when you find a forum thread about a problem just remember it was started by a person with a problem and attracts people with the same problem. That does not mean that the problem is common, widespread, or unsolvable.
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Crazy: No current Mac meets my needs (audio/video production)
- Thread starter Think77
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True, but it also attracts people who are compelled to justify their purchase and say that while they can hear the whine on their $6k computer, it doesn't bother them because they're incredibly [professional / mature / not-crazy] (delete as applicable.)
It's weird because if you bought a Pro Display XDR and it had a dead pixel, I don't think anyone would go "It's a non issue, I have a dead pixel but I just ignore it because I'm not crazy", "If you were actually doing professional work, you'd wouldn't care about dead pixels" or the silliest of all "I have a Pro Display XDR and it doesn't have any dead pixels so this issue doesn't exist"
You're totally correct though that it doesn't mean the problem is widespread, and OP should probably just buy a Studio and then return it if the noise bothers them, or enjoy an amazing computer if it doesn't.
Not everyone is in the same situation. Some people live in Siberia, others are deaf, some others like to listen to heavy metal in high volume while working, some others have never experienced silent computing thus they can tolerate anything Apple (or any mainstream PC manufacturer) sells them. Macs are relatively quiet and ultra compact but they are also limited, expensive, and unupgradeable/unmodable. The best way to silence is putting the computer (Mac or generic PC) as far from your ears as possible, preferably in another room, which defies the purpose of buying a good-looking small-factor computer in the first place.
What do expect you have a basic Mini, these are NOT made for audio production work! Sure you hack it to do it but it was still not made to do those tasks! I gave you the Universal or Silicon DAWS but you ignored it to your desire!
First hand experience:
- At idle, the mac studio is quieter than the mac pro (not by a huge ton)
- At 50%+ usage, the mac studio is louder than the mac pro (the mac pro fans go from around 615 rpm to 700rpm, which is not noticeable from more than 1ft away, even with a dual vega setup)
- the blackmagic ultrastudio mini 4k, as small as it is with its mini little internal fan, is louder than both
- At idle, the mac studio is quieter than the mac pro (not by a huge ton)
- At 50%+ usage, the mac studio is louder than the mac pro (the mac pro fans go from around 615 rpm to 700rpm, which is not noticeable from more than 1ft away, even with a dual vega setup)
- the blackmagic ultrastudio mini 4k, as small as it is with its mini little internal fan, is louder than both
I actually find that the M1 Mini is near perfect for audio work. Could use some more RAM (like the 24GB with the M2) for big sample libraries and running multiple apps at once. The problem with the M1 Mini is video work, especially 4K.
Which, by logic, would mean that (all other things equal) the more error reports we see online in different discission threads, the more likely it is that the problem is widespread. But yes, it’s still a matter of finding out where the threshold is between common and uncommon problems.
I don’t disagree. The problem is primarily price difference. The base Studio comes with 10 core cpu, 24 core gpu and 32 GB RAM. In order to match that I have to pay around 1500-1600 dollars more on the 14” Pro (at least here in Europe). And let’s just say that the rising/insane gas prices (for heating the house over the winter) have not been kind to the wallet.
Some shops (for example Amazon) give a 30-day return window, enough time to get the system and do real work on it, this helps to see if the noise, performance, and configuration chosen matches your needs.
OTOH, Macs in general are industry leading in terms of noise levels, so, if not a Mac Mini (perhaps with an M2 Pro in the fall) or a Mac Studio, what are the alternatives? to me it seems any other option would be more noisy.
Also, why not hide the Mac Mini/Studio on a sound-isolated drawer in your desk, they're small enough to be placed there and sound-isolating a drawer shouldn't be too hard, some foam in and around and some cable openings could do.
OTOH, Macs in general are industry leading in terms of noise levels, so, if not a Mac Mini (perhaps with an M2 Pro in the fall) or a Mac Studio, what are the alternatives? to me it seems any other option would be more noisy.
Also, why not hide the Mac Mini/Studio on a sound-isolated drawer in your desk, they're small enough to be placed there and sound-isolating a drawer shouldn't be too hard, some foam in and around and some cable openings could do.
The Mac Studio has what I would call 'coil whine'. My 3080Ti also has it. When a lot of power is pushed through it, it generates this higher pitched, sometimes a few different pitches, whining. It's not the fans. My 3080ti got better overtime as it got 'broken in' but still exhibits it. Mac Studio went back at first, waited a while, and picked up another one. New one has no whine.
You obviously have no idea what you’re on about. I record produce, mix, and master in the same room. I’ve been a media composer for the last 12 or so years. Millions of others work in this same environment.
Well, one of the benefits of getting older and you hearing slowly goes. (Joking 😂) Seriously, I have a Mac Studio Max and so far no scream of death for me (knocking on wood). I had a coil problem with one of my lenses and it wasn't bad, but it eventually has gone away. Though the problem people are describing is that it happens after awhile and one would think it would be the other way around? 🤷♂️ Anyways, most of the time I'm shooting my video outside and I have to deal with the wind. The only time I hear the Studio is in the middle of the night, but that is after waking up and going back to bed trying to get back to sleep. I'm really impressed so far with the studio and I hope it continues.
Here's a thought. Get the Studio. If it has whine or other noise issues, return it until you get one that doesn't. The end.
I'm sorry.
just in case there was a mis understanding, I was joking.
True, but Apple still sells Intel Macs, so… How do Hackintosh work these days? Any limitations? I’ll probably never go that route, but curious nevertheless 😊
They work fine for now. But it's a dying hobby. Probably another couple of years left.
They work great, been doing it a long time now. I don't see myself with a new mac system in the near future as hack's still have some legs. The 2019 MP should be supported for a while still. Until there isn't a intel system left and Apple makes a hard break from MacOS for intel then there will be hack's.