Lowering buffer size is the old ways of making Logic run latency free while recording. A new way (new for me) that I’ve found is using the Low Latency Mode. It’s amazing.
Also, it's almost useless if Logic runs ok for 1 minute.. The thermal throttling comes in after some minutes of usage normally, so this video tells nothing on that.. Pity.
FINALLY!! I've been looking for a video like this for a while now. I'm a session drummer and I need a new mac to record my drum parts. I've used my trusty iMac for years and years now (2011), never had a problem, but I've been wanting a laptop for a while. The pricing on the intel laptop was too high though. These new M1 instead looked very promising but I was unsure if I needed the Pro or the Air, and the vast majority of reviews were done on the Pro. From what I could see here though, the Air is a beast compared to what I'm using now, and the fact that it has no fans (so no noise) is very handy to me. Thank you so much, you helped a boi. Keep it up!
hey, hows it been? had the same imac but its been out of action for a couple years, so now i need to dive back in. i want to do the same as you, any regrets? hope not :)
Under normal usage, will folks ever hit 65 tracks simultaneously? I feel like 12 tracks for drums, 3-5 tracks for rhythm and bass, 3-5 tracks for lead, and 3 tracks for background would be "normal" which would put you at 25 tracks. Even doubling that puts you under the 65.
Also you can lower the track usage if you even get to using this many tracks by splitting the project up using exported WAV files into a single project for mixing and mastering. Still 65 tracks going at the same time sounds unrealistic for projects.
Great Video, sold me on the M1 Air over paying more for an M2 air or pro! Like others, replacing a 10 year old mac, it all seems like an upgrade, but for modest music production users this looks like it works totally fine!
Good start, but I'd be curious to see a part two with more plugins and checking the RAM performance. I noticed it was creeping up to the 8GB limit and having multiple plugins and samples will only make it worse. From what I gather the 16gb model would do better.
Great video! Any chance of a quick test with Alchemy.. would love to see how many Alchemy tracks are possible. This would decide it for me, to buy or not 👍
Hey Mike, awesome video. Loved how you took us through the step by step process of pushing the M1 chip. I actually learnt a few things watching your video. I dabble with Logic Pro a very little bit when i am bored to make some electronic beats or when i am pranking someone (sample a persons voice and modulate it). I never go past 20 tracks and with my older Macs I have had issues. It is good to see the new M1 will be great for what I plan on doing. I have purchased the MBP M1, and I plan on recording samples using the built in microphones. Do you think that’s a good idea or better to use a dedicated studio microphone. Is there a way to turn off the fan when recording a sample on the MBP?
Hey Mike, I finally bought a M1 MacBook Air after watching this video of yours. Just got it delivered to me today. Wanted to come here and say Thankyou for these In-depth Videos!! You are a Gem! Keep Doing what you Love! 💫♥️
What software instrument? Sculpture or Alchemy would be good to use. Any fx in play? There will also be an issue with 3rd party plugins going through Rosetta. Fascinating little machine, but I'd opt for a mini and a 4k monitor.
Idk if im missing this but whats the point of playing so many empty tracks? Thats a really bad comparison. Or am i missing something crucial? Sorry i dont know daws very well
Nice video and info:) I'd like your opinion about this: I ll buy a macbook air for my home music studio , using Logic and final cut...I'm a sax player and i ll record my instrument, video lesson youtube and production on logic with some plugins..I'm undecided about ram and storage..Is it better 16ram with 256gb or 8ram with 512? Thank you!
Great walkthrough, thanks for taking the time Mike! I'm investigating the behaviour of Logic with the M1 and I'm just recommending someone to actually get the MacBook Pro instead of MBA, just because of the longevity and (still) better performance in longer Logic sessions.
MacBook Pro with how many RAMs ? I’m a beginner with music production, but I just got into a music school so I’m gonna do more and more of music prod and sound designing as well, what would you recommend ? (Again I’m a beginner) ?
@@AB-zm5ps It's better that @techkamun replies. I'd wait anyway until Apple releases new computers now in October. The more RAM the better. Logic is a native Apple program and is optimized for Mac, but still, if your productions grow to many channels and effects used, it'll be better with more RAM.
I feel find a decent tune doesn't need more than 10/15 track tops.if it's a really good melody and keeping simple and slick. Interested who used anywhere close to 60?
Informative video! Appreciate you taking the time to make it! Needing to upgrade my mid-2010 MacBook Pro 13” I use Logic as my DAW. Also need it for video production.
Hey there, would be glad to have a video on streaming tests with OBS using at least 2 cameras, Just trying to find the best and affordable macbook for it...
I dont agree with this. Low latency is useful when you are playing instruments, ergo how quick the VSTs will calculate the sounds to have an instant response to your ear. On the other hand you want HIGH buffer size while recording! Since that ensures you will not drop anything should there be a glitch somewhere. Also, what are on those tracks? Audio? is it really recording something or you really just pushed play on empty tracks? There is a massive difference you know. Also, if you use any kind of plugin / effect, routing empty tracks to them will not do anything and won't stress the machine. Use a real music project otherwise the benchmark is completely pointless
Fair enough, I mean I have had music producers say I was correct regarding this but I think like with everything, it’s down to personal preference and experience
@@Techkhamun I have seen several more realistic reviews that made more sense. I think some of these testings can make the wrong impression: you can easily create a 8-track vst track at normal settings and quality that would make the M1 crackle, especially, since over 90% of the vsts are not M1-native and use rosetta layer.
