Given the positive reviews I've seen on the M4 Pro Mini I'm wondering if the Mini would suffice for moderate DAW/ Music Production instead of going with the M4 Max Studio. What do you guys think would be the better option assuming the Max may not be that much more beneficial for music production ? Though one thing I'm thinking is the Studio may prove to have a better cooling system.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
M4 Pro Mini vs M4 Max Studio for DAW/Music Production
- Thread starter ProgRocker
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Definition of moderate is key here. Broad strokes definition would say that base mini or used prior gen mini is able to cover moderate. But “moderate” can also lead to Mac Pro if one needs one unique card in the creation of moderate music.
Any old Mac- or now iPad- can handle simple music creation… including ancient ones. You might want to think what else you want to do with a Mac and that may help define the right one.
For the cooling system to matter, you’d need to be creating complex music with MANY tracks. Abbey Road and Sgt. Pepper were created on < 16 track tech. If “moderate” is orchestral scores with hundreds of tracks and complex processing, you prob need Studio or Pro.
Any old Mac- or now iPad- can handle simple music creation… including ancient ones. You might want to think what else you want to do with a Mac and that may help define the right one.
For the cooling system to matter, you’d need to be creating complex music with MANY tracks. Abbey Road and Sgt. Pepper were created on < 16 track tech. If “moderate” is orchestral scores with hundreds of tracks and complex processing, you prob need Studio or Pro.
Last edited:
Yes I'm doing Classic Rock more in line with Pepper. A few guitar tracks (audio) w/ amp sims, EZD3 for drums and a synth or two as needed. Nothing overly complex. I do mostly Yes, Floyd, Beatles, Rush type originals. Probably no more than 24 tracks if that. Along with verb, compression, ect. Using Studio One 6 and a Focusrite interface.
Other than Music mostly general use I suppose. I'll be using my PC for 'other' uses like web, email, ect to keep the Mac 'clean'.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
PC should have plenty of horses (and far more music creation software). You might want to just use it.
But if Mac, you can go base easily, last gen used/refurb, or even an intel model can handle that kind of production.
But if Mac, you can go base easily, last gen used/refurb, or even an intel model can handle that kind of production.
Yes!!!
My second system, besides an M1 Studio Ultra, was a CMPro 5,1 with 48GB of RAM, dual 3.4Ghz Xeons, and a fast PCie M2 4TB aun drive. I got an M4 mini Pro with 48GB/2TB and a full set of cores. Runs circles around the old iron and works nicely with Logic Pro and Ableton.
But it does not heat the room the way the CMPro did.
Unless yo have CRAZY projects, you do not need a Studio.
My second system, besides an M1 Studio Ultra, was a CMPro 5,1 with 48GB of RAM, dual 3.4Ghz Xeons, and a fast PCie M2 4TB aun drive. I got an M4 mini Pro with 48GB/2TB and a full set of cores. Runs circles around the old iron and works nicely with Logic Pro and Ableton.
But it does not heat the room the way the CMPro did.
Unless yo have CRAZY projects, you do not need a Studio.