- #Setup mac mini as a server full size
- #Setup mac mini as a server upgrade
- #Setup mac mini as a server pro
But it is a stress test, so it would look better in reality with instances and tracks in VEP disabled). The iMac stands 15 meters away and it works perfectly (except that with such a high RAM usage the iMac - 72gb ram remote gets very slow and choppy to use). I started yesterday a VEP template with round about 60gb (no instances or tracks disabled yet). With an additional audio interface on the MacBook it runs as usual on the big setup, and the audio quality is much better than with the MacBook audio output (this too was to be expected). I immediately get crackles and distortion (I expected that). Without extra audiointerafce connected to the MacBook it is not usable. LAN connection established with 15m cable. I think I am less and less willing to pay the apple pharmacy prices. A little more comfort and towing for 4-5k more has to be well considered. The new MacBook with 8TB SSD (currently I have 6TB at libraries in use, whereas I use only 2 TB for my mobile setup) costs a lot more (but less external cables and devices). I will test this for a while and then decide which variant I choose. If this works well it will also work with a Mac Mini. It will also be interesting to see how many plugins (VEP, spaces etc.) I can use on the MacBook until the CPU responds significantly. I do not expect any miracles.Īfterwards I connect my old 2ch interface with which I will surely get much lower latencies. The iMac in the studio will be the slave, the old MacBook as a VEP server and DAW is in the living room and I connect both computers via Ethernet.įor this test I'll first use the MacBook without audio interface to see how the latencies are with VEP. Having said that, it all travels in 2 small hand bags and sets up in 5 minutes.
#Setup mac mini as a server pro
Lastly the new MB pro only has USB C inputs so everything pretty much needs an adapter.
#Setup mac mini as a server full size
Quite flexible and capable.ĭrawbacks depending on your DAW become the need for an extra full size keyboard, power.adapters are still oddly sized and shaped. This works well because when I leave the studio I use an Apollo twin and if I need more than the twin I have the 8 core satellite. I got 64 gb of ram and the 8tb ssd which was an investment but it now has all my libraries and plugs.
The thermal issues in the new ones are resolved. I dont have large track counts in my projects, less than 100 normally. The new macbook pro has turned out to be great and is all I need for most projects. portability is tempered by the need for a monitor and assorted gizmos. The mini was first in 2019 with 64 gb of ram. I currently use both your options as i moved away from my older setup. I am grateful for any further suggestions. I still have a newer MacBook (also only 16GB), and it had more thermal problems than my old one, even though it performs twice as well according to benchmarks. I still don't dare to work on the new MacBook because I'm afraid that it won't be as stable as my old one. I work 80% of my time on the MacBook and only go to the big setup when I want to finalize there or need my bigger libraries and more workhorse power. If I want to work in the car, train or plane, which rarely happens, the old MacBook would still do it (and travel is not an issue at the moment). Version 2 is a little more cable tangle, but small enough to stay mobile. And the MacMini is small, fits in the backpack that transports my MicroKEY and the mobile SSDs. The difference in price is significant, 2000-2500 € which I could invest in bigger and faster hard drives. The MacBook pro 2013 would suffice as a pure master DAW and VEP server with the quadcore and 16 gb ram. The Mac Mini could then also be used as add on in the larger setup to replace a MacPro 2012. Variant 2 The MacBook Pro 2013 remains the master running Cubase and the VEP server, the MacMini is integrated as VEP add on and controlled remotely.
#Setup mac mini as a server upgrade
I can still upgrade the iMac from 72 to 128 gb for 290€ if needed. My old MacBook Pro from 2013 would then no longer be needed. Variant 1 means, standalone solution, which can also be used as VEP add on or server in my larger setup and could replace one of my MacPros 2012 (I'll probably sell them both because I was supposed to get along with two Macs). And, the MacMini still runs with Mojave.Ģ MacPro 2012 - 12 core, 96 gb ram (VEP add ons) MacMini 2018 hexacore, 64 gb ram (self-upgraded) - price 1500 €. On the search for a new mobile solution there are 2 alternatives which I am currently checking:ġ.