KXStudio Introduction

KXStudio is a large and frequently updated collection of audio/visual software for GNU/Linux. KXStudio is also the name given to a freely distributed GNU/Linux distribution, currently based on Ubuntu. The full KXStudio includes many system tweaks, applications, and tools not found within common GNU/Linux operating systems (distributions). KXStudio makes it easy to set up and use a free software-based digital audio/visual production environment. As well as this primary goal, KXStudio comes prepared to perform a wide variety of common computing tasks.

This short manual was created for the KXStudio DVD or USB install. KXStudio works with pretty much any PC, laptop, or netbook with a suggested (but not absolute) minimum of 1GB RAM and 8GB free hard drive space. These instructions are written for newcomers to GNU/Linux operating systems. The intent is to provide an overview of both the installation process and a brief introduction to GNU/Linux audio/visual production applications including understanding and using the most important aspects of KXStudio's custom audio tools.

KXStudio is based upon the Debian variant of GNU/Linux. In the past, it was based on Ubuntu, which is itself based on Debian. All 12.04.x versions of the KXStudio full download are still Ubuntu-based. Ubuntu is developed by a parent company called Canonical as well as the help of its large community of users and developers plus an increasing number of third party commercial software companies offering software or support. Being based upon Debian now, KXStudio remains compatible with Ubuntu software and resources.

Seeing a need for better audio/video integration in the system, a talented young Portuguese developer known online as falkTX decided to improve the management and ease of use of various audio sub-systems and related software. To reach that goal, he created the KXStudio project which is closely related to his Cadence suite of tools, the Carla plugin host, and the DISTRHO audio plugins. falkTX puts an incredible amount of time and effort into creating and supporting these and has also assisted in improving numerous other FLOSS projects. If you appreciate his ongoing hard work he would be grateful for any contributions you can make via http://kxstudio.sourceforge.net/Donations . Thank you!

If you are familiar with MS Windows or OSX already, please be aware that although KXStudio can, in most cases, fully replace these commercial operating systems, it is not intended as a drop-in replacement for either. It is possible to run many MS Windows programs under GNU/Linux via a program called Wine, and both Mac OSX and Linux are variants of the UNIX family of operating systems, but the overall GNU/Linux experience is quite distinct. You will have to adjust to the GNU/Linux way of doing things if you want to run KXStudio. Don't worry about it though because both Windows and Mac users will discover many of their computer skills transfer easily over and getting help online is free and easy. The GNU/Linux community is very friendly and active, and you can directly converse with the makers of the software in a way that doesn't happen in the Windows and OSX world.

It is also important to note that not all hardware manufacturers support Linux yet so if you are buying any hardware especially for use with KXStudio you should do your research first. Don't presume that just because something works or doesn't work under Windows that it will be so under KXStudio. Linux has a few sore spots for hardware support that are mostly the fault of secretive, non-co-operative manufacturers, but, conversely, Linux also supports lots of older hardware that may not work at all with modern versions of Windows. See the Useful Links section of this manual for various Linux hardware compatibility reference sites.