• Hi and welcome to the Studio One User Forum!

    Please note that this is an independent, user-driven forum and is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or maintained by PreSonus. Learn more in the Welcome thread!

M4 Mac Mini

J

js1

Member
Placed an order for the Mac Mini M4 Pro, and it should arrive in about 2 weeks. Although one of my mottos is "Pioneers get the arrows, settlers get the land", I've opted to take a few arrows on this one. This will be a replacement for my 9900K Windows desktop that is dedicated to Studio One. I have a Quantum interface, Faderport 16 and Softube Console One that I will (hopefully) be connecting.

I'm contemplating doing a video on the process of getting it up and running. If there is anything you'd like me to try, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
 
js1 said:
Placed an order for the Mac Mini M4 Pro, and it should arrive in about 2 weeks. Although one of my mottos is "Pioneers get the arrows, settlers get the land", I've opted to take a few arrows on this one. This will be a replacement for my 9900K Windows desktop that is dedicated to Studio One. I have a Quantum interface, Faderport 16 and Softube Console One that I will (hopefully) be connecting.

I'm contemplating doing a video on the process of getting it up and running. If there is anything you'd like me to try, let me know and I'll see what I can do.
Click to expand...
The Mac Mini M4 Pro is a beast! According to geekbench it is approx 3 times more powerful than my 14 core intel iMac Pro in cpu tasks!

What spec did you order?
It’s amazing really how they can pack all that power into such a small design. I want one!!
 
I ordered the 12 core CPU Pro with base RAM (24 GB) and 1 TB. There's videos floating around showing that a Thunderbolt 4 external SSD is roughly as fast as the internal drive, so I didn't go crazy on the internal drive.

One thing that will be interesting is that thread mobility (the dynamic shifting of threads between P cores) is much higher in the M4 than previous chips (https://eclecticlight.co/2024/11/11/inside-m4-chips-p-cores/). Whether this will have an effect in S1 performance is to be seen, but in theory, it may be able to better balance an S1 song between the cores. Something I found on my I9/Win 10 with S1 with is that the cores would become unbalanced during a session, and one core would overload while there was still headroom on the others.
 
I've been setting up my M4, I'm slow and not a mac person. I'm trying to install my interface Zen Go TB.

I know I will have to enable extensions but I need to install the Antelope Audio software first.

I downloaded that but when I try and run it the OS wants to install Rosetta. I had this interface on the M2, never installed Rosetta.

I don't want to use Rosetta, guess I could if I have to, I opened a ticket and I'll see if I have the wrong installer or what's going on.

I removed the giant tower and put in some shelves, so my mini PC is the same size as the M4, makes a clean setup.

I have to work to get it setup but then it's just like using a PC as far as run I run my programs, all I need to do.
 
tacman7 said:
I'm going to check and see if my UAD interface has native support yet.
Click to expand...
Curious about the above statement. Sounds like you have an Apollo Interface? I have a Midas 32 channel USB 2 Interface.
I have 2 UAD PCie cards in an Sonnettech xMac Server which at some point allows me to have around 20 UAD Native Plugs
along with the other 64 plugs on the two cards

I am running UAD 11.5.0

So, Are we talking the same or similar here. I also have and can use these UAD Native Plugs on my backup system that as no
UAD PCie cards or UAD Interface(s), just UAD OS 11.5.0. These of are course the UADx Native plugs. I don't know the complete scope of this but am curious about what you are connecting. I think I know but, curiosity hurt the kitty or so they say lol
 
Last edited:
Yeah I was running an M2 mini with the UAD Apollo, then I got the Zen Go to compare, both are small 2 x 2 models and use Thunderbolt.

Incredible low latency. I got the M4 without thinking, it will take time to get native support.

That's the native driver setup I wanted, so I wouldn't have to install Rosetta.

I think I was given native versions of some of my plugins or recent purchases came with a native version.

I'll have to get back into UAD, been a while. I mainly work on the PC and use the mac as a recording computer and run photo software.

Sounds like you have complex setup, These smaller interfaces are pretty simple but that Antelope Audio routing is a challenge.
 
tacman7 said:
Yeah I was running an M2 mini with the UAD Apollo, then I got the Zen Go to compare, both are small 2 x 2 models and use Thunderbolt.

Incredible low latency. I got the M4 without thinking, it will take time to get native support.

That's the native driver setup I wanted, so I wouldn't have to install Rosetta.

I think I was given native versions of some of my plugins or recent purchases came with a native version.

I'll have to get back into UAD, been a while. I mainly work on the PC and use the mac as a recording computer and run photo software.

Sounds like you have complex setup, These smaller interfaces are pretty simple but that Antelope Audio routing is a challenge.
Click to expand...
Ok, gottacha. i can only imagine the great latency you are getting. I have my 2018 Mac Mini totally filled up. The 2 UAD
PCie card in the xmac server run into a small Thunderbolt 3 card then of course Thunderbolt 3 cable to Thunderbolt 3 on Mac mini.

