Independent Linux audio lab

Linux audio setup and recording guides

Guides to setting up Linux for home recording, connecting audio applications, and troubleshooting sound problems.

JACK · PipeWire · ALSA Latency tuning Linux DAWs & plugins
Recording workflow

Connect your interface, select its input in your recording application, then record a short take and listen back.

Our setup guide starts with one audio track. Routing and latency guides cover the next steps.

Start here

Four steps to a working Linux studio

New to audio on Linux? Follow the path in order. Begin with the setup guide below.

Pick a base

Start with the audio tools included in your Linux distribution.

Set up the server

Check the audio service already running before changing its configuration.

Connect your gear

Get your USB or PCIe interface recognized and routed cleanly.

Tune latency

Set buffer and period sizes, then measure and kill xruns.

On the name. JackLab Audio is an independent editorial site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a continuation of the former JackLab Audio Distribution project, and it is not affiliated with openSUSE, the JACK project, PipeWire, ALSA, WineASIO, or Packman. Historical references are presented as neutral, cited history.