9:49 Just a point of clarification, that 3.19% CPU usage for the AU hosting process for x86 plugins is _not_ 3.19% of your total available performance. The number is the percentage use of one CPU core.
One thing missed on most reviews is the point that this is a portable machine. Not luggable from power socket to power socket like PC laptops. You get all the speed on battery power. If you can figure out how to use this in your business to gain advantage over your competitors...
After all these years working on windows pc for music production I decided to purchase the M1 max pro I’m very impressed what Apple have done this is the best MacBook Pro in decades
@@User-ik2kc also the 2020 M1 is silent i bought it in august 2021 and have never heard a noise from it. whatever i do with it isn't enough to cause stress or heat
You left out the most important information. What PC hardware were you running and why did you switch? Software is usually the primary reason. Running Windows 10 or 11 with the most current hardware is the only fair comparison vs. Apple’s M1 Pro and Max.
THIS is the M1 review I've been waiting for TBH. Most other reviews focus on how it handles video... much more rare to see a solid in depth pro audio review.
I decided to make the switch from PC to mac a while back, and made the switch a few days ago since any potential problems I read about with monterey still seemed to pale in comparison to the Performance issues of my Dell XPS 9570, which I had done every possible real time audio optimization possible, except for disabling ACPI driver. Im running pro tools 2021.12 and have had zero problems. UAD console works flawlessly, all my fab filter, soundtoys, xfer, spectrasonics, waves, AIR stock plugins work. Ive been running sessions at 32 buffer 48k, with not a single pop/click or dropout while recording 16 tracks with heavy plugins. The only problem I encounted was in pro tools there is a new feature in hardware setup that forces plugins to perform better for low latency, which resulted in a pop/clicks hailstorm. After disabling this there has been not a single pop/click or dropout.
Idk. 16 tracks isn’t really a lot though . I’m curious what 40 vocal tracks (background vocals / layering) Many guitar tracks , again layered . Steven slate Modeling mic plugins on all the guitar tracks and some vocals maybe . Steven slate drums or other drum emulation software . Synths All these tracks with compressors and reverbs, delays, saturation , etc. How the latency is recording on something like that. Using native instruments sounds and omnisphere . I wonder how it can handle all of that on the spot. Tweaking and changing settings, not just playback, but actually using the plugins and mixing . Iv seen people maxing out their cpu kinda easily when actually using it . Maybe because of the Rosetta and also the fact the cpu works on ram aswell. I’d rather have a powerful cpu not touch the ram . People tend to run out of cpu faster than ram . I rather spend more on ram seperatey . As of now idk if it’s worth having issues with native instruments and ilok apps, etc . It’s been a while since the m1 came out. Almost two years? That’s a long time . Doesn’t seem like a worthwhile risk for anyone using anything prior with big serious projects
This was a generous time offering from Mitch. As a composer who cannot proceed with my current MBP, these new computers are a relief. My advice to anyone using big orchestral libraries is to get at least 2 TB SSD; 64 RAM and run the libraries from there. I ordered Max, 64, 2TB (but I'm sorry I didn't order 4TB after looking at this vid)
Why waste money on all that storage when you can run your libraries externally through TB4 which basically would allow almost no lag in the same way internal does? Storage upgrades are the worst bang for buck, unless you ABSOLUTELY need to score huge while orchestras on the go and can't be bothered carrying extra ssds.
External SSDs will save you money. I have the 1TB 16in and I have 2 SSDs (1x2TB + 1x4TB) that I never need to disconnect, even when traveling with my laptop. How? Never under estimate the power of 3M Command/velcro strips. I bought a MBP case and placed a few strips on the lid closest to the 2 ports on the left, as well as the 2 SSDs and usb c/a hub. I have the 4TB and hub connected to the 2 MBP ports, and the 2TB connected to the hub. The 2TB is partitioned where 1TB is dedicated for Time Machine backups. The 4TB is for sessions/sample libraries, AE projects, etc. When it's time to roll, the only thing I need to disconnect is the magsafe.
considering a new laptop but hold off for now. First I hear some audio apps are still having issues with Monterey and the new M1 series Mac can not run old versions of OSX. I still think for audio no need for the M1 Max it's really focused on video and AI. Rumours have it a M1 Pro Mac Mini isn't that far off, so I might wait awhile for it. A Mac Mini with a M1 Pro and 64GB RAM and large monitor would be a good setup for me instead of a laptop.
I upgraded from my old mid 2014 MacBook Pro to the 2021 16 inch M1 Pro and it’s been a beast for what I do, which is just guitar session work and some personal use entertainment.
sounds good! if it wasn't for the screen size, i bet the 13" M1 would do the same tasks i really believe in the base M1 because of all the stress tests online! nice purchase nevertheless! you won't need to upgrade again for years!
Tha amount of displays supported doesn’t depend on the size of the MacBook but on the chip, the m1pro supports 2while the M1 max up to 4, both chips can be in either of the Mac sizes.
I just bought this fully stocked Apple M1 Max and it's worth every penny, I thought I was the only one still using a MacBook Pro from the Mid 2014 😂 but it was a monster of a machine. I too waited for something with connectivity for my peripherals... this M1 Max flies like a bat outta hell... what a beast!
The M1 in the Air already does everything you need it to do with music production. Anything more is a nice to have in my opinion. The 16 is great because of how big the screen is
I am looking to get one! I am between 16'' M1 Pro or go for the 14'' M1 Max (I can't afford the Max on 16'') ... do you think for music production in logic x and design tools like adobe illustrator and photoshop the pro is enough? Or the MAX will benefit? I worry about overheat and less battery. Thanks!
