Crazy: No current Mac meets my needs (audio/video production)

[MajorFubar]

Wow, no, hadn’t heard about it. Is there a thread/official info?

I had issues mating my Studio Max with my Icon Qcon control surfaces, which worked absolutely fine with my previous Intel Mac but were a nightmare with my Studio Max. However I wouldn't take my example as being representative across the board, because the issues I experienced were because Icon have their head in the sand about the very well publicised incompatibility problems between their devices' firmware and Pro/Max/Ultra chips. Unless you have the same control surfaces as me, it seems unlikely you will run into the same issues.

 

[everlast3434]

I agree. The current Max lineup is pretty sad. We REALLY need upgraded iMacs.

 

[tevion5]

What’s the percentage of studio users complaining about being noisy? More than 1%? Do you know someone who owns one that you confirm is noisy?

Anecdotal but I got an M1 Max Mac Studio for audio work and it had a very annoying high pitched whine. Got it replaced and the replacement whined too and I'm in the process of returning this one.

Don't know how wide spread it is but either I'm the unluckiest man on earth or there is likely some quality control failure with these first gen Mac Studios!

 

[Think77]

My Mac Studio has the noise everyone is complaining about. I only here it at 2am and I have to be listening for it. It is not an issue at all.

Are you sure that is the problem everyone is talking about? Is it a high pitched noise or just the (expected) sound from the fan?

 

[Think77]

Anecdotal but I got an M1 Max Mac Studio for audio work and it had a very annoying high pitched whine. Got it replaced and the replacement whined too and I'm in the process of returning this one.

Don't know how wide spread it is but either I'm the unluckiest man on earth or there is likely some quality control failure with these first gen Mac Studios!

Yes... it doesn't seem that likely that you get two faulty units, if the problem only affects a very small number of users. But who knows Are you getting a third one? Would like to hear back...

 

[Think77]

I had issues mating my Studio Max with my Icon Qcon control surfaces, which worked absolutely fine with my previous Intel Mac but were a nightmare with my Studio Max. However I wouldn't take my example as being representative across the board, because the issues I experienced were because Icon have their head in the sand (...)

Yeah, nothing we can do about third party hardware/software developers. I also had to wait for around 12 months for Waves Audio to release Apple Silicon-ready plugins. However, it works really well now. Hope your control surface will be working sooner rather than later 🤞

 

[88Keys]

You record and produce in the same room? From this point you lost all your credibility.

Get a Dell.

LOL this!

 

[tevion5]

Yes... it doesn't seem that likely that you get two faulty units, if the problem only affects a very small number of users. But who knows Are you getting a third one? Would like to hear back...

I'm trading in my Mac Pro 2019 and going to return this 2nd Mac Studio for my money back.

Will have to decide if I use my trade in credit to roll the dice on a 3rd Mac Studio.

Also considering just getting an M1 Mac Mini to use in the meantime until a new Mac Studio revision comes out. Not much performance headroom but might just be powerful enough and drive my new Studio Display for a few months.

 

[MajorFubar]

I agree. The current Max lineup is pretty sad. We REALLY need upgraded iMacs.

M2 24" iMacs are obviously coming but I think the Mac Studio and Studio Display quashed all hope of a >=27" iMac any time soon.

 

[rgwebb]

I know it sounds crazy, but there’s currently no desktop Mac that meets my need as an audio/video producer.

Mac Mini (M1): Not powerful enough
Mac Studio (M1 Max/Ultra): Noise issues as per reported by multiple users
Mac Pro (Intel): Too old and too expensive

One option is to go with a Macbook Pro, but I don’t need/want to pay for the screen when I already have a 30” pro monitor on my desk.

So, the waiting game is on…

Edit: I should clarify that the M1 Max Studio would fit my needs perfectly, but the reported noise/whine issue is what makes me hesitant on the purchase. And I’m not talking about the (expected) sound from the fan.

Seems like you need to buy a Mac Studio and confirm the fan noise first rather than letting your work needs suffer due to what a few people said on the internet. Return policy exists.

 

[mollyc]

How can you work with an Intel Mac Pro and think that a Studio will be too loud?

 

[antiprotest]

I seems several models "meets my needs" -- if you are taking about needs -- according to your own description but you just don't like them.

 

[Apples Apples Everywhere]

I bought a Mac Studio and returned it the next day due to an annoying whistling sound. Major bummer. I had the Studio Max but would have bought the Ultra if people hadn't reported the same annoying whistling sound.

I've been very happy with a loaded MacBook Pro 14 in clamshell mode. I never use the screen so yes, that was money spent on nothing, but other than paying more the solution is fantastic.

