Macbook M1 8GB Ram for Music Production

[MarkJames]

I’m testing out Duet to use an older iPad Pro 12.9” as a touch display. Right now I use a HDMI monitor.

Duet works fine, I have been using for quite some time with my old 2012 Mini, but with latest Mac OS and iPad OS I expected you shouldn't need it, as there is the Mac OS "Sidecar" feature (did you try that?)

On the main topic, @OP: I'd go for 16Gb anyway, for use with Virtual Instruments in general 8Gb is fine but when it comes to recording or using multiple sample-based "heavy" instruments .. better to have some headroom, nowadays and for the future, imo.

Yes, aware of Sidecar - trying to see which works best. Duet also allows for Android tablets to be used.

And I agree, $200 more for double the memory is worth it. I also upgraded to 1TB so I could load up everything and also easily clone to 1TB SSDs.

As I’m only running native M1 apps most of Komplete isn’t loaded yet. Hopefully NI will get that corrected soon.

[NordBanger]

My iMac 24 does just fine with the M1, 8 GB of RAM, 512 GB SSID, 2TB external hard drive. I use Logic Pro. So far so good.

[analogika]

The MacBook Air M1 and the 13" MacBook Pro M1 are essentially the same machine internally. Contrary to the opinion voiced above, I would *definitely* recommend the Pro BECAUSE of the fan.

The Air, being fanless, WILL overheat over long periods of heavy load or in direct sunlight on an outdoor summer stage, and when that happens, it will heavily throttle down to protect the chips, causing the CPU to immediately overload.

The likelihood of this happening with the active cooling (i.e. fan) in the Pro is much smaller.

WWDC starts next week, though — so you might want to wait and see if new machines are announced that shift the playing field.

[Elias]

The Air, being fanless, WILL overheat over long periods of heavy load or in direct sunlight on an outdoor summer stage, and when that happens, it will heavily throttle down to protect the chips, causing the CPU to immediately overload.

I have not tested this nor have I found a test documented online, but from my understanding the passive cooling has not been a bottleneck. Even when the Air is a studio center piece. Not sure how much sunlight would effect it, but would like to test that for sure.

Throttling as far as I know only really accurs during tasks like video rendering, because then you are running both CPUs and GPUs, both pretty much at full power. A few VSTs and their CPU load can momentarily be high, but not as constant.

Of course if money is not a concern, get a Pro 13". Or a 14", even better.

[neomad]

Truly, Macbook air is that powerful? price is really interesting, but I always feel doubtful to use it for something else than office related apps...

Markjames: can you please provide a picture of your M1 Mac Mini in rack? also, wondered how it looks like

I have one of these. The Mini goes on one side:

https://www.sonnettech.com/product/rackmacmini.html

On the other side I put in one of these:

https://satechi.net/products/stand-hub- ... 1828657240

As the cable is built in and short I use a USB-C extension cable. I installed a SATA M.2 drive for Carbon Copy Cloner and also use a 2nd external Sandisk Extreme SSD for CCC.

My old VST PC was 3U this is all in 1U.

I’m testing out Duet to use an older iPad Pro 12.9” as a touch display. Right now I use a HDMI monitor.

Thanks.
By the way, as mentioned, you can use Sidecar, which is a native feature to allow your ipad (newest generations) to be your touch screen. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210380

[neomad]

By the way, I am planning to move onto Gigperformer + Yamaha YC61 (and eventually a 2nd midi keyboard of 76/88 for some gigs). The little Yamaha sounds good, it's easy and light to carry, and in the case of lack of sounds, with just one cable I have access to 4 external different zones + 2nd keyboard to control all. Another option is, with again 1 cable, bring 1 ipad with plenty of sounds. I would not mind to get rid of the Yamaha if gigperformer + decent midi controller works smoothly.

Love the sound of my NS3, truly, but I am really considering it... I am extremely frustrated on the Song Mode of NS3, together with a really few number program slots. The sound management features, the lack of librarian, the limited number of program slots make gigs with different bands a nightmare (I have 2 official bands + some sessions).

For instance: I would love to use the same program (i.e. strings ensemble) in multiple songs, and in each and any song, have a different transposed key, or different effects. Instead? I have 3 or 4 strings ensemble with different keys, depending on the singer (no time to transpose on the fly sometimes).

[analogika]

The Air, being fanless, WILL overheat over long periods of heavy load or in direct sunlight on an outdoor summer stage, and when that happens, it will heavily throttle down to protect the chips, causing the CPU to immediately overload.

I have not tested this nor have I found a test documented online, but from my understanding the passive cooling has not been a bottleneck. Even when the Air is a studio center piece. Not sure how much sunlight would effect it, but would like to test that for sure.

Throttling as far as I know only really accurs during tasks like video rendering, because then you are running both CPUs and GPUs, both pretty much at full power. A few VSTs and their CPU load can momentarily be high, but not as constant.

It obviously depends upon how involved the production is.

Stick a couple of IK tape simulators and some Abbey Road plug-ins across multiple channels, add a few instances of Alchemy or Omnisphere, and you most certainly have "sustained loads" that will run hot and eventually result in throttling.

I also tend to factor in that future needs will increase as developers (and the user) take advantage of the new machines — this 2016 15" MBP got considerably more load over the years.
This probably won't be an issue for office/home use scenarios that the Air was designed for, but it's something to keep in mind when shopping for a production machine.

[StrangeAeons]

Thanks.
By the way, as mentioned, you can use Sidecar, which is a native feature to allow your ipad (newest generations) to be your touch screen. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210380

Sidecar has a severe limitation: it doesn't allow you to freely use your iPad's touch screen. You're limited to the few controls available on the bottom and side bars because, in Apple's view, Sidecar was designed to let you enjoy a second display for your Mac, thus controlling the extra screen with your mouse/trackpad. That's why apps like Duet still make a lot of sense since they allow you to use your fingers in place of your mouse.

[neomad]

Thanks.
By the way, as mentioned, you can use Sidecar, which is a native feature to allow your ipad (newest generations) to be your touch screen. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210380

Sidecar has a severe limitation: it doesn't allow you to freely use your iPad's touch screen. You're limited to the few controls available on the bottom and side bars because, in Apple's view, Sidecar was designed to let you enjoy a second display for your Mac, thus controlling the extra screen with your mouse/trackpad. That's why apps like Duet still make a lot of sense since they allow you to use your fingers in place of your mouse.

I use a pencil for that (which might no be convenient while performing, indeed). I am using a cheap Logitech pencil (and not the ridiculously expensive Apple made). However, I am not able to compare if it is fully functional as Duet (which stopped using it sometime ago, I should re-try may be)

[MarkJames]

Thanks.
By the way, as mentioned, you can use Sidecar, which is a native feature to allow your ipad (newest generations) to be your touch screen. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210380

Sidecar has a severe limitation: it doesn't allow you to freely use your iPad's touch screen. You're limited to the few controls available on the bottom and side bars because, in Apple's view, Sidecar was designed to let you enjoy a second display for your Mac, thus controlling the extra screen with your mouse/trackpad. That's why apps like Duet still make a lot of sense since they allow you to use your fingers in place of your mouse.

The other thing I’m looking for is being able to use my Mini in headless mode. Duet can do this.