• Voicemeeter and Virtual Audio Cables for separate audio channels with separate volume controls, macro keys, and easily adjustable toggling between outputs (more easily adjustable and less latency than JACK)
• Eartrumpet for easy and immediate per-program control over audio channels
• FL Studio
• Adobe Premiere
• MX Ergo drivers that have full functionality including remapping and holding down mouse 4 and mouse 5 and toggleable precision mode with LED indicator
• No sudden troubleshooting mid-way through working on projects to break my flow
• A Windows testing environment
• 100% compatibility with every game I own

There may be a few more, but these are the big ones. JACK, at the moment, just isn't a replacement for Voicemeeter and while there are some DAWs for Linux, they're not FL and I don't know if they're compatible with Guitar Rig. I've used OpenShot for video as well, and while it's not terrible it isn't really comparable.

I'm sure that Linux is a good fit for many users. Personally, as an operating system alone if it weren't for these issues, I'd prefer it. I'd love to be able to do what I need to do and also have a plasma, it's much nicer. But at the moment it isn't a real option without sacrificing things that I actually need. I also really can't be dealing with suddenly needing to sort out how to make a finicky program work at the drop of a hat when I'm in the middle of working on a project.

I've been dabbling with Linux since the early 00s. I like it and I wish it were a substitute for Windows for my use case, but it isn't. No amount of people being rude and obtuse in threads will change that. Time might, but it hasn't yet.

Ah I see. Pipewire has made audio production a lot easier with far fewer latency issues. I know the FL Studio crowd is pretty diehard, but if you're ever feeling adventurous there's a lot more in the audio space now. I personally use Reaper to record my guitar through my Audient interface and have no issues. I'm not much of a beats and loops guy though so YMMV.

Does it have separate audio channels and input/output controls with volume sliders and hotkeys? That would still leave a few other issues, but progress is progress and I do like to keep myself aware of the options so that I'll know when it finally ticks all the boxes.

People here so full of shit. I just reimaged my lenovo t570 with windows 11 took less then 10mins to install. Another 5 to remove all the bs built in software like solitaire Cortana etc and then another 10-15 to apply all windows updates. Bam done.

I'm guessing the cheap laptop was running Windows? You didn't mention, it sounds at first like you're saying you were using Linux on it.

What ads were everywhere? Why did it "take 2 hours to get to the desktop" - you mean, that's how long it took to install or something?

I really need to stop putting it off and install Linux on my PC and laptops

Im seeing these posts twice a day at this point. So someone like myself who is totally ignorant on Linux, I have some questions if anyone can lend advice?

I’ve been on PC windows for over twenty years now. And I use it mostly for video software like davinci resolve. Adobe software workflow. Unreal engine. I use clients harddrives and often times my own for working off of. And often times will send those harddrives to other people and their computers to finish the work. I also occasional play games on steam and Xbox App.

With that said, is it even possible for me to switch over to Linux and keep using all the same software and workflow I have for high end video production workflow?

Does it have separate audio channels and input/output controls with volume sliders and hotkeys? That would still leave a few other issues, but progress is progress and I do like to keep myself aware of the options so that I'll know when it finally ticks all the boxes.

Linux Mint would like a word. Best choice tech wise I ever made. Shit just works and it's dead simple, polished, easy to learn and read programs. Fuck Windows. I will never go back. Make the jump!