Level 1

34 points

Mac Studio with Logic Pro X - Latency and glitch issues

Hi there,

I recently received my new Mac Studio (M1 Max, 64gb Ram, 32 Core GPU) and have installed Logic Pro X.

I'm having a bunch of glitching and latency issues, and the CPU meter is far too alive for my liking. Having researched before buying, I was led to believe that the M1Max with 64gb Ram should be more than capable - and probably over powered, but I'm incredibly disappointed with the performance so far.

Running Logic Pro X with 6 audio channels, and a handful of plugins, and the CPU meter is running at just below 25% Processing Threads, and then spikes above that, which is very frustrating. I wouldn't mind if I was running a bunch of processing, but there's virtually nothing and all stock plugins.

I've used Logic Pro for years, and until recently on a 2015 MacBook Pro, which honestly performed better than this Mac Studio.

If anyone has any tips I'd greatly appreciate it. I've adjusted and tried various latency settings - currently I'm trying it at I/O Buffer of 64 samples, and have tried 32, 128, 256, 512, 1024 - which is ridiculous really because its unplayable with the recording delay in the upper settings. A machine this high powered should be handling this with ease.

Please help! I invested heavily in this machine and am hoping it is something I need to change in settings, because right now I'm considering returning it.

As a side note, this is the second MacStudio I've had - the first arrived DOA, completely unusable and also with massive CPU spikes. I returned it and received the replacement last week.

Thank you

Mac Studio, macOS 12.4

Posted on Jun 15, 2022 2:44 PM

Top-ranking reply

JulesME987654321

Level 1

12 points

Posted on Sep 24, 2022 4:08 PM

Hey I have found something that somewhat works!

Go to FINDER - GO - COMPUTER- MAC HD- LIBRARY - AUDIO - PLUGINS - COMPONENTS....
Create a new folder on Desktop Called "Plugins" and move all plugins to that folder OUT Of components.
Move ONE plugin BACK to components at a time - test logic - test your issues - test that plugin. IF all good, QUIT logic, Reopen, and load the next one.

YES _ this is time consuming - but so far I have found that NATIVE INSTRUMENTS although it "WORKS" is slowing EVERYTHING down... highly disappointing of course.

Hope this can help someone...

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72 replies

Sep 28, 2022 3:41 PM in response to ThePianoMan456

I would think that storing your VSTS on External Hard-drives with thunderbolt USB-C cables is actually the RIGHT thing to do - Thoughts anyone else?

Dec 20, 2022 9:23 AM in response to mike530db

What kind of sound card are you using? I’m having no problems whatsoever. I’m using a Presonus 26/26.

mike530db Author

Level 1

34 points

Jun 16, 2022 5:43 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi there, thanks for the reply. Yes indexing is completed, I set it all up a week ago and so it's fully finished now.

I've got nothing of what you mentioned installed, so I'm still confused and underwhelmed. Something doesn't seem right.

I'm going to report it to Apple directly

Jun 21, 2022 9:12 PM in response to mike530db

I have spent nearly a month tweaking settings left and right - I literally just finished 67 takes in logic because of this bs crack pop and other audio glitches and STILL don't have a usable take. I don't know what to do - didn't have this issue with my MacMini I am considering returning this useless unit its a M1 Max Pro with 64GB of RAM and I am facing the same issues - crazy spikes with nothing even going on - just sitting idle in logic. Just so **** frustrating.

preach88

Level 1

8 points

Jul 13, 2022 8:51 PM in response to Stan313

I am having the exact same issue. new Mac Studio received on July 6. 32gb ram. ... my 2021 intel mac maxed out processor 32g ram didn't have these issues. U would think Apple own DAW would be flawless in this area on their high end computer

mike530db Author

Level 1

34 points

Jul 14, 2022 4:41 AM in response to rolszewski

I'm sorry to hear you're also having problems with it. I now also have these glitch and pop issues, or resetting to zero in the middle of a take for no reason. It's so annoying and I think it's a disgrace that Apple and Logic are not playing well together. Perhaps a new Logic update will help, so I'm hoping for a refresh soon.

