Table of Contents

Hardware support




This page is meant to give a quick, user-friendly overview of current pro and semi-pro audio interfaces.

It should reflect the linux driver support state of the ALSA and FFADO projects with a recent, stable kernel.




Soundcards ~0-200 $us



[Behringer] - BCD3000 (USB-1.1)

Linux Support State

  • Supported (USB1.1 audio class compliant device)

Images

Features

[Yamaha] - Audiogram3 (USB-?)

Linux Support State

  • Audio-out works, audio in not tested, USB version unknown

Images

17d87e73258d4cad885fac75c464f4f8_12073.jpg 11066_12075_1.jpg

Features

[Focusrite] - Scarlett 2i2 (USB-2)

Linux Support State

  • Fully supported out of the box with ALSA (snd-usb-audio module).

Images

1315998657-2i2quartergallery.jpeg

1315998650-2i2frontgallery.jpeg

1315998654-2i2reargallery.jpeg

Setup Example

Features

  • 2 IN, 2 OUT Channels
  • 2 Analog XLR/TRS Inputs
  • 2 Analog 1/4“ TRS Outputs
  • 1 Headphone Stereo 1/4” Output
  • 24-bit/96 kHz
  • DSP Mixer/Router Zero-Latency


[ESI] - Several models supported

German manufacturer ESI publishes official Linux support of many their hardware offerings. It may be stat the product page does not explicitly mention Linux support, but the knowledge base does. Many models however do not support Linux, such as the Maya. For each model they indicate whether Linuw works. Using keyword search like https://kb.esi-audio.com/?r=1&tags=Linux Linux in the knowledge base , all articles are available.

Below a summary.

ESI U22 XT

Yes! U22 XT is fully class compliant and all functions can be controlled with the switches and knobs on the front panel, so it is supported by the USB audio driver from the ALSA package which is part of most Linux distributions.

U22 XT Product page

u22xt.jpg

ESI Gigaport Ex

Yes! GIGAPORT eX is fully class compliant, so it is supported by the USB audio driver from the ALSA package which is part of most Linux distributions.

ESI Gigaport EX Product page

gex.jpg

[ART] - USB Mix (USB-2.0)

Linux Support State

  • Supported
  • Works out of the box on (at least) Ubuntu 13.10-15.04, both recording and playback

Images

usb_mix-ps_angle_lg.jpg

Features

  • USB powered, no external power supply needed when used with a computer
  • Balanced XLR or unbalanced ¼-inch Instrument inputs with switchable impedance
  • Switchable low noise +48V phantom power
  • Balanced ¼-inch TRS inputs for stereo or mono line-level sources
  • ¼-inch TRS output jacks work with balanced or unbalanced lines
  • Stereo ¼-inch TRS headphone jack with independent level control for output monitoring
  • Independent controls for both sets of inputs, main output, and headphone monitor
  • Green/Red LED signal/clip indicator
  • Switchable assignment of USB playback to channels 2 and 3
  • USB 2.0 compliant
  • USB cable, AC adapter, and Audacity recording software included


Soundcards ~200-400 $us



[Tascam] - US-4x4 (USB-2 class compliant)

  • Note: 2×2, 16×08 and 20×20 versions are similar

Linux Support State

  • supported There is a Windows and Mac configuration program, but it doesn't control much.

Images

us-4x4_p_front.jpg us-4x4_p_back.jpg

Features

  • 96kHz/24-bit
  • Direct monitoring function for zero-latency monitoring
  • Four XLR or TRS (MIC/LINE) inputs with full +48V phantom power
  • Four TRS analog balanced outputs
  • Two headphone outputs – each with 45mW/ch output power


[Native Instruments] - Komplete Audio 6 (USB-2)

Linux Support State

Images

img-ce-gallery-komplete_audio_6_gallery_intro_02_2x-87920846479e69f75c70aa35ca2c8672-d.jpg

Setup Example

Features

  • add TODO


[Sound Devices] - USBPre2 (USB-1.1, USB-2.0)

Linux Support State

  • Supported in usb 1.1 mode at 48kHz, 2 channels
  • Any news about USB-audio-2.0 mode ??

