac will experience as AI creeps into every mundane task. There has been a small but noticeable uptick in linux activity whether its from presonus or more devices like the steamdeck making linux compatibility more common. It would be cool to see RME or another company like motu make native drivers for linux, it would legitimize pro linux audio and maybe more software companies would come to support it. Is it financially responsible for RME to pour a ton of development into developing a linux driver, that's questionable but we can hope.
Hexspa wrote:HardRock wrote:It's the old chicken and egg problem. RME doesn't do Linux drivers because of small market share and small market share is caused by RME not doing Linux drivers.
But look at the competition - recently Focusrite broke ranks and pledged their official support for Linux driver development. RME should really take note and lead the way, instead of lagging behind.
Things don't have to be black and white. If RME so much as showed initiative of supporting independent devs in this endeavour, like Focusrite did - that would already be a big step.
Yeah, that's my understanding of it as well. The quoted number I see is 3% adoption of Linux across domains like gaming and pro audio. It's not that I don't understand the economics of it, it's that I see it as a values issue.
RME strikes me as a company that wants to control the variables of their platform. In a concrete sense, they develop their own (renowned) drivers instead of using generic ones. Since this is a core tenet of their business, I'd think they'd want to be on an OS that gives the users the same level of control. Sometimes businesses do things that make less economic sense but make more brand value sense.
Either way, I bought in here at a time when they didn't support Linux so I got what I paid for. Still, I believe that every customer gets a virtual 'ticket' to voice their preferences so that's why I speak. They are doubtlessly aware of the potential to serve this market so all I can do is help keep the flame burning.
But definitely even unofficial support of independent initiatives would be something this segment would welcome.
I think an official linux driver makes a lot of sense especially with the amount of bloat windows and mac will experience as AI creeps into every mundane task. There has been a small but noticeable uptick in linux activity whether its from presonus or more devices like the steamdeck making linux compatibility more common. It would be cool to see RME or another company like motu make native drivers for linux, it would legitimize pro linux audio and maybe more software companies would come to support it. Is it financially responsible for RME to pour a ton of development into developing a linux driver, that's questionable but we can hope.
I like AI but I also like choice. Lately I've been using Linux more actively to hedge the bet that AI won't be forced on us. Let's be real though: it's already being forced on us and has been for awhile. That's fine, once again I understand market forces but as that pressure grows, like you observed, more people will seek an escape. Linux dominates the server and mobile spaces already so how much longer will it be before their desktop market share mushrooms? It's grown over 1% in the past 5 years so that's probably already exponential. Windows has 74%, macOS 15% and Linux 4%*. Somewhere between 4-15% has to be the magic number - I hope.
As an outsider, Linux seems to fit with RME's Unique Sales Proposition perfectly: stability. You certainly don't buy RME for the price lol.
*statcounter
+1 for Linux Support! (TotalMix and Digicheck)
For those who might care.. I'm another Linux user.
I know this is an very old thread but Linux is becoming more mainstream those days. Several months ago, I've move to the platform for video editing and live content creation. However I've hit one snag, I'm still need an audio interface solution.
Previously on windows I was using the Babyface Pro and I'm very happy with it, I prefer not to partways with RME.
So with that said, is there any solution in making this audio interface work?
Thanks.
Niki
Previously on windows I was using the Babyface Pro and I'm very happy with it, I prefer not to partways with RME.
So with that said, is there any solution in making this audio interface work?
Hi. It will work perfectly in CC-mode with very little latency and outstanding stability - at least my experience...
To switch to Class-Compliant mode and operate the interface purely on-device, download manual and check:
- 32. Class Compliant Operation
- 33.1 Class Compliant Mode
- 34. Operation at the Unit
...but we currently don't get RME-provided TotalMix or DigiCheck in Linux.
PS: USB-controller can matter, I use Renesas uPD720201 USB 3.0 Host Controller (rev 03)
Mind that the UCX does work perfectly fine with Linux in CC mode - sans Totalmix, but otherwise it can be used as it is....
Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME
Hi Mr Fuchs.
I can not use the adat outs separately with the ucx in cc mode. Analog 1-8 are always mirrored to adat 1-8 and when routing to system output 11-18 nothing comes out of the card. I configured setups in windows and stored them in the device but still the same problem.
Tried different pcs and distros, jack, alsa etc...always the same. Newest firmware on the ucx. Can you confirm this?
Thanks!
I can not use the adat outs separately with the ucx in cc mode. Analog 1-8 are always mirrored to adat 1-8 and when routing to system output 11-18 nothing comes out of the card. I configured setups in windows and stored them in the device but still the same problem.
Tried different pcs and distros, jack, alsa etc...always the same. Newest firmware on the ucx. Can you confirm this?
Thanks!
Hello. Do you mean UCX or UCX-II?
This post could be better served in USB section with own thread for UCX / UCX-II CC-mode, this thread discusses Linux driver support in general.
timpanic wrote:I can not use the adat outs separately with the ucx in cc mode. Analog 1-8 are always mirrored to adat 1-8 and when routing to system output 11-18 nothing comes out of the card. I configured setups in windows and stored them in the device but still the same problem.