Unless you're doing any heavy graphics related stuff, the Max isn't worth it at all. The only difference between the Pro and the Max is that the Max has more gpu cores (better for graphics). For general music and audio purposes, definitely go with the Pro.
RAM is dead in a mac. Look at the 8GB RAM MacBook M1 Air stress tests on youtube I basically should have bought an M1 Air for music production - it is powerful af! Anyone who has seen the MacBook M1 Pro videos will know there is hardly any difference between 8GB and 16GB in the stress tests. Back in the day we all wanted RAM and saw it as important but it isn't anymore. The processor is king 💪🏽. It is slow at first, like a baby robot but you have to trust it, then it runs at warp speed and you never have to think about it again - just open it and work - close when finished - charge once a week (ish). 64GB is needed in Windows because the operating system is like a crazy woman, getting hot and stressing out with the fans BLAZING when i'm just on eBay i can't stand Windows since switching to MacBook M1. it's perfect 🥺❤️
@@trapbeatproducer RAM is needed if you're running a lot of virtual instruments (i.e. orchestra, film and tv recording). There is no way around it. I haven't seen any recording musician who uses a bunch of VST's doing stress test videos on UA-cam. They're all audio recordings with a few plug-ins used for reverb, compression, etc. Again, for most musicians the pro would be more than enough with 8 GB.
Pro Tools buffer size doesn’t affect playback any longer. The low latency buffer is only used by tracks that are record and/or input enabled. All other tracks are always in a high latency/high performance buffer.
Didn’t expect to see this from sweetwater, great idea! I preordered a 14” m1 MacBook Pro with max specs apart from 2tb hd and a notch down on top graphics mainly just to get 64gb of ram as you did. I don’t do much video and once I do finally get time to get into more video production, this thing will be old so I’ll be ok
ive got all music production running M1 natively but you are 100% right! WhatsApp App and Messenger App both run Rosetta. It does it automatically and I don't notice a change in speed - but there is a definite 2 second delay when opening those apps from scratch. it has sat under my drivers seat for several laps on the nürburgring race track in germany i've dropped it two or three times from waist height (accidentally) and it still works 13" M1 base model is all anyone needs! I use 16GB RAM but that was a paranoia purchase - it isn't needed because the processor is God.
Nice computer, Mitch! That computer has serious horsepower. This line of MBP is the best line in years, for sure. I have a 2019 MBP, so I'm not likely to be updating for at least 3 more years, at least. I love it, but the new laptops are definitely better.
Hey Mitch, thank you for breaking down the new Mac Pro and it's capabilities for musicians and music producers:)! Always great reviews from SWEETWATER...
Definitely want to make the switch to MacOS but not just yet. I’ve began saving with the 2023 M2 Pro/Max chipped MacBook Pro’s in mind. Hopefully by then most of the software/compatibility issues will be resolved :)
I picked up the 16 inch with the 32core GPU and 32gb of ram since my best friend bought a M1 pro 14 inch the day they came out. I used his machine for 1 day and realized I had to have the 16 inch since I’m blind as a bat. The M1 max just destroyed the 2019 i9 5600M MacBook I was using. The latency is lower with thunderbolt interfaces since the drives are 3 times faster and thunderbolt interfaces can write directly to disk without touching the ram. USB Interfaces won’t see any benefit in latency sadly. The other benefit I have found is the screen is so much better than anything I have ever used. I use to always plug my MacBook up to an external monitor but not anymore plus it’s brighter than the older models. I really like the 2021 MacBook Pro.
@@jjellen5804 Oh yea my friends 14 inch holds up very well with its M1 pro. I just needed the extra graphics horsepower of the M1 Max since I edit videos for a local tv station. Also I have really poor eye sight and the larger the screen the easier it is for me to see.
@@DaveSchulze I just got the 32gb and 1 terabyte SSD. Basically the base model M1 Max 16 inch Macbook pro. The reason I went with the 16 inch over the 14 is the much larger 100 watt hour battery and better cooling. Plus I'm blind as a bat and the 16 inch is easier to see. But it has been rock solid. It's a powerhouse machine that is portable and runs at full power even on battery so I get the exact same performance if I'm plugged in or not.
@@joesalyers Oh thanks I now see RAM in the original post. I’m looking at the Max 24/32GB/2-4TB. Which I’m sure is overkill. My research seems that Pro 16/16-32GB/1-2TB would work fine. Mostly audio. Little video. But I tend to overbuy out of a need for safety and satiety.
I have several videos out testing the new M1Pro’s. I agree that these machines are incredible, but it’s not all roses, there are lots of issues with Monterey. Most of soundtoys don’t work in unsupported DAW’s. Only a couple of Slate plugins work. Avid’s own professional plugins package does not work. Anyone making the move now, know there are growing pains, to me they are worth it, but only each user can assess that. I personally see zero needs for 98% of home studios to buy more than the Pro, the gains in the Max vs Pro are marginal for audio work. Same goes with more than 32GB Ram, to me that’s the max a person needs and most will more than fine with 16.
I'm actually interested to hear where the gains of Max vs Pro for audio are, could you elaborate? Considering they're all extra GPU cores which I'm certain almost no audio plugin uses aside from the UI.
@@BarryJohns thank you! I only do about mid weight video editing so I think the Pro would do, but wanted to see if it made a difference audio wise for the final decision. M1 Pro 16 gb it is for me I think! Thanks for the response, appreciate it!