All seems good. I like hearing and reading about these different systems because one (probably sooner than later) I will likely
go to Mac Studio. Sounds like Thunderbolt 3 / 4 run at same speeds is why Sonnettech as not moved away from Thunderbolt 3 yet.
Sonnectech as quite the article about this on their website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPyo_1xzIzg&t=2s This video is 3 years
old now
 
Last edited:
My M4 Pro Mini showed up two days ago, and I now have it to the point of being operational with Studio One. Getting to this stage has not been exactly smooth, but I'll leave lessons learned for another time.

So, all this appears to work:
  • Studio One 7
  • Original Quantum
  • Faderport 16
  • Softube Console One III
  • ILok
  • Plugin suites
    • UADx
    • Waves
    • Plugin Alliance
    • Native Instruments
    • Toontrack
    • IK Multimedia
  • Plugins
    • Oeksound Smooth 2
    • Valhalla DSP Room, Vintage
    • Melodyne
This is the early days and the honeymoon stage, so I do want to say that this shouldn't be taken as an "all clear". I've only spent about 8 hours in S1 and have only tried a subset of plugins from each suite. Nevertheless, I'm relieved that my Thunderbolt 2 Quantum works with the Thunderbolt 5 ports (using the Presonus driver, and with a Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter), and all the software (with copy protection) works with Sequoia.

The only head scratcher is that my midi keyboard isn't showing up in Studio One. It is visible in Mac's Audio/Midi app. Haven't spent much time on it yet - I'll get it sorted.
 
js1 said:
My M4 Pro Mini showed up two days ago, and I now have it to the point of being operational with Studio One. Getting to this stage has not been exactly smooth, but I'll leave lessons learned for another time.

So, all this appears to work:
  • Studio One 7
  • Original Quantum
  • Faderport 16
  • Softube Console One III
  • ILok
  • Plugin suites
    • UADx
    • Waves
    • Plugin Alliance
    • Native Instruments
    • Toontrack
    • IK Multimedia
  • Plugins
    • Oeksound Smooth 2
    • Valhalla DSP Room, Vintage
    • Melodyne
This is the early days and the honeymoon stage, so I do want to say that this shouldn't be taken as an "all clear". I've only spent about 8 hours in S1 and have only tried a subset of plugins from each suite. Nevertheless, I'm relieved that my Thunderbolt 2 Quantum works with the Thunderbolt 5 ports (using the Presonus driver, and with a Thunderbolt 2 to 3 adapter), and all the software (with copy protection) works with Sequoia.

The only head scratcher is that my midi keyboard isn't showing up in Studio One. It is visible in Mac's Audio/Midi app. Haven't spent much time on it yet - I'll get it sorted.
Click to expand...
i am running 15.0.1 on my backup computer. it seems all is working except melodyne (melodyne web site states sonoma for melodyne) in Sequoia. On my main Computer I have Sonoma and Melodyne works great
i can open Melodyne, it will analyze material but I cannot edit. Is Melodyne working properly for you on Sequoia?
 
tpittman said:
i can open Melodyne, it will analyze material but I cannot edit. Is Melodyne working properly for you on Sequoia?
Click to expand...
Do you have the latest version of Melodyne (5.4.1), because changelog says:
  • ARA: It was sometimes impossible to edit the Chord and Key tracks.
Click to expand...
 
Crossinger said:
Do you have the latest version of Melodyne (5.4.1), because changelog says:
Click to expand...
Yes, running 5.4.1 Melodyne. Melodyne works fine on Sonoma 14.6 (I think) with Melodyne 5.4.1.
I will recheck all this this in a few days. Been laid up for last week with minor foot procedure.
 
js1 said:
Getting to this stage has not been exactly smooth
Click to expand...
What were the things that haven't been smooth?


js1 said:
The only head scratcher is that my midi keyboard isn't showing up in Studio One. It is visible in Mac's Audio/Midi app.
Click to expand...
But you're aware that you MIDI devices have to be added as Studio One external devices? Do you mean that the USB MIDI device isn't showing up when you try to add a new external device?
 
Me too, just ordered mine! Currently using Presonus Quantum (19" T2 unit) on a Dell Precision Tower 7910 with Thunderbolt 2 add on card, 128 gig of RAM, twin 12 core Xeons. The main reason is the tower is so big and heavy, but it works flawlessly. I just fancy changing to Mac and I do photography with Photoshop as well so always fancied a Mac for that. I'm well used to using iPhones and iPads, but the Apple OS is going to be an initial challenge, so finding this great forum is a big bonus.

Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
64GB unified memory
1TB SSD storage
Gigabit Ethernet
Three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI port, two USB‑C ports, headphone jack
Accessory Kit
 
Lukas said:
What were the things that haven't been smooth?



But you're aware that you MIDI devices have to be added as Studio One external devices? Do you mean that the USB MIDI device isn't showing up when you try to add a new external device?
Click to expand...
Midi device was quickly sorted after my post. Yes, I knew to add the device. Issue is that if you don't specify the Midi ports when setting it up, it saves, but is disabled. My mistake.

