Ubuntu Studio
Final 26.10 Release
Ubuntu Studio 26.10 was released alongside Ubuntu on 2026-10-15, with nine months of maintenance until July 2027. Official announcement
Use the Ubuntu Studio 26.10 release notes for download links, desktop component versions and flavor-specific issues. Existing 26.04 examples below retain their LTS scope. Do not assume GNOME 51 or Ubuntu App Center behavior applies to every flavor. Also check shared base-system issues before upgrading.
Ubuntu Studio is an official Ubuntu flavor designed for multimedia creators. It comes pre-installed with a wide range of professional-grade audio, video, graphics, and publishing tools, along with a low-latency kernel, providing a complete creative environment on Linux.
Key Features
- KDE Plasma Desktop: Feature-rich modern desktop suitable for professional workflows
- Low-Latency Kernel: Optimized
linux-lowlatencykernel to reduce audio processing latency - Pre-installed Professional Tools: A complete multimedia creation suite ready out of the box
- JACK Audio System: Professional-grade audio routing and low-latency processing
- PipeWire Integration: Modern audio/video processing framework compatible with JACK and PulseAudio
System Requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 2 GHz | Multi-core 3 GHz or higher |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or more (16 GB for video editing) |
| Storage | 30 GB | 100 GB or more (SSD strongly recommended) |
| GPU | OpenGL 2.0 support | Dedicated GPU (for 3D and video editing) |
Multimedia creation has high hardware demands, especially for video editing and 3D rendering. Ensure your hardware meets the requirements of your chosen workflow.
Installation
Option 1: ISO Image Installation
Visit the Ubuntu Studio website to download the 26.04 LTS ISO image. The ISO is larger than usual (about 4 GB) because of the many pre-installed creative tools.
Option 2: Install on Existing Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ubuntustudio-desktopYou can also install specific tool categories as needed:
# Install audio creation tools only
sudo apt install ubuntustudio-audio
# Install video editing tools only
sudo apt install ubuntustudio-video
# Install graphic design tools only
sudo apt install ubuntustudio-graphics
# Install publishing tools only
sudo apt install ubuntustudio-publishingPre-installed Audio Tools
| Application | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Ardour | Professional digital audio workstation (DAW), multi-track recording and mixing |
| Audacity | Audio editing and recording |
| Hydrogen | Drum machine and beat editor |
| Yoshimi/ZynAddSubFX | Software synthesizers |
| LMMS | Electronic music production |
| MuseScore | Music notation and typesetting |
| Qtractor | MIDI/audio multi-track sequencer |
JACK Audio Configuration
Ubuntu Studio integrates the JACK Audio Connection Kit for professional low-latency audio processing:
# Launch QjackCtl (JACK graphical control panel)
qjackctl &
# Recommended settings:
# Sample rate: 48000 Hz
# Buffer size: 256 (low latency) or 1024 (stability priority)
# Periods: 2PipeWire can now replace traditional JACK setups. Ubuntu Studio 26.04 uses PipeWire by default, which automatically provides JACK compatibility. Manual JACK configuration is unnecessary in most cases.
Pre-installed Video Tools
| Application | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Kdenlive | Non-linear video editor (powerful features) |
| Blender | 3D modeling, animation, and video editing |
| OBS Studio | Live streaming and screen recording |
| Handbrake | Video transcoding |
| Shotcut | Lightweight video editor |
Pre-installed Graphics Tools
| Application | Purpose |
|---|---|
| GIMP | Image editing (similar to Photoshop) |
| Inkscape | Vector graphics editing (similar to Illustrator) |
| Krita | Digital painting and illustration |
| Blender | 3D modeling and rendering |
| Darktable | RAW photo processing (similar to Lightroom) |
| MyPaint | Natural brush painting |
| Scribus | Desktop publishing layout (similar to InDesign) |
Low-Latency Kernel
Ubuntu Studio uses the linux-lowlatency kernel, which compared to the generic kernel:
- Reduces audio processing latency
- Improves real-time task responsiveness
- Is ideal for recording and live performance scenarios
# Confirm current kernel
uname -r
# Output should contain "lowlatency"
# Check real-time scheduling permissions
ulimit -rWho Is It For
- Music producers and recording engineers
- Video editors and post-production professionals
- Graphic designers and illustrators
- 3D artists and animators
- Podcast and live streaming creators
- Creative professionals who need a professional-grade multimedia toolchain
Even if you are not a professional creator, Ubuntu Studio is an excellent everyday desktop system. It is based on KDE Plasma with a complete desktop experience, and the pre-installed creative tools do not affect system performance.