Probably one of the best overviews of the M1 MBP laptops I’ve seen. I”m pondering my need to get a Pro or Max MBP, but this is all good to know from a music pro’s perspective. Seen your videos for years Mick, and you do an awesome job; no less awesome here. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
It's a big jump over the original M1 chip but the single core performance is the same. And it is the single core performance that is most important for us musicians. Also the memory isn't faster it's just more throughput. Which is a video thing. They need to do that for the GPU. Those things need a lot of memory bandwidth. I'm not sure us music folk benefit that much from the M1Pro/Max. The memory cap is one argument for going pro however as is the storage cap and storage type. The SSD storage on the Pro/Max is quite a lot faster than what's offered on the M1 so if you have a lot of sample libraries this might be a reason to go Pro/Max. The extra cores will give you a higher total track count but I don't think this is an issue for most people anyway since the M1 under real world conditions will probably take you to 200+ tracks with hundreds of plugins anyway. Still, great review Mitch. Much appreciated.
Oops. The number of external displays supported is a function of the chip--Pro vs Max--not the size of the display. If you get the Max chip in the 14", you get the four external displays. The only difference is if you get the 32 GPU cores: then the maximum clock frequency of the GPU is reduced from about 1296MHz to about 1100MHz. Thus, it's probably wise to get the 24 GPU cores with the 14" (you save money and power and get about the same performance).
Using M1 Max 32GB 4TB MacBook here, Cubase 10.5 runs very smoothly, Logic on the other hand is a little buggy. Also all the VST plugins work in cubase but some AU plugins don’t work in Logic. I’m running everything thru Rosetta. Only thing I miss is Virtual Guitarist 2 which is a 32bit plugin.
Hey Vadim, I'm considering buying the M1 Pro MacBook for music production, I use Logic and a good amount of my daily plug-ins are not M1 native yet. I'm a bit worried if I should invest or wait. When you say it's running well on Rosetta: Do you have Logic entirely running through Rosetta with all plug-ins running in emulation? Or is logic running natively on M1 with only the non-native plug-ins using Rosetta in the same session? Sorry for the long question but I'm a bit worried about what mode I should use and how good it is before purchasing.
@@markahmadieh7003 Logic is native, so I'm sure all the included plugins are too. Plugins that aren't included, you'd have to check with each company to check.
Tests dating back to the m1 show running crazy amounts of plugins is not really an issue, and the pro and max versions are lots faster. I would have found it more interesting had you expanded a bit on the why of the 64GB RAM; like which use cases need that amount of memory? I'm waiting for the new mac minis to come out since I do not need a laptop, and still not sure about 32 or 64GB of RAM (also with the future in mind)
If you don’t already know that you need 64gb of RAM it’s very likely that you don’t need it. The main use case would be very large sample libraries which store a lot of info in memory. But the SSDs are so fast in the machine that the computer can easily swap memory to the SSD without much performance loss. In reality 16gb of RAM is likely fine for most genres of production.
Another nice thing: you can use higher oversampling in some important plugins. For example, with standardclip, I can easily always use 32x on my master or 2 bus. With my old Intel machine, I might be able to use 8x. Sometimes, in simpler projects, I can get away with 64x. That's not really necessary, but it's fun to see it working.
14:00 "so far over the top, the numbers are almost ludicrous" yes wowww ..however.. the Real World Test these days is not only music production, but also live streaming video in 1080P or even 4K to both youtube+twitch at the same time while live audio is processing through channels.. while simultaneously driving either 1 or 2 external displays at 4K too. That is actually the daily real world situation now.
Just ordered the base model 16” M1 Pro .. 512gb is a bit low, but I have a spare 2TB M2 drive that only needs an external Thunderbolt 3 enclosure, which should be plenty fast for anything I throw at it… not as fast as internal storage, but audio ain’t that picky.
Listening to Mitch describe what he's doing in these sessions feels like hearing an alien talk about music production in 2122. My god...I'd love to see a similar video with what he can do with a macbook air too.
Hey Mitch. Client of Paul Lea for years. Thanks for the analysis. I'm running a Dolby Atmos room and waiting for the next gen Mac Pro. Running everything here scoring and mixing large projects even with my old Mac Pro trash can, but need to update next year.
Ps Using the same tracks with the same settings in all plugins doesn’t tax any cpu anything. Use 500 different tracks and use the plugins normally. Then you will get correct result. //Developer
Hi, Christian. I’m not sure I understand your comment. I made 1,000 individual audio files, and loaded them into separate tracks, and then put plug-ins on each track. I don’t believe the settings on the plug-ins matters for CPU usage - clearly the machine was being loaded down as more and more tracks/plug-ins were added? Thanks, Mitch
Thing is, there are no interfaces yet (as of Oct 2022) that run Thunderbolt 4. You have to get a Thunderbolt 3 interface, or something else and some adaptors. UGH!
Thanks for the comprehensive and clear coverage of these topics! Your "How Do I Know?" and "Native vs Rosetta" sections were very valuable. Thanks for showing me why I'm able to use non-native AU plug-ins in DAWs running natively, I had noticed I could do that but didn't know where that magic was being handled.
Hi Mitch! I really enjoy your videos and have learned SO much from them. However, I take issue here because of the specs on your MacBook. 64GB RAM? 4TB hard drive? That must be one amazing notebook and I am totally jealous! However, not everyone who watches these videos has that kind of $ to spend on a notebook. For me, and I am sure many others are who watch Sweetwater videos and buy gear from them are, music is more of a hobby than a full-time profession. What I was hoping for was a review of a mid range M1 MacBook Pro. How well would a 16”, 16MB, 1TB MacBook Pro perform with a dozen or so VST instruments? That is a system that can be purchased through various retailers; in fact, I bought one with those exact spec today and Studio One is currently installing on it. I have 60 days to find out if it fits my needs. Being a LONG time Windows user, I may need all 60 as the OS is a big change from Windows - maybe I’ll write a book on my experiences in the changeover - except that would take time away from writing music. Thanks again for all you do here, and I am looking forward to your next video.
