Will the M1 chip be able to run Pro Tools?

smh. *facepalm*

what exactly is "factually incorrect"? Care to be more specific.. because my response included specifics. Maybe I didn't provide references at the time, I admit. Well then again, anyone reading my comment would have seen that the M1 chip had only been on the market for a matter of days and everything in my post was based on Apple's own documentation, and my experience with Avid's track record of compatibility woes when major PC infrastructure changes occur. So factually incorrect? Nope, try again.

As it turns out, EVERYTHING in my original reply seems to be on point and confirmed by multiple sources (including the video [I think] you were referring to..)

I never said Pro Tools wouldn't run. You can run it using their Intel processor emulation software (again, see orig. comment). But if you think this is a viable option for the typical Pro Tools user, I'm willing to bet you have never used this software before. Having Pro Tools run over an additional level of software emulation for (not only) the main program but every single one of your plugins is going to tax any computer with only 8gb of RAM. I don't care how many buzzwords Apple uses to get fanboys excited like 'ai' and '5 nanometer design' and 'machine learning', you WILL have problems. This is an entry level chip. Pro Tools is not an entry level software suite. Without the ability to upgrade the RAM, you'd be foolish to not wait until Apple releases SOCs with higher RAM specs.

And Sonic Lab YouTube video?? couldn't find it. Sorry, try again.

Did u mean Sonic State's YouTube video? Ok, Iet's assume you did. The fellow clearly says in his preamble, that this was a request by Apple. So right off the bat he discloses that Apple supplied him with the computer and requested he test a specific set of software and plugins. This is a sponsored video. But he's honest about that. Cool. He, very honestly and multiple times, indicates the limitations in benchmarking and testing he's able to do. And if we are talking about the same video, you do realize that he's reviewing the M1 chip's performance on LOGIC, right? 🤦‍♂️ You know it's not the same, right? Once again, read my original reply in which I talk about Logic's performance and why it's not analogous to Pro Tools via Rosetta2. It's not even the OP's question, yet I included it because I knew they'd be a fanboy or two that would take my reply as a personal insult to the altar on which they have placed Apple. Logic is not the same as Pro Tools. I am not criticizing Apple or their M1 chip.

But here's an article that was written a few weeks after my comment. (factually correct and corroborates my original points):

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/production-expert-1/want-a-new-apple-mac-for-audio-read-this-first

...And a screenshot from Avid's website:

[Edited by Moderator]

You need to ask the Pro Tools vendor, who sh/w/ould have first hand knowledge of their product compatibility with Big Sur and the M1 architecture. We are fellow users, and don't know what they have planned.

We know enough without having to check with the vendor of Pro Tools to know that these new M1 models are entry level at best (very limited RAM, no upgradability). As of now, Avid has not released much info about compatibility other than some general comments that they are "working on it."

My suggestion, don't buy these M1 models. Go for an Intel powered one. Maybe in a couple years, the Silicon line will be better suited for pro audio uses.

The new OS, Big Sur, is what M1 comes with and you cannot install a previous version of macOS (ie: Intel macOS won't be able to run on the M1 chip). The Rosetta2 software promises to be able to run Intel based software (like Pro Tools and 3rd party plug-ins) in the Big Sur environment during this transition. But with DAW's, the CPU resource load is exceptionally intensive and many experts have expressed doubts that Rosetta2 will be able to keep up (especially with a beast like Pro Tools).

Eventually most (if not all) software developers will port their products to run natively under Big Sur, BUT until then, you can't mix and match. Meaning: if you were to run your DAW (like Pro Tools) using Rosetta2, then all of your plugins must also be the Intel based versions running with Rosetta2. Even if some 3rd party plugin developers have released a native version, they won't work with a DAW running with Rosetta2.

Logic users are no better off. Logic can make use of the M1 environment since Apple has already ported to Big Sur, but they're going to encounter problems if they use any 3rd party plugins (which I'd bet they all do). Since many of these developers have only just received their development kits, it will take time for them to port their software suites over to this new environment.

I'm not sure how old you are, but a few years back we had a similar problem when CPU architecture was transitioning from 32-bit to 64-bit. It was a little bit of a nightmare for the first year or two. But once the developers were given enough time to release updates, the hardware/software incompatibility nightmare mellowed and eventually disappeared.

So what it comes down to is even if Avid releases a fully compatible 100% ported version of Pro Tools tomorrow, that works swimmingly with the M1 chipset and Big Sur, you will not be able to use it like we have before; not until all of our various plugins have also been ported. A year (probably more like 2 years) will make all the difference!

nick_loss wrote:

🤦‍♂️

see reply. read references. use google. then post.

One might suggest the same for you...

You obviously don't own a M1. See actual test results;

Quote:

"How Did Pro Tools Perform On An Apple MacBook Pro M1?

The simple answer is that it worked, not only that, it worked incredibly well. So well that we could happily work on a session with Pro Tools running through Rosetta and get excellent results. "

Quote:

"What Do We Think Of The New Apple MacBook Pro M1 With Pro Tools?

In a nutshell, we are flabbergasted at the stunning performance we are getting from Pro Tools running on an unsupported OS, via Rosetta 2 and on a chip, it's not designed for. As you can see it outperforms several higher powered machines, some of which are professional models, including the Mac Pro 6,1 and the iMac Pro."

nick_loss... you need to do some research. Nothing you state is factual. I suggest you go watch the Sonic Lab YT videos on the M1 Macs and DAW's. The results of their testing is jaw-dropping.

j.b. birdsong is correct. Using a M1 is more than enough to run pro tools.

Having said that, if you depend on using bluetooth I would stay away from the M1, at least until Apple fixes that issue.

🤦‍♂️

see reply. read references. use google. then post.

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/production-expert-1/apple-macbook-pro-13-m1-audio-power-test-pro-tools?mc_cid=960a56cc26&mc_eid=59361bf465

this?