Images

usbpre2-425px.jpg usbpre2-input-big.jpg usbpre2-back-900px.jpg


[Focusrite] - Scarlett 18i6 (USB-2)

Linux Support State

  • work in progress. works with patch, no official ALSA support as of 1.0.25
  • USB2 class compliant device, but with custom mixer interface (which is not [yet] correctly discovered by ALSA and thus the driver fails to load).
  • Minimal patch (bypass mixer, full DSP support): patch on ALSA dev mailinglist.
  • Full support incl. mixer, internal routing and device configuration:focusrite devel blog, git repository.

Images

scarlettppbanner18i6.jpg

scarlett_18i6_corner.jpg

scarlett_18i6_rear.jpg

Setup Example

Features

  • 18 In, 6 OUT Channels
  • 6 Analog 1/4“ TRS Inputs
  • 2 Analog XLR/TRS Inputs
  • 1 ADAT Input
  • SPDIF I/O
  • 2 Analog 1/4” TRS Outputs
  • 1 Headphone Stereo 1/4“ Output
  • MIDI I/O
  • 24-bit/96 kHz
  • DSP Mixer/Router Zero-Latency


[M-Audio] - Fast Track Ultra (USB-2)

Linux Support State

  • Basic support as of ALSA 1.0.23, improved support as of ALSA 1.0.24

Images

fasttrack_20ultra_20-back.jpg

Features

  • simultaneous 8 x 8 24-bit/96kHz audio
  • DSP technology > flexible channel routing, monitor sub-mixing and effects processing
  • 4 preamps


[Focusrite] - Saffire PRO 24 (FW)

Linux Support State

  • Supported.

Images

Features

[Focusrite] - Saffire PRO 24 DSP (FW)

Linux Support State

  • Supported, except for the DSP part.

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Motu] - UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid (FW | USB-2)

Linux Support State

  • The Mk3 (Hybrid) Ultralite is unsupported. Only the original (Firewire only) Mk1 is supported.

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Roland] - QUAD-CAPTURE UA-55 (USB-2)

Linux Support State

  • doesn't work; (not yet); recognized in lsusb; does't work yet with WineAsio; works in Virtualbox (Win XP + Asio4all);

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Roland] - OCTA-CAPTURE UA-1010 (USB-2)

Linux Support State

  • unknown FIXME

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Presonus] - FireStudio Mobile (FW)

Linux Support State

  • unknown FIXME

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[M-Audio] - ProFire 610 (FW)

Linux Support State

  • Works with FFADO using the old stack, full feature support except ffado mixer.

Images

Features

  • 2 XLR/TRS Octane Preamped Inputs with Phantom Power Switch
  • 2 Analog TRS Inputs
  • 8 Analog TRS Outputs
  • MIDI I/O
  • SPDIF I/O
  • 2 Headphone Stereo Outputs
  • Works as Standalone device as A/D - D/A Spdif Converter


[tc electronic] - Impact Twin (FW)

Linux Support State

  • unknown FIXME

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Cakewalk (=Edirol, =Roland)] - UA-101 USB-2.0)

Linux Support State

  • Supported as of ALSA 1.0.22

Other notes

  • after a couple hours of use the USB led on the front goes off and stops working. Works again after switching off-on.
  • driver developer thinks its hardware/firmware

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Cakewalk (=Edirol, =Roland)] - FA-66 (FW)

Linux Support State

  • full support by FFADO project

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Cakewalk (=Edirol, =Roland)] - UA-25, UA-25 EX (USB-1.1)

Linux Support State

  • supported by ALSA

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Echo Digital Audio] - AudioFire 4 (FW)

Linux Support State

Features

  • add TODO


[LexiconPro] - I-O | 42 - (USB-2.0)

Linux Support State

  • unknown FIXME

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[LexiconPro] - Omega 8x4x2 (USB-1.1)

Linux Support State

  • Supported

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Tascam] - US-144 MKII (USB-2)

Linux Support State

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Tascam] - US-800 (USB-1.1 | USB-2)

Linux Support State

CAN BE MADE TO WORK! At least with Ardour, ALSA, and JackAudio. I haven't tested in PulseAudio because I disabled that for other reasons. Here are the steps:

