Is the M2 Mac Mini the One for Music Production?

[@gfr381]

FYI you can activate all CPU cores in the Logic settings, right now you are only using the 4 performance cores and leaving 4 other cores unused.

[@sav589]

How is that done?

[@karayuschij]

@@sav589 Easily

[@thomas0101]

Soeone on a Reddit thread talking about Logic vs. Reaper said that in his testing Reaper utilized ALL the cores in the M-Series Macs vs. Logic that only utilized certain ones but not all of them... Maybe this was why?!?

[@brucekennedy5274]

Refreshingly direct, use-case review. Apple is the master of fomo-pricing. If you can be clear-headed about what you need, these base models are good value.

[@RedCloudServices]

my m2 base model arrives tomorrow exclusively for Logic Pro X and youtube is full of “you made a mistake” videos so thanks for some practical perspective. If I have a track that crashes after loading 186 plugins then perhaps I should reconsider my life not the mac 😆

[@nataliasilveira8514]

yo bro a lot of content says that 8gb memory its not enough for vsts... but, I mean... is itsnt?

[@RedCloudServices]

@@nataliasilveira8514 it’s absolutely flawless so far after a year. Whether it’s dozens of tracks (or) more importantly if those tracks are loaded up with cpu intensive plugins. very happy w M2 8gb with Logic Pro 🤘🏼

[@Ayyy2Saint]

@@RedCloudServices needed this review

[@Frank-in-NY]

Very practical review for music makers. It's all I need. Good job!

[@elambi]

My M1 mac mini I bought with 16gb memory and a 1T hard drive, still love it.

[@walterwa256]

How much is it?

[@elambi]

@@walterwa256 I think it was about 2000 Canadian with keyboard and mouse. and taxes.

[@DFJ-qq3uf]

Are you able to use studio speakers via thunderbolt?

[@Kinnor.Home.Studios]

I was about to buy a Mac mini M2 16gb, but you saved some of my hard earned money. I am subscribing to your channel mate.

[@seandaniel23]

Welcome to the party!

[@Kinnor.Home.Studios]

@@seandaniel23 woohoo 🎉🎉

[@runirogvason3764]

You can easily edit videos on this mac mini, you just have to have have the footage on an external hardrive (SSD for the best results). The base M2 or even M1 computers/laptop are beasts.

[@JMAldana]

Hi, what do u mean with having the footage on an external hard rive? thanks!

[@denisszwarc]

@@JMAldana just SSD connected through a cable to the Mac Mini. You can also buy a Mac Mini Hub with SATA/M.2 SSD ports

[@JMAldana]

Thank you very much, ill do it that way@@denisszwarc

[@timotheeleborgne]

Now THAT'S the best honest review I've ever watched :D Got all the answers I needed, thanks a bunch for this!

[@jcburger733]

I really love your informative reviews. Greatly appreciated!! A lot if times you are over my head, but I always learn something from all of your videos. Thanks for helping me to be a better musician.

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks for always watching Joe!

[@richsadowsky8580]

Thank you for this video. WHen I bought my MacBook Air 2020 m1, I couldn't accept 8GB as adequate. In addition to home recording, I do some pretty hard-core programming with Docker containers. I can't say whether it would've been enough, but I could certainly say 16 has been enough. I also have an M1 pro MacBook Pro with 16 and one terabyte. That's another rocking machine. But I've always been a fan of the minis going all the way back to the 6800 days. We need a new computer in the house. I'm thinking of trading my M1 MacBook Air to my wife and getting myself to Mac mini. Almost feel obligated to go to 16 GB to ensure I don't take a step backwards in productivity from this workstation. On the other hand, there's a side of me that wants to try the base model to see really how far it goes with the new M2 chip.

[@martyk656]

Samsung T7 external SSD has extended the storage for my base M1 Mini & base M1 MacBook Air very effectively. Quick enough for extra storage. Keeping the internal mostly empty for current projects.

