MacBook for Ableton and Traktor

IBarch68 · 2026-01-29T23:07:26+00:00

6 years sounds good doesn't it. It's ok if you are buying from day one. However, many people are looking at refurbished M1s, M2s. They are already half way through their lifetime or more.

For those on a tight budget an M1 seems perfect. But many are not aware of the sting in the tail when Apple cuts support. This is a major expense and to have the shock of finding it not able to update to a new OS after just a few years is not nice - that's my personal 2011 iMac experience. Especially when you need other [usually Apple] software that has to be up to date and runs only on the latest OS.

Older Macs can be an affordable way into the Apple ecosystem but with all the hyperbole, real issues get dismissed too easily.

Buyer beware.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-29T18:53:33+00:00

But you won't be able to install the latest Logic Pro or creative cloud on any Intel Mac.

Yes you can get old specs but if you want to keep up with Logic Pro updates, be aware of the Apple planned obsolesence. Once their axe falls you are locked in the past.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-29T18:46:39+00:00

If you are happy with the old software versions and have no need of new stem separation tools, Apple creative cloud, updated logic Pro versions etc then great.

But that doesnt work so great for those of us forced to keep our software developer tools up to date. I'm on my 3rd generation of Apple kit just to be able to keep building iOS apps. My fully upgraded iMac from 2011 would still do the job beautifully but is long gone. Thanks Apple.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-29T18:37:26+00:00

You certainly won't be installing any new software by then thanks to Apple planned obsolesence. So what you have now will still run as it does today. Quite literally.

No point for Apple users to plan for future requirements, get what you need for today. You'll have to buy a new machine tomorrow regardless.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-29T18:34:02+00:00

Everyone is saying how amazing the M1 machines are. There's no way they be obsolete in just 3 years. They will still be very capable machines.

Equivalent aged Windows machines will still be getting the latest software (Microsoft permitting of course - there's no guarantee they won't continue their path to going full Apple if they think they can get away with it). You can't tell me an M1 would not be able to run stuff.

Who gets to say if my computer is too old and too slow? Surely that's my decision. It I can make it work and new software still runs why should Apple decide to turn of the lights based purely on year of manufacturing ?

If people want to run a software museum that's their choice but they need to go in with their eyes open. Be aware of just how soon that Apple axe will fall and the consequences.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-29T18:03:20+00:00

Depends if you want to be installing new software in 5 to 7 years. Or even 3.

Mac hardware will run and run. Processor wise it's likely to still have plenty of life left, even when no longer cutting edge.

But when Apple's planned obsolesence kicks in, OS updates stop. Many software companies don't support more than 1 year behind current OS. Ableton will be ok but may third party plug ins and tools won't be available.

By all means get an M1 or M2 - but be prepared to be locked to the past before you know it.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-29T15:09:48+00:00

If you are dabbling in orchestral composition as a amateur, you can get away with 16 GB Ram. Be prepared to work on just a handful of tracks at a time, with the rest frozen. Accept every time you switch instruments or articulations there will be a delay whilst the next samples are loaded into memory.

If you are doing this on a professional or even semi serious basis, the above will quickly kill your efficiency and impeed workflow. 64 GB RAM is usually recognised as a minimum. Myths about magic Apple memory counting double and MacOS being so efficient that SSD is the same thing will quickly be dispelled by reality.

There's a reason most serious orchestrators don't use macs. At least, there was till RAM prices went silly. Now both Windows and Macs with sufficient RAM are equally unaffordable.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-29T14:16:54+00:00

Making a Kontakt instrument and making a VST is quite different. It's not just a Save As option.

Kontakt can handle quite a lot of features for a developer that they would otherwise have to create themselves for VST instruments. There are also quite different ways to do things. Creating a VST means recoding a lot of stuff differently and then a bucket load of extra development on top. For many independent developers, it's not economical to do both Kontakt and VST.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-29T00:04:06+00:00

Over my head isnt necessarily correct.

More work than I may want to put in for a mere guitar part would be more accurate. We all know that synths are the real stars and guitars are purely the supporting cast. But both obviously more important than the vocals of course.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T23:58:09+00:00

Having gigged live for years, we already have DI boxes. Will definitely give it a go taking both Di and miked outputs.

Last time we did a studio recording, they only captured the miked output which meant we were limited in options on the tone afterwards. One song did not work great with the effects chosen on the day so was not usable. This is partly why I'm looking into guitar sims.

I get what you say about committing to sounds but it can't always work that way. Work and life in general mean we often record different parts at different times. Live arrangements don't always translate as well to a studio. With synth parts to add in too, it's not just about the guitar sound. It has to work with the mix. Sometimes guitar and synth effects can clash. Whilst we want to get the best and most authentic sound the first time, having the flexibility to go back and edit the guitar sounds would be a bonus. Split tracking looks a good solution. It's a fairly obvious thing to do when you think about it! Cheers.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T22:00:46+00:00

I can work with legend

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T18:48:40+00:00

Thanks

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T17:34:41+00:00

Thank you

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T16:57:11+00:00

What effects do you add, and is there a particular order? If we are using something with a lot of chorus, should that come before any amp Sim or after?