  • Plug into an OSX machine, and use the included software (you don't have to install it and there are no drivers) to reset the device to factory. You can also do this on a Windows machine, but that involves installing drivers, so borrow a Macbook or something.
  • Even after that, plugging it in will crash many variants of the 2.6 kernel. This is a kernel interrupt-handler bug. HOWEVER! You can upgrade Linux kernels without upgrading the entire GNU/Linux OS. Directions for Ubuntu are here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/MainlineBuilds Upgrade to version 3.1.5-generic, and restart the machine.
  • Plug the US-800 into an open USB port. There will be MANY complaints in syslog. That's… marginally okay. Better than crashing, anyway. We'll fix it below.
  • Launch JackAudio. Go into settings panel, create a new config, based on current actual configuration. THE RESULT WILL BE WRONG, but we'll fix it.
  • On the lower right there will be dropdowns for numbers of inputs and outputs. It will probably default to either 2/2 or automatic/automatic. This is wrong. Set those manually to 8/2.
  • Save those changes, then stop and restart JackAudio. This is ALSO important because I think we're working around an ALSA device scanner bug where it gets the numbers of inputs wrong. (Or the hardware is buggy and Windows and OSX patch around it. One of those.)
  • Go back into settings, and on the lower right, near the number-of-inputs selectors, there will be device selectors for both input and output. Do NOT pick plughw, even tho' that should totally work. Click on the little down wedge icon that brings up the physical device names, and select “us800” for both inputs and outputs.
  • Save changes, stop and restart JACK server. You should now have at least all six analogue inputs, and both outputs, at least in things that talk to JackAudio. I can't validate the digital inputs because I lack the hardware.

I tested mostly with 44.1khz but in testing other bitrates worked fine too! I can't get other 24-bit to work, though. But that's ok for me, I record at 16 bit. ^_^

Other notes

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Alesis] - iO|26 (FW)

Linux Support State

  • unknown FIXME

Images

Features

  • add


[Alesis] - iO|14 (FW)

Linux Support State

Images

Features

  • add TODO


[Alesis] - iO2 Express (usb - class compliant (1.1 or 2.0?))

Linux Support State

  • WORKS completely! Tested under Linux Mint 12.

Note: The discontinued io2 (not express) had a different casing and offered digital audio out, but is probably otherwise identical and should work just as well.

Images

io2_express_web_med.jpg io2_express_back_web_med.jpg

Features

  • in/out MIDI connections
  • 2-channel in / 2-channel out, 24-bit 48kHz audio
  • hardware monitoring with full mix between direct signal or processed output
  • switchable phantom power
  • XLR Mic pres, Hi-Z instrument inputs, and inserts on each channel
  • USB Bus Powered


[Alesis] - iO4 (usb - class compliant (1.1 or 2.0?))

Linux Support State

  • WORKS completely: Tested under Ubuntu 9.04 on an eeePC using ALSA, Jack and Ardour. Also on Linux Mint KDE 12 with KXStudio.

Note: Audio seems to run only at 44.1kHz, not 48kHz. The io4 is essentially identical to the io2 express (above) but with two additional channels for 4-channel operation in 16-bit mode, and unlike the io2, the io4 is not bus powered.

Images

io4_ortho_web_med.jpg io4_rear_web_med.jpg

Features

  • in/out MIDI connections
  • 24-bit for 2-channel in and 2-channel out, 16-bit for four channel in and four channel out
  • hardware monitoring with full mix between direct signal or processed output
  • phantom power switchable for channels 1/2 and channels 3/4
  • XLR, Hi-Z instrument inputs, and inserts on all four channels


[Alesis] - MultiMix 8 USB FX (USB 1.0)

Linux Support State

* Only 2 channel in and 2 channel out with jack with Ubuntu 12.04 (mode USB 1.0)

Listed on lsusb (Ubuntu 12.04)