The only MacBook Pro I could find available at Best Buy was the 16inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro Chip, 16gb Ram & 1TB SSD. Now I really wanted one with 32gb of ram but do you think 16gb will be enough for me. I like using soft synths like omnisphere & the Komplete collection. Thanks
Simple answer. Hell yes it is. I have had my M1 MBP for a year now and it’s simply amazing. In the past year, I’ve only had one crash and I might have done it to myself I think. I can’t remember what happened. These systems are reliable unlike any Windows PC, quick, stable and macOS is safer than Windows. I don’t use antivirus on macOS because I don’t see the need for it. Windows, you need all the protection you can get.
please list the "architect" app link -described at 8:09 - the Mac App Store lists CAD apps, but not the one in the video. A google search also did not list
Hi Mark, the app is “ArchiChect.” I got it from here: en.freedownloadmanager.org/Mac-OS/ArchiChect-FREE.html But there are many places you can download it.
do not buy these without doing research on m1 or Rosetta support on your essential or must have plugins. I took mine back to apple because I did not and most of the plugins that I love to use (and need) were not supported on not only the Mac OS version, but were not M1 or Rosetta compatible. I do recommend these for music prod but only if your stuff is compatible
i cannot believe i cant find a single video that loads a realistic track count with NATIVE linear phase eq's or oversampling plugins to push the cpu to it's knee's........., you know, a real world test!🤦🏻♂️
This will be the Coup De Grace of Pro Tools for users that "only" purchased Pro Tools 11 or 12 without the ridiculous continual yearly charges for what should be free updates. I'd buy the computer otherwise. That would mean learn Reaper (eliminates need for super computer), or buy the annual Pro Tools subscription models. Reaper and a PC is infinitely cheaper.
Mitch, is it recommended to update to 12.2 ? I installed all Apps and plug ins under 12.1 und most works fine. But I ask myself if 12.2 is optimized or if some plug ins have to be updated.
I am looking to get one! I am between 16'' M1 Pro or go for the 14'' M1 Max (I can't afford the Max on 16'') ... do you think for music production in logic x and design tools like adobe illustrator and photoshop the pro is enough? Or the MAX will benefit? I worry about overheat and less battery. Thanks!
as someone who owns the m1 pro I can't recommend these m1 chips my daw crashes daily steinberg interface doesn't work and the mouse is just glitchy bought it brand new too. a 2019 i5 Mac book pro works better then these m1 chips
Unfortunately, people just don't understand how powerful and efficient these SOC's are. Mitch could have easily went with an M1 or M1 pro. If an M1 is equivalent of a maxed out $3,000+ Intel Mac... Plus, you are losing battery efficiency on the MAX models (due to extra GPU resources) shown in tests.
Thanks for listening to Mitch’s thoughts on the Apple M1 Max! Hit that subscribe button to stay up to date with the latest studio & recording news 🤘
Hi Sweetwater. I know you don't sell Surface laptops, but would you guys be able to do this type of video for the Surface Laptop Studio?
Mitch: "Here is how the computer deals with real-world test"
Also Mitch: "Here's 500 compressors"
9:49 Just a point of clarification, that 3.19% CPU usage for the AU hosting process for x86 plugins is _not_ 3.19% of your total available performance. The number is the percentage use of one CPU core.
Good Point!
Dayum
One thing missed on most reviews is the point that this is a portable machine. Not luggable from power socket to power socket like PC laptops. You get all the speed on battery power. If you can figure out how to use this in your business to gain advantage over your competitors...
After all these years working on windows pc for music production I decided to purchase the M1 max pro I’m very impressed what Apple have done this is the best MacBook Pro in decades
Wait... Which one did you get? The M1 Pro or the M1 Max?
they are great laptops! i still find the first release M1 more than suitable for basic music production (hip hop/trap)
'goes back to sleep'
@@trapbeatproducer how come? This one should be more power full and less noisy
@@User-ik2kc also the 2020 M1 is silent
i bought it in august 2021 and have never heard a noise from it. whatever i do with it isn't enough to cause stress or heat
You left out the most important information. What PC hardware were you running and why did you switch? Software is usually the primary reason. Running Windows 10 or 11 with the most current hardware is the only fair comparison vs. Apple’s M1 Pro and Max.
THIS is the M1 review I've been waiting for TBH. Most other reviews focus on how it handles video... much more rare to see a solid in depth pro audio review.
Quite literally the best review of this computer for musicians on UA-cam.
I decided to make the switch from PC to mac a while back, and made the switch a few days ago since any potential problems I read about with monterey still seemed to pale in comparison to the Performance issues of my Dell XPS 9570, which I had done every possible real time audio optimization possible, except for disabling ACPI driver. Im running pro tools 2021.12 and have had zero problems. UAD console works flawlessly, all my fab filter, soundtoys, xfer, spectrasonics, waves, AIR stock plugins work. Ive been running sessions at 32 buffer 48k, with not a single pop/click or dropout while recording 16 tracks with heavy plugins. The only problem I encounted was in pro tools there is a new feature in hardware setup that forces plugins to perform better for low latency, which resulted in a pop/clicks hailstorm. After disabling this there has been not a single pop/click or dropout.
Idk. 16 tracks isn’t really a lot though .
I’m curious what 40 vocal tracks (background vocals / layering)
Many guitar tracks , again layered .
Steven slate Modeling mic plugins on all the guitar tracks and some vocals maybe .
Steven slate drums or other drum emulation software .
Synths
All these tracks with compressors and reverbs, delays, saturation , etc.
How the latency is recording on something like that.
Using native instruments sounds and omnisphere .
