M1 Ultra vs M2 Max Studio - Advice Needed

[mrguitarguy]

Hey guys, I'm looking to add a new Mac Studio to one of our mixing rooms. I've seen some great deals on M1 Ultras lately. It looks like I can get a similarly spec'd M2 Max or M1 Ultra for around the same price.

I'm wondering which system you would recommend? This would be a for plugin heavy mix room. I have a 32GB of RAM Mac Mini M2 Pro 12 core system that I like in another room. Both of these new system options should be more powerful.

I'm wondering if the M2 max with faster cores would be better, or the Ultra with twice as many. (We'll be using some VI's but nothing that should be an issue with either machine.)

I've also read that the M1 coil whine issues aren't problematic with the Ultras due to a different cooling system. Have the M2 Max units had this issue like the M1's did? I know the specs are listed as quieter on the M2 Max, but I'm wondering about real world users. I have never heard any noise from my M2 Pro Mini.

It's hard to find info specific to Pro Tools outside of this forum. So many of the comparisons out there are about video comparisons or apps like Logic Pro. This unit would be exclusively for Pro Tools audio production use.

So many of you are so knowledgable here about this kind of topic that I wanted to see what your experiences have been. This is such a valuable community. Thank you so much for your help and insights.

[thebeatless]

I went from an M1 Ultra Studio to an M2 Max MacBook. the M2 handles my mix session MUCH better. I don't know how much of that comes from the progress that's been made with OS/Pro Tools/Plugin updates and/or being able to run sessions without rosetta, but the ultra was a rough experience for me. It actually pushed me back to using windows for a while. But... This MacBook (that I got in hopes that it would be temporary) has been pretty great.

It's pretty frustrating that apple has been so slow at keeping the latest CPU's in the Studio Model. I'd buy an M3 or M4 today if they'd sell it to me.

[Eric Lambert]

There was a go-around with the M1 Studio Ultra on this forum and a very small number of people couldn't get theirs to play nice with PT but that was always a minuscule minority and their technical details were kept guarded for some reason and their use of compatible Silicon plugins was also a red flag. However, the vast majority of the rest of us are continuing to see great results with their M1 Ultras. If you were comparing an M1 Ultra to an M2 Ultra I'd say go with the M2 but in this case I think I might want the M1. Both are very viable options.

[thebeatless]

Originally Posted by Eric Lambert

There was a go-around with the M1 Studio Ultra on this forum and a very small number of people couldn't get theirs to play nice with PT but that was always a minuscule minority and their technical details were kept guarded for some reason and their use of compatible Silicon plugins was also a red flag. However, the vast majority of the rest of us are continuing to see great results with their M1 Ultras. If you were comparing an M1 Ultra to an M2 Ultra I'd say go with the M2 but in this case I think I might want the M1. Both are very viable options.

I was the one that hated that machine for pro tools, and everyone attacked me for it. Including you! haha Don't worry, I'm not bitter about it. It was just too bleeding edge and apple was/is making things too difficult for developers. Like I said above, I'm sure/I hope software updates and the ability to run pro tools on apple silicon natively improved things significantly.

I also tried the M2 Studio Ultra when it came out, and I couldn't justify keeping it over the M2 Max MacBook. I could maybe run 3 additional plugins before hitting the wall. Single core power is what you want/need for heavy plugin use in pro tools. Logic, Reaper, and other DAW's are much better with additional cores.

[Electronic1982]

I might add some important notes for you outside of things:

1. Apple bricks all computers early, this means all Apple computers have a short life span


2. When the computer gets bricked (no longer supported), you're only options are:
a) buy a new apple computer (again)
b) or hack the apple computer (including the operating system) and "hope" it won't create issues with pro tools (it's problematic)


3. PC vs Mac, I use both (with stress), and I can tell you, one of the main differences is you can choose between hardware compatibility problems of the PC vs the software compatibility problems of a Mac - compatibility will remain a big issue regardless, in my experience software compatibility of a Mac has been a major (major) issue more than PC hardware issues


4. Apple will want huge amounts of cash to keep using their computers, a bit like a subscription, when the difference between a powerful PC and a powerful Mac is not perceivable during use of any of them - power is power, the only difference here is in the cost: if you can't build a PC, then you have to pay Apple to do it for you (if you want a Mac, unless you know how to build their computers and at that point, you're basically building another PC)


5. Apple computers lose value very (very) quickly in the second hand market if you want to sell it on. Don't be surprized if you lose around 75-80% worth of money every 3-4 Year tech cycle (if you was to sell it on)


6. As a reminder, a problem is a problem, throwning money at it does not solve the problem - no matter what the marketing says


Thought I'd mention these as an additonal piece of help.

