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#1
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Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?
I'm currently using PT10 HD3 on a Mac Pro 3.1 8-core system. It runs pretty well provided I stick to mostly DSP plugins. I do like using a LOT of plugins in my work and I find it won't cope with many native plugins and runs out of memory easily, despite the system having 32gb. I believe PT10 can only utilise 4gb so this may be the reason why.
I've been considering upgrade to a PT12 or newer HDX setup for a while now (mostly due to the offline bounce and track rendering functionality) however I also understand that the newer tech will handle native plugins more efficiently? I will also upgrade the MAC. I despise the cylindrical shape of the newer 6.1 Mac Pros so I'm considering a used 5.1 system and would be grateful if people could advise what spec I should be looking for? e.g. 6-core of 12-core? Is 3.46GHz processor enough? Is 32gb enough memory or should I be looking at 48gb / 64gb / 96gb etc? With regards my usage, I'm a home-studio producer working on my own music only. Only recording a few tracks simultaneously, most of the time tracking one track at a time. Mixture of analogue tracks and virtual instruments 50/50 and typical track counts 35-50. What I'm looking to achieve is to be able to use a lot more native plugins (e.g. Soundtoys, Izotope, Waves) rather than be restricted to the Avid DSP plugins even though they are excellent. |
#2
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Re: Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?
I am running 2018.12 (regular) on a Mac Pro 4,1 that I flashed to a 5,1. I also recently upgraded the processor to a 6-core 3.46GHz and have 16GB of RAM. I haven't come anywhere near maxing it out, even on a 90 track mix with tons of plugs. This was at a 44.1 sample rate, and I use a fair amount of UAD plugs. But still, it was only hitting about 25% of CPU usage. I also use a lot of Soundtoys/Waves.
I came from PT10 HD Native... It seems like between 10 and 2018 they really optimized plugin CPU usage. If you don't mind tinkering, you could probably find a 4,1 for cheap and then flash/upgrade. It was not at all difficult to swap out the CPU and the X5690 I put in was only $100. |
#3
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Re: Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?
Might be worth reminding that a 4,1 requires delidded CPUs. Although far from impossible, that's an extra step that needs to be taken with caution... A "true" 5,1 is a very simple upgrade by comparison.
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Mac Pro 5,1 (Mid-2012) 12-core 2 x 3.3 GHz / MSI RX 560 / 40GB ram / macOS 10.14.5 / Pro Tools 2019.5 / Logic Pro X 10.4.4 Arturia Keylab 88 • Presonus Faderport 8 • MOTU 896 • iPad Air 2 w/ PT Control NI Komplete Ultimate 11 • Albion One • Soundiron Choirs • Pianoteq • Analog Lab • VSL SE/Chamber Strings • etc |
#4
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Re: Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?
The single CPU in 4,1's, like mine, doesn't need to be delidded. That's just the dual CPU models. Mine was a super simple swap.
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#5
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Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?
I run a 2010 5,1 Mac Pro (see my profile for specs) and I’m bugged by a GUI lag that is driving me insane. I’ve just upgraded to 2018.12 on 10.13.6 and it’s still there. Avid know about it but that’s as far as they’ve got. Otherwise the 5,1 Mac Pro’s with the 3.46GHz 6-core are awesome.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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James Welch Recording Engineer | Producer Masterlink Productions Mac Mini 8,1 (2018) | 3.2 GHz 6-Core Intel i7 | 64GB Ram | Apple 27" LED Cinema | 2TB System Drive | LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB SSD NVMe Audio Drive | UAD-2 Quad Satellite (Firewire) macOS Catalina 10.15.7 | Pro Tools Ultimate 2021.7 | Avid HDX TB3 Chassis | HDX | Avid Omni | Avid 16x16 HD I/O x2 | Digidesign 192 | Digidesign C24 |
#6
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Re: Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?
Also consider upgrading your stock 5770 graphics card (or whatever comes with the 3,1 or 4,1) to one that supports Metal. If you’re in the UK Create Pro will help you out. If not then MacVidCards are the place to look.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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James Welch Recording Engineer | Producer Masterlink Productions Mac Mini 8,1 (2018) | 3.2 GHz 6-Core Intel i7 | 64GB Ram | Apple 27" LED Cinema | 2TB System Drive | LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB SSD NVMe Audio Drive | UAD-2 Quad Satellite (Firewire) macOS Catalina 10.15.7 | Pro Tools Ultimate 2021.7 | Avid HDX TB3 Chassis | HDX | Avid Omni | Avid 16x16 HD I/O x2 | Digidesign 192 | Digidesign C24 |
#7
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Re: Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?
Quote:
Just seen that you’re in the UK, definitely check out Create Pro Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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James Welch Recording Engineer | Producer Masterlink Productions Mac Mini 8,1 (2018) | 3.2 GHz 6-Core Intel i7 | 64GB Ram | Apple 27" LED Cinema | 2TB System Drive | LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB SSD NVMe Audio Drive | UAD-2 Quad Satellite (Firewire) macOS Catalina 10.15.7 | Pro Tools Ultimate 2021.7 | Avid HDX TB3 Chassis | HDX | Avid Omni | Avid 16x16 HD I/O x2 | Digidesign 192 | Digidesign C24 |
#8
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Re: Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?
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Stein Tore Sønsteli Pro Tools Ultimate 2023.12 (HDX-2), Mac Studio M1 Max, MTRX Studio, Avid I/O's, S1 + Dock |
#9
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Re: Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?
Quote:
I would definitely look for dual processor 8 or 12 core machine and upgrade the processors to 3.46 which is the highest you can get for the 5,1. Also consider putting an SSD boot drive on the PCI bus.
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offthewallproductions Mac Pro 5,1 3.46 Ghz 12 core, Open Core 0.9.8, Radeon RX580 GPU, GC-TITAN RIDGE TB3 PCIe card, M.2 NVMe SSD boot drive on PCIe card, 48GB RAM, macOS 12.7.4 Pro Tools Ultimate 2024.3.1/HD Driver 2023.3 HDX, UA Octo PCIe card in external TB3 chassis, MTRX Studio I/O, C|24 control surface. Genelec 1031AP/7070A 5.1 monitoring. |
#10
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Re: Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?
Quote:
__________________
James Welch Recording Engineer | Producer Masterlink Productions Mac Mini 8,1 (2018) | 3.2 GHz 6-Core Intel i7 | 64GB Ram | Apple 27" LED Cinema | 2TB System Drive | LaCie Rugged USB-C 2TB SSD NVMe Audio Drive | UAD-2 Quad Satellite (Firewire) macOS Catalina 10.15.7 | Pro Tools Ultimate 2021.7 | Avid HDX TB3 Chassis | HDX | Avid Omni | Avid 16x16 HD I/O x2 | Digidesign 192 | Digidesign C24 |
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