[@Damianthelovetour2024]

Can I install my vst. Programs. On a external ssd. M.2 etc Will the max see the ssd as a internal or allow my kontact player software I know I can install samples on external was just wondering if I can install the program also ? Thanks for advice

[@gergemall]

Thx Sean , I decided to give it a dedicated Mac for one. I have an old one that still works great . ❤thx for the video.

[@millerlightmoose]

Loved your acoustic jam. Sounded like the song the rooster sings at the end of Robin Hood 🤘

[@akdm82]

I figured it would work because even my M1 MacBook Air handles it fine. It even handles video editing well. I haven’t had it choke yet. I’m thinking of getting a base model Mac Mini 2 as well for music editing just like you, so this was perfect. Thanks.

[@michaelstonedrums6877]

Thanks for this. I just bought the base model for live streaming and zoom lessons with the intent to get a separate recording rig later, but it seems like I should be fine for a while to write and record as well. Great review!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much! It'll be perfect for you!

[@Bladel1965]

Storage can be upgraded simply by adding an NVMe M.2 SSD using a decent fast USB-C interface. I have the M1 base model with external (and bootable) 1TB drive now and drive speeds are, according Blackmagic Design drive speed test, enough for editing up to 8k 60fps video. More than enough for me.

[@SantoshSitaula]

Great video bro! Thanks for confirming, I just placed an order for M2 base model.

[@seandaniel23]

Congrats!!

[@DayeLaHookz]

Thank you. Side note: Love the music. Sounds so sweet!

[@cmflyer]

If you can swing the educator or student discount, best to put the extra $200 into the Logic / Final Cut bundle.

[@mothertoad560]

Definitely getting one for Christmas 😊👍

[@seandaniel23]

You're gonna love it!!

[@christopherdouglas512]

Hi coolreview your the only normal guy doing that these days, i’m a real musician guitar player singer and I’ve just spent a bunch of money with Apple for an M2 studio max upgraded and I’m still made to feel like it won’t handle plug-ins etc… if a $3000 computer with logic, pro built-in still has trouble, then I will never acknowledge Apple again-

[@kennethochoa7550]

yes! the temptation is to always want more. but for music and light video and photoshop editing the m2 Mac mini should be fine BUT THE TEMPTATION TO BUY ALL THE EXTRAS IS GONNA GET YA😂

[@seandaniel23]

You know it!

[@vhsgeneration9404]

What about buying the Mac mini m2 base and using an external ssd hard drive instead of paying so much extra money? Do you recommend it? Great video, great honest review BTW

[@pjlcarpexpeditions]

Glad i found this video mate. I need a new desktop for music recording. I use reaper DAW and sever pluggins like neural dsp. Would you say the 8gbRAM with the M2 chip is sufficient then or would you say it pays to go 16gbRAM?

[@OHHnoYOUdidntMAN]

Weird, im not even a student i just use the student version of the website and I can purchase things just fine

[@felipediaz8889]

I thought I was the only one who felt bad about throwing away such a cool box ahah . I try to gut them out and use as storage ahah

[@ricj619]

You can always bounce down your MIDI VSTs to audio once you have it worked out. There is really no point in running multiple instances of VST’s and high track counts in a session.The majority of songs have at most 10 tracks total. These Mac’s should be able to handle no problem. Buy an external ssd for 50 bucks and you should be fine. Remember songs of the 1990’s were made on computers far less capable than today

[@devarni]

Can you say something about the RAM consumption for your 20 Track project? It has often been confirmed that the performance of the M2 is super, but the RAM is where the biggest questions arise. Especially when producing music with sample-based instruments such as Omnisphere or Kontakt Libraries?

[@snehilseenu]

right video at the right time. thanks for such an amazing review

[@zeus1117]

Great video man!

[@seandaniel23]

Thanks so much!

[@iamgates7679]

Yo .. this video is great, but, i feel personally attacked with that shoutout about the apple boxes… lol you been in my closet or something? Fucking floor to ceiling apple boxes in there 😂

[@CSKII-w2r]

Liked the video after he said, I won't do some benchmark tests...