I wonder how it can handle all of that on the spot. Tweaking and changing settings, not just playback, but actually using the plugins and mixing .
Iv seen people maxing out their cpu kinda easily when actually using it . Maybe because of the Rosetta and also the fact the cpu works on ram aswell.
I’d rather have a powerful cpu not touch the ram . People tend to run out of cpu faster than ram .
I rather spend more on ram seperatey .
As of now idk if it’s worth having issues with native instruments and ilok apps, etc . It’s been a while since the m1 came out. Almost two years? That’s a long time . Doesn’t seem like a worthwhile risk for anyone using anything prior with big serious projects
This was a generous time offering from Mitch. As a composer who cannot proceed with my current MBP, these new computers are a relief. My advice to anyone using big orchestral libraries is to get at least 2 TB SSD; 64 RAM and run the libraries from there. I ordered Max, 64, 2TB (but I'm sorry I didn't order 4TB after looking at this vid)
Why waste money on all that storage when you can run your libraries externally through TB4 which basically would allow almost no lag in the same way internal does? Storage upgrades are the worst bang for buck, unless you ABSOLUTELY need to score huge while orchestras on the go and can't be bothered carrying extra ssds.
External SSDs will save you money. I have the 1TB 16in and I have 2 SSDs (1x2TB + 1x4TB) that I never need to disconnect, even when traveling with my laptop.
How? Never under estimate the power of 3M Command/velcro strips. I bought a MBP case and placed a few strips on the lid closest to the 2 ports on the left, as well as the 2 SSDs and usb c/a hub.
I have the 4TB and hub connected to the 2 MBP ports, and the 2TB connected to the hub.
The 2TB is partitioned where 1TB is dedicated for Time Machine backups.
The 4TB is for sessions/sample libraries, AE projects, etc.
When it's time to roll, the only thing I need to disconnect is the magsafe.
considering a new laptop but hold off for now. First I hear some audio apps are still having issues with Monterey and the new M1 series Mac can not run old versions of OSX. I still think for audio no need for the M1 Max it's really focused on video and AI.
Rumours have it a M1 Pro Mac Mini isn't that far off, so I might wait awhile for it. A Mac Mini with a M1 Pro and 64GB RAM and large monitor would be a good setup for me instead of a laptop.
I upgraded from my old mid 2014 MacBook Pro to the 2021 16 inch M1 Pro and it’s been a beast for what I do, which is just guitar session work and some personal use entertainment.
sounds good! if it wasn't for the screen size, i bet the 13" M1 would do the same tasks
i really believe in the base M1 because of all the stress tests online! nice purchase nevertheless! you won't need to upgrade again for years!
Tha amount of displays supported doesn’t depend on the size of the MacBook but on the chip, the m1pro supports 2while the M1 max up to 4, both chips can be in either of the Mac sizes.
I’m waiting for the new Mac mini in 2022 and have been keeping tabs on the capability along the way. This was all great information, thank you.
I just bought this fully stocked Apple M1 Max and it's worth every penny, I thought I was the only one still using a MacBook Pro from the Mid 2014 😂 but it was a monster of a machine. I too waited for something with connectivity for my peripherals... this M1 Max flies like a bat outta hell... what a beast!
I have a 2014 that I’m finally replacing 😂
Mid 2012 here👋🏾
The M1 in the Air already does everything you need it to do with music production. Anything more is a nice to have in my opinion. The 16 is great because of how big the screen is
I am looking to get one! I am between 16'' M1 Pro or go for the 14'' M1 Max (I can't afford the Max on 16'') ... do you think for music production in logic x and design tools like adobe illustrator and photoshop the pro is enough? Or the MAX will benefit? I worry about overheat and less battery. Thanks!
That’s good news. It’s probably cheaper too
Unless you're doing any heavy graphics related stuff, the Max isn't worth it at all. The only difference between the Pro and the Max is that the Max has more gpu cores (better for graphics). For general music and audio purposes, definitely go with the Pro.
you get way more ram with the max
If you want 64GB's pf RAM you have to get the max.
RAM is dead in a mac. Look at the 8GB RAM MacBook M1 Air stress tests on youtube
I basically should have bought an M1 Air for music production - it is powerful af!
Anyone who has seen the MacBook M1 Pro videos will know there is hardly any difference between 8GB and 16GB in the stress tests.
Back in the day we all wanted RAM and saw it as important but it isn't anymore. The processor is king 💪🏽. It is slow at first, like a baby robot but you have to trust it, then it runs at warp speed and you never have to think about it again - just open it and work - close when finished - charge once a week (ish).
64GB is needed in Windows because the operating system is like a crazy woman, getting hot and stressing out with the fans BLAZING when i'm just on eBay
i can't stand Windows since switching to MacBook M1. it's perfect 🥺❤️
@@trapbeatproducer RAM is needed if you're running a lot of virtual instruments (i.e. orchestra, film and tv recording). There is no way around it. I haven't seen any recording musician who uses a bunch of VST's doing stress test videos on UA-cam. They're all audio recordings with a few plug-ins used for reverb, compression, etc. Again, for most musicians the pro would be more than enough with 8 GB.
@@trapbeatproducer I bet you just don't maintain your Windows machine. I use both Windows and Mac OS X and I'm not biased towards any of them.
Just the video I needed as my 2014 retina has topped itself out
Pro Tools buffer size doesn’t affect playback any longer. The low latency buffer is only used by tracks that are record and/or input enabled. All other tracks are always in a high latency/high performance buffer.
Didn’t expect to see this from sweetwater, great idea!
I preordered a 14” m1 MacBook Pro with max specs apart from 2tb hd and a notch down on top graphics mainly just to get 64gb of ram as you did.
