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 24, 2022 1:49 PM in response to mike530db

Keep us posted please! I have the same exact Mac Studio as you, and I'm getting audio clipping and popping and CPU overloads when using plugins that my 2012 Macbook Pro handled with ease.

The most problematic plugins so far have been East West orchestra libraries, and a piano VST called Synthogy Ivory II.

I'll come back to this thread if I find anything out myself. At the moment I'm highly disappointed in the performance of the Mac Studio... with its supposed raw power, we should not be getting these issues.

Roteleks

Level 1

8 points

Oct 10, 2022 3:50 PM in response to mike530db

I have this same issue. I've been using logic on a 2017 imac for 3 years (16GB RAM)... never any latency even on big sessions. I upgrade to the 32GB RAM Mac Studio and even small sessions are now latent. Of course a big part of the reasoning behind upgrading was to try to 'future proof' my experience/workflow in Logic and yet i've taken an instant step backwards despite the heftier specs. Its especially insane that this is happening with an Apple product.

Roteleks

Level 1

8 points

Oct 10, 2022 4:25 PM in response to Roteleks

...I should add that the instrument (guitar or bass) doesnt SOUND latent when tracking. Its only on playback of the track that the signal has been recorded behind the beat. I know there is latency compensation in logic but it seems crazy to even have to do this on a new super powerful machine when its never been needed before.

Oct 12, 2022 11:52 AM in response to mike530db

Dude I’m in the same boat and I’m furious. ****, just ONE instance of Drum Kit Designer in LPX causes the cpu meter to spike to 100% and I get crackles and pops.

Forget trying to use big 3rd party plugins like East West Opus and Synthogy Ivory II… those spike the cpu in a second. This is absolute BS, Apple.

Oct 12, 2022 12:21 PM in response to ThePianoMan456

Your anger at APPLE appears to be mis-directed.

The things you mention as causing you grief are third-party add-ons, NOT apple products.

You need to direct your fury toward the third-party add-on makers, and urge them to "Get with the Program!"

BruceG2

Level 1

8 points

Oct 12, 2022 12:26 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I can assure you I’m having these very same issues with NO other plugins installed. Logic is a **** show and apple just don’t give a ****. The studio is the biggest let down I’ve had in an apple product since I started with a Quadra 2FX.

I had to buy the studio as it was the only thing with the specs I needed. Had they brought a 27” iMac out, I’d have gone that route.

Ableton and Bitwig work with no issues?!

mike530db Author

Level 1

34 points

Oct 12, 2022 12:56 PM in response to BruceG2

Agreed. This is nothing to do with 3rd party software. M1 is a turkey and has done nothing but put more pressure on developers to create multiple architectures and users to spend more money. Logic is outdated and not fit for purpose.

I’ve completely wiped my Mac Studio, loaded Logic and ZERO third party vst or components installed, and still have the CPU spikes and latency. I’m no amateur, I’ve been running Logic on Mac for 10 years and have never had these problems before. There is a fundamental flaw with the Mac Studio M1Max. I’ve reported it to Apple again and again - they’ve sent me a $150 voucher! It’s a sham.

I don’t want to go and learn a new Daw, or make do with glitches and pops and terrible latency. The Studio is billed as an over powered work horse, it’s nothing of the sort it’s an absolute turkey. I want expensive turd I’ve bought to do it’s job properly.

Logic update? Nowhere to be seen. Monterey, a colossal f**k pudding of epic proportions. I’m so angry with Apple!

Oct 12, 2022 1:06 PM in response to mike530db

I am in the same boat with Logic, I have uninstalled all of the Native Instruments and reinstalled Logic alone and it's still a pile of poo ... I too am more frustrated with Apple. I also use Final Cut Pro and It's glitching out editing 4K video - seems like I was sold a golden toilet made of brASS. Sad that their native programs can't even work on their flagship product.

