Much of the discussion centers around Pianoteq on iOS. I posted there and pointed to this thread, and am doing the reverse here.

My suggestions for Modarrt, for the record:
Stage on iOS; $50 with one instrument included
Upgrade to Standard: $50
Upgrade to Pro: $100 from Stage, $50 from Standard
Individual Instruments: $20

Apple is now also offering developers discounts for subscriptions, and upgrade pricing is available if not simple to implement (see Omni
Groups apps model for example, they are leading the way in this regard: https://support.omnigroup.com/buying-iOS-apps/)

no notable hiccups to report - apple mini still delivering smoothly on a couple logic projects now, all with extensive PTQ7 use - trade off still good, though i will be happy leveraging again UAD DSP /plug-ins for voice / guitar / bass recording - got a "pro" feel that Logic off the shelves tools do no quite achieve - but hey plenty of things to do with shiny new PTQ7 while waiting :-)

One closing comment looking back at major PC / MAC evolutions over time - always strike me to face the same sequence whenever OS / architecture change - do not want to trivialize coping with major changes (and apple move is no small joke) - but the techno / business model shenanigans too often end up with perfect storm for end user such as a good chunk of the industry advise you to 'always run 2 OS behind' - a bit anticlimatic ...

All the more impressive for Modartt / PTQ to run like a charm day 1...kudos

https://motu.com/en-us/news/motu-and-macos-big-sur/

It looks like your MOTU M4 might be a good idea

Thanks Luc.  Much appreciated.

It looks like your MOTU M4 might be a good idea

Focusrite driver support is not good IMO, and will likely send me elsewhere when the time comes to replace my Saffire Pro 26 which won't even work under Mojave

I have only owned my Focusrite 18i20 for a few months so have no clue about their longer term abilities wrt to driver updates etc. To be fair, it appeared that the Mac Mini could see/recognise the Focusrite, I could clearly see it's entry under the USB connections.  It was just the Focusrite Control software told me there was no equipment connected.  Frankly, I have no idea whether it was Big Sur or the new silicon which didn't want to play.

I called Apple tech to try and troubleshoot it but the response was I should have checked all my equipment/software for compatibility conformity before purchase.  Luckily, their returns policy is first class but as I said previously I may have another go a few months' down the line when Logitech and Focusrite have had a chance to look at the M1/Big Sur combos.

PT7 loaded under Rosetta 2 just fine.

BTW - any idea whether MOTO driver support is any better?  I have a MOTU M4 sitting around that I could use at a push.

For those who also own Focusrite audio interfaces, this was the note that the company put out a few days ago:

Update: 24th November 2020

At time of writing Focusrite products are not supported on Apple Silicon-based Mac systems as we are aware of some issues.

Once we have completed verification of the compatibility status of our current products we will update this article, until then we would recommend against relying on using such a system in conjunction with your Focusrite product.

Focusrite driver support is not good IMO, and will likely send me elsewhere when the time comes to replace my Saffire Pro 26 which won't even work under Mojave

A warning though for would be M1 early adopters : I was fortunate keeping a class compliant audio interface as back-up, as my main go to audio interface (UAD) is not compatible yet with uncertain timelines for certified M1/Big sur drivers...

well you cannot have your cake and eat it too i guess - overall, risk/benefit seems to be worth the trouble moving early so far

Agreed Burakim!  I bought a Mac Mini and ended up sending it back a couple of days ago due to incompatibility issues.  Such a shame as it's a lovely piece of kit.  I'll possibly dip my toes again in a few months when other companies have had a chance to try and get to grips with it.

In my case, I had issues with Logitech mouse and keyboard which I could have got around by purchasing Apple M&K but most critical was my Focusrite 18i20 which wouldn't work on the M1 chip (it's fine under Big Sur, it's the silicon that's the issue).  For those who also own Focusrite audio interfaces, this was the note that the company put out a few days ago:

Update: 24th November 2020

At time of writing Focusrite products are not supported on Apple Silicon-based Mac systems as we are aware of some issues.

Once we have completed verification of the compatibility status of our current products we will update this article, until then we would recommend against relying on using such a system in conjunction with your Focusrite product.

A warning though for would be M1 early adopters : I was fortunate keeping a class compliant audio interface as back-up, as my main go to audio interface (UAD) is not compatible yet with uncertain timelines for certified M1/Big sur drivers...

well you cannot have your cake and eat it too i guess - overall, risk/benefit seems to be worth the trouble moving early so far

I am very tempted by one of the new mac minis, so I look forward to finding out whether Pianoteq 7 will work on it. Will the base model be sufficient?

I’m pretty sure the base mac mini would be a blast, not just sufficient. Fast as hell without even hear the noise from the fan. I’m just wondering whether to go for 16gb of ram just for the sake of the machine longevity.

tfort wrote:

Philippe/Julien: are you ready to share any details of your plans for the Mac transition to Apple Silicon?

The current version runs fine on Apple Silicon, thanks to rosetta 2 which works very well. We will publish a x86_64/arm64 universal binary version of Pianoteq very soon.

Does this mean we'd be able to install PTQ7 on iPad Pro?

tfort wrote:

Philippe/Julien: are you ready to share any details of your plans for the Mac transition to Apple Silicon?

The current version runs fine on Apple Silicon, thanks to rosetta 2 which works very well. We will publish a x86_64/arm64 universal binary version of Pianoteq very soon.

Awesome … I've got an M1 MacMini on the way!

julien wrote:

tfort wrote:

Philippe/Julien: are you ready to share any details of your plans for the Mac transition to Apple Silicon?

The current version runs fine on Apple Silicon, thanks to rosetta 2 which works very well. We will publish a x86_64/arm64 universal binary version of Pianoteq very soon.

I concur, this is definitely great to hear, and thank you for your transparency.

Still waiting optimistically for when I can play Pianoteq on a portable controller from my iPad or iPhone, and believing the days isn't too far away...

This would be great. I use an iPad for all my sheet music and chord charts. If I could simultaneously run Pianoteq there as well, that would be perfect.

tfort wrote:

Philippe/Julien: are you ready to share any details of your plans for the Mac transition to Apple Silicon?

The current version runs fine on Apple Silicon, thanks to rosetta 2 which works very well. We will publish a x86_64/arm64 universal binary version of Pianoteq very soon.

I concur, this is definitely great to hear, and thank you for your transparency.

Still waiting optimistically for when I can play Pianoteq on a portable controller from my iPad or iPhone, and believing the days isn't too far away...

tfort wrote:

Philippe/Julien: are you ready to share any details of your plans for the Mac transition to Apple Silicon?

The current version runs fine on Apple Silicon, thanks to rosetta 2 which works very well. We will publish a x86_64/arm64 universal binary version of Pianoteq very soon.

Very much looking forward to arm64. Keep up the good work.