How to install LMMS on Debian 8.3

How to install LMMS on Debian 8.3

LMMS is a cross-platform application, similar to FL Studio, allowing the users to produce and remix music. Fomerly known as Linux Multimedia Studio, it is widely used to produce synthesizing sounds, arranging samples, playing on a MIDI keyboard. This tutorial covers the installation procedure of LMMS on Debian.

Installation procedure

To start with the installation procedure, use the nano command to open the sources.list file.

root@linuxhelp:~# nano /etc/apt/sources.list

The source.list file is opened. Now add these lines at end of the file, save and exit from the file.

deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ stable main contrib non-free
deb http://ftp.de.debian.org/debian jessie main

Next execute the apt-get update command to update the apt sources-list in the target system.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get update
Get:1 http://ftp.debian.org jessie-updates InRelease [145 kB]
Ign http://ftp.de.debian.org jessie InRelease          
Get:2 http://ftp.de.debian.org jessie Release.gpg [2,373 B]
Get:3 http://ftp.de.debian.org jessie Release [148 kB]                 
Ign http://ftp.debian.org stable InRelease                                       
Get:4 http://ftp.debian.org jessie-updates/main Sources [15.5 kB]
Get:5 http://ftp.debian.org jessie-updates/contrib Sources [32 B]         
Get:6 http://ftp.debian.org jessie-updates/main amd64 Packages/DiffIndex [7,900 B]
Get:7 http://ftp.de.debian.org jessie/main amd64 Packages [6,776 kB]
Get:8 http://ftp.debian.org jessie-updates/contrib amd64 Packages [32 B]
Get:9 http://ftp.debian.org jessie-updates/contrib Translation-en [14 B]
Get:10 http://ftp.debian.org jessie-updates/main Translation-en/DiffIndex [2,704 B] 
Get:11 http://ftp.debian.org stable Release.gpg [2,373 B]                
Get:12 http://ftp.debian.org jessie-updates/main amd64 2017-03-14-2025.02.pdiff [526 B]
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Fetched 23.4 MB in 2min 34s (151 kB/s)                                                      
Reading package lists... Done

The target system is updated with the required repositories. Install the LMMS package by executing the following command.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get install lmms
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree      
Reading state information... Done
The following extra packages will be installed:
  caps librtaudio5 librtmidi2 libstk0c2a lmms-common stk tap-plugins
Suggested packages:
  fil-plugins mcp-plugins omins fluid-soundfont-gm
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  caps librtaudio5 librtmidi2 libstk0c2a lmms lmms-common stk tap-plugins
0 upgraded, 8 newly installed, 0 to remove and 264 not upgraded.
Need to get 12.7 MB of archives.
After this operation, 27.3 MB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
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Setting up tap-plugins (0.7.3-1) ...
Processing triggers for libc-bin (2.19-18+deb8u2) ...

Once the package is installed, type the LMMS package name in the activities window and click on the icon to run the application.

Wasn' t that an easy installation procedure? The LMMS can also export the MIDI, OGG and WAV formats.

FAQ
Q
Is there anything commercial to which LMMS might be comparable?
A
LMMS seems to have much in common (at least in principle) with Apple's Garage Band, FL Studio (formerly Fruity Loops), Logic Studio, Beat Machine Pro and similar powerful audio tools. In terms of capability, LMMS easily matches the lower to middle-tier professional tools available, making it a great introduction to audio production which is constantly developing.
Q
How to import MIDI files but it tells me I need to specify a default soundfont?
A
First download a soundfont for free from the internet. Then in LMMS go to Edit --> Settings --> Paths (folder icon). Under the "default soundfont file"-section, you can browse for the downloa
Q
What are the alternative tool available for LMMS?
A
Here I have to give some of the alternative for the LMMS,
Audacity
Mixxx
Ardour
Q
Does the LMMS will support MP3?
A
No. if you want to use the some external software to convert to/from MP3-files, such as Audacity.
Q
How do I edit the locations in the sidebar when you open a file in LMMS?
A
Highlight the folder that you want to be on the sidebar, select it, and drag it to the sidebar.