Electric guitar interface setup: Difference between revisions

This guide covers setting up an '''electric guitar''' with NixOS to achieve professional, low-latency audio processing. It targets live playing with round-trip latency (RTL) under 6 ms using the modern PipeWire and WirePlumber stack.

Add the following to your <code>/etc/nixos/configuration.nix</code> or your flake. This configuration is optimized for high-performance CPUs like the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (Zen 5 architecture) running NixOS 26.05 "Yarara" or newer.

     # Global low-latency defaults for native JACK and ALSA clients

         "default.clock.min-quantum" = 32;  # Allows top-tier interfaces to achieve ~1.5ms

     # Disable node suspension to prevent audio pops on USB interfaces

     wireplumber.extraConfig."99-disable-suspend" = {

       "monitor.alsa.rules" = [{

         matches = [

          { "node.name" = "~alsa_input.*"; }

          { "node.name" = "~alsa_output.*"; }

        ];

         actions = {

            "session.suspend-timeout-seconds" = 0;

        };

       }];

   # Critical: Allow unlimited memlock and high rtprio for real-time audio buffers

     { domain = "@audio"; item = "rtprio"; type = "-"; value = "99"; }

    { domain = "@audio"; item = "nice"; type = "-"; value = "-19"; }

   boot.kernelPackages = pkgs.linuxPackages_latest;

     "preempt=full"               

     "amd_pstate=active"         # Zen 4/5: active mode provides best EPP and responsiveness

   # Use environment.variables for reliable global access in Wayland/X11 sessions

   environment.variables = let

     CLAP_PATH = makePluginPath "clap";  # Modern plugin format, supported by Bitwig/REAPER

   nixpkgs.config.allowUnfree = true; # Required for REAPER, Bitwig, etc.

     pavucontrol        # Fallback for Pro Audio profile selection

     easyeffects        # System-wide real-time EQ and effects

      

     neural-amp-modeler-lv2  # NAM: loads .nam files from tone3000.com

     lsp-plugins           # Includes latency meter, compressors, IR loader

     kapitonov-plugins-pack # Profile-based amp models (KPP)

     chow-centaur           # Klon Centaur emulation

     (yabridgectl.override { wine = wineWowPackages.stable; }) # Explicit Wine path

{{Note|1=For advanced users, the [https://github.com/musnix/musnix musnix] flake automates many low-level audio optimizations (such as <code>rtirq</code> and environment variables). In NixOS 26.05, while <code>musnix</code> kernel patches may lag behind mainline, its <code>rtirq</code> and ulimits automation remain highly useful. You can enable it with <code>musnix.enable = true;</code>.}}

systemctl --user restart pipewire wireplumber

If the "Pro Audio" profile is missing (or listed as "Digital Stereo" / "Multichannel" depending on the interface), ensure <code>pipewire-alsa</code> is installed and restart PipeWire. This profile disables software mixing and enables hardware-exclusive mode, which is critical for achieving the lowest latency.

You can change latency without rebuilding the system. Note that this setting is temporary and will be lost after restarting PipeWire.

# Force quantum to 64 samples (pw-metadata syntax):

pw-metadata -n settings 0 clock.force-quantum 64

pw-metadata -n settings

| '''Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen (Solo/2i2/4i4)''' || Plug-and-play. Requires disabling MSD Mode (hold 48V button while powering on). <code>alsa-scarlett-gui</code> works natively without extra packages.

| '''MOTU M2 / M4''' || Native ALSA kernel support (requires kernel ≥6.1+). Direct hardware mixer control via <code>alsamixer</code>. Exceptionally stable USB-C latency.

| '''Neural Amp Modeler (NAM)''' || LV2 plugin. Loads <code>.nam</code> files — AI captures of real tube amps || No built-in GUI. In Carla/Ardour: look for <code>atom:Path</code> parameter and point to your <code>.nam</code> file. Models: [https://tone3000.com TONE3000] (formerly ToneHunt).

| '''Proteus''' || LV2 plugin. Neural network modeling (LSTM) by GuitarML || Faster preset switching than NAM. Models: [https://github.com/GuitarML/Proteus GuitarML GitHub].

{{Warning|Neural amps (NAM, Proteus, KPP) only model preamp/poweramp. You must load a Cabinet IR (via LSP IR Loader or similar) to get a usable guitar tone. Without an IR, the sound will be thin and unpleasant.}}

| '''LSP Plugins''' || Professional EQ, compression, gating. Includes LSP Latency Meter and LSP Impulse Response Loader (required for cabinet sims). Available in CLAP.

| '''yabridge + yabridgectl''' || Bridge for running Windows VST2/VST3/CLAP plugins on Linux via Wine. Essential for commercial plugins (Neural DSP, STL Tones, Amplitube).

| '''PipeASIO''' || [https://github.com/M0n7y5/pipeasio Experimental] ASIO-to-PipeWire driver. Bypasses JACK entirely, connecting ASIO directly to PipeWire. Early testing recommended for Windows DAWs (FL Studio, Ableton) in Proton.

Rocksmith 2014 runs on NixOS via Proton and PipeWire. There are two distinct approaches depending on your preferred audio routing. '''Do not mix them''', as they are mutually exclusive.

 

# Add the module to your flake and enable it:

programs.steam = {

  enable = true;

  rocksmithPatch.enable = true;

};

# '''Steam Launch Options''' (point Proton to the local Wine libs):

<pre>WINEDLLPATH=$HOME/.local/lib/wine gamemoderun %command%</pre>

# Note: When using PipeASIO, buffer size is negotiated directly via the ASIO control panel inside the game or PipeASIO settings, so <code>PIPEWIRE_LATENCY</code> may not be required.

{{Note|1=Rocksmith strictly requires a sample rate of 48000 Hz. Do not force 96000 Hz while playing.}}

pw-metadata -n settings  # Should show clock.force-quantum 64 or 128

# 3. No Xruns reported (run pw-top in batch mode for clean output)

pw-top -b -n 1 | grep ERR  # Should show 0 or empty

| '''Xruns (audio glitches)''' || Ensure <code>powerManagement.cpuFreqGovernor = "performance"</code> is active. Check <code>pw-top</code> for high-CPU nodes. Close browsers/heavy apps during playing. Disable Wi-Fi. As a last resort, add <code>processor.max_cstate=1</code> to <code>boot.kernelParams</code> (disables CPU sleep — results in extreme power draw and heat, use with caution).

| '''DAW cannot find plugins''' || Ensure <code>environment.variables</code> block is applied. Log out/in after rebuild. Verify paths: <code>echo $LV2_PATH</code>.

| '''Audio pops a few seconds after playback stops''' || WirePlumber suspends the ALSA node after 5 seconds of inactivity. Ensure <code>session.suspend-timeout-seconds = 0</code> is set in <code>wireplumber.extraConfig</code>.

| '''GPU causing audio glitches''' || Disable GPU power management. Limit FPS in games/DAW to reduce PCIe interrupt storms (DPC latency). Prefer X11 over Wayland for lowest latency if using JUCE-based plugins that render incorrectly.

* [https://tone3000.com TONE3000] — Largest library of NAM models and IRs (formerly ToneHunt)

* [https://github.com/M0n7y5/pipeasio PipeASIO] — Experimental ASIO to PipeWire bridge for Wine/Proton

* [https://codeberg.org/nizo/linux-rocksmith linux-rocksmith] — Comprehensive guide to Rocksmith on Linux