Tried different pcs and distros, jack, alsa etc...always the same. Newest firmware on the ucx. Can you confirm this?
Thanks!Hello. Do you mean UCX or UCX-II?
This post could be better served in USB section with own thread for UCX / UCX-II CC-mode, this thread discusses Linux driver support in general.
Hi, i just want a confirmation that this the case so I can stop trying. It's the UCX mk1.
I postet it three times and didn't get an answer to this simple question.
I postet it here because someone from RME directly mentioned the ucx and the same issue.
It's the UCX mk1.
I doubt different distros, JACK or ALSA setups would help, guess its internal routing in the unit. Problem is I don't have one, so can't try myself, but have a look at manual https://rme-audio.de/downloads/fface_ucx_e.pdf chapter 36. Audio Routing and Processing (in CC-mode) and 35. Front Panel Operation
What I'd try is on-device setting CA: 1:1 routing of all 18 playback channels. Then you should get on the outputs just that what you hook up in QJackCtl graph, or other routing software in Linux.
Please note that "Both modes can be activated at any time and do not influence the mixer state loaded via the Setups, as they only influence the playback routing." so better try it in the default Setup (not the stuff you configured in Win).
timpanic wrote:It's the UCX mk1.
I doubt different distros, JACK or ALSA setups would help, guess its internal routing in the unit. Problem is I don't have one, so can't try myself, but have a look at manual https://rme-audio.de/downloads/fface_ucx_e.pdf chapter 36. Audio Routing and Processing (in CC-mode) and 35. Front Panel Operation
What I'd try is on-device setting CA: 1:1 routing of all 18 playback channels. Then you should get on the outputs just that what you hook up in QJackCtl graph, or other routing software in Linux.
Please note that "Both modes can be activated at any time and do not influence the mixer state loaded via the Setups, as they only influence the playback routing." so better try it in the default Setup (not the stuff you configured in Win).
Doubt distros? I tried fedora, antix, arco. Why should I lie 
Yes, I tried all of this. Doesn't work.
You can store the mixer setup in the device and load It in the cc mode. There I routed everything 1:1. Doesn't work.
Analog Output 1/2 plays also on Adat 1/2..3/4 on adat 3/4 etc.
In qjackctl nothing is patched.
When I choose output 11-18 in ardour or reaper nothings comes out of the adat.
Did you understand/overlook what cupakm wrote: you need to enable the correct CC routing mode from the front of the UCX.
Did you understand/overlook what cupakm wrote: you need to enable the correct CC routing mode from the front of the UCX.
Hi and thanks for responding.
Yes you're right. This was the right direction and that was what I was searching for.
I had to load the stored mixer settings AND change the CC mode after switching to the CC Mode. I changed the CC Mode before but that doesn´t work because the mixer setting were also "wrong", so I overlooked it first as the right direction.
Now it works and I can use the ADAT seperatly.
Thanks a lot ! Happy Linux Camper here 
!
With yabridge, reaper, ardour and an analog hybrid setup we came a long way!
I don't believe in ai or flat earth but i am aware of surveillance and slowing down implementations in algorithms. Even internet is 10 times slower than it was in 00s. After moving to linux no way back to win with its non-rt-kernel. I doubt that vsts run on windows better than via linvst on linux as in my experience rt-friendly linvst does not add any latency or additional cpu consumption. Besides, sometimes soft runs in rt-ready wine-staging better and faster than on windows itself. After trying 80% of daws i have chosen reaper as most flexible and lightweight solution. I suspect that driver will appear as soon as people start massively switching to linux but currently we don't see much activity in that area as we observe some malicious trends like people moving to smartphones from noble desktops and watch movies on phones vs video projectors with screens. I don't understand why people stick to win nowadays. In 00s till 2006 pc games were fantastic but now it's no longer an entertaining platform. Also it's not faster than linux as it used to be at early 00s. But most people probably don't need speed or rt, so what are the chances for linux to dominate? Linux itself btw needs reconsideration. Imo there must be one hard rt scientific linux with all possible and impossible optimizations +ugly gui and one for general gaming and browsing public with glamor gui. I don't see any benefit of hundreds of linuxes with slowed-down operation. Also it creates confusion in people's minds. The strength is in unity, not in division. People have to spend years on configuring linuxes instead of making music or things in their specific fields. On the other side there is windows and macos with blocked possibilities for kernel configuration. Thus 2 utmost cases. And the funny thing is that microsoft or google owns that github, right?
I recently created a WAVES setup on a Mac Mini M1 on OSX using a RME DigiFace Dante. It works quite well. The roundtrip latency is incredibly low for such a system. (Dante Virtual Soundcard, however, despite being not too stable, has just too much minimum latency for such a system.)
However, the situation is a bit paradox: If I didn't have to use Dante, I'd be using a DIY WAVES Server that talks Waves Soundgrid (WSG), which is a Linux machine actually. Now I use OSX for two reasons: 1) The WAVES plugins don't run on Linux, even though they run solely on Linux inside the WAVES server 2) the DigiFace Dante does not have Linux drivers. (And yes, you can buy an official WAVES Server, and a WSG-Dante bridge, if you have some 4 to 5k€ to spare, so the Digiface Dante is the less expensive option.)
