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  • Mac Studio & VEP 7

    A
    A

    I have a 2022 Mac Studio on order and I'm trying to figure out what performance improvement I would get, if any, by connecting a 2018 Mac mini with VEP 7 to the new computer.

    I use Logic Pro and have about 1.5TB of sample libraries. I play libraries via Spitfire Player and Kontakt 6. My orchestral library is Spitfire's BBC Symphony Orchestra Pro. I also have a number of single section and piano and other single instrument libraries.

    2022 Mac Studio Specs CPU: 10 cores, Memory: 64GB, Storage: 2TB

    2018 Mac mini Specs CPU: 6 cores (Intel i7), Memory: 32GB, Storage: 512GB

    Both computers have four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a 10Gb Ethernet port.

    Connection options: I can connect the two computers with a Thunderbolt 3 cable or with a 10Gb Ethernet cable, a Thunderbolt 3 cable being the faster of the two.

    I'm mostly interested in whether installing VEP 7 on the 2018 Mac mini, combined with external storage of samples, will improve CPU or RAM performance. If so, how should I set it up? I don't need VEP 7 to have samples at the ready 24/7.

    Thanks
  • A
    A

    I should add information on the external drives that I use.

    Working Data: Samsung 980 Pro in a Thunderbolt 3 enclosure (2TB), Samsung T7 Drives (1TB each)

    For backups, I use G-Drive and Toshiba hard disk drives.

    There are a good number of written and video sources on implementing VEP 7, but what I've seen about benefits is very general. What I'd like to know, given my hardware, is whether I can expect to see improved CPU and/or memory performance. If yes, how much of an improvement and what are the concrete reasons for the improvement? So far, I haven't come across clear answers to these questions.
  • G
    G

    I have a Mac Studio Ultra / 128 Ram / 2 TB internal / Sonnet Echo Dual NVMe Docks (2) - one JBOD 2TB for Pro Tools sessions and one Raid 0 (4TB) for virtual instruments.  I JUST got VEP w the new Kontakt 6 working.  I'm using the eLicenser 1120 VEP 7 for now - just to simplify the transition. 

    Everything's running under Rosetta.


    Is it faster?  I can't say.  Does it work like a dream - absolutely!  Does it use much CPU power? hardly any.  
    On my old dual Mac Pro cheese graters (5.1's maxed) they couldn't even play everything at once without freezing tracks and plugins all the time.  
    Not to mention that they heated my studio in winter.  Now I have to use heat!!!

    I live in Canada.

    Do the NVMe's get hot?  Not at all.  The MC Ultra is cool to the touch all day long and dead quiet to these old ears.  


    I use VEP within the Mac Studio Ultra.  I don't think you need a slave unless it makes organization easier. I have one session with maybe twenty five or so Spitfire Audio plugins running hard.  On Pro Tools there's a System Usage Meter and it barely moves unless a plugin makes it crash.  


    I couldn't even use Spitfire's Symphonic Motions on my old Mac Pro's.  It would just crash every time. 
    Since I straightened out Kontakt 6 no crashes.

     
    I'd worry that a Mac mini wouldn't have enough RAM.  
    I use VEP mostly to be a buffer between nasty Kontakt and Pro Tools.  They aren't lovers - to say the least. 

    You've made a good purchase.  I think you'll be very pleased with it!