[@Jack-mv3sx]

Nice video, i like how you kept the testing relevant to music production. I’m thinking about getting the 256 gb mini and using an external ssd for extra storage. Will I regret not upgrading the internal storage instead? Is there a huge difference between external and internal storage performance?

[@CheerupA1]

Base model hype!

[@TheFeelButton]

Macs Rock! Cheers Sean!!

[@gilbertogranados6367]

Dumb question, can I plug my Senheiser 599s directly to a Mac mini with the M2 without using an external amp?

[@danielk.5784]

Just what I needed! Thanks!

[@zoaltamam]

Thank you so much bro, this is exactly what I needed! I’m having a hard time deciding which computer to buy, a Mac Studio or Mini to use with Logic Pro X. I’m comparing the 32 GB RAM configs with 512 SSD, so that is already higher than the base configuration that you used here, and that’s a big relief to me. I’m going to be using heavy sample libraries such as those from Spitfire for orchestral programming, and they are heavy on memory and processor I would assume, with their large templates of tracks. I would really love to see your view on that setup

[@zoaltamam]

Just an update on my situation after having watched this video and wrote the comment above I couldn’t be happier with my choice after watching this video! I changed my mind about the Mac Studio with the M1 processor and went with the Mac Mini M2 Pro with 32 GB RAM. Man that machine is a monster! I am really happy and grateful to you and the wonderful information you put out here.

[@booza5756]

@@zoaltamam glad u made the right choice brodie, keep up the good sounds lv

[@elliothetzer9685]

The only thing I would’ve liked to of seen more of in this video, is more plug-in use. I know you use that new age ish But I would’ve liked to have seen either multiple analog instruments or multiple plug-ins used to see where the line is. At what point did the Mac mini start to hiccup.

[@sgna8879]

I'm italian, for a new entry in the music producer, Is a good computer?

[@glennbomusic]

Interesting to hear your thoughts. I recently bought a base MacBook Air M1 on sale (same memory/drive), and haven't taxed it too heavily, yet, but basic video edits on a few layers are no problem. I'm still organizing my "studio" and need an interface to see how it handles recording music. Looks promising! Thx

[@zigak.1902]

I have the same model and have been recording on it for a while with Logic. Works fine with 8gb of ram, however if you work with sample libraries like strings, it will eat it RAM up quickly and youl'll have to increase the sample rate. Wouldn't recommend it for sample libraries.

[@zeus1117]

@@zigak.1902 I work with samples too sometimes but you don't have to force it to RAM always. The system can manage pretty well the RAM-SSD transition with no speed loss, unless you are using archaic VSTs like Kontakt and other weak Native Instruments stuff. I would clear away from those plugins in general.

[@zigak.1902]

@@zeus1117 Interestng. I use Spitfire Solo Strings with Kontakt and it's an absolute RAM hog. other VSTs work fine.

[@melmakathi]

Hello, I see you have a Mbox studio interface so I was wondering did you test your Mac mini using any other daws besides logic?

[@fabianpoquet4144]

Great video!!!

[@arnabghosh676]

What do you think should i build a pc or buy the bas variant of this?....i never owned a computer but i want to start recording my music...

[@Shinn-K]

For music production only would you recommend the 16GB ram and 256gb SSD or is the M2 base model fine?

[@AGVersace100]

I would go 512/ 16gb. If you can afford it.

[@dsdyork]

Stupid question My son needs GarageBand for school ? Can this support it , his older Mac book air does not support 13.1

[@seandaniel23]

Yup!!this will be great for running the current GarageBand

[@joeschmoe2659]

I am now, and have been since 2013 a Mac dude. I k ow the answer to the question in the title of the video is yes. But I am going to watch now to see if you say the same at the end

[@joeschmoe2659]

And your agreed… well done!

[@seandaniel23]

You called it!

[@joeschmoe2659]

@@seandaniel23 word my brother! Please tell me I get a prize! 🤣🤣🤣..l no seriously, I would like to sponsor your channel. I manufacture cannabis products… some are hitting. How do I sponsor your channel?

