Hi,

Just got a new 2020 M1 MacBook Air, after having used old 2014 intel MacBooks for ages... well since 2014 at least.

So I have no clue on what the MacOS to use... My other MacBook is still on Mavericks, the original that came with the computer... never upgraded in 10 years! And I did get a 2014 MacBook Pro with Big Sur on it but this one never felt like home. It was running very slow on Big Sur.

What MacOS are people using on Apple Silicone Macs now for compatibility with audio apps and plugins? Are there any gotchas or things to have in mind?

I plan to use some apps/plugins from the sister site: Kontakt, izotope RX, Superior Drummer, Fab Filter and Valhalla but probably others too.

Thanks

 

Last edited: Mar 7, 2024

Ventura

 

You using Logic?

I really like OS X Monterey, anywhere around 12.6-12.7ish will do nicely. You can run Logic in Rosetta mode (or not). Good compatibility with really everything in my experience.

Regardless, you'll definitely want it above 10.7 or so (I'm not even sure you could get an M1 there if you tried lol). From what I've gathered reading changelogs and version notes, OS X 10 is quickly becoming outdated

 

Is that because Monterey an Sonoma are less compatible other reason?

 

And for reference, I LOVEE AudioZ I have the plugins you mentioned and many more, all working great.

 

Cool, then perhaps Monterey it is. Is Sonoma less compatible?

I mainly use Reaper, but I will install Logic because of old projects.

Bought the M1 used so it had Ventura installed

 

M1 Air, 2020 -- Sonoma, Everything Works. Since I got Mac, I never had any issues with updates ever.

 

And do you use Kontakt, izotope RX and Superior Drummer?

 

Actually Sonoma runs faster and smooth, if your machine is an ARM chipset.
Not many differences bt Ventura and Sonoma.

 

And what about Mac security features, do 'I have to turn off SIP or other stuff?

 

Yeah all of them and Ableton too! I have SIP off too for Dorico. No problems anyway. It's the fastest system I've ever used.

 

get a firewall so you can block both your DAW and plugins from accessing the internet. You can also block your DAW in the MacOS firewall because it is an application. You cannot block individual plugins with it. So get LuLu (free) or Little Snitch. You will need to disable SIP if you want to run Cubase and other Steinberg stuff. Otherwise you may not need to. It just depends on what you are going to be running. Turn it off when you need to.

You should get a good hosts file that blocks most developer websites and traffic to/from them. do a search here.

Install Xcode from Terminal. You should get an app called Whiskey. Crossgridder.

 

Ableton supports AU [Intel only] plugins without Rossetta. Running SD3 3.3.6 V.R. which is intel only without any issues for the new Stories SDX.

 

Ventura .

Don't upgrade to Sonoma if you have an External HDD in EXfat. Stay miles away...



.

 

Why?

I have Segate 2tb HDD NTFS running through Tuxera layer that has all my Kontakt & SD3 Libraries. They loud instantaneously [hugh...hugh Batch Resave] & was thinking of upgrading to Samsung T7 SSD.

 

am testing with sonoma for about 2 weeks now, fl studio via rosetta. it's been smooth sailing and another big plus about sonoma is that it supports D3D in crossover and can now run cyberpunk 2077 without problems

i have several external disks configured as exfat, no problems at all. so chances are that what ever caused the problem has been solved/changed.

 

I have Little Snitch and have also used LuLu before I bought LS... I found LS was a bit heavy on my 2014 MacBook Pro while LuLu seemed lighter... though Little snitch might not feel as heavy on M1 MacBooks.

I've never used host file before as I thought LS/LuLu was enough?

Sorry what is whiskey app? Is it needed for crossgridder to work? Crossgridder seems cool what plugins do you use it for?

 

I do sometimes need to connect USB sticks with exFAT to transfer recordings from my Allen Heath QU mixer. Would you care to explain further why to stay away?

 

I tried my way with it but could get nothing working [UAD/Slate/...ah! what a waste of time that was. To be honest it's not worth it if you don't have another system hosting plugins [Crossover just doesn't do it]

 

Apple does not leave the user much freedom of choice on which macOS to install: you will have to use the one with which the machine is sold. Downgrading macOS is not advisable. Speaking of updates, in case the new OS comes out, it is a wise decision to wait at least a year after its release before installing it. My experience is to never go further than 2 macOS versions from what the computer was bundled with
Generally speaking, Apple decides what/how/when, not you