Topic by stephan

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  • stephan
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  • From: Tübingen Germany
  • Registered: 19-09-2021
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Topic: Using Mac Mini with M2 oder M2 Pro chip for Pianoteq

Dear Community,

I am considering using a Mac Mini to run Pianoteq. Mac Mini is available with two processors: M2 and M2pro. The only additional software to run simultaneously with Pianoteq is "iReal Pro". I have two concerns/ questions:

1. Is the processor power from the M2 sufficient or do I get better results with the M2pro?
    (Maybe both processors are already "technical overkill" for this task?)
2. Does anybody know if the Mac Mini with M2 or M2pro has a fan and if the sound of the fan is somehow "disturbing"?

Thank you for your advice.

With kind regards
Stephan

Reply by Pianoteqenthusiast

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  • Registered: 25-10-2013
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Re: Using Mac Mini with M2 oder M2 Pro chip for Pianoteq

Hello stephan,

I have an old Mac mini 2014 and it works perfect with Pianoteq ( Have Ptq 5, 6, 7 and 8 Pro).
So considering this, M2 is more than good in my opinion when thinking of Ptq. (Organteq need much power so I have to buy M2 myself some day, mini 2014  Intel 5 says sometimes can’t handle all information using Organteq).

I suppose the difference is the price, M2Pro have probabvly more power, more RAM, more storage, better connectivity. I have noticed that these are things one often get  when paying more 
This is my third mini and I have never heard disturbing from the fan, it is very silent when it is on.

I suggest you can read a review to get right info. Anyway, M2 is on my Have to buy soon-list because I’m using Organteq too every day and it need sometimes power I don’t have.

Best wishes,

Stig

Reply by sordess

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  • From: Canada / Montréal
  • Registered: 30-11-2020
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Re: Using Mac Mini with M2 oder M2 Pro chip for Pianoteq

stephan wrote:

Dear Community,

I am considering using a Mac Mini to run Pianoteq. Mac Mini is available with two processors: M2 and M2pro. The only additional software to run simultaneously with Pianoteq is "iReal Pro". I have two concerns/ questions:

1. Is the processor power from the M2 sufficient or do I get better results with the M2pro?
    (Maybe both processors are already "technical overkill" for this task?)
2. Does anybody know if the Mac Mini with M2 or M2pro has a fan and if the sound of the fan is somehow "disturbing"?

Thank you for your advice.

With kind regards
Stephan

Hi Stephan,

Yes the Mac Mini with M2 does have a fan like its previous model (M1), which I own one.  I have never heard the fan run so far.  It is directly on my desk.  I always have multiple application running, including Pianoteq.

So I would say, that the M2 is indeed more than capable for your task.  I would suggest the following.

1- select the model with 512gb SSD storage to avoid the slower disk of the base model.
2- Increate memory to 16gb (future proofing if you start using for other tasks)

Happy shopping!

Sordess
Author of PTQ Client Webapp: (https://github.com/robert-rc2i/ptq-client-webapp)
Kawai CA79

Reply by Funky40

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  • Registered: 30-10-2016
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Re: Using Mac Mini with M2 oder M2 Pro chip for Pianoteq

stephan wrote:

Dear Community,

    (Maybe both processors are already "technical overkill" for this task?)

yes, they are overkill ! haha

if its *only* about Pianoteq, and if you don´t have big pockets, i´d suggest to buy a M1mini,
probably even just a 2nd Hand M1.
they run here (switzerland) insanely low. ( just sold two M1 minis.....so i know)
Even the M1 is stupidly good. its 3 times better than what you need for pianoteq.
Even just on one core


i have a M2pro Mini now. But for what i do will i NEVER run this thing hot based on audio tasks.
Not shure if its even possible to make the fan run, just by using audio apps.
so, no, there won´t be fan noise. WEll, could be that the fan is allways running, => but idle !
....i´ve NOT read any bad reports vs. the M2-minis.
The M1 minis are so silent, "now" you begin to hear *everything* other (computery) !! my M2pro is same.

my perfomance check vs. Pianoteq shows a performance index of 130-150 !
that remains when i disable the multicore support, haha
M2pro Mini, 12core, 16GB RAM

Reply by Sanderxpander

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  • Registered: 30-11-2022
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Re: Using Mac Mini with M2 oder M2 Pro chip for Pianoteq

It's quite possible to max out an M2 or M2Pro, or really any modern processor. But it's almost impossible to do it with any single plugin. Plugins are written on systems older than anything you buy new, and are expected to run inside a DAW with many other plugins running alongside it.

Unless you buy something in the absolute budget end of the market, you'll be fine with whatever. I think some folks on here have Pianoteq running on a Raspberry Pi for crying out loud. If your purpose is to go small and silent, you could do a factor 10 cheaper than what you're planning now. Nevertheless, the Mac Mini is a fine machine, even if grossly overpriced.