It’s not all compromises. You get some advantages a standard Mac or PC doesn’t have — most obviously, a computer that’s a fraction of the size and weight of a laptop, configured out-of-the-box for music making. The first question is, is this solution for you? The second, more interesting one is, what does it say about the future of computers for music?
LESS THAN A LAPTOP, MORE THAN A POCKET PC
The Indamixx computer is a Samsung Q1 Ultra — picture a Sony PSP, only bigger and with a touchscreen. The Q1 Ultra is a real PC. It can’t keep up with current laptops, but its performance is equivalent to a laptop from a few years ago — and far, far ahead of Windows Mobile devices and iPhones. Our review machine had an 800MHz Intel processor designed for ultra-mobile PCs, though a 1.3GHz version is in the works. Given that most music apps are now targeted at a faster processor, that makes Trinity’s customizations important. The video chip is Intel’s GMA950 — the same graphics brains as Apple’s MacBook — and our unit also had the standard 1GB of RAM and 4,200 rpm, 40GB hard drive. Those specs clearly don’t replace a primary computer, but they do make the small form factor possible.
Physically, the Samsung is solid and fun to hold. A small kickstand in the back lets you conveniently place the Q1 on the edge of a piano or keyboard. It also fits easily on a music stand. The relatively small screen and inability to change from landscape to portrait display, though, mean you’d probably want a larger tablet PC for reading sheet music. The smartphone- style keyboard is functional for light use such as entering track names. On the Q1’s excellent touchscreen, you can click and drag with your finger, or with the included stylus, which is a joy to use, especially for entering notation or editing sequencer patterns.
The internal stereo mic is fine for, say, taking down a practice session, and clicking on the speaker icon actually lets you turn the mini headphone output into a stereo input, but you’ll want a USB audio interface for serious multitrack recording; Trinity also offers the CEntrance MicPort Pro (reviewed Mar. ’08), which turns any mic into a USB mic, as a $169 option. Interestingly, Trinity’s original “concept car” mobile computer (simply called Trinity) had a more robust built-in audio interface, and though it’s available for someone else to license and manufacture, they’re not currently making it for retail sale themselves.
Battery life was a solid three hours, which I think is more than adequate for a music computer, but five- and eight-hour batteries for the Q1 Ultra are available if you need more. I was disappointed not to find a sleep function, though the cold boot time isn’t bad — about a minute.
MEET LINUX
What really makes the Indamixx isn’t the hardware but the software. It uses Linux, not Windows, with extensive tweaks. If you’ve never used Linux, the OS looks similar to Windows or Mac OS X, though more streamlined. More importantly, you’ll get improved performance versus a stock Windows setup on the same hardware. Trinity has done things with Linux that weren’t possible with Windows. They’ve heavily customized the OS and apps, thanks to the open-source, modular, hardware-agnostic nature of Linux, and benefited from the “let’s all help each other” culture of Linux users and developers. This is important, because the Samsung hardware doesn’t have that much horsepower to spare — Linux squeezes out as much performance as possible.
Thanks to the compatibility program Wine (www.winehq.org), which runs invisibly when you use the included app VSThost, you can run many Windows VST plug-ins as-is simply by dropping the Windows DLL file in the proper directory (see “Windows Synths on Linux” on page 76). Thanks to Wine, you could also install your favorite Windows apps — Ableton Live on Indamixx, anyone? The pre-installed Linux music apps will keep you plenty busy, though, so let’s take a look.
INCLUDED MUSIC SOFTWARE
Boot the computer, and you’re greeted with a friendly menu of installed applications. There are DAWs and sequencers, soft synths, and a modular synth builder that’s philosophically similar to NI Reaktor. Thanks to Linux music tool JACK, you can flow MIDI, audio, and sync freely between any number of programs (see “Don’t Know JACK?” on page 75).
Some apps are more useful than others. The highlight for me is EnergyXT. It combines a streamlined workflow for sequencing and loop editing with a semi-modular approach to soft instruments that appeals to power users. If you love EnergyXT, it might be reason enough to buy an Indamixx. It’s also, the app that’s most customized for the touchscreen. Ardour is another strong inclusion. This labor-of-love, open-source DAW has a one-screen interface that’ll feel comfortable if you’re used to commercial programs like Pro Tools or Logic, but it’s Linux-native and has a lot of workflow details that make it a pleasure to use. Mixxx, the DJ app, might not quite live up to go-to tools like NI Traktor, but it covers basic DJ mixing. Audacity, the wave editor, works well with stylus input. Thanks to Indamixx’s license for EnergyXT and the fact that everything else is open-source, you get all of these cool apps out of the box without extra cost or installation. You can add more software with a couple of clicks — say, Rosegarden for music notation. This may not comfort anyone who wants to run a specific Windows or Mac tool that’s not available for Linux, but you get a lot more instant gratification and flexibility than you would by buying a computer and installing stuff on it.
