I run Ubuntu 18.04 (ie Kubuntu 18.04 ie KDE) linux on a Dell XPS 15 (9570). I want to install pianoteq on it but read there's likely latency problems to deal with due to either linux and/or the Dell laptop. What do I need to do to setup Pianoteq so it will run satisfactorily with decently low latency? I've read somewhere about JACK and ALSA, but don't know what I need to do to get it working.
Ubuntu Studio? If not, try installing RT kernel, also there is a little txt file with instructions in the compressed file for linux.
Oh the latest version 6.3.1 doesn't require any compiling. Nice.
It seems to work ok.
Is there a way to objectively measure the latency on linux?
I'm using Linux Mint 17.3 (Ubuntu 16.04) and I have no problems with latency even with a regular kernel.
Make sure you choose either a direct ALSA hardware device (don't use PulseAudio).
If you need multiple programs using simultaneous audio, then use JACK instead. In this case, you configure the audio settings (sample rate/buffer/latency/etc) in JACK instead of Pianoteq.
A stock linux is completely sufficient, but you have to configure your linux user to be in the audio group. There is a README file in the Linux package of Pianoteque which offer same valuable hints.
You should invest into a dedicted sound interface (USB based for your laptop), as the mainboard audio often is suboptimal.
I'm getting very low latency even on an ARM board using the stock linux kernel.