FreeBoB is a project that strives to offer an open-source driver implementation for the BeBoB platform, enabling users to access and use the BeBoB devices without any cost.
The FreeBoB project is a Linux driver implementation for BeBoB devices that provides a free alternative to existing IEEE 1394 based break-out boxes. BeBoB devices are often used as audio breakout boxes that require high-performance serial bus connectivity via IEEE1394 (FireWire or i.Link). The FreeBoB driver is compatible with JACK and can provide support for various Linux platforms.
To build libfreebob, there are several libraries that must be installed. It is recommended that users install at least the version listed for libraw1394 (>= 1.2.1), libiec61883 (>= 1.1.0), and libavc1394 (>= 0.5.3). Additionally, for all libraries, a version is provided that is a known good version. It is not necessary that the version must match for the first few libraries. The chances of successful integration with older versions are high. These required libraries include alsa (>= 1.0.0), libxml2 (>= 2.6.0), and libpthread (>= 2.3.5).
At present, the only audio server supported by FreeBoB is jackd (>= 0.102.20). The optional recommended installation of qjackctl (>= 0.2.21) can also be helpful.
Running FreeBoB is simple using qjackctl. The only minor differences with other backends are some changes needed in the default values. Users should change the interface field to contain only a number, which is the port number of the IEEE1394 host controller the audio device is connected to. The input and output channels should be set to a nonzero value for enabling capture and/or playback, and the periods/buffer field should be set to 3. It is recommended that the RT priority is raised to 70.
To use FreeBoB via the command line, users need to provide some arguments to jackd. Running "jackd -d freebob --help" will provide backend options. Users can easily figure out how to set them using the remarks given above (for qjackctl).
The latest release of FreeBoB includes various updates such as disabling the samplerate setting at startup, implementing clipping, and generating an xrun when a dropped packet has been detected. Overall, FreeBoB is a useful tool for anyone who requires audio breakout box support without spending money on expensive proprietary software.
To build libfreebob, there are several libraries that must be installed. It is recommended that users install at least the version listed for libraw1394 (>= 1.2.1), libiec61883 (>= 1.1.0), and libavc1394 (>= 0.5.3). Additionally, for all libraries, a version is provided that is a known good version. It is not necessary that the version must match for the first few libraries. The chances of successful integration with older versions are high. These required libraries include alsa (>= 1.0.0), libxml2 (>= 2.6.0), and libpthread (>= 2.3.5).
At present, the only audio server supported by FreeBoB is jackd (>= 0.102.20). The optional recommended installation of qjackctl (>= 0.2.21) can also be helpful.
Running FreeBoB is simple using qjackctl. The only minor differences with other backends are some changes needed in the default values. Users should change the interface field to contain only a number, which is the port number of the IEEE1394 host controller the audio device is connected to. The input and output channels should be set to a nonzero value for enabling capture and/or playback, and the periods/buffer field should be set to 3. It is recommended that the RT priority is raised to 70.
To use FreeBoB via the command line, users need to provide some arguments to jackd. Running "jackd -d freebob --help" will provide backend options. Users can easily figure out how to set them using the remarks given above (for qjackctl).
The latest release of FreeBoB includes various updates such as disabling the samplerate setting at startup, implementing clipping, and generating an xrun when a dropped packet has been detected. Overall, FreeBoB is a useful tool for anyone who requires audio breakout box support without spending money on expensive proprietary software.
What's New
Version 1.0.10: N/A