[khoop2112]

This weekend I decided to try an experiment:

I currently have a 2013 MP with a TB --> PCI expansion chassis for HDX, with an S3 and a Dock. I run 2 4k monitors off it, plus a 3rd at a much lower resolution. When the new Mac Mini came out I was really curious to see if it would be a viable replacement for my 2013 MP. So my trial setup was:

2018 MacMini 3.2ghz i7, 32 GB RAM, 1TB SSD
Blackmagic eGPU (Radeon RX580)

Now, I KNOW ProTools 2018.10 is not yet ready for Mojave or the later versions of High Sierra, but most of the reported issues seemed to focus around lower buffer sizes, and since I run HDX and keep my buffer at 512 I thought it was worth a try.

After installing all my plugs, opening relatively high track count sessions, I noticed more CPU power in Pro Tools from the Mini over my 3.5ghz 6 core 2013 MP. The Mini felt more responsive, and I felt like the eGPU helped my screen redraw on my 4k monitor over the old MP.

I loaded a couple sessions, one 44.1k and one 88.2khz. I could loop the 44.1k session and it would play forever without interruption, but the 88.2k session would give me a 9173 error within 10 minutes of looping, but on the 2013 MP it looped for over an hour before I stopped the test.

I'm hoping that the 9173's I'm getting are tied to the known issue with PT and Mojave. Even more hopeful that there will be a new version of PT soon to deal with this. Gonna call Avid tomorrow to see if I can get a timeline. If it's not for awhile, I'll return the new MacMini.

For my overdub session tomorrow I'll go back to my 2013, but might try the Mini on a vocal session Wednesday that is less crucial. I'll report back what I discover.

- Kent