What Mac desktop for Pro Tools Studio

[Ty Ford]

I think it's that time again. My 2010 Mac Pro is topped out at 10.9.5 running Pro Tools 11 with a Digi 003R.

I'd like to know what Mac desktop works with Pro Tools Studio. In my current system, I have 64GB RAM and all the media is on a second internal drive. I have B/U for both Sys/Apps and Media, plue Time Machine. Unless there's a real reason not to do that, I'd like to continue that layout.

Any help, urls and other stuff would be appreciated.

I have a FireFace UC on an iMac Pro running a competitor's software, so unless the 003R magically works, I'll probably go that way.

Thanks in Advance,

Ty Ford

[Eric Lambert]

What's your budget?

[Ty Ford]

Perfect question.
Not smart enough to answer at the moment.

Here's what I've seen so far:

Supported Processors:
2019 MacPro7,1 28-Core Intel Xeon W 2.5 GHz*(*)
2019 MacPro7,1 24-Core Intel Xeon W 2.7 GHz*(*)
2019 MacPro7,1 16-Core Intel Xeon W 3.2 GHz
2019 MacPro7,1 12-Core Intel Xeon W 3.3 GHz
2019 MacPro7,1 8-Core Intel Xeon W 3.5 GHz

Curiously, the newest ones are 2019 MacPro 7,1. Nothing newer.

I'll probably be using my ADI 8 for A/D conversion and I found a small piece of kit that converts ADAT to USB C.

Historically, I've always tried to get the fastest, newest Mac with 32 or 64 GB RAM in hopes that it'll last a long time and though many OS evolutions. I think my 5,1 has been in operation since 2010. I'm at PT 11 and OS X 9.5.

[Eric Lambert]

Any reason why you're not looking at the Studio Ultra? It's the faster Mac in the current lineup. I have one and it's intensely quick and nimble.

[K Roche]

So you really have my curiosity peaked
First thought is unless you need two dedicated systems , why not just also run PT Studio on your iMac Pro ?

Then also wondering why are you looking at Mac Pro's (which are when sold by say OWC) are running $4K to $5k as opposed to say a new Mac Studio machine or even a M2 Pro Mac Mini loaded up with 1 TB storage and 32 BG unified memory ? at 1/2 the price Do you need PCIe slots ?

[Ty Ford]

I like having separate desks. One for Logic Pro, one for PT.

I have always used Mac Pros. The last one I bought and seek to retire now is a 5.1 from 2010.

I do not need PCIe slots.

My studio is setup in one room. Do the smaller units fan up? My 2017 iMac Pro doesn't during Logic Pro Operation.

The Pro Tools site says Pro Tools Studio requires:
Supported Processors:
2019 MacPro7,1 28-Core Intel Xeon W 2.5 GHz*(*)
2019 MacPro7,1 24-Core Intel Xeon W 2.7 GHz*(*)
2019 MacPro7,1 16-Core Intel Xeon W 3.2 GHz
2019 MacPro7,1 12-Core Intel Xeon W 3.3 GHz

I'd like a 4TB SSD main drive. Can you get Mac Studios with 4T?

[Darryl Ramm]

The absolute last thing I would be looking at is an old dead end of the road Intel Mac Pro when Apple is about done transitioning off Intel processors.

Does not sound like you need a Mac Pro, and the Apple Silicon Mac Pro are not been released yet, so if you need something now you should he looking at the Mac Studio models.

Stop looking at the qualified systems or whatever you are looking at, that stuff is so far out of date/completely not helpful.

[smurfyou]

Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm

Stop looking at the qualified systems or whatever you are looking at, that stuff is so far out of date/completely not helpful.

Hard to blame someone for looking in the right place but getting the wrong info!

[K Roche]

Originally Posted by Ty Ford

I like having separate desks. One for Logic Pro, one for PT.

Makes sense

I have always used Mac Pros. The last one I bought and seek to retire now is a 5.1 from 2010.

Yep me to retired it an got the 2020 iMac listed in my signature

My studio is setup in one room. Do the smaller units fan up? My 2017 iMac Pro doesn't during Logic Pro Operation.

Well the new generation Intel chips get really hot,, I do not know about them in the Mac Pro configuration but my 2020 iMac 10th gen i7 the fans are a bit noticeable when using a lot of plugins and or VI while mixing in PT and really loud processing Final Cut Pro

Now there has been some reporting of of fan noise mostly on the M1 Max Mac studio machines, but is random and may depend on the specific computer itself .. No noise issues on the M1 Mac minis but the M2 series are too new to have much feedback yet.

I'd like a 4TB SSD main drive. Can you get Mac Studios with 4T?

Both the Mac Studio and M2 Pro Mac Mini's can be configured up to 8 TB internal I believe 4TB is a $1000 up charge
But unless you are accessing multiple huge VI libraries you may not need even 4 TB

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by smurfyou

Hard to blame someone for looking in the right place but getting the wrong info!

I was not "blaming" anybody, I was pointing out the information is not helpful and to stop using that info.