No you won’t, that’s a paid software but you get garage band for free, there is a student deal with Apple where you can get all the pro Apple software for like £200
That was exactly what i was looking for. Waiting impatiently for the macbook pro comparison with logic. But what i don't understand is, why there are videos on RU-vid where the mini manages 110 tracks just fine.
You can lower the track usage if you even get to using this many tracks by splitting the project up using exported WAV files into a single project for mixing and mastering. Still, 65 tracks going at the same time sounds unrealistic for projects. This fan-less laptop is a great fit for musicians.
I’ve watch this and macbook pro. You say „tracks , tracks….” There is instruments, what instruments ? Serum, kontakt, alchemy, stock instruments 3rd party instruments, maybe omnisphere ? I think the major info about WHAT INSTRUMENT YOU USE. Or maybe I miss that information. Greetings ;)
If you just type in Logic Pro benchmark on Google, go to the first link and it’s right there. This benchmark is well known, it’s like me explaining how geekbench or cinebench works, there’s no point when the information is right there if you are really interested but is unnecessary to explain this in the video. If I was to create a benchmark of my own then yes I of course would need to explain it as you wouldn’t know what is going on but literally Google it and you can spend your time reading about it
@@Techkhamun there is a major difference betwen 60 tracks of alchemy, and 60 track of omnisphere fo example. I’ve watch air and pro clip and dont know what of instrument U use to test those macs.
@@Techkhamun You’re right there. My fault, didn’t know about the benchmark test. I was looking for a special vst’s to test. Sorry for my attitude, Thank You 4 Your videos. Greetings
I have to give it to them, Apple released good couple of systems. What I would love to see is a Mac Mini XL edition with passive cooling and better performance. Also, more RAM options. :)
I was going to replace my late 2013 MacBook Pro with the M1 MacBook Pro, but all these videos keep pushing the MacBook Air...all I really wanted from the Pro besides the power was the Touch Bar, but now I’m thinking about forgetting about it. #TeamM1Air🤷🏽♀️
Sorry but are you a logic user at all? Appreciate the effort but when pushing buttons without knowing the significance.. confusing sample rate with buffer size.. makes this hard to watch tbh
Thank you for the response despite my blunt comment. Appreciate it. Objectively, yes you are right in that a solid audio processing pipeline should allow for lower buffer size. And so lower buffer size does test the CPU in some way. However, as a pro user for Logic, there were a few issues I had with this video: 1. There was no mention or were we shown what were the contents of each track. So it’s hard to determine what sort of scenario merely increasing the track count here does. Are they identical tracks or not for eg. 2. Sometimes i think you were referring to “buffer size” but you mention “sample rate” which is a different thing. 44.1kHz is the sample rate of the project throughout as far as i can see. Which throws me off once in a while. As I mentioned, appreciate the effort but as far as pro apps are concerned I feel this video didn’t quite deep dive or conclude anything concrete.
@@lawrencethedifference5559 No.All dsp operations in logic (or in any other daw) are buffer based if they are real time processes. Even if you are using only vst synths, during playback the cpu has to do more work if you are using a smaller buffer size. trust me I am a dsp engineer :)
@@marcopepe867 i'd recommend at least 16gb of ram. Samplers (e.g Kontakt) require much more memory than synthesizers (e,g. Massive) If you are planning to use lots of Kontakt instances with large libraries you should definitely go for at least 16gb
Thank you for the test. But this test scenario is not really meaningful for demanding audio productions. It would have been interesting to have 60-70 tracks of midi notes with the corresponding rooms and effects. My scenario: orchestra with 60 tracks divided into various divisi, strings, flutes, brass, percussion etc.. Plus Altiverb with corresponding reverberation rooms, East West Play Engine, choirs, staccato notes with different dynamics, etc. My previous Mac was already at its limit with 40-50 tracks. Mind you, it was a Mac from 2009, so how would this little Macbook Air fare?
Unfortunately everyone wants to see their scenario so it’s impossible to please everyone! And if it’s from 2009 then this Mac can handle it, FYI the benchmark is demanding if you have a look at what each track has
Hello, i want to be an aerospace engineer. i wanna buy macbook air m1 8/256. i will use apps like CATIA, siemens nx, matlab, autocad, zoom, discord, office 365 and apps like that. i have been used an windows laptop and i hated. can you suggest me that mba? sorry for my mistakes about this comment. my English is not so good. thank you.
I wouldn’t recommend a MacBook of any kind right now for the work and programs that you are looking to use it would probably be best if you buy a Windows laptop or desktop with a dedicated GPU for the type of work that you are looking to do
One is a laptop, one is a desktop, it depends on if you also have a good monitor if you want the same screen quality as the air and if you don’t need portability, also you need a keyboard and mouse, so just depends
Just got Apple Care for my second tier MacBook Air M1 definitely keeping for the long term. Plus, the first M1 is going to become a collection revolutionary item.
