Linux Basics

What is Linux?

Linux is a computer operating system similar to e.g. Microsoft Windows.

Unlike Windows, it is open source software under a free license. This means that the software is further developed by many voluntary programmers. That's why Linux can be used by anyone for free, as long as you stick to the relevant license conditions.

Currently there are the virtual organ programs GrandOrgue and Aeolus available for Linux. So you can use it to build a very inexpensive and yet very good virtual organ.


Where can I get Linux?

There are different so-called "distributions" of Linux. This means that there are several Linux providers who add numerous additional programs to the actual operating system, e.g. add installation and configuration tools as well as application software. This additional software is usually also under a free license, so that the bundled package is once again available free of charge. The packages of the different distributions contain different additional programs, each of which is tailored to a specific group of users.

There are distributions that are specially tailored to smaller computers with less power and storage space, or more extensive distributions that are intended for faster, larger computers and already contain a wide range of applications for almost every area.


Where can I get Linux distributions and for which use cases are they particularly suitable?

Sometimes you get different distributions in specialist shops for sale. The purchase price is compensation for the effort involved in storing this distribution on appropriate data carriers (e.g. DVD), packaging it and selling it. The actual content, the Linux software, is always free.

It is therefore cheaper to download the software directly from the Internet, provided you have a suitable data connection. The following are some useful links to distributions that have proven themselves for use with virtual organs:

  • openSUSE, comprehensive package for many common home and office applications
  • Add GrandOrgue to openSUSE with one click (starts automatically on boot)
  • Ubuntu Studio, with a real-time Linux kernel (RT) for particularly time-critical audio applications, already includes Jack (especially recommended for using Aeolus!)
  • Lubuntu, especially for slightly older, less powerful computers for GrandOrgue
  • Debian, for systems that run stably and are rarely updated (e.g. EDP in larger institutions)
  • Raspbian, special Debian for using a Raspberry Pi minicomputer for GrandOrgue or Aeolus

Where can I get support for Linux to get my virtual organ running with it?

Various installations have already been discussed here in the forum. Therefore, first look through the sub-forums Computer as well as GrandOrgue and Aeolus for possible solutions to your problem. If this does not solve your problem, please create a post with the current question in one of the sub-forums mentioned.

Testing Linux with Live System and the virtual organ program Aeolus

You don't have to rebuild the whole computer to test Linux. A complete Linux can be accommodated on an 8 GB USB stick and up to 4 GB of data/software can also be saved and thus used again the next time it is started. The hard disk is not touched. (If you want, you can also access it.) In the meantime, all common distributions probably offer live systems. Ubuntu Studio is a good choice for audio fans (not to be confused with the similar Ubuntu!). It is optimized for short latencies and already offers a lot of sound software in the basic installation. So Aeolus is already included in it.

The Ubuntu Studio page describes how to create such a stick. This works on both Windows and Linux.

In order to start such a live system, it must be booted from this stick. It is important that the bios is set so that it can boot from the USB stick. How, you have to read in the bios of the computer.


Linux with Live System and the virtual organ program GrandOrgue

Also for GrandOrgue there is this possibility already prepared to use a Linux as an organ system on any PC in a simple way: see here in the forum

Frequently used Linux commands

Below is a summary of commonly used Linux commands. This does not claim to be complete, nor can a guarantee be given for the correctness of the information. Use is therefore at your own risk with the express exclusion of any liability on our part:

The information is currently being compiled here in the forum and will be transferred here at a later date.


to be continued