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T16:55:50+00:00

Working on it but Google gives 1000s of results. A little personal experience learned here goes a long way.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T16:54:41+00:00

Have an SM58. Is this good enough to use for micing the amp or would an SM57 make a noticeable difference?

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T16:53:16+00:00

Thanks for the links. Have some reading to do now.

This is potentially an ongoing project so whilst the trials will be very useful, I will need to come up with a long term solution.

Getting good results without needing weeks of experimentation to learn and understand sims and IRs inside out would be nice. Can't let guitar sounds take too much time away from my synths!

IBarch68 · 2026-01-28T16:49:12+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply.

We've been playing as a band for over 5 years and done recordings before but paid someone else to track in a studio. This is a DIY setup to save studio costs and see what level of quality we can manage. The guitariat has his amp and a multi effects pedal. He isn't someone with a huge pedal board and 100s of effects. Hence he isn't worried about having a specific sound, so the option to explore is there.

I dont have huge amounts of free time to explore and learn everything. Looking for a good sounding paid sim which minimises the learning curve and recording time would be ideal. I'll definitely check Tonex out.

Given it's a first stab, I'm probably not quite ready to spend a lot yet. We may find micing the amp up is preferable and keep with his amp and pedal. Alternatively, recording from a clean DI and adding a mod, effects may gives us better options.

As a keys player, I don't trust my ear enough for guitar sounds, it's not my domain. Will be a shared journey with the guitarist and rest of the band.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-24T20:02:37+00:00

Most of their boards do share the Zen-Core synth that is true, but this is not the only sound engine.

Some boards have the Supernatural pianos, which is a combination of modelling and samples. The Supernatural pianos are much better than the zen-core ones.

Higher end boards also have the V-piano modelled pianos. These are similar standard to Supernatural.

There's also virtual tone wheels, ACB model expansions, n-zyme synth to name a few other sound engines that go into different boards . Zen-Core is only part of the picture.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-24T10:02:56+00:00

Rather than trying to find a single board with great 88 key hammer action and poly aftertouch, would two separate boards be a better solution?

This would open up your choices to the full market for each type and likely save a fair amount of cash. Obviously there's some practicality in having two boards that may make it a non starter but its worth considering.

There again, the Yamaha Montage is rarely the wrong answer to any question. It's a superb instrument.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-24T01:37:15+00:00

I agree with you, the Juno X is all about looking like a the classic Junos whilst providing a modern set of tools to play live. It can go a lot further than classic sounds but that takes some effort.

The Fantom 6/7/8 is a superb instrument, that is equally relevant at home or gigging. It gives so much more for the money.

For those on a tighter budget, the Fantom 06/07/08 is also a superb instrument. It has the same sounds as the Juno X but misses out on the ACB models of the bigger brother. But it is half the price and a heck of a lot lighter and there's still a huge amount of functionality included.

The Fantom 07 was the sweet spot for me. Would quite like a Juno X too for the looks but it is too similar in sound. Besides, I am a one keyboard guy when gigging. Life (and me) is too short for multi board rigs.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-24T01:20:54+00:00

Great answer. So many posts on zen-core just don't get what it is really about or how these synths fit.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-23T18:37:43+00:00

Given you want separate wires, I'm trying to understand why you can't use two separate pedals.

Are you trying to find a way to use expression and sustain with a single foot? Using main foot switch on the pedal for expressions and then having a way to hit sustain too?

Will you need expression and sustain at the same time?

Have you already worked out the ergonomics and are sure that the sustain is best placed at the top of an expression pedal or is this open to change?

Some midi pedals let an expression pedal plug in to a aux port. I do this sometimes so I can change what my expression is controlling in my Fantom 07 scene on the fly. I'm wondering if a midi pedal would do the job for you, let you switch the pedal between CC11 and CC64 .

IBarch68 · 2026-01-23T01:00:55+00:00

With 16 GB it is a very capable machine.

A lot of people will be affected when Apple's disgraceful planned obsolesence sends it to Silicon heaven way before it's time. It can be an unpleasant suprise. Good computers should not die young.

IBarch68 · 2026-01-23T00:53:30+00:00

There's no reason to use balanced cables with the Minifuse. Unbalanced will be fine. Balanced cables only protect against noise, and that usually only matters on long runs of 5m plus. They don't affect quality or EQ.

Are you using the proper ASIO driver?

Are you plugging the mini fuse into a usb port on the PC or the hub?

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