The online streaming of the Transmission OS is really unique. In about three clicks, you can broadcast any audio from the Indamixx on the Internet. Indamixx even maintains a server, with a stream that can be played by software such as iTunes.
In practice, the amount of things you can do at once is modest compared to a full-spec laptop. I ran two-channel DJ mixes in Mixxx easily, created some modular synth patches in the ALSA Modular Synth, and did drum pattern editing in Hydrogen. Basic multitrack audio recording and playback in EnergyXT was no problem, but it choked under the load of about four soft synths, so expect to do a lot of bouncing. If you’re looking for a live soft synth rack, I should mention that the Indamixx is geared more towards sequencing than switching between soft synths at the gig. Portability is the real draw here, not limitless performance.
CONCLUSIONS
Here’s the easiest measure for whether Indamixx makes sense for you: While a conventional laptop adds pounds and requires more software installation, if you’re looking to run 20 soft synths at once or do high-track-count audio recording, it’s still preferable. If you’re looking to make your own music with a few audio tracks, beats, and soft synths, Indamixx clearly excels at making the process absolutely mobile and very fun, and therefore at making you more productive. For some, the ultra-mobility will be irresistible; anyone who’s ever felt the squeeze fitting even a small laptop into a DJ booth or opening it when flying coach knows what I mean. It’s also great for sequencing external keyboards, because unlike a laptop, it can easily sit on a keyboard.
In fact, laptops could learn something from what Indamixx does so well. Trinity’s Transmission version of Linux scores a huge win, and not just because they customized it for a 7" touchscreen. The included music apps are rock solid and better connected to each other than on other computers, even compared to the smooth functionality of Mac OS X. Nontrivial tasks like realtime webcasting become easy, and you can make lots of music the second you power up. All that fun factor in a device this grab-and-go may well put Linux music production in front of a lot more eyeballs. That’s a very good thing.
HANDS-ON
Touchscreen works wonderfully and measures 7" diagonally. The entire Q1 Ultra computer weighs just a pound and a half.
The Q1 also has connections you’d normally expect only on a laptop: a real VGA output, two USB2 ports, Ethernet, a headphone jack, and WiFi.
The split QWERTY keyboard has keys reminiscent of a Palm Treo.
These keys let you toggle between multiple work spaces — say, full-screen views of a modular synth and an EnergyXT sequence.
A joystick stands in for the mouse, but you’ll spend most of your time on the touchscreen.
The headphone jack is the only way to get audio in and out of the device; for more output or multi track input, you’ll need a USB audio interface. Linux supports a lot of USB audio hardware with out the need to install drivers.
PROS
Ultra-portable. Addictive stylus and touch input. Easy online streaming. Tons of pre-installed music apps. Routing audio, MIDI, and sync between apps is quicker and easier than on Windows and Mac.
CONS
Less horsepower than a standard laptop or tablet PC.
INFO
$1,199; upgrade to 2GB total RAM, $109 www.indamixx.com
NEED TO KNOW
What it is A Samsung Q1 Ultra palmtop PC with a custom version of Linux and lots of pre-installed music production apps.
What music software comes with it? Ardour, a mulitrack audio recorder. EnergyXT, a streamlined DAW with rich loop editing and semi-modular track setup. Audacity, a basic stereo wave editor. Mixxx, a DJ app that supports vinyl control. VSThost, a VST plug-in host that works with many Windows plug-ins. MIDI sequencers, a drum machine, and soft synths. A desktop EnergyXT license for Mac, Windows, or Linux.
Can I add an audio interface and/or MIDI keyboard? Yes. The OS will see any USB class-compliant device, including most USB MIDI keyboards and many audio interfaces.
Many non-class-compliant devices will work, but you have to find a driver, and in the Linux world, these usually come from the user community, not the hardware maker.
How many soft synths can it run at once? How about audio tracks? Three or four soft synths at most without “printing” them to audio tracks. We easily recorded eight audio tracks at once on the internal hard disk. Twosource DJ mixing and sequencing other MIDI synths are no problem at all. This is more than you’d be able to do with Windows music apps on the same computer.
Can I exchange projects with my computer? Since EnergyXT is also for Mac and Windows, you can exchange its projects directly. Ardour runs on Mac OS X and desktop Linux. Audacity sessions fully cross over between Mac, Windows, and Linux. You can also exchange files in the usual MIDI and audio formats.
Why not just use a laptop? First, the ultra-compact factor. Second, the touchscreen is really cool. Third, the pre-installed music apps, seamless audio and MIDI patching between them, and webcasting support add up to a device you can make music with immediately.
Who is it for? Anyone who’s turned on to making music on Linux and wants to take it mobile. DJs, remixers, electronica artists, and urban producers will especially dig it.
Is it a good deal for the price? Samsung Q1 Ultras for the business market (Windows, no music software) are similarly-priced, so if you’ve ever eyed one as a music machine, this is the best deal around.