I don’t do much video and once I do finally get time to get into more video production, this thing will be old so I’ll be ok
M1 is so powerful, software still cannot catch up even one year past
ive got all music production running M1 natively but you are 100% right!
WhatsApp App and Messenger App both run Rosetta. It does it automatically and I don't notice a change in speed - but there is a definite 2 second delay when opening those apps from scratch.
it has sat under my drivers seat for several laps on the nürburgring race track in germany
i've dropped it two or three times from waist height (accidentally) and it still works
13" M1 base model is all anyone needs! I use 16GB RAM but that was a paranoia purchase - it isn't needed because the processor is God.
That’s good to see that non native plugins seem to run at ease!
Nice computer, Mitch! That computer has serious horsepower. This line of MBP is the best line in years, for sure. I have a 2019 MBP, so I'm not likely to be updating for at least 3 more years, at least. I love it, but the new laptops are definitely better.
Same got a 16inch 19 but might upgrade to the 14inch just because I think the size makes more sense for my use.
God I love Sweetwater, going above and beyond to help musicians as usual!
Hey Mitch, thank you for breaking down the new Mac Pro and it's capabilities for musicians and music producers:)! Always great reviews from SWEETWATER...
I’m going the get this M1 max , I’m currently running a 2012 Mac mini and it can’t run these new updates anymore.
Definitely want to make the switch to MacOS but not just yet. I’ve began saving with the 2023 M2 Pro/Max chipped MacBook Pro’s in mind.
Hopefully by then most of the software/compatibility issues will be resolved :)
There will be no m2 just watch
Wow! Me too! Still got my 2014 15" Macbook Pro 16gb 1TB but it's tough to do everything I want.
13" M1 will be a crazy upgrade
you won't regret it!
Same 2014. Same specs. Starting to dog.
I picked up the 16 inch with the 32core GPU and 32gb of ram since my best friend bought a M1 pro 14 inch the day they came out. I used his machine for 1 day and realized I had to have the 16 inch since I’m blind as a bat. The M1 max just destroyed the 2019 i9 5600M MacBook I was using. The latency is lower with thunderbolt interfaces since the drives are 3 times faster and thunderbolt interfaces can write directly to disk without touching the ram. USB Interfaces won’t see any benefit in latency sadly. The other benefit I have found is the screen is so much better than anything I have ever used. I use to always plug my MacBook up to an external monitor but not anymore plus it’s brighter than the older models. I really like the 2021 MacBook Pro.
Does his 14 inch hold up though?
@@jjellen5804 Oh yea my friends 14 inch holds up very well with its M1 pro. I just needed the extra graphics horsepower of the M1 Max since I edit videos for a local tv station. Also I have really poor eye sight and the larger the screen the easier it is for me to see.
What RAM and SSD sizes did you get? How they holding up?
@@DaveSchulze I just got the 32gb and 1 terabyte SSD. Basically the base model M1 Max 16 inch Macbook pro. The reason I went with the 16 inch over the 14 is the much larger 100 watt hour battery and better cooling. Plus I'm blind as a bat and the 16 inch is easier to see. But it has been rock solid. It's a powerhouse machine that is portable and runs at full power even on battery so I get the exact same performance if I'm plugged in or not.
@@joesalyers Oh thanks I now see RAM in the original post. I’m looking at the Max 24/32GB/2-4TB. Which I’m sure is overkill. My research seems that Pro 16/16-32GB/1-2TB would work fine. Mostly audio. Little video. But I tend to overbuy out of a need for safety and satiety.
I have several videos out testing the new M1Pro’s. I agree that these machines are incredible, but it’s not all roses, there are lots of issues with Monterey. Most of soundtoys don’t work in unsupported DAW’s. Only a couple of Slate plugins work. Avid’s own professional plugins package does not work.
Anyone making the move now, know there are growing pains, to me they are worth it, but only each user can assess that.
I personally see zero needs for 98% of home studios to buy more than the Pro, the gains in the Max vs Pro are marginal for audio work. Same goes with more than 32GB Ram, to me that’s the max a person needs and most will more than fine with 16.
I'm actually interested to hear where the gains of Max vs Pro for audio are, could you elaborate?
Considering they're all extra GPU cores which I'm certain almost no audio plugin uses aside from the UI.
@@RavenSungOfficial the Max is a waste. If you do video editing or heaving coding, then you would see an advantage.
@@BarryJohns thank you! I only do about mid weight video editing so I think the Pro would do, but wanted to see if it made a difference audio wise for the final decision. M1 Pro 16 gb it is for me I think!
Thanks for the response, appreciate it!
Probably one of the best overviews of the M1 MBP laptops I’ve seen. I”m pondering my need to get a Pro or Max MBP, but this is all good to know from a music pro’s perspective. Seen your videos for years Mick, and you do an awesome job; no less awesome here. Thank you and Happy Holidays!
UPDATE - Just ordered mine; can’t wait! But, gotta wait about 6-8 weeks anyway.
It's a big jump over the original M1 chip but the single core performance is the same. And it is the single core performance that is most important for us musicians. Also the memory isn't faster it's just more throughput. Which is a video thing. They need to do that for the GPU. Those things need a lot of memory bandwidth. I'm not sure us music folk benefit that much from the M1Pro/Max. The memory cap is one argument for going pro however as is the storage cap and storage type. The SSD storage on the Pro/Max is quite a lot faster than what's offered on the M1 so if you have a lot of sample libraries this might be a reason to go Pro/Max. The extra cores will give you a higher total track count but I don't think this is an issue for most people anyway since the M1 under real world conditions will probably take you to 200+ tracks with hundreds of plugins anyway. Still, great review Mitch. Much appreciated.
