Trinity low-cost Linux-based portable digital audio workstation

Upstart Trinity Audio Group is looking to attract budget-minded music producers and podcasters with their self-titled handheld, which promises all the capabilites you'd expect from a full-fledged digital audio workstation in a package smaller than a laptop. Based around CompuLab's tiny CM-X270L module, the Trinity runs Linux along with a variety of open source audio applications, including Audacity and Ecasound, for which Trinity says it's developing its own graphical front-end. The rest of the specs seem decent enough as well: you're getting a 6.5-inch TFT running at 640x480, 128MB RAM, 20GB hard drive, built-in WiFi, two Neutrik combo jacks, and a purported four hours of battery life "under rigorous audio demands." If that sounds like just your fix, Trinity is happy to take your $1000 now and ship one whenever it's ready -- they're currently saying October.

[Via Linux Devices]

[Jakov @ Jul 7th 2006 8:29PM]

I wonder if Korg is going to have a problem with the name...

[Nick @ Jul 7th 2006 9:02PM]

$1000.. eh i'll take my thinkpad T60 for 1200...

[Kyle @ Jul 7th 2006 9:42PM]

for the price why wouldn't one buy a maudio microtracker, marantz 671 or edirol r09? all have proven preamp fidelity and have been field tested pretty extensively. if you need true 24/96 the edirol r4 is a steal and the tascam hd-p1 isn't far off.

yeah, the ability to run linux is nice but i don't see this being a huge hit for field recording or music production anytime soon.

[Peter Kirn @ Jul 7th 2006 11:55PM]

Interesting idea, but the implementation makes zero sense. Why not a cheaper device as a portable music sketchpad? Spending $1000 to run Audacity is just silly. PC, Mac, or Linux laptops could give you better capabilities and better software for the same price.

I am surprised we're not seeing music devices running embedded Linux (or Windows, even), but there are better options both on the computer side and the specialized music hardware side (which is cheaper thanks to dedicated hardware for sound processing).

[Tony Rayo @ Jul 8th 2006 12:12AM]

Good effort, but sadly this misses the prosumer market they seem to be going for IMO. In fact, I think this misses most markets, which isn't to say it's not useful, but I think like others are saying more dedicated hardware would be a better deal, esp. in the long run. I guess if you are starting with NOTHING though, this solution would do.

[Nate MC @ Jul 8th 2006 8:14PM]

Low cost and $1000 are not compatible.

[John EP @ Jul 11th 2006 8:58AM]

Four hour battery life and only 20gigs of storage. It doesn't sound like the primary audio tool it makes itself out to be. I will stick to my minidisc. Why? Remote editing, easily done with mindful interface, simple to pack.