Topic by Heinrich

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  • Heinrich
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  • Registered: 04-10-2018
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Topic: M1 Mac mini considerations

Hello All,

since my current PC that I am using for Pianoteq is becoming unstable, I am looking into buying a used M1 Mac mini.
My questions to those who are using such a machine:
1. Is it fast enough? Even with 128 buffer size, highest polyphony , settings with many mics and effects?
2. How about fan noise? This is very important to me. I am currently using a fanless PC.
3, Will 8G memory be enough? It will not be running any other software except QuickTime when recording a video.

Thanks for your help,

   Heinrich

Reply by dikrek

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  • dikrek
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Re: M1 Mac mini considerations

Heinrich wrote:

Hello All,

since my current PC that I am using for Pianoteq is becoming unstable, I am looking into buying a used M1 Mac mini.
My questions to those who are using such a machine:
1. Is it fast enough? Even with 128 buffer size, highest polyphony , settings with many mics and effects?
2. How about fan noise? This is very important to me. I am currently using a fanless PC.
3, Will 8G memory be enough? It will not be running any other software except QuickTime when recording a video.

Thanks for your help,

   Heinrich

It will be fast enough and then some.

Some things to consider:

It’s already 5 years old, Apple normally stops supporting computers with new versions of the operating system after about 7 years.

8GB RAM is considered low - all new Macs now come standard with 16.

If it’s the 256GB SSD it may not be large enough long term. You can connect external of course.

I wouldn’t buy a Mac with under 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD but that’s my opinion. I do a lot more on mine than Pianoteq

Reply by Heinrich

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  • Heinrich
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Re: M1 Mac mini considerations

dikrek wrote:
Heinrich wrote:

Hello All,

since my current PC that I am using for Pianoteq is becoming unstable, I am looking into buying a used M1 Mac mini.
My questions to those who are using such a machine:
1. Is it fast enough? Even with 128 buffer size, highest polyphony , settings with many mics and effects?
2. How about fan noise? This is very important to me. I am currently using a fanless PC.
3, Will 8G memory be enough? It will not be running any other software except QuickTime when recording a video.

Thanks for your help,

   Heinrich

It will be fast enough and then some.

Some things to consider:

It’s already 5 years old, Apple normally stops supporting computers with new versions of the operating system after about 7 years.

8GB RAM is considered low - all new Macs now come standard with 16.

If it’s the 256GB SSD it may not be large enough long term. You can connect external of course.

I wouldn’t buy a Mac with under 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD but that’s my opinion. I do a lot more on mine than Pianoteq

Thanks for your reply!

> It will be fast enough and then some.
That sounds good!

> It’s already 5 years old, Apple normally stops supporting computers with new versions of the operating system after about 7 years.
True. But not being able to run the latest OS version is not an issue for me. IIRC, Pianoteq still runs under 10.7!

> I wouldn’t buy a Mac with under 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD but that’s my opinion. I do a lot more on mine than Pianoteq
My MacBook used for daily work also has 16G. But running Pianoteq exclusively on a machine should work with 8G, I suppose.

What about fan noise?

-Heinrich

Reply by dikrek

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  • dikrek
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Re: M1 Mac mini considerations

Heinrich wrote:
dikrek wrote:
Heinrich wrote:

Hello All,

since my current PC that I am using for Pianoteq is becoming unstable, I am looking into buying a used M1 Mac mini.
My questions to those who are using such a machine:
1. Is it fast enough? Even with 128 buffer size, highest polyphony , settings with many mics and effects?
2. How about fan noise? This is very important to me. I am currently using a fanless PC.
3, Will 8G memory be enough? It will not be running any other software except QuickTime when recording a video.

Thanks for your help,

   Heinrich

It will be fast enough and then some.

Some things to consider:

It’s already 5 years old, Apple normally stops supporting computers with new versions of the operating system after about 7 years.

8GB RAM is considered low - all new Macs now come standard with 16.

If it’s the 256GB SSD it may not be large enough long term. You can connect external of course.

I wouldn’t buy a Mac with under 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD but that’s my opinion. I do a lot more on mine than Pianoteq

Thanks for your reply!

> It will be fast enough and then some.
That sounds good!

> It’s already 5 years old, Apple normally stops supporting computers with new versions of the operating system after about 7 years.
True. But not being able to run the latest OS version is not an issue for me. IIRC, Pianoteq still runs under 10.7!

> I wouldn’t buy a Mac with under 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD but that’s my opinion. I do a lot more on mine than Pianoteq
My MacBook used for daily work also has 16G. But running Pianoteq exclusively on a machine should work with 8G, I suppose.

What about fan noise?

-Heinrich

I don’t think you’ll be able to hear the noise.

Reply by Heinrich

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  • Heinrich
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Re: M1 Mac mini considerations

dikrek wrote:
Heinrich wrote:
dikrek wrote:

It will be fast enough and then some.

Some things to consider:

It’s already 5 years old, Apple normally stops supporting computers with new versions of the operating system after about 7 years.

8GB RAM is considered low - all new Macs now come standard with 16.

If it’s the 256GB SSD it may not be large enough long term. You can connect external of course.

I wouldn’t buy a Mac with under 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD but that’s my opinion. I do a lot more on mine than Pianoteq

Thanks for your reply!

> It will be fast enough and then some.
That sounds good!

> It’s already 5 years old, Apple normally stops supporting computers with new versions of the operating system after about 7 years.
True. But not being able to run the latest OS version is not an issue for me. IIRC, Pianoteq still runs under 10.7!

> I wouldn’t buy a Mac with under 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD but that’s my opinion. I do a lot more on mine than Pianoteq
My MacBook used for daily work also has 16G. But running Pianoteq exclusively on a machine should work with 8G, I suppose.

What about fan noise?

-Heinrich

I don’t think you’ll be able to hear the noise.

I just looked at the Pianoteq FAQ:

How much RAM (internal memory) is needed for smooth playback?
Just 256 MB (megabytes). Most modern computers are equipped with at least 8 GB (gigabytes) of RAM. In contrast to many other virtual pianos, there is no need to invest in any additional RAM sticks to achieve maximum performance.

That is hard to believe and macOS won't even boot with 256MB. But that suggests that I will be on the safe side with 8GB and no other apps running.