Oops. The number of external displays supported is a function of the chip--Pro vs Max--not the size of the display. If you get the Max chip in the 14", you get the four external displays. The only difference is if you get the 32 GPU cores: then the maximum clock frequency of the GPU is reduced from about 1296MHz to about 1100MHz. Thus, it's probably wise to get the 24 GPU cores with the 14" (you save money and power and get about the same performance).
Using M1 Max 32GB 4TB MacBook here, Cubase 10.5 runs very smoothly, Logic on the other hand is a little buggy. Also all the VST plugins work in cubase but some AU plugins don’t work in Logic. I’m running everything thru Rosetta. Only thing I miss is Virtual Guitarist 2 which is a 32bit plugin.
Apple has told developers for years that 32 bit was going away. Really no reason they shouldn't be 64 bit now.
Hey Vadim, I'm considering buying the M1 Pro MacBook for music production, I use Logic and a good amount of my daily plug-ins are not M1 native yet. I'm a bit worried if I should invest or wait. When you say it's running well on Rosetta: Do you have Logic entirely running through Rosetta with all plug-ins running in emulation? Or is logic running natively on M1 with only the non-native plug-ins using Rosetta in the same session?
Sorry for the long question but I'm a bit worried about what mode I should use and how good it is before purchasing.
@@markahmadieh7003 Logic is native, so I'm sure all the included plugins are too. Plugins that aren't included, you'd have to check with each company to check.
Been eyeing those same specs. Assume it’s way more than enough?
I bought My MacBook Pro April 10, 2010 still working!
Hi. I'm a Sweetwater and Mad fan. Thank you. Helpful video.
Hi, Sweetwater. Thanks for the video, Man. I am upgrading imminently. Wow, amazing!
Tests dating back to the m1 show running crazy amounts of plugins is not really an issue, and the pro and max versions are lots faster. I would have found it more interesting had you expanded a bit on the why of the 64GB RAM; like which use cases need that amount of memory? I'm waiting for the new mac minis to come out since I do not need a laptop, and still not sure about 32 or 64GB of RAM (also with the future in mind)
If you don’t already know that you need 64gb of RAM it’s very likely that you don’t need it. The main use case would be very large sample libraries which store a lot of info in memory. But the SSDs are so fast in the machine that the computer can easily swap memory to the SSD without much performance loss. In reality 16gb of RAM is likely fine for most genres of production.
Another nice thing: you can use higher oversampling in some important plugins. For example, with standardclip, I can easily always use 32x on my master or 2 bus. With my old Intel machine, I might be able to use 8x. Sometimes, in simpler projects, I can get away with 64x. That's not really necessary, but it's fun to see it working.
Most users don’t even need the M1 Pro/Max. The first-gen M1 MBP is beastly as well and if you run Logic it’s a no-brainer.
when sweetwater start selling macbooks?
You have such a radio announcer voice and I love it. Makes it much easier to parse what you're saying. :)
14:00 "so far over the top, the numbers are almost ludicrous" yes wowww
..however.. the Real World Test these days is not only music production, but also live streaming video in 1080P or even 4K to both youtube+twitch at the same time while live audio is processing through channels.. while simultaneously driving either 1 or 2 external displays at 4K too. That is actually the daily real world situation now.
Fr
Maybe for you, but not for most music producers. Social media does not = music production.
In your case, go for the max video capability.
Mitch, you killed this review. If they ever start giving Emmy’s for UA-cam reviews, you’d get one for this video.
Just ordered the base model 16” M1 Pro .. 512gb is a bit low, but I have a spare 2TB M2 drive that only needs an external Thunderbolt 3 enclosure, which should be plenty fast for anything I throw at it… not as fast as internal storage, but audio ain’t that picky.
Listening to Mitch describe what he's doing in these sessions feels like hearing an alien talk about music production in 2122. My god...I'd love to see a similar video with what he can do with a macbook air too.
Hey Mitch. Client of Paul Lea for years. Thanks for the analysis. I'm running a Dolby Atmos room and waiting for the next gen Mac Pro. Running everything here scoring and mixing large projects even with my old Mac Pro trash can, but need to update next year.
I’m sure you’ll have a coronary episode once you c what the new Mar Pro can due.😳😆😆🥴
Ps
Using the same tracks with the same settings in all plugins doesn’t tax any cpu anything. Use 500 different tracks and use the plugins normally. Then you will get correct result. //Developer
Hi, Christian. I’m not sure I understand your comment. I made 1,000 individual audio files, and loaded them into separate tracks, and then put plug-ins on each track. I don’t believe the settings on the plug-ins matters for CPU usage - clearly the machine was being loaded down as more and more tracks/plug-ins were added?
Thanks,
Mitch
Thing is, there are no interfaces yet (as of Oct 2022) that run Thunderbolt 4. You have to get a Thunderbolt 3 interface, or something else and some adaptors. UGH!
This video made me hyped for next gen mac mini! Hopefully Cubase 12 will be fully compatible with m1 chips.
Thanks for the comprehensive and clear coverage of these topics! Your "How Do I Know?" and "Native vs Rosetta" sections were very valuable. Thanks for showing me why I'm able to use non-native AU plug-ins in DAWs running natively, I had noticed I could do that but didn't know where that magic was being handled.
One of the most mature videos on the topic.
When I see Mitch I know this video's gonna be solid.
Excellent explanations for the mere musicians !
Hi Mitch! I really enjoy your videos and have learned SO much from them. However, I take issue here because of the specs on your MacBook. 64GB RAM? 4TB hard drive? That must be one amazing notebook and I am totally jealous! However, not everyone who watches these videos has that kind of $ to spend on a notebook. For me, and I am sure many others are who watch Sweetwater videos and buy gear from them are, music is more of a hobby than a full-time profession.
