MacOS Sonoma

[ZoeMusic]

Originally Posted by ralphonz

Mine all seem to be working great. UAD, Waves, PA, Liquid sonics, Softube, iZotope and a boatload of others. No complaints so far...

Originally Posted by mattrixx

Same here. M1 Ultra. You running an M1 series also?

What Sonoma version are you guys using? 14…….? Im still on Ventura 13.5 Mac M2 Max. I’m inquiring because I’ve read in some post that Pro Tools 2024.3 is seeing better CPU performance. Is this your experience as well?

[zDave]

2020 M1 Mac mini Sonoma 14.2.1 here.

Ran a benchmark on PT-Studio 2024.3.0 and the results were embarrassing, to say the least. I've opened case with PT. See details below.

Please let me know if you have a similar experience and or your thoughts on modifying the benchmark test to improve results etc.

PT Case # 04773620

I'm currently benchmarking Pro Tools Ultimate 2024.3.0 against the Mac mini 2020 M1, on MAC OS Sonoma 14.2.1,
running on interface UA Apollo x4.

Note: Apple's latest version is 14.4. I've deferred the latest upgrade as there're compatibility issues between UA interface and third party plug-ins.

MAC mini CPU usage before Pro Tools benchmark test
Protools CPU usage = 23% - 30%

The benchmark setup:
1 - Click track
1- Audio Group Folder Track
10 - Audio Tracks with audio clips
1-Instrument Group Folder Track
20 - Instrument Tracks with Xpand on the first insert on every track and UA SSL EQ E on tracks 1, 2 and 3

MAC mini CPU usage after Pro Tools benchmark test
Protools CPU usage = 86% - 110% (steady)

From Bar-1 to Bar-4 CPU usage hovers around 80 - 90%
At Bar-5 and Up the CPU spikes to 110%. It remains there until you stop playback or you get a "Hardware exceeded memory usage, try changing your hardware setting if this continues" message.

This behavior is reproducible even if you have your H/W setting set to the lowest sample rate of (32).

According to how Apple defines it's CPU usage in the OS's native "Activity" app,

"System": = ALL of the CPU resources required just for the OS to run

"User": = CPU resources used by the logged in user's applications running

"Idle": = Available CPU resource

Given these definitions. I'm left scratching my head to understand why Pro Tools is identified as consuming over 100% of CPU resources, yet it's not reflected on the 'Activity" app System, User and Idle report? (located at the bottom of the Activity App)

I've reached out to Apple about this. As there are other OS issues that surfaced when Pro Tools launches.Like, mouse jumping from one side of the screen and sporadically hopping around while scrolling. Their conclusion is that there's something weird going on with how Pro Tools is managing memory.

[ZoeMusic]

Well I tried Sonoma 14.3.1 for my self today. After installing everything from scratch and after working with it for about an hour or so I began to run into so much bloat I almost thought I was on Windows. What have they done? Pro Tools 2024.3 ran really good on it but from my experience not as excellent as it runs on Ventura 13.5, which is where I have been for a long time. Like you guys said I didn't have any issue with any of my 203 plugins, many of which you guys have mentioned here in this thread. After working with it for a good while longer I decided to revert back to Ventura 13.5 which seems to be the sweet spot. I found no real advantage with Sonoma on the contrary I find Ventura 13.5 to be snappier and the Pro Tools CPU performance seems to be on par with 14.3.1. I guess if you have to buy a brand new Mac you will get by just fine but I will be staying on 13.5 as long as I can. I'm very happy with the overall stability and performance I am getting there. I would say to those who are still on Ventura, as of right now there's no real advantage in moving up to Sonoma for Pro Tools until necessary. It currently looks like I will be waiting for the next end of the cycle of Sonoma's replacement .This will be the first time I stayed two OS's behind. I will see what direction Apple is going in after that. If you are thinking about moving up, make sure you have a backup plan.

[ralphonz]

Originally Posted by ZoeMusic

What Sonoma version are you guys using? 14…….? Im still on Ventura 13.5 Mac M2 Max. I’m inquiring because I’ve read in some post that Pro Tools 2024.3 is seeing better CPU performance. Is this your experience as well?

I haven't noticed a difference yet but haven't ran any huge sessions that are going to max out my CPU. Performance was awful at first but the 2024.3 update seems to have fixed it and all other issues. I haven't had any crashes yet and have used it everyday since the release.

It's an intel hackintosh, currently running 14.3.1

[BCnSTL]

Originally Posted by ZoeMusic

. After working with it for a good while longer I decided to revert back to Ventura 13.5 which seems to be the sweet spot. I found no real advantage with Sonoma on the contrary I find Ventura 13.5 to be snappier and the Pro Tools CPU performance seems to be on par with 14.3.1.

How did you revert?

[ZoeMusic]

Originally Posted by BCnSTL

How did you revert?

Which OS version did your Mac come with?

[lowthert]

Originally Posted by paul_g

The bit above where they mention turning off all the peripherals in Sonoma.
I bet a lot of folks will upgrade and forget to turn off all the Apple Bling (aka bloat).

Could someone here write an idiot's guide for us not so savvy Mac folks on how to do this? Can I get rid of Chess, Notes, Garageband, Photos etc etc.. like I used to be able to do before Ventura?? Should I switch off spotlight - or not? It all seems to change with every release!!

I have Mac Studio M1 Ultra - and would really like to have an easy to read list of things I can do to maximise the efficiency of the computer... I think the Avid one is a little out of date?

Thanks guys...

[rinky]

For those who are still on Mac Intel, how is PT 2024.3 doing with Sonoma?
I'm still on Ventura and want to know if it's safe to upgrade.
Thanks!

[BCnSTL]

I built a bootable Ventura drive - did a “erase all contents and settings” - and reloaded *everything*.

I’m happy to report Pro Tools 2024.3 is working great on Ventura.

I’ll wait a good long while before updating to Sonoma.

[ZoeMusic]

Originally Posted by BCnSTL

I built a bootable Ventura drive - did a “erase all contents and settings” - and reloaded *everything*.

I’m happy to report Pro Tools 2024.3 is working great on Ventura.

I’ll wait a good long while before updating to Sonoma.

Glad you got it all sorted out!