[@jaysenzaffino8337]

I just want to use it for Logic Pro! I hope thats going to work. I got the 512 Model

[@Tremor1776]

Great video, clear and to the point! 🎉

[@unnimusic007]

Hai am a musician from India looking forward to buy the M2 Mac mini am a bit confused wether to buy the bass varient Mac mini or go on wirh upgradation pls give me an answer so that I clear out my confusion

[@joemalone5330]

I have a 2023 m2 Mac mini pro and am experiencing serious audio bleed when audio is hard panned. Seriously disappointed. I had it tested by apple and they are saying nothing is wrong with it and they at the apple store can't hear any bleed on their sub standard headphones with all the ambient noise in the store....I tested logic pro x, system alerts, KZbin, Apple Music, all with audio panned hard left (or right) and getting about 20% bleed in the opposite channel, using shure e300 in ear phones connected directly to the audio out on the mac mini.

[@seandaniel23]

Have you tried the same project with a laptop or something? This happened to me once and it actually ended up being the mbox studio software and not the computer

[@joemalone5330]

Yes, my 2013 iMac has less bleed than the new Mac mini. Also, system sounds are bleeding, like alerts etc....when I pan the system audio hard R, I can hear an email alert, (or whatever) in the left. @@seandaniel23

[@Devinop]

Hello. What is the thing (interface? controler?) on the right corner on you table? With colorful bottons.

[@seandaniel23]

It’s the new mbox studio. Great interface

[@stewartdredd1602]

Hi, will i be able to use a midi keyboard thru the usb A port in the mini M2 for logic pro? I have a m-audio 49 midi keyboard, currently im using it with a usb-A port in a 2015 imac.

[@PTFWWDB]

I spent $4000 on a M1 Macbook and this thing still stutters and chokes once you get a lot of plugins going like what is the solution to be able to edit without latency

[@dreglowup]

Awesome video

[@djeikgregoire5530]

can i record my voice and my guitar with that or its gonna explode ?

[@KMKofficiel01]

Do you think the m2 work with apollo solo/ twin ?can it help? And what is the model of this m2? How many gb you have!

[@brin57]

Damn Apple - $200 for an extra 8g 'unified' memory is just taking the piss !! I would bet that the 16 gb is already on the chip, and is just not enabled on the base model. $200 for a pre-market tweak.

[@seandaniel23]

wild right?

[@DFJ-qq3uf]

I recently got an m2. And have been unable to connect my studio speakers to mix with. When you check the ouputs available only syncmaster. (Hdmi) and mac mini speakers show up. But my speaker are connected via thunderbol adapter like how i was using on my mac book air. HELP!?

[@johnknightrider3867]

I’m running an old 2012 iMac with 8g ram that I bought for £120! I can multitrack 12-15 audio tracks into it no problem and stack plugins so this should be able to handle stuff fine.also if I need to I can upgrade the ram no problem How much power do you really need?

[@PhillieCheezeKC]

Hey Sean, curious how you’re getting on with the Mac mini a week later. I’m thinking about getting one to replace my aging MacBook Pro

[@MIKE13MUSIC]

how are you getting that clean lead tone? Amp sim or mic'd amp? Love the tone!

[@Phrozen716]

Dope Guitarist ! If you need a hard drive G drive .. Place the Software On the Internal HD/ and Sound folder on the External Drive.. However is 8gb enough for Vocals Tracks? Keep updating this Video ..

[@jamwithjason3112]

How much was the latency in logic? Is it set to 32 sample buffer ?

[@seandaniel23]

Yup. 32. And it’s fine there UNLESS I’m running a bunch of oeksound stuff

[@mark-ze4en]

the AVID Mbox connection is Thunderbolt ? Is low latency midi possible through USB 2 or 3.2?

[@jezzbro]

Yes it is possible to have low latency true usb2 Look at the RME audio interfaces like the Babyface pro fs etc. Rock solid drivers like the ones from RME are an important part for low latency recording without issues.

