MP 7,1 Mac Pro 7.1 for Music Production ~ all things musical

[OkiRun]

I've opened this thread as a clearing house for those using the Mac Pro 7.1 for all things related to music production.

Will start with some up and coming software with integration for the Apollo Twin specifically using macOS called LUNA:

LUNA Recording System - Analog Sound at the Speed of Light

Born from Universal Audio DNA. Shaped by 60 years of analog exploration. Introducing the LUNA Recording System

www.uaudio.com

I think its been a long time coming for UA to have a one-stop production interface.

 

[Deftone101]

Trying to get my feet wet in the world of at home music production. Now mind you I have been leaning towards the mid to late 2011 iMac but would love some educational advice on where to begin. Please feel free to enlighten me on i3 or i5 recommendations as well as anything beyond that in terms of memory space must haves and anything pertaining to my situation. Please remember I am not very versed on the topic and would appreciate any knowledge. The 2011 has been talked about in many forums I have viewed and before I decide to drop grands on a platform I’d really like to start with basics and work into a better setup after really understanding this whole venture into music production. This will be none other than a bedroom endeavor so please keep that scale in mind. Thanks in advance!!

 

[EpicEsquire]

I've opened this thread as a clearing house for those using the Mac Pro 7.1 for all things related to music production.

Will start with some up and coming software with integration for the Apollo Twin specifically using macOS called LUNA:

LUNA Recording System - Analog Sound at the Speed of Light

Born from Universal Audio DNA. Shaped by 60 years of analog exploration. Introducing the LUNA Recording System

www.uaudio.com

I think its been a long time coming for UA to have a one-stop production interface.

What are your thoughts on LUNA so far? I use Logic with an Apogee Element 24 but thinking of moving over to UA (although, not sure why I would forego Logic for Luna)

What are the specs of your 7,1?

 

[DPUser]

Will start with some up and coming software with integration for the Apollo Twin specifically using macOS called LUNA

I Like UA's stuff, own a UAD card and LA610. But do we really need another DAW? And will it be open to AU and VST, or is UA just opening another channel to lock users in to its plugin ecosystem?

 

[John_B Beta]

1 week in (bar a busy weekend elsewhere) and almost finished clean installing all my music apps & plugins on the new 7,1... Only run into a few non-Catalina ones so far thankfully.

 

[flygbuss]

Longtime UAD User with 3 Apollo’s and a satellite, but I can’t see myself moving from Pro Tools to Luna. Integration of the UAD console in PT works pretty well and I have yet to understand the reason why they decided to go this way. I mean this area is pretty well covered with plenty of great DAWs available already.

- - Post merged: Feb 27, 2020 - -

What are your thoughts on LUNA so far? I use Logic with an Apogee Element 24 but thinking of moving over to UA (although, not sure why I would forego Logic for Luna)

What are the specs of your 7,1?

I also rely heavily on Fabfilter, iZotope and Avid plug-ins, so again, really wondering what the benefits would be.

 

[TimmyCrook]

MacPro 7,1
16 Core
96GB RAM
Highpoint w/ 4TB SSD NVMe
Sonnet with 2 4TB SSD SATA
RP Vega II

For UA users Luna may be a great option, as its tuned for your interface. I believe today when the standards for the industry are SoundCloud and TV streaming services, vs 20 years ago when ProTools was the standard because of radio and television. Any digital audio workstation that you feel comfortable with is the best choice. I use Logic Pro, and sometimes I like to use Studio One, because it was designed to be a multitouch workstation, and as I have two Slate Raven MTI2’s it’s great on the Mac.

As far as interfaces are concerned, I’m an Evangelist of native processing vs DSP, and reducing latency as much as possible. In my current set up I’m using a Slate VRS8 with 1 ML1 & 5 ML2’s.

Monitors are Focal Shape 6,5

For my guitars, I’m using a Line 6 Helix Rack, running into a EVH 5150 iii 50W and half stack. I also use a Roland GI-20 for midi w/ a Brian Moore iGuitar.

 

[machenryr]

2019 7,1 Mac Pro
16 core, 160GB ram, 4TB
3x 2TB on PCIe

UAD-2 Satellite Thunderbolt Quad
UAD-2 Solo PCIe
UAD-2 Solo FireWire (unused presently.

Audio interfaces:
Metric Halo ULN-8 3d(x6) ULN-2 3d

DAWS: Digital Performer 10.11 (primary), Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton Live.

I’m a guitarist. I use Fractal Axe Fx III in the studio and AX8 (for live performances).

