How to Install Ardour in Kubuntu 10.04 +

In the Linux world one has a breadth of options when looking for recording software. You could go purchase the professional grade packages, many of which come with Linux support, this is the best way to grab yourself something that will work out of the box. If you are, however, not as interested in something working out of the box as being more affordable, or free even than Ardour is for you.

Ardour boasts many of the same sophisticated features most professional programs have but at no cost. These features include things like the ability to use jacks, plug-ins and an unlimited undo function. To try Ardour out on Kubuntu 10.04, simply follow the instructions below. You will need an Internet connection and administrative privileges.

First,

To install with Package Kit:

Go To: Kmenu → Computer → Kpackagekit. Click Software Management and click in the search box. Type Ardour and hit "enter". Install the following program by clicking the little arrow and "apply".

To install via Terminal type:

sudo apt-get install ardour

Now,

When Ardour has completely installed Go To : Kmenu → Applications → Multimedia → Jack control.

When this window opens press the start button. The Jack will not work on the first try for most systems. Refer to the information window that pops up. Look through your text, you should see a string that begins in "Please check your..."

Next,
Open a text program or word processor and copy and paste two values in...

a. Copy /etc/security/limits.conf or whatever your file path is.

b. on a second line, copy over the two lines that begin in @audio. Make sure to copy the entire line.

You can close Jack if you like now,as you will need to anyway.

Next,

Open your terminal and type sudo kate /etc/security.limits.conf and hit enter

Copy over the last two lines into the document. Do so under the line "#@student" or something like it, and make sure to take out or add spaces to the two new lines if need be to line them up with the other entries.

Click "save" and "close"

Now,

Log out and back in and open jack again, attempt to start, most likely it will give another error.

Finally,

Close jack and Go To : Kmenu → Computer → System Settings → Advanced → User Management → Groups → Click "show system accounts" → Select "audio" → Click "modify" → Now add your username to the allowed users and click "apply"

Log out and log back in again and Jack and Ardour should be working perfectly.