The spikes are a real issue - I've been monitoring in Activity Monitor and there are services running for no reason. I've made sure it's not indexing, and I've closed every other application, but there's constantly something running and then stopping which is making the CPU meter go wild for no reason.

I also use Loopcloud, and on my old Macbook Pro I could audition clips live into Logic with no issues - now I have to use it standalone and then import audio to try out sounds. So annoying

mike530db Author

Level 1

34 points

Jul 14, 2022 4:43 AM in response to preach88

It's so frustrating. I called Apple and when I spoke to tech support and explained latency problems, glitches, CPU issues, and all the problems in Logic - they replied, and I quote "you should speak with the developer, we can't help you with Logic".....

It's an APPLE OWNED PRODUCT!!!

mike530db Author

Level 1

34 points

Jul 14, 2022 4:45 AM in response to Stan313

I think it's a pretty poor summary of M1 to be frank. They're already launching M2, but some software hasn't yet even updated to M1 compatibility (even Logic to some extent), let alone M2.

This machine cost me a fortune and was a big investment, and I definitely bought it to counteract my performance woes on my ageing macbook pro. It's the worst investment I've ever made so far - really disappointed, the performance is decidedly average.

Jul 15, 2022 7:03 AM in response to BruceG2

I’m having the same issues with my Mac Studio M1Ultra with Logic. Glitches when recording audio, looses and disconnects from my keyboard controller and is kinda sucking bricks… my MacBook Pro 2019 works better. But I can edit 4K video like a boss… so strange. I’m super frustrated 🤦‍♂️

Jul 31, 2022 5:16 PM in response to mike530db

I wanted to chime in saying I’m starting to experience some popping, slowdown, and even an overload in a Mac Studio Max 32 GB. It’s choking on some really small newer projects, and is doing well on some larger older projects. I don’t know if it is an optimization issue, or hardware issue, but I want Apple to know about it.

mike530db Author

Level 1

34 points

Aug 4, 2022 4:15 PM in response to Musician5

This doesn't resolve my issues unfortunately. I've tried every single tip I've found online, nothing seems to resolve it. I've contacted Apple Support and am awaiting yet another reply.

Today - tried again, brand new project, 3 channels, stock plugins - CPU spiking, averaging 25% load. Utterly ridiculous.

It's just not acceptable, I'm fuming with Apple. Logic is an utter shambles and doesn't work properly with the Mac Studio.

Sep 4, 2022 11:28 AM in response to mike530db

I also heavily invested in a new Mac Studio with 64gb of Ram, 2TB, and Logic Pro is running worse than on my old iMac from 2013. It’s very frustrating. I can’t even run 4 audio tracks on buffer-size 256 before the system overloads.

I really hope it can be fixed, and that it’s just some settings I need to adjust. Cause it takes forever with the delivery of a new Mac Studio

have anyone found a solution yet?

all the best

mike530db Author

Level 1

34 points

Sep 4, 2022 1:25 PM in response to jensjulius

Thanks for the tip JJ, I also tried this and have made sure that all my vst are M1 compatible so that I don’t have to run Rosetta. Neither option works for me, still the same clicks glitches and spikes.

Monterey is a sham, let’s see if the new OSX makes any difference. I’ve been on holiday for 3 weeks and usually would be excited to get back and jam, but honestly am totally uninterested now because of how frustrating the mac issues are. :(

Sep 15, 2022 8:25 PM in response to mike530db

HI Mike!

I feel you - I am having the same issue - Rainbow ball ALL the time... I've just done a WHOLE system reboot - my Mac is less than 2 weeks old - I feel sick with this huge investment 20 Core CPU 2 TB... sigh..

Like you - I have been using Logic for years...

My 10 year old Mac that I'm replacing is better than this!

May need a refund...

Sep 20, 2022 2:50 AM in response to Ian_Rees

Hi ian, I also have 128GB Max1 Ultra.. EXTREMELY slow... when I "undo" something in Logic I get the beach ball for up to 2minutes - of course "undoing" ideas is a constant... so my work flow is VERY slow... Does anyone know how to contact Logic Support? I wrote to them, but they don't get back to you! They just "take on board" what you say.. This is upsetting for such a large investment and of course, my expectations were high.

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Mac Studio with Logic Pro X - Latency and glitch issues