2018 MacMini experiment on ProTools HDX

[khoop2112]

Sonnet echo express pro - TB1.

I've been doing many tests today trying to track down why I get the 9173/6101 error messages.

Last night I brought the session that had been stopping, and ran it headless on my MacMini with no eGPU, and no HDX/UAD cards. It looped for 45 minutes and never stopped.

Today I brought the mini back down to my studio, and tried the test without UAD or HDX, and it still stopped. Then tried with HDX/UAD but no eGPU, and it stopped.

Then I lowered my resolutions from 2560x1440 HiDPI on my 2 monitors to 1920x1080 HiDPI, and worked fine without stopping but no HDX or UAD. I'm a little perplexed to be honest.

Will keep testing but open to any thoughts on things to try...

[Ru_C]

Originally Posted by khoop2112

Sonnet echo express pro - TB1.

I've been doing many tests today trying to track down why I get the 9173/6101 error messages.

Last night I brought the session that had been stopping, and ran it headless on my MacMini with no eGPU, and no HDX/UAD cards. It looped for 45 minutes and never stopped.

Today I brought the mini back down to my studio, and tried the test without UAD or HDX, and it still stopped. Then tried with HDX/UAD but no eGPU, and it stopped.

Then I lowered my resolutions from 2560x1440 HiDPI on my 2 monitors to 1920x1080 HiDPI, and worked fine without stopping but no HDX or UAD. I'm a little perplexed to be honest.

Will keep testing but open to any thoughts on things to try...

Thanks for all this testing. Just to be sure, was there a combo above that included the HDX card but removed the eGPU?

I'm watching this thread carefully, as the 2018 Mac mini+eGPU is likely to be many folks Mac Pro replacement , but i'm uncertain if the eGPU running via thunderbolt3 will restrict the operation of HDX/HDN connected in the same way. cheers

[Carl Lie]

Originally Posted by khoop2112

Then I lowered my resolutions from 2560x1440 HiDPI on my 2 monitors to 1920x1080 HiDPI, and worked fine without stopping but no HDX or UAD. I'm a little perplexed to be honest.

Will keep testing but open to any thoughts on things to try...

So after it worked with lowering the resolution did you try with the HDx and UAD? Sorry if that's what you mean above but just checking.

Agree many of us want to know what a cost effective replacement will be. I replaced my MP with another (secondhand) and feel like I have some time but your tests are helpful. Also curious of the track count and if any instrument tracks are being used in the session.

Thanks for all the info you're giving us!

C

[LukeHoward]

FWIW, my 2010 MP with a RX480 has definitely struggled running Pro Tools at 4K HiDPI resolutions.

[Scott Stillwell]

Originally Posted by khoop2112

The boot drive on the Mini is FAST.

Yeah, it sucks that it's soldered on and non-upgradeable, but at least it's NVMe flash, which screams. I recently bought one for a build automation server, and it's so much faster than the 2011 Mini it's replacing that it's not even funny. Runs significantly cooler than the old model, too, except when a build is actively running (which pegs ALL cores at 100% until done).


Gives me at least SOME hope that the new Mac Pro will be worth having whenever it actually shows up.

[khoop2112]

Originally Posted by LukeHoward

FWIW, my 2010 MP with a RX480 has definitely struggled running Pro Tools at 4K HiDPI resolutions.

Yeah - I need to investigate how much of the sluggishness can be attributed to my 4k 65" TV. I did pick the TV with the lowest input lag but I know it's still not nearly as fast as a pure computer monitor. My other 32" 4k monitor is situated for my programming station, so I typically use Logic while on that monitor, I'll try some tests using PT.

[::F-L-E-X::]

Interesting thread...

Khoop - wondered if you've considered or tried an alternative to the Blackmagic eGPU? Seems like something like this would work in your Sonnet Echo :

http://www.macvidcards.com/store/p11...Pro_6%2C1.html

Although this solution seems to be aimed at the nMP 2013, can't see why it wouldn't work with the TB3 Mini also?

[khoop2112]

My Sonnet is a 2 slot, and currently has HDX and UAD cards so it's all full.

Blackmagic does make a higher end eGPU with the Vega 56 card as well. If I end up deciding to keep the MacMini rig, then I might explore some more powerful video card options. So many variables right now in making sure the Mini is a viable, stable replacement for the 2013.

[StratoBobster]

it would sure help to "unmuddy' the water if there was a supported version of Pro Tools for Mojave right now.

[khoop2112]

Originally Posted by StratoBobster

it would sure help to "unmuddy' the water if there was a supported version of Pro Tools for Mojave right now.

Exactly.