What I was hoping for was a review of a mid range M1 MacBook Pro. How well would a 16”, 16MB, 1TB MacBook Pro perform with a dozen or so VST instruments? That is a system that can be purchased through various retailers; in fact, I bought one with those exact spec today and Studio One is currently installing on it. I have 60 days to find out if it fits my needs. Being a LONG time Windows user, I may need all 60 as the OS is a big change from Windows - maybe I’ll write a book on my experiences in the changeover - except that would take time away from writing music.
Thanks again for all you do here, and I am looking forward to your next video.
What’s the long term review on this setup?
Love your style
Mitch . Thanks for the low down .
on the macbook pro max .
The only MacBook Pro I could find available at Best Buy was the 16inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro Chip, 16gb Ram & 1TB SSD. Now I really wanted one with 32gb of ram but do you think 16gb will be enough for me. I like using soft synths like omnisphere & the Komplete collection. Thanks
How’s it holding up to Omnisphere and K13 w those specs?
If I ever see Mitch Gallagher in a bar, I’m covering his tab and we are both getting loaded. Fully Loaded.
Simple answer. Hell yes it is. I have had my M1 MBP for a year now and it’s simply amazing. In the past year, I’ve only had one crash and I might have done it to myself I think. I can’t remember what happened. These systems are reliable unlike any Windows PC, quick, stable and macOS is safer than Windows. I don’t use antivirus on macOS because I don’t see the need for it. Windows, you need all the protection you can get.
On my list. Probably in a couple years
Good info. Wonder what u think about m1 ultra?
Very insightful post. Thanks.
Why would anyone spend the money on a m1 max for audio production , all you need is a base m1 it’s not like your doin g 8k raw video editing
please list the "architect" app link -described at 8:09 - the Mac App Store lists CAD apps, but not the one in the video. A google search also did not list
Hi Mark, the app is “ArchiChect.” I got it from here:
en.freedownloadmanager.org/Mac-OS/ArchiChect-FREE.html
But there are many places you can download it.
How did you upgrade RAM on a Macbook Pro???
That machine is insane. I'll purchase mine in next spring.
do not buy these without doing research on m1 or Rosetta support on your essential or must have plugins. I took mine back to apple because I did not and most of the plugins that I love to use (and need) were not supported on not only the Mac OS version, but were not M1 or Rosetta compatible. I do recommend these for music prod but only if your stuff is compatible
vst plug-ins don't work on macos since like yosemite
@@memes_gbc674 all mine worked fine before this one on intel macs
What a Pro review. Thnx a lot. I just ordered mine
This presenter is really awesome.
Great voice and professionalism.
A thousand tracks? What samplerate?
Here is to the next five years, Cheers
This is excellent - better than most tech channels!
…so what is the price for this exact machine in this video? It is not listed at the sweetwater site with the 4tb drive.
Thanks for the insightful video! Yet, although this piece of software is very new, exotic and niche- Cubase?
🧸💕🕹🎸
It seemed pretty slow loading some of the processes.
Thanks Mitch, that is one impressive laptop!
16 ms buffer is now the load test
i cannot believe i cant find a single video that loads a realistic track count with NATIVE linear phase eq's or oversampling plugins to push the cpu to it's knee's........., you know, a real world test!🤦🏻♂️
A very polished and informative review. Thanks for making this.
This will be the Coup De Grace of Pro Tools for users that "only" purchased Pro Tools 11 or 12 without the ridiculous continual yearly charges for what should be free updates. I'd buy the computer otherwise. That would mean learn Reaper (eliminates need for super computer), or buy the annual Pro Tools subscription models. Reaper and a PC is infinitely cheaper.
Awesome Video, supremely informative! Many thanks 🙏
Several DAWs are M1 native: proceeds to name every DAW under the sun but Logic Pro X.
I got the apollo x8! however I am still waiting for the new m1 mac mini's to use it!
Best music production review of the new MacBooks. Thanks.
How many synths can you run ?
Mine will be here next week
MY MOUTH literally DROPPED.... WOW....!!!!!!!
Just ordered mine. A little pricey but my other one was stolen. Now I’m starting from scratch
UA is behind on keeping up to date with the macOS and hardware according to some forums.
Mitch, is it recommended to update to 12.2 ? I installed all Apps and plug ins under 12.1 und most works fine. But I ask myself if 12.2 is optimized or if some plug ins have to be updated.
I am looking to get one! I am between 16'' M1 Pro or go for the 14'' M1 Max (I can't afford the Max on 16'') ... do you think for music production in logic x and design tools like adobe illustrator and photoshop the pro is enough? Or the MAX will benefit? I worry about overheat and less battery. Thanks!
WOW! thanks for all this info! it was really helpful!
This guy does great reviews. To the point.
Brilliant review Mitch ! Thank you
It’s called a quantum leap for these new macs
Nice presentation, as always. I’m waiting for the M2 version with 10G Ethernet.
Use a usb C adapter?
as someone who owns the m1 pro I can't recommend these m1 chips my daw crashes daily steinberg interface doesn't work and the mouse is just glitchy bought it brand new too. a 2019 i5 Mac book pro works better then these m1 chips
Incredible review! Thank you for making this. This earned my subscription
is there is a non laptop equivalent? like Mac Mini or Mac Pro?
Exactly what I needed to know! Thanks!
Unfortunately, people just don't understand how powerful and efficient these SOC's are. Mitch could have easily went with an M1 or M1 pro. If an M1 is equivalent of a maxed out $3,000+ Intel Mac... Plus, you are losing battery efficiency on the MAX models (due to extra GPU resources) shown in tests.