Bus 001 Device 007: ID 08bb:29b0 Texas Instruments Japan PCM2900B Audio CODEC

with aplay -l

carte 1: CODEC [USB Audio CODEC], périphérique 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
  Sous-périphériques: 1/1
  Sous-périphérique #0: subdevice #0

with cat /proc/asound/cards

 0 [....
 1 [CODEC          ]: USB-Audio - USB Audio CODEC
                      Burr-Brown from TI USB Audio CODEC at usb-0000:00:1a.0-1.1.4, full speed

Features

  • add TODO


[Alesis] - MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 FX (USB-2)

Linux Support State

  • not supported
  • Don't work at all with Ubuntu 11.10 Kernel 3.0.0-15-generic and Alesis Multimix 8 USB 2.0 FX - Ver1.0

Images

mm8usb2.0_fx_ortho_web_med.jpg alesis_multimix8usbfx_back_medium.jpg

Features

  • add TODO


[Avid] - Mbox Pro (FW)

Linux Support State

  • unknown FIXME

Images

mboxpro_specs_800.jpg

Features

  • add TODO


[Echo Audio] - AudioFire 8 (FW)

Linux Support State

  • Supported

Features

  • add TODO




Soundcards ~400-800 $us



[Focusrite] - Saffire Pro 40 (FW)

Linux Support State

  • Supported

Images

saffire_pro_40212.jpg

saffire_pro_40214.jpg

saffire_pro_40208.jpg

Features

[presonus] - 1818VSL (USB2)

Images

audiobox1818vsl-front_copy_big.jpg audiobox1818vsl-back_copy_big.jpg

Linux Support State

  • Supported
I'm very happy with the VSL1818. It is class-compliant and works OOTB
with all versions of Linux >= 2.6.22 and provides stable low-latency I/O
with JACK. (I'm running debian Linux 3.2.0-2-rt-686-pae #1 SMP PREEMPT RT).

Kees van Veen mentioned that it works on vanilla Ubuntu 12.04 but to get
down to -p64 -n2 he needs the lowlatency kernel or jack produces xruns.

The preamps are good. They are less noisy than the UA-25 – but I've
only measured them with jnoisemeter and don't have any absolute
reference point to calibrate the measurement.

Possible disadvantages: It does not have a built-in mixer that'd allow
to direct [zero-latency] monitoring. There is no optical S/PDIF. The
Optical I/O is ADAT. There's no word-clock input.

Brian reports that his device sometimes powers on with sync set to
external (S/PDIF). Kees and I don't have this problem. I hazard a guess
that the OSX/Win32 driver has means to store state on the device. Brian
uses it on those OSes,too. Kees and me don't.

Under GNU/Linux the sync-settings can be configured with alsamixer.
Brian uses a simple amixer script triggered on device-connect.

With Jackd-1.9.9 the device even survives suspend/resume cycles!
Audio-I/O continues, but the MIDI-I/O is gone on resume and requires
re-plugging the device.

The most annoying thing is that it produces a rather loud click on my
monitor-speakers when I flick the 1818VSL's power-switch. My solution: I
don't power it down and only unplug the USB – or turn off the speakers
first.

see also LinuxMusicians Forum

Features

  • 2 dual-purpose mic/instrument inputs + 6 dual-purpose, mic/line inputs
  • 8 balanced line outputs
  • 2 balanced main (L/R) line outputs with level confrol (channel 1/2)
  • 1 dedicated stereo headphone output with level control (channel 7/8)
  • 8 channels ADAT optical input and output
  • 2 channels S/PDIF coaxial input and output
  • 1 BNC word-clock output
  • MIDI In/Out
  • +48V phantom power
  • 24-bit resolution and 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz sampling rate
  • 1U rack-mountable




[Hacker and DIY] (do-it-yourself) solutions for USB audio-class-2.0 devices

Linux Audio-Driver Architectures

Hint


  • This page could also indicate, if a firmware is required for a device, if so.



FLOSS - Friendly Hardware Companies (Linux friendly)



This section lists hardware companies , which are known to either offer free, libre, open-source drivers for their hardware, OR provide enough information and specification for a developer to implement full device support .

Please add hardware companies - you know about - supporting FLOSS. Thank you.

wiki/hardware_support.txt · Last modified: 2021/01/10 12:11 by eloqarch