I have a studio with a nice Gretsch drum set, keyboards, ISO rooms and a lot of mics. Mostly for my band but also clients. I’m waiting for it to catch fire. LOL.

I had serious initial problems with playback stopping after 10 seconds. It seemed to be a communication problem between the interfaces, MP and Catalina. I don’t know anyone else who has a similar set who experienced these problems but a lot of back and forth between Apple engineering and the Metric Halo developer got me working again.

 

[machenryr]

I’m so sad my post a week and a half ago apparently killed this thread!

 

[TimmyCrook]

I’m so sad my post a week and a half ago apparently killed this thread!

Its back.

 

[machenryr]

Yay! Well let’s go.

My latest frustration came when I bought a Lexicon PCM92, B stock. This is a high end hardware reverb unit. Well it also comes with software you upload to you computer to control the device. It’s a good thing because the front panel is hard to navigate, especially when it’s racked about 5 feet from me. Hard to see that little display.

But - you guessed it. The software is 32 bit and they have NO PLANS to update. I’d love for this to work. The workaround might be using a VM. I bought parallels for this purpose. But you know, Lexicon is such a terrible company in terms of support I’d rather just send it back and pay more for something more user friendly.

 

[AidenShaw]

But you know, Lexicon is such a terrible company in terms of support I’d rather just send it back and pay more for something more user friendly.

That's exactly why I switched from ATI to Nvidia.... Had to leave an abusive relationship.

 

[machenryr]

That's exactly why I switched from ATI to Nvidia.... Had to leave an abusive relationship.

Well there. See? I don’t even know what that means other than GPUs. They were buttheads?

 

[AidenShaw]

Well there. See? I don’t even know what that means other than GPUs. They were buttheads?

Buttheads is too nice for them.

Buy a high end ATI graphics card with video extensions. Windows NT goes to NT+.1. Driver doesn't support extensions.

Rinse. Repeat. Rinse. Repeat. Rinse. Repeat. Buy Nvidia.

 

[machenryr]

Argh. It seems to me you have a high end company it should be incumbent make their products compatible. Right now these guys have a lot of product they still sell. It should be easy enough to have their engineers update software to 64. I say that not knowing anything. But it’s not even the software that goes in the hardware. And I tried to join their forum. Wait for an email for confirmation. If it doesn’t come hit resend. Wow. Customer support is dead.

 

[EpicEsquire]

I just installed 4 bass traps in my home office/music room
I am not hearing much of a difference - except I am slightly dizzy since installing them
Maybe there is "off gassing"

 

[machenryr]

I installed a bunch of bass traps and acoustic wall panels. I can hear a huge difference.

 

[OkiRun]

Last week I checked the office 7.1 and found an editor had installed Logic Pro X and another editor had installed Ovox - just so they could try recording and fx-ing some commercial voiceovers!
What kind of workflow is that?!?
45 minutes to create about 10 seconds of audio that can be done on FCPX in one to two minutes.
This is why editors need supervision.

 

[EpicEsquire]

I installed a bunch of bass traps and acoustic wall panels. I can hear a huge difference.

Well, we will see if there is a difference when the acoustic panels arrive today
Fingers crossed (or else I just spent money for no reason (which is nothing new lol))

 

[OkiRun]

Message from one of the editors:

"Just combined Logic Pro X and the oVox plugin for some voiceover sfx. No issues whatsoever.
Bounced the file out and quick and easy insert into FCPX. Stop worrying."

I never stop worrying!

 

[machenryr]

I'm pretty excited aout this. I bought a new Lexicon PCM92 reverb. It's been around for awhile. Not a new model. But of course in Lexicon's way they ignore Apple. Part of the functionality of this hardware is the controller that comes with it - software. But they didn't write one for Mac, making the unit vertually unusable for Mac people. They DID do a little Mac controller but it's stuck at 32 bit with no plans to make it 64.

So I bought parallels and installed their Windows software. After a few hitchs - HELL I've never even used windows before - it works perfectly right along side my DAW.

 

[OkiRun]

I'm pretty excited aout this. I bought a new Lexicon PCM92 reverb. It's been around for awhile. Not a new model. But

LOL
One of the editors is hiding something under the 7.1 desk. Any idea what he might be up to?

 

[EpicEsquire]

LOL
One of the editors is hiding something under the 7.1 desk. Any idea what he might be up to?

View attachment 902289

View attachment 902290

"One of the editors"
Suuuuuuure