Ubuntu Studio exists, for those who don't want to think too much about their choice of Linux distributions.
Windows and OSX are getting worse. Win11 is a advertisement-loaded something with a gamified UI. OS X is about to disable non-signed applications entirely, so a Mac will be a computer on which you can't even run programs you wrote yourself – like a car that doesn't allow you to drive to destinations not found nice by its manufacturer?! But Windows is worse since it doesn't even have an audio system that fits a professional's needs. After all, ASIO is a third-party solution by Steinberg! Microsoft and Apple are overdoing it more and more.
Regular desktop users doing office work and e-mails and stuff will switch to this other data protection disaster named ChromeOS. Technically, they will be a using Linux-based system but because they don't know about that fact, they can't find it awkward.
So Linux remains for the power users that don't want to be hustled by other OS manufacturers. And that is what us audio producers and also video editors are. And, trying to awaken the dead horse: pro users is what RME products stand for – so please, Linux drivers, please RME, do reconsider!
> [ Windows and OSX are getting worse ]
Yes, but there are other aspects of Windows that concern me more than the points you mentioned.
Regarding ASIO and Windows, I understand your frustration and would also welcome Linux support. However, that doesn't justify misrepresenting proven solutions like ASIO or exaggerating the situation, which is why I’m posting this response.
Dismissing ASIO as merely a third-party solution is illogical. ASIO is a well-established de facto / industry standard on Windows, performing exceptionally well by accessing the audio hardware of the recording interface directly—unlike macOS. For quality, stability, and low latency, there is no better solution.
Since RME equipment currently lacks Linux support, I suggest the following optimizations to address and resolve your concerns with Windows 10 and 11 with minimal effort:
For Win11: use a Rufus-optimized installation medium for setup. This allows installation on slightly older hardware without TPM and Secure Boot, online accounts, and enables the disabling of performance-draining VBS (or later during use).
If you find the start menu with its ads unappealing, the StartAllBack product can restore the familiar environment.
For increased privacy, better system configuration, and enhanced security, run O&O ShutUp10 as an administrator to adjust both system and user default settings (to enhance privacy, disable sending of telemetry data, stop execution of background apps, delay Windows updates, ..).
If you miss the Windows 7 gadgets, consider the 8GadgetPack for their return.
Let me try to be funny about this a little bit:
Windows Users: Oh on Linux there is so much tweaking required and it is complicated.
Also Windows Users: Give you a list of how to tweak Windows in order to be able to work with it.
The OSX audio system works also surprisingly well and it is built-in. I can run RME gear at 32 samples buffer size without any issues. Linux should be able to compete, but actually mine can't with old RME PCI cards, even though Jack is a really good audio server (and Pipewire will be a good successor once).
Pro audio users are always something like a fringe group of users, on any OS. Chances that the two big proprietary OSses develop into a direction disregarding the needs of pro audio users are real, I guess. I'm not saying everyone should use Linux. I'm just trying to say it will become even more of a valid alternative.
Let me try to be funny about this a little bit:
Windows Users: Oh on Linux there is so much tweaking required and it is complicated.
Also Windows Users: Give you a list of how to tweak Windows in order to be able to work with it.The OSX audio system works also surprisingly well and it is built-in. I can run RME gear at 32 samples buffer size without any issues. Linux should be able to compete, but actually mine can't with old RME PCI cards, even though Jack is a really good audio server (and Pipewire will be a good successor once).
Pro audio users are always something like a fringe group of users, on any OS. Chances that the two big proprietary OSses develop into a direction disregarding the needs of pro audio users are real, I guess. I'm not saying everyone should use Linux. I'm just trying to say it will become even more of a valid alternative.
1. There is no reason to do so, but you should remain objective. To portray ASIO as a third party solution as if that makes it a worse solution is just nonsense. That was the main reason why I replied in the first place. Possibly I misunderstood you regarding this point, but it sounded this way.
2. Incidentally, the installation of a few tools is nothing compared to the distribution chaos that prevails with Linux, which in my opinion is the main reason why companies prefer to continue to rely on Windows and Apple. In these two areas, especially with Apple last recently, there is enough movement in the product to keep people busy.
Apart from that, I also hope that there will be Linux support.
What I no longer like about Windows is that Microsoft unnecessarily slows down the systems through poor security design (VBS) so that it only performs reasonably well on systems with current/fast CPUs.
Other things that I dislike:
- enforcement of online account which make you fully dependent on Mincrosoft and a working Microsoft account
- how uncontrolled data is siphoned off
- or how AI is implemented with the charm of a spy bug.
I have been a Linux user since 1997 and today is way easier than it used to be with all the apps going to the cloud you can use a browser and take care of a lot of things without having to boot back and forth. But there are some programs that will only run under windows and I keep laptops with windows 7 and xp and 10 on just for that ,plus Windows 11 for real new stuff. I wish RME would have a little more linux support (I want asio like drivers ) but if they do it they do it if they don't they don't, seeing people on this thread threaten is not the way to warm them up to doing it.
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