Things that weren't smooth:
  • Getting my wireless keyboard working - to pair, the Mac asks you to enter a code from the keyboard. The screen looks like the keys you type will be displayed on the screen. They aren't (no feedback). Type in the code, and press enter...
  • When trying to log into ICloud, it asks you to confirm from another Apple device. Confirming on my Mac Air did not work. SMS on my IPhone did.
  • Had to log into umpteen websites to download plugins, etc. Login forms in Firefox (my preferred browser) didn't work - the cursor was stuck at the far right of the field. Switched to Safari, and all was OK.
  • I have my passwords in Lastpass. Couldn't login, and got a bunch of white screens. though the login still works fine on my other machines. Had to open it on another computer, and grab the passwords from there. I didn't spend long debugging it - that's for another day.
  • Waves Central worked as well on the Mac as it did on my PC, that is, it didn't. I tried installing all my Waves plugins in one go, but after a few failures, went back to installing one at a time.
  • There were a bunch of permission things:
    • Native Instruments Native Access needs you to enable full disk permissions
    • The Quantum driver needs to have permissions granted
  • Though my PC was my main DAW, I did set up my Macbook Air previously. I had all the large content libraries on an external drive. My hope was that I could download just the plugins, and not have to download the content again. Hats off to Native Instruments and Toontrack, which support this. Boos to UADx, Arturia and Waves, which don't. FYI, Waves 14 works on Sequoia, so I dodged WUP (this time...)
Things that pleasantly surprised me:
  • I didn't have to set up my WiFi network on the device. It must have picked up the credentials from, I'm guessing, my phone.
  • As previously mentioned, Studio One 7, Faderport 16 and Softube Console III just worked. And the original Quantum, after the permissions were granted, has been rock solid. FYI, I'm using the Startech Thunderbolt 2 -> Thunderbolt 3 adapter to connect it.
  • Networking to my PC just worked. It showed up in Finder, and after putting in the PC login credentials, I was in.
I went into this prepared for issues because of the newness of the machine and Sequoia. In summary, it went better than I expected. And so far, I'm really liking the machine.
 
Hello everyone,

this is my first post.
I have also ordered a Mac Mini M4 Pro (12C/24GB/512GB) for testing, as I want to upgrade from my Intel 12700k Win 11 system.
At the moment I have Mac OS Sequoia 15.2 installed.

After 3 weeks it looks like this.

Hardware:
- My UA Apollo 8 DUO and Twin DUO TB2 interfaces were recognized and working with the Startech TB3 -> TB2 adapter
- My USB devices could be made to work after a USB-hub marathon (Wes Audio, Cranborne Audio, SSL,TC,...)
- My 3 screens (LG,Dell,Philips) were connected to 2x TB5 port via adapter and Mac Mini HDMI-Out and are working at the moment
(had flickering on the Dell monitor and changed the color profile on all screens to “Display P3”, now it works)

Software:
- Studio One 7.0.2 installed and had issues with scanning VST2 plugins. After I had deleted the VST2 plugins
everything worked.
- Cubase 13 Pro installed and no problems so far (only during the first "UA connection config" Cubase crashed)

Comparison Studio One 7 vs Cubase 13:
Studio One is my favorite DAW. Unfortunately, I also have the most issues with it. Everything is still fine in the arrangement window.
When I open the mix-console and have a project with about 65 tracks, certain plug-ins are no longer updated all the time in the GUI
and graphics dropouts occur. This means, that if I take my "Flatline 2 Limiter" and open it "before" the mix-console, the whole system behaves very sluggishly, and there are graphic dropouts and the input with a mouse becomes sluggish. As soon as I close the mix-console, everything works fine (not as slick as Cubase).

I recreated the same project in Cubase 13 to see what happens. Nothing, everything works as it should. I can open the mixer and also the arrangement window, the plug-ins react normally to mouse inputs or window movements. The CPU load on both DAWs is at approx. 30% (iStat). I have added the plugin list as a screenshot that I used in the project (Studio One and Cubase).

Temperature:
The Mac Mini M4 Pro gets very warm/hot if you load it with 30% CPU load for a longer period of time. The iStat display is at about 90 degrees Celsius. The fan slowly exceeds 1000 rpm (not really audible yet).

That's all I have at the moment.
 

Attachments

  • PlugIns Cubase.png
    PlugIns Cubase.png
    257,7 KB · Views: 8
I ended up with the following configuration (all from amazon):

Mac Mini M4 Front-USB (10 Gbps ) ->
FORIDA USB C Hub, (10 Gbps) 2x USB C + 2x USB A
USB C Port 1 -> i-tec USB 3.0 Charging HUB 16-Port -> all my "older" devices (TC, Wes Audio,...)
USB C Port 2 -> SSL UF1,UC1 ("daisy chain" from UF1 to UC1)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top