 

[Zdigital2015]

I should mention that the Mac Studio (M1 Max), by far, is the best option for my needs. But, there’s a 60 pages thread here on MR with people reporting uncontrollable noise issues at unpleasant levels and frequencies. And sometimes the issues start to slowly arise after a few months of use - making a refund/new machine less straight forward. That’s a no go when doing vocal recordings in an acoustically treated, quiet room. Of course, I could be overthinking this 😊

You are…buy the Max, place it away from the microphone(s) and make sure they aren’t directed at the Studio. I assume you’re using either shotgun or cardioid microphones. Place a bit of acoustic foam behind the air exhaust of the Studio, which should absorb any fan noises. I’ve never been a fan of having a mic just free floating in a room with acoustic foam unless the mic has some sort of surround to keep noises from coming in at the sides, but that’s just me. Also, there is such a thing as making a room so “acoustically dead” that your vocal recordings sound lifeless and cold.

 

[marklcfc]

I’m in the same situation after returning the Mac studio and don’t want a laptop due to using a bigger screen and prefer not to have cables everywhere.

I’ve been waiting for the Mac mini to update for well over a year now

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I know it sounds crazy, but there’s currently no desktop Mac that meets my need as an audio/video producer.

Mac Mini (M1): Not powerful enough
Mac Studio (M1 Max/Ultra): Noise issues as per reported by multiple users
Mac Pro (Intel): Too old and too expensive

One option is to go with a Macbook Pro, but I don’t need/want to pay for the screen when I already have a 30” pro monitor on my desk.

So, the waiting game is on…

Edit: I should clarify that the M1 Max Studio would fit my needs perfectly, but the reported noise/whine issue is what makes me hesitant on the purchase. And I’m not talking about the (expected) sound from the fan.

Is the Mac Studio whine issue still happening? I thought that got fixed ages ago.

There is an M2 Pro Mac Mini coming later this year possibly so you could wait for that. Though I wonder how many Mac Studios are actually having the whine issue that you could just press your luck and if it's happening just return it.

It seems the Apple Silicon pro machines have been having noise issues in general from software as for months my 14 inch Macbook Pro and many other's have had speaker popping/crackling. Some of us had to install third party audio drivers like Boom 3D as a workaround. Only now with the upcoming macOS 12.5 is the issue finally resolved. But these issues are becoming more and more common that it's starting to look like audio pros might have to go back to Windows with how broken macOS has been with sound.

 

[MayaUser]

Ha ha I feel your pain. Have you considered one of those chromebooks?

chromebooks for Maya 3d modeling????? we all are crazy but not that crazy
I dont even think chromeOS can run Maya

 

[MayaUser]

How can you work with an Intel Mac Pro and think that a Studio will be too loud?

the hypocrisy ...

 

[dizmonk]

Anything that makes a Mac Studio M1 Max fans spin up is going to make the M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro sound like a jet airplane.

Source: I own a Studio and MBP. Never actually heard my Studio, at all.

Completely agree on the Studio. I have the base +2tb and have basically heard nothing. I really think this whole sound is exaggerated.

 

[lcubed]

Good/reassuring to hear that. However, some users report that the noise/whine issue doesn’t occur until after a few months of use - so, that makes a return less straight forward, I believe…

I’ve had my ultra studio since late March and still no whine! A goodly number of posts in that thread that you’re fretting about report no issues and even post the RTA spectrum measurements.

 

[MajorFubar]

Completely agree on the Studio. I have the base +2tb and have basically heard nothing. I really think this whole sound is exaggerated.

My machine is almost totally silent like yours. I even measured it using a dB meter app with the phone sat directly on top of it: 25dB. Maybe for some people it's different expectations, but others claim they can hear a whining in the 2kHz-3kHz range even from a yard or more away, so I think that's more than just different expectations.

 

[tevion5]

the hypocrisy ...

I've returned 2 M1 Max Mac Studios over noise now. It's not "loudness", it's objectively one of the quietest computers I've owned, but the sound they can make (due to some fault clearly) is insanely annoying and high pitched. It's like a whining whistling sound that changes frequency a little up and down at random. A loud low fan I can get used to but this sound drives me insane after a minute. Totally unacceptable for any use imo, especially audio work.

I'd honestly rather use my loud whirring liquid cooled Power Mac G5 Quad for extended amounts of time than the a whining Mac Studio. Frustrating because aside from that it's blazing fast and has great IO for me.

 

[dandeco]

One option is to go with a Macbook Pro, but I don’t need/want to pay for the screen when I already have a 30” pro monitor on my desk.

You COULD get the MacBook Pro and hook it up to your monitor to use in clamshell/desktop mode. I've done that with my M1 MacBook Air, and it's pretty good.

 

[marstan]

Tap to click several non-sequential files, both with Shift and CMD, works fine.

You should post your experience to this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...n-b9-and-10-and-now-monterey-release.2317279/

 

[julesme]

This is one of the crazier threads I’ve read on MacRumors over the years. The idea that someone who really wants, and can benefit from the use of, an M1 Pro / M1 Max MBP would hold off indefinitely and deny themselves the use of this groundbreaking machine because of the vague fear of speaker popping is utter nonsense.

I have a wonderful 14” M1 Max model (32GB / 2TB SSD / 24 core GPU) that was ordered in October of last year, and I have never heard the speakers pop. I’ve also never once heard the fans turn on.