New MacBook Pro and Virtual Piano Software

David B

Apple recently released their second generation M1 processors (M1 Pro/M1 Max). I have not owned an M1 Mac yet. I currently use a 2018 Mac mini i5 to run my virtual libraries (mostly VSL and VI Labs) and I'm very happy with it. I need to learn contentment. 😀

I've decided to trade in my 2018 i5 Mac mini and my current 2020 MacBook Air i5 for a new base model MacBook Pro 14". I'm also using some continuing education money that's available from my employer. Therefore, the cost out of pocket is negligible.

I remember Gene posting on PW that his 1st gen M1 MacBook Air worked good with Garritan running through Rosetta. I also found a thread on the VSL forum where the general consensus was it worked with Rosetta. VSL does plan to make ARM-based version of their software to run natively with the M1 chips.

Does anyone here have experience with Apple's M1 and virtual libraries? I'm particularly interested in VSL, but any experience would be appreciated. Thanks for the help.

God Bless,
David

CyberGene

Yes, Garritan CFX works through Rosetta on my MacBook Air M1, although I have to close all other applications and do some anecdotal stuff such as connect it to the power adapter, etc.

Other than that it has mind-blowing performance! 😲 When you take in mind it's a thin notebook with passive cooling that can endure an entire day of my daily job (Java software development) on batteries and not even get hot during the most demanding tasks.

I also purchased Apple Logic Pro X to use for recordings and computer music (mostly synth arrangements, etc.) and I'm very happy with it.

And I'm pretty sure the MacBook Pro 14" will be so much better, having in mind it's a serious machine with (what they say is) a few times more powerful CPU and active cooling.

David B

CyberGene Other than that it has mind-blowing performance!

The MacBook Pro will double as my work and hobby machine. I'm not sure how I will like that, but I felt the new Pro's with the added ports, upgraded screen, and 2 gen M1's justified the transition out of x86.

Work is mostly light stuff i.e., Keynote, pages, text based research apps, and occasional video editing. The additional ports are very helpful because I'm always connecting to different projectors/monitors, using wireless remotes, etc. I won't need anymore adaptors.

The demanding work will be running the virtual instruments. The 2018 i5 Mac mini did it just fine, but I couldn't afford the upgrade without sacrificing the mini. Hopefully the Pro will do as good or better than the mini.

God Bless,
David

David B

I'm keeping my MacBook M1 Pro but only using it primarily for work now. I just acquired the new Mac mini M2 Pro (32 GB ram/ 2 TB SSD) and I'm using that at home for work/fun/piano libraries. I'm impressed at home much difference ram makes. My MacBook M1 Pro with 16 GB of ram struggled with the VSL software @ 64 latency. However, the M2 Pro with 32 GB doesn't even break a sweat with the latency set at 64 (running 5 VSL mics).

Really impressed with this little machine. Lots of I/O ports, runs very cool, small footprint, and cheaper than the other products in their lineup. 👍

God Bless,
David

OlivierW

I've just bought the new mac mini M2 pro base model (With 16 Gb and 512 SSD with 2+1 To external SSD).

A dream. Those silicon M(x) are very good even with Intel emulation, but 16 Gb of ram is the most important spec.

Regards,

Olivier

David B

OlivierW Yeah, I could have got by with less SSD space. I've filled 1 of the 2 TB and it's mostly with virtual pianos that I don't use anymore. ☹️

The Mac mini is an awesome little machine. It's rockin' everything I throw at.

God Bless,
David

kawafanboi

David B

david how much pianoteq load can you get on that new CPU ? can pianoteq saturate it, if you abuse it and hit all 256 ?😃 mush as many keys at once as possible ?

David B

kawafanboi david how much pianoteq load can you get on that new CPU ? can pianoteq saturate it, if you abuse it and hit all 256 ?😃 mush as many keys at once as possible ?

Not even close. 256 polyphony, 64 latency, glissando up and down all the keys (pedal down reaching all 256) and the audio load in Pianoteq shows maybe 50%.

I don't think there is a VST on the market that can stump this little guy. 😀

God Bless,
David

CyberGene

256 keys of Pianoteq at the same time?! Can be used instead of medieval torture devices: 🪚🪓🗜️⛓️

kawafanboi

CyberGene

i managed to stall out what i thought was an older powerful pc, 5ghz 4790k 🙃

CyberGene

kawafanboi I didn’t mean the PC. I don’t care for electronics. Poor listener though.

vagfilm

Is the mini m2 still fanless?

David B

vagfilm Is the mini m2 still fanless?

I redid the video again so you can see the Temp/fan speed. It never gets above idle.

Mac mini is king!

David B

Here is the proof. Mac CPU monitors on top.

https://youtu.be/AodKbC-tQoc

God Bless,
David

Frédéric L

I have tried a piece of music with heavy pedal (Appassionata), with a VST which displays the used polyphony, and the maximum was around 120.

I guess 256 is more than useful.

(I remember a PW thread about polyphony where I have proposed a piece rendered with various polyphony… including 4 !)

kawafanboi

extremely impressive cpu.