[gives]

Originally Posted by Electronic1982

I might add some important notes for you outside of things:

1. Apple bricks all computers early, this means all Apple computers have a short life span


2. When the computer gets bricked (no longer supported), you're only options are:
a) buy a new apple computer (again)
b) or hack the apple computer (including the operating system) and "hope" it won't create issues with pro tools (it's problematic)


3. PC vs Mac, I use both (with stress), and I can tell you, one of the main differences is you can choose between hardware compatibility problems of the PC vs the software compatibility problems of a Mac - compatibility will remain a big issue regardless, in my experience software compatibility of a Mac has been a major (major) issue more than PC hardware issues


4. Apple will want huge amounts of cash to keep using their computers, a bit like a subscription, when the difference between a powerful PC and a powerful Mac is not perceivable during use of any of them - power is power, the only difference here is in the cost: if you can't build a PC, then you have to pay Apple to do it for you (if you want a Mac, unless you know how to build their computers and at that point, you're basically building another PC)


5. Apple computers lose value very (very) quickly in the second hand market if you want to sell it on. Don't be surprized if you lose around 75-80% worth of money every 3-4 Year tech cycle (if you was to sell it on)


6. As a reminder, a problem is a problem, throwning money at it does not solve the problem - no matter what the marketing says


Thought I'd mention these as an additonal piece of help.

Interesting take. However, I had a Mac Pro Trash can for 9 years without any problems at all, running everything from 5.1 mixes, audio post, and of course scoring work. So, there's that. I have had years of Macs that made me a good living and had really no issues other than HD issues that crapped out. The usually technology progression took care of that eventually. Ran HDX systems for years and were pretty solid.
No I have a Mac Studio Ultra as I had to go that route with my Dolby ATMOS room here and decided that the HDX route made no sense for me and as things got faster, the only thing I invested in was the Avid MTRX system here and then in the last year upgraded from my two year old MTRX to a MTRX II and got the TB3 card which I run directly into my Mac Studio via Optical cable from my rack into the Mac directly. I could not be happier. I think the best advice I got was to stay on Ventura, which I am still on as there are still some issues it seems with Sonoma and I have no need to do Sonoma as my Mac Studio Ultra shipped in Oct 2022 with Ventura.

My setup create a solid stream of income and until I see some reason to upgrade, which I don't now, I will stay put. I did not see a significant difference with power to the M2's at all, and my setup, which is fully loaded, I see no need to upgrade for now. If PC users are doing well, then that's great. It's all about what tool works in the toolbox for your current needs-:). BTW with the new AppleCarePLUS which is paid yearly, I only pay $59.99/ year that covers damage, theft and loss.
Coverage will automatically extend each year as long as you continue to make annual payments. Once you cancel it can't be renewed, but at least it lasts more than the old model of AppleCare of 3 years max.

G

[basslik]

Originally Posted by gives

Interesting take. However, I had a Mac Pro Trash can for 9 years without any problems at all, running everything from 5.1 mixes, audio post, and of course scoring work. So, there's that. I have had years of Macs that made me a good living and had really no issues other than HD issues that crapped out. The usually technology progression took care of that eventually. Ran HDX systems for years and were pretty solid.
No I have a Mac Studio Ultra as I had to go that route with my Dolby ATMOS room here and decided that the HDX route made no sense for me and as things got faster, the only thing I invested in was the Avid MTRX system here and then in the last year upgraded from my two year old MTRX to a MTRX II and got the TB3 card which I run directly into my Mac Studio via Optical cable from my rack into the Mac directly. I could not be happier. I think the best advice I got was to stay on Ventura, which I am still on as there are still some issues it seems with Sonoma and I have no need to do Sonoma as my Mac Studio Ultra shipped in Oct 2022 with Ventura.

My setup create a solid stream of income and until I see some reason to upgrade, which I don't now, I will stay put. I did not see a significant difference with power to the M2's at all, and my setup, which is fully loaded, I see no need to upgrade for now. If PC users are doing well, then that's great. It's all about what tool works in the toolbox for your current needs-:). BTW with the new AppleCarePLUS which is paid yearly, I only pay $59.99/ year that covers damage, theft and loss.
Coverage will automatically extend each year as long as you continue to make annual payments. Once you cancel it can't be renewed, but at least it lasts more than the old model of AppleCare of 3 years max.

G

My 5,1 still chugging along and does everything I need it to do.
Janne is correct, for solid tracking I use one of my 5,1 with Mt. Lion has never hiccuped. Then I mix on my other 5,1 with Monterey and the latest PT.

[gives]

Originally Posted by basslik

My 5,1 still chugging along and does everything I need it to do.
Janne is correct, for solid tracking I use one of my 5,1 with Mt. Lion has never hiccuped. Then I mix on my other 5,1 with Monterey and the latest PT.

NICE! I went from Monterey and then to Ventura, but had to upgrade for things going forward for the ATMOS stuff.. 9yrs was long enough on the old Trash Can. I was able to actually sell it to a guy in Texas that really wanted it. Got $400 for it on Reverb.com before they quit selling computers on there. They guy emailed me back and was super happy with it and said it looked like new. G

[Eric Lambert]

Originally Posted by Electronic1982

I might add some important notes for you outside of things:

Wow, what a load of drivel that was.

[Eric Lambert]

Originally Posted by gives

NICE! I went from Monterey and then to Ventura, but had to upgrade for things going forward for the ATMOS stuff.. 9yrs was long enough on the old Trash Can. I was able to actually sell it to a guy in Texas that really wanted it. Got $400 for it on Reverb.com before they quit selling computers on there. They guy emailed me back and was super happy with it and said it looked like new. G

My trashcan is on its 11th year. 9 years as a studio machine and now 2 years as a Plex & Roon server. Not a single issue and still serving the family quite well.