Why LINUX and NOT WINDOWS?
Lionstracs believes that Windows is the wrong Operating System in a keyboard workstation for the following reasons: Windows is too prone to crashing and CallTask bugs , is quite costly, has a messy licensing scheme, is not optimized for real time audio applications, the source code of the operating system is not available so end users can tweak it, integrating standalone applications (Cubase, Gigastudio, Kontakt, etc.) into the keyboard UI is nearly impossible because those applications were not designed to be used in a live keyboard.

Like it or not, it's time for a change in the keyboard world. Lionstracs believes that change is not coming from other large scale keyboard manufacturers because they are still trying to sell their embedded keyboards as if they are state of the art.

The truth is most keyboards manufactured and marketed today are older technology with a few new sounds thrown in but still contain chips that are over a decade old.

Remember when Scientists first claimed the earth was not flat and were ridiculed?
In the end the Scientists were right and today with keyboard technology it's a very similar situation.
Only time will tell what the future holds but Lionstracs will be on the forefront with LINUX and the Mediastation models.

You there already know that we have ready the all windows XP driver for the mediastation and is really working good.
All the VST plugings are working, Cubase SX, Logic audio5.5, OMB and much more, this is normal, we know.
Now the mediastation with XP is working about the same like the Openlabs, we can do the same stuff, but for what? just for open the VST in one display and play it over with the keyboards?
All the VST and application functions, knobs, sliders are NOT linked with the Mediastation sliders and 172 LED keys, we have to use right now with the touch screen, like the Neko.
I really dont like this OS way, because is really hard to control the all application by the touchscreen and have just some functions linked in some keys.
Untill we cant have the souce code of the windows application, is really hard to make what we can do under Linux.

Anyway now give the possibility to have the mediastation with the windows XP OS, you can choose what OS to booting.
Regards

Hello Lionstracs
Wersi solved the button and slider problem by designing them so that the boards they are attached to output Midi codes, that way the OAS software can easily be programmed to use the buttons and sliders by converting the codes into whatever operation they require, (Other software can also use these codes) also if you have VSTs with learning functions, you can select what part of the VST you wish to control, press the learn key, followed by whatever button or slider you wish to control this function, which then gives you real time control of the VST without the use of the touch screen.
Hope this helps.

Bill

Domenik is the big boss of Lionstracs and he choose linux for its embeded Keyboard.
If I was the boss, I did choose a free OS too

I don't know linux at all. I discoverd it with the MediaStation.

Finaly we can do all what we want with linux...Internet, write letters, make music, see video...

But for me, it's just like I m not in MY home, with all MY references marks.

Depiste of this, I found the MS very responsive with windows XP (more than Linux!!) even I have an old prototype for developpers with an not powerful PC.

It's for me a true pleasure to play music with all my -years of collect- vst, applications and sample sounds, in just one keyboard...
I can say the truth... VST is very good, but when I know that I must turn on my studio computer, plug the midi interface, plug the midi keyboard, launch applications...uuuu I prefer going here to read how other are making music

Domenik, of course Linux was a very smart project, and very usefull , but I prefer Windows. I hope you will not be in anger against your Windows Developper

Windows has also a lot of options to not install what we don't need in a keyboard, for exemple messengers...I think it's what Wersi did. You can make an Windows XP installation with just 150 Mb, the minimal requize. I m using Windows since many years, and it's not a problem to make an optimized pakage.

And don't be affraid, I m working hard on all your difficults, for using all the buttons and slider inside all musical applications. I will probably change some buttons implementation to be more ergonomic when playing live. You know, just choose the sound , and play , regardless of what technology is used, VST, sampler, internal rom sound...

I m very impressed on years of work you did with linux musical software, it is not a simple domain.

Finally, Windows or Linux? The competition between them can only make our OSs better

Choose what you want, and If you like windows, add money loool

I wait impatiently my first gig with MY MediaStation, and I hope it will not hang

Thanks everyone for your responses! I appreciate all the information.

MacAllcock, I have to agree with you that Linux is beginning to look like the simplest solution. I am not able to write any drivers but they are already in place and working fine with the Linux os.

Dan, your project sounds very exciting because while Linux simplicity and stability sound ideally suited for live use with music applications, the sheer number of applications written for Windows XP tends to make one wonder if it would be a viable option. I remember one year ago when you first began your Windows Arranger project with a lot of input from SZ members http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/010212.html . I followed that thread with great interest. Perhaps we should start another thread on that line, developing a new software arranger that can be customized to each user, that way we could get current veiws and see how peoples needs have changed.

Magica Alpha, good to hear from you again. As another Mediastation user, I think that we share the same sentiments “We want the Linux stability, but also the Windows variety.”

Abacus thanks for taking part in this discussion; I was hoping to hear from you. As the owner of a Wersi, you have access to the only other system that seems to be on the same line as the Lionstracs Mediastation. With the largest difference being the platform, Windows XP. Though I researched the Wersi, I was never able to demo one in person.
What are the advantages that you see in using the Windows platform?
What are the drawbacks?
How tightly integrated are the vst plug-ins in the OAS?
Are the vst instruments a part of the Wersi user interface or are they handled like a plug-in in a host program?

Also thanks for that last bit of info on using the midi codes with the buttons and sliders and the midi learn function. I am not sure if Dan2000 or Lionstracs have already incorporating this or not.

Trident thanks for the input. It is definitely Linux for now, but I guess that the Windows mediastation application will have to be a “wait and see.”

Lionstracs please keep participating in this forum. Asking actual gigging musicians is the only way to know what they truly need and want. I greatly appreciate you developing the Win XP version of the Mediastation. It will super to have the option on boot up of choosing which OS you prefer. It is this type of innovation that will put Lionstracs among the top of the music industry.

Dan, I missed your last post. You must have posted about the same time as I did. I think that the work that you are doing is great! Please continue it! I think that Domenik chose the right platform to begin with, but your work may prove to be an even better way to increase the flexibilty of the Mediastation.

Keep up the good work!

Richard

Dear

FORUM about OS is very interesting. I thing, that in next years will be a lot of new things in keyboard market.

I'm very happy to see that is so many good things made in WINDOWS and LINUX.

DAN your work is great. I’m impressive in connection of buttons in windows. Good is that WINDOWS system needs less RAM. I’m having installation with windows in my MS Windows are running on 135 MB. But I’m having problem with some drivers. I also purge complete system and also not used drivers. Platform is working well.

When I saw that you developed all drivers I did not sleep. Please let me know if you will find some new things.

Regard VST’s I can tell that they are good and I can open and close them as buttons with all performance but in LINUX. So here we can find same protocol also for WINDOWS.