New DAW Setup – 2022 iMac 24” Ok?

[GuitarSlinger]

Hi,

I’m trying to create a new home studio setup. Are there any known concerns about the new 2022 iMac 24”?

1. Any obvious reason (problems, compatibility, etc.) you guys are aware of to not get a new iMac 24” to use with Mbox Studio?
2. Which OS do I probably want? Looks like it comes with Monterey.
3. RAM – 16GB is the limit when ordering. How can you tell if this can be upgraded? Found this but it’s about older models: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT20...%20upgradeable.
4. RAM – I mostly use Superior Drummer as an instrument plugin, so maybe I’d be fine with 16GB?

BACKGROUND INFO
I’m a guitarist and drummer, recording my own metal and acoustic guitar songs, sometimes with vocals, so a one-man 4-5 piece band. I mostly record stuff at home and do demo mixes. I take it to a “real” studio for re-amping with my half stack, true mixing, and mastering, etc., to release an album. I record guitars direct (no amp, using SansAmp) or an acoustic with a mic. Drums are all midi (Roland kit), using Superior Drummer. I use a cheapo keyboard as a midi controller for other things, sounds from Kontakt, usually.

Been using ProTools on a PC I built myself (Mbox 2) since 2004 but haven’t upgraded since 2008 because of the above (no need). And I semi-retired from album releasing in 2012. But now my son is becoming the skilled drummer, guitarist, and songwriter. We’ve done a few tunes together, and I have some things I want to resume, etc.. Time for my return to music making (woot!), and a studio upgrade, and teaching my son the ropes.

So I need to replace a lot. Was looking at PCs but thinking to go to the “dark side” to an iMac 24” for ease of setup(?) and quietness. The current “plan:”
1. 2022 iMac 24” with 16GB RAM and 1TB disk space
2. MBox Studio w/ Pro Tools
3. Superior Drummer again
4. Optional (use it now): Waves Gold Bundle
5. Optional (use it now): Kontakt

I sincerely appreciate any input. The DUC was awesomely helpful long ago and I’m relieved to see it’s still alive and well!

[Carl Lie]

Hi:

The RAM on that machine is stuck at 16 GB. New Apple chips have everything integrated so no RAM upgrade. If you have your old monitor, for a little more $$$ you could by the Mac Studio basic offering with 32 GB ram.

There's a lot to understand about the new macs and which software is supported. Others will chime in but search the forum for info on the new macs. The latest OS isn't supported by PT yet but some are having no problems.

C

[GuitarSlinger]

Thanks for the reply. The Mac Studio seemed good until I read about a high pitched noise they are making.

[sw rec]

We have Mac Studios in every video edit bay here, and they’re whisper quiet, 24/7.

[Obsidian Dragon]

I also have a Mac Studio with the M1Max and there is no whine from mine. This issue may only affect some earlier units so if you go with a Mac Studio, make sure to try it out extensively in the first few days and return/exchange it if your's has a whine.

[gthm]

Can't say I ever liked my '21 M1 iMac 24". I expected more. The screen is small too so keep that in mind if you'll be using only one screen.

A Mac Studio (with more RAM of course!) with two or three (go crazy!) large monitors is the way to go, as I have realized.

I'm also curious about the upcoming M2 Minis, with more RAM available fortunately?

[bradch00]

Not to pile on but. Since 2014 I had a 27" iMac, which I loved. Actually I have been using iMacs since 2007. However with the RAM limitation of the new Apple Silicon iMac systems I had to jump to a new Mac Studio M1 Max (64GB RAM) and it runs whisper quiet, totally happy with it. I have everything from Toontrack, including SD3, EZD3, EZBass, EZKeys and every SDX, EZX and EBX. I would say with some of the bigger SDXs (Legacy of Rock for example) coupled with using a VI for bass and keys, having the extra RAM is definitely good. You may not need 64GB, but these days 16GB is pretty slim. Running a Ventura system off an external SSD. But I haven't tried running PT on it yet. Runs fine under Rosetta on Monterey (internal drive), but I'll probably try it on the Ventura system just to see if it blows up.
If you can manage it I definitely would recommend pushing up to a Mac Studio.

[GuitarSlinger]

Thanks everyone.

The RAM limit on the iMac is lame so I'm looking at the Mac Studio 64 GB 1TB. Pretty sure I will go that way. Just made a big compatibility chart for myself.

But now I need to wait on the MBOX Studio release, as that is my intended audio interface due to price. Not sure I want to be a guinea pig

Avid doesn't even list the specs yet: https://avid.secure.force.com/pkb/ar...X-Requirements

[sw rec]

There’s plenty of interfaces available now that’ll likely give you better performance for less money, I suspect.

[bradch00]

Originally Posted by GuitarSlinger

Thanks everyone.

The RAM limit on the iMac is lame so I'm looking at the Mac Studio 64 GB 1TB. Pretty sure I will go that way. Just made a big compatibility chart for myself.

But now I need to wait on the MBOX Studio release, as that is my intended audio interface due to price. Not sure I want to be a guinea pig

Avid doesn't even list the specs yet: https://avid.secure.force.com/pkb/ar...X-Requirements

As was posted previously, there's lots of interfaces to chose from, but here's the link to the MBOX info; https://www.avid.com/products/mbox-studio