Mar 31, 2020 Need Help: iMac Specs for Logic & Ableton Discussion in ' Digital & Modeling Gear ' started by zachjonesmail, Mar 29, 2020 at 10:25 PM. This Mac mini doesn't have upgradable memory. Will it run Mojave as well as it does High Sierra? Yeah, I'm skittish about those.0 upgrades! I'll make a decision when the next iteration comes around. Thanks for your help! If you are running High Sierra successfully— then I see no issue upgrading to Mojave. Please take note of the tech specs. Jul 01, 2014 My early 2007 Mac Pro is about ready for retirement and while I really like the look of the new ones I'm not in the mood to spend $3K + right now. I'm thinking about a new Mac Mini. I can fully load one for about half the cost of a new, baseline Mac Pro. My question to the forum: is anyone running Logic X (or Ableton Live 9) on a Mac Mini?
I always hear people saying that the Mac Pro is the Mac of choice for musicians but, as a hobbyist, I simply can't justify the expense. I'm tempted by a Mac Mini, as I already have a decent screen, but am concerned that it won't be able to cope with the requirements of audio recording. What are the pros and cons?
Petra Smith via email
SOS contributor Mark Wherry replies: While it used to be the case that a high-end computer like the Mac Pro was essential for running music and audio applications, these days it's really hard to purchase a system that will be incapable of such tasks. It's all a matter of how many audio tracks, instruments and effects you need the computer to handle. Among the most important factors to consider in determining such handling are the type and speed of the processor, the amount of memory and the speed of the hard disk.The updated Mac Mini comes with a 2.4GHz processor, 2GB RAM and a 320GB hard drive as standard, making it perfectly capable of running decent numbers of tracks.Photo: Apple
Since the first Power PC-based model was introduced (see the full review at /sos/may05/articles/applemacmini.htm), the Mac Mini has established itself as a basic-yet-capable studio computer. The current range features Intel Core 2 Duo processors, and the 2007 MacBook Pro (which, with a 2.4GHz processor, had similar performance capabilities) gives us a rough guide of the performance you can expect: using Logic Pro 7, this was capable of running 150 PlatinumVerb instances, 54 Space Designers and 512 EXS24 voices (with the filter enabled). Today's baseline Mac Mini also has a 2.4GHz processor, so those figures should be roughly comparable.
When it comes to memory, the 2GB supplied in the entry-level Mac Mini should be just enough to get you started. But you'll find life rather more comfortable with 4GB, especially if you want to work with sample‑based instruments. It's worth bearing in mind that 8GB is the maximum amount of memory supported by the Mac Mini.
In terms of storage, the basic Mac Mini comes with a 360GB drive. But, perhaps more crucially, this internal drive runs at 5400rpm — slower than those used in most other Macs — which will limit the number of audio tracks you can play back simultaneously. As a guide, you should expect to be able to handle approximately 50 to 60 mono 16-bit tracks at 44.1kHz. However, it is possible to connect a faster drive for audio, thanks to the Mac Mini's built-in FireWire 800 port — assuming you're not already planning to use this port for an audio interface, of course, since daisy‑chaining devices isn't always possible.
Another important factor when considering the Mac Mini, and one that might initially sound a little bizarre, is price. Although the Mac Mini is the cheapest Mac that Apple sell, its £649starting price can be deceptive in terms of value, even though, on paper, it's several hundred dollars cheaper than the cheapest iMac. If you already have a suitable monitor, keyboard and mouse, that's fine. But if you factor in the cost of these required devices to even the cheapest Mac Mini, the price difference between that and the low-end iMac starts to narrow considerably.
In a nutshell, the Mac Mini remains a basic, yet capable machine that provides a good starting point. However, in many ways, the entry-level iMac represents better value for those on a budget, especially if you see yourself quickly outgrowing the Mini's capabilities.
More on Ableton.com:
How Well Does Ableton Run On Mac Mini Free
More from Ableton:
Knowledge Base
Find help articles on all of our products plus support for your shopping and product licence questions.
Most asked
Latest Live Version
Live10 and macOS 10.15 Catalina Compatibility
MacOS Compatibility
Windows Compatibility
Installing Live
Authorizing Live
How to reduce latency
Using external hardware
Learn Live
Video tutorials from getting started through to mastering the latest features, plus further training options.
Learn Push
From setup to sound design and beyond – our growing collection of tutorials shows how you can make music with Push.
Learning Music
Learn the fundamentals of music making – beats, melodies, harmonies, basslines, and song structure – and make music right in your browser.
Learning Synths
Learn the fundamentals of synthesis at your own pace with a powerful but easy-to-learn synthesizer that runs in your web browser.
Making Music
Some tips from 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Producers – Dennis DeSantis’ book on solving musical problems, making progress and finishing what you start.
More learning resources
Live & Push manual
Everything you need to know about Live and Push.
Certified Training
All over the globe, a growing group of trainers and institutions are offering approved Ableton teaching at all skill levels, both for individuals and groups.
Training in Hamburg:
4 trainers and institutions offer certified training in Hamburg
User Groups
How Well Does Ableton Run On Mac Mini Pro
For beginners and seasoned users alike, Ableton User Groups are open to any Live user who wants to share their knowledge and learn from others in person.
Learn finger drumming
Practice your finger drumming skills with Melodics, a standalone app that offers a great way to learn and refine your playing. Its free to download and comes with 20 lessons to get you started.
Contact Support
Sales support
Get in touch with us if you’ve got some questions before you buy a product, or if you need help with your order, license or the authorisation process.
Sales support is available by phone in English and German.
Tel: +49 30 568 39112*
Mo–Fr 12:00 to 22:00 CET
(German support until 18:00 CET only)
Phone support is available right now
*Local, national and international telephone rates apply.
Due to the special situation we are all experiencing right now, our phone support service is unavailable for two weeks starting on Monday, April 6th. We hope to resume normal phone support from Monday, April 20th. We are currently experiencing high support volumes, therefore our response time is delayed. We kindly ask for your patience and will get back to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, check out our Knowledge Base for solutions to common issues.
Technical support
Need help with setting up or other technical issues?