Scotty

mike530db Author

Level 1

34 points

Oct 12, 2022 1:48 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I know all this Grant. It’s why I bought the m1 max, for that insane speed and performance. It does not deliver on what it promises. All the futuristic architecture means nothing if it’s slow and buggy and virtually unusable. I have absolutely nothing else installed apart from Native apple products. It’s a bag of sh*te. I’ve been googling this for months and there are tons of people having the same problem.

Oct 12, 2022 3:28 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Yes this is a nightmare mike...

I can't believe i ordered another one... First one bug central. Temporary one - SLOW SLOW SLOW... waiting for an apparently fast one to arrive (same as my first one)... ALL are mac studios... Help!

It's not to do with OLD JUNK like Dropbox etc.. I have installled NOTHING but LOGIC and apparently M1 compatible software..

I have NO virus scanners, speeder uppers - removers, cleaners... etc... why would I ? This is a brand new computer...

mike530db Author

Level 1

34 points

Nov 7, 2022 3:28 PM in response to ThePianoMan456

Update on this. MacStudio M1 Max, 2TB, 64gb RAM, OSX Monterey - Only 3 channels open in the most recent update of Logic Pro X (10.7.5) with basic unprocessed wav samples, 1 instance of Arturia Pigments (I've tried it with both stock and 3rd party vsts - it's exactly the same). No processing running on that channel. All my plugins are M1 Native - there are zero hybrid or Intel plugins on the machine, I've gone through every single plugin to update or delete. It's an absolute disgrace. I was really hopeful that the new Logic pro update might resolve this, but if anything it's made it even worse.

In the image below you can see a CPU spike and obviously the multiple cores working over time on literally NOTHING. Logic using 50% of CPU on a machine this powerful just makes zero sense whatsoever. It's totally unusable, my record setting is at 1024 because it glitches and pops in every other setting, there's an 18 millisecond delay and so it's not playable in record mode without low latency mode on. Fuming, I literally want to throw this out the window. Can't finish any of my projects, can't start any new ones. I've spent 10 years learning Logic, I have no desire to now go and start from scratch in Ableton or Bitwig or any other DAW.

And now, since the Logic update, it reverts my Advanced Settings to basic every time I restart Logic. I've reported it, AGAIN, to Apple and this time again as a formal complaint. Biggest waste of money ever.

Nov 26, 2022 7:18 AM in response to mike530db

I ordered a Studio yesterday and found this discussion this morning. I use Mac for two purposes only - FCPX and Logic Pro X. I’m reading this nightmare thread thinking I should cancel the order.

My late 2015 imac 27 still works pretty well.

Dec 6, 2022 8:58 AM in response to mike530db

I'm on Day 4 with new Studio ( M1 Max with 10-core CPU, 24-core GPU, 16-core Neural and 32GB memory) and although I don't have the technical abilities to dig into, or understand the performance details the way many of you do, I can confirm I am having "disc overload" problems on simple 15 track audio only recordings. No way this should be happening

schulz33

Level 1

0 points

Dec 31, 2022 2:14 AM in response to mike530db

Agreed. Totally disappointed in Mac Studio thus far. Logic Pro is a powerful interface. But having used it for several years on MacBook Pro with far less impressive spec, I mostly had no issues.

Last night alone, Logic crashed on several occasions, and skips or resets playback whilst on a cycle. Hugely disappointed in Mac Studio since it costs £1,999! I’m running on Monterey, having not chanced Ventura as yet.

Bangsley

Level 1

8 points

Jan 5, 2023 1:49 PM in response to preach88

I'm having the same issues mastering and I can't stand it. Bought the Mac ultra 64 gig. Its unacceptable TBH. I throw on any mastering such as Fab Filter Pro L, or an Izotope bundle plugins and instantly, I have delay on al synths, or side chains are lagging. I can't figure this out and its been 4 months. Wishing I waited to purchase at this point..

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Mac Studio with Logic Pro X - Latency and glitch issues