Although a some audio hardware companies forget to make drivers for linux, more and more hardware is supported by Linux. Because of good work of many people in the 'world of linux audio' and more companies who have noticed Linux. When you are using linux, it's always wise to check whether a piece of hardware works with linux, before buying it. Which hardware is supported you can check out below.

Tip: There are also (audio)computers available with Linux as default operating system. Look which hardware they have, it should be supported by linux, for example: eRacks/STUDIO

• You can find the answer here.

• You can find the answer here .

* Note: The list of supported devices is not always up-to-date. This ffado configuration file is probably more up-to-date….

• You can find the answer here.

• You can check it at linuxstudiopro.com (only zZounds stuff)

and linuxcompatible.org

• Useful Hardware (Jacklab)

The quick answer:

• more than 26 channels:

RME MADI

• more than 12 channels:

RME HDSP

• 2-12 channels:

M-Audio Delta 1010

• 2-4 channels:

M-Audio Delta 44, 66 or 2496

If you want to add better audio capabilities to your laptop, there are several options. The most common are USB, FireWire and PCMCIA/CardBus. If you buy an laptop, notebook or macbook, you better buy one with firewire and/ or PCMCI/Cardbus ports.

USB has the advantage of being 'Universal' - USB ports are ubiquitous. Unfortunately there are no class compliant USB 2.x devices available link, so best is to get yourself a class compliant USB 1.x device.

• Edirol UA—25 and its successor the UA—25EX

• Focusrite Saffire Pro 10
• Presonus Firepod FP10

If your new laptop has an CardExpress connection, this is an nice card: RME PCMCI (CardExpress) card .

The Creative Audigy line seems popular among Linux users.

It is also possible to use an Firewire card via PCMCIA using PCMCIA Firewire Cardbus PC Card - 2Port