PT Logic

Should I update on Intel or Upgrade to Silicon

willnubu

willnubu

Logician
I have a 2019 iMac, 21.5”, i7, 3.2ghz, 16gb ram, Fusion Drive (32 GB SSD & 1Tb HDD). I want to use the latest Logic, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea to update my macOS (10.14.6) to macOS 11 giving the specs I have or should I upgrade to a newer Apple Silicon . What do you think?
 
Your current iMac should be fine to update. If it does what you need, you can update. If it is reacing its performance limits, a newer M1 Mac would be faster. One thing to bear in mind - if you are relying on any 32 bit Apps, they will not run if you go beyond Mojave, it was the last MacOS version which still supported 32 bit code.

kind regards

Mark
 
It maybe the fusion drive that’s the concern to me. Every time I do some heavy audio processing (RX 9 music rebalance), I can hear the fusion drive or fan working loud.
 
Hmm, are you running a lot of audio files on the fusion drive? As a rule of thumb, if your system drive is rotating, have your user files on a separate external drive, these days a USB-C or Thunderbolt connected SSD would make sense.

kind regards

Mark
 
Markdvc said:
Hmm, are you running a lot of audio files on the fusion drive? As a rule of thumb, if your system drive is rotating, have your user files on a separate external drive, these days a USB-C or Thunderbolt connected SSD would make sense.

kind regards

Mark
Click to expand...
No, I would just hear it on RX9’s music rebalance or using a video converter (ie handbrake to iflick) converting video files (.avi to .m4v). When I used a fusion drive that had 128 gb SSD, I wouldn’t have these problems. That particular fusion drive was in a iMac from 2014.
 
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Is it possible to replace the drive? Not sure about the 21.5" model but AFAIK it is possible in the 2019 27" iMac. A quick SSD could make a lot of difference.

kind regards

Mark
 
Markdvc said:
Hmm, are you running a lot of audio files on the fusion drive? As a rule of thumb, if your system drive is rotating, have your user files on a separate external drive, these days a USB-C or Thunderbolt connected SSD would make sense.

kind regards

Mark
Click to expand...
Hi Mark et al,
Im upgrading from an 'old school' system (7200rpm HDD setup using internal for system and libraries/ ext SSDs for files and backups—ie record internal/store external)

Im curious about the new SoC M1, SSDs, and performance—are we now able to install everything on the internal SSD and record directly to same SSD?

What are the 'new' best practices for DAW in the new "M1 world"? (I only do light tracking maybe up to 12tracks/light plugins/mx of acoustic and software instruments, as well as using same Mac for basic office and teaching work—ie non-dedicated DAW).

any insights upgrading to Apple silicon, Ordering/managing SSDs are great welcome. Thnx
 
For 12 track projects, everything on the internal SSD should not be a problem. The bigger question is the size of your sound/sample libraries? Will they fit on the internal SSD that you select?

A full installation of LPX factory content on a 256GB internal SSD is probably ok, and certainly ok with a 500GB or larger SSD.
At the opposite end, a full installation of Native Instruments Komplete 13 Ultimate Collectors Edition is 790 GB. Of course, users can be selective about what is actually installed.

Edited
My M1 Mini has a 1TB internal SSD for OS, app, LPX factory content, some movie files, important files, etc. I never worry about space. My third party libraries - Komplete, HALion, and Falcon are on a 2TB ext hd. Working projects are saved to a separate drive.

At this time, I still using a 2017 intel MBP with 1TB internal drive with only LPX content (and movies, various files, etc.) and no external drives except to acces archived files. Everything on one Mac no problem.
 
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chapito said:
Im curious about the new SoC M1, SSDs, and performance—are we now able to install everything on the internal SSD and record directly to same SSD?
Click to expand...
I'm still on intel but am aware of some folk who run everything from the internal storage on the newer Macs - Mac Book Pro and Mac Studio. At speeds of I think over 5 GB/sec, it will do most anything, including multiple video streaming, heavy sample library usage etc.
chapito said:
What are the 'new' best practices for DAW in the new "M1 world"? (I only do light tracking maybe up to 12tracks/light plugins/mx of acoustic and software instruments, as well as using same Mac for basic office and teaching work—ie non-dedicated DAW).

any insights upgrading to Apple silicon, Ordering/managing SSDs are great welcome. Thnx
Click to expand...
I would put as much internal storage and RAM in as you can afford. At the same time, Apple internal storage is pretty expensive, for most audio use an external SSD will be fine. I run video off a samsung T7 2 TB connected per USB-C to my 2019 i9 Mac Book Pro, that has been fine with some 4 k Final Cut Pro projects.

kind regards

Mark
 
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