[@mark-ze4en]

@@jezzbro are you running the Avid through the thunderbolt via usbc3( not 3.2x2,)?

[@jezzbro]

@@mark-ze4en I am using an RME Babyface pro fs. Not an Avid Mbox. Low latency midi is no problem with the RME via usb 2

[@mark-ze4en]

@@jezzbro Thanks! Iwas interested if any standard usb2 device would be sufficent with the thunderbolt connection. I see few, if any usb3.2x2 devices . Is it necessary to use a high end upgraded usb device like the RME. to get near zero latency. I am about to build a pc with TB4 AND usb3.2 but not sure what interface will be suiable. Unfortunately. Mo ey is somewhat of acosideration. My goal if efficient Orchestral sample use in composition.thanks again. Clarify if possible.

[@86010506lily]

thx!

[@BurninSven1]

Not if you already have what you need and more for making the music you make you wont need it. Anyway that´s what I found out so mine sits on the shelf doing nothing.

[@tmztag2001]

That fruity pebble zoomer joke had me on the fucking floor and I’m one of them

[@daghanabi]

Thanks!

[@chiwalker7325]

Speaking my Lingo ✌🏾

[@vance955]

Is the base model good enough for home music production ?

[@seandaniel23]

Yup! You might want to consider using a hard drive to store sample libraries though

[@vance955]

@@seandaniel23 sure thanks. Just curious is the 8gb RAM sufficient?

[@DavieGlasgow]

What software is being used for the music effect?

[@user-rb7ns9yj5y]

What about running more complex sounds, like neuro basses in serum? plus multiple midi connectons etc?

[@user-rb7ns9yj5y]

Thinking more like 120 tracks or so... Probably wouldn't be quite enough eh?

[@Polentaccio]

Just the vid I was looking for...I considering the base model for use with my console and converter so it would just be ousting audio to hardware, the console, or a few plugins. I have to think this thing could handle up to 25 tracks with limited plugs on it.

[@seandaniel23]

Yeah we've been testing it pretty rigorously and it's been flying!

[@Polentaccio]

@@seandaniel23 so between an m1 and this m2, would the (reported) faster ssd on the M1 and the way the chip is designed be the better purchase you think for anything up to 35-50 tracks? Or should the m2 be able to handle this?

[@davidpatrick1813]

Nice video... I picked up a Mac Mini M1 ... but going bonkers trying to find how to do the audio interface ... and try my hand at Recording on the Mac... I guess it has garage band but .. things seem so complicated... what is the make of the blue electric... I just ordered my first simi hollow today.. or yesterday ... I hope it goes well.. great reviews... Larry Carlton H7 ... mostly acoustic What are some interfaces you might recommend be look into.?

[@Chrisxnek]

Scarlet solo 2i2 4th gen :) or Motu

[@SkeeterMelody]

Cool thank upu

[@rizpista]

Just need max out ram so can take long run

[@MaverickM1]

Ordered the cto 16 gb version today for Logic X Pro (and will try the 11 as well ofcourse). The extra 8 gig of ram isn’t a cheap option but in long term it worth I think.

[@tomheineman4369]

Can you do a video of a decent amp like the line 6 spider which has USB for recording.

[@seandaniel23]

I'll try and get ahold of one!

[@matthewfischer3312]

I'm close to pulling the trigger on one. The CPU is a no brainer for me. Nothing I do is going to touch it. My hesitation is because of RAM with sampler instruments like EZDrummer and whatever tracks I put on top of that. I know huge strings libraries need a lot more, I just don't know about more modest sampler instruments.

[@ÍcaroFontoura]

hey bro can thunderbolt 4 works as thunderbolt 3? like I want to use my clarett focusrite, but I only have the adaptor of 3 to 2

[@AGVersace100]

Yes

[@BoogWeed]

Fruity Pebble Vapes LMAOOOOOO

[@farber2]

Is it quiet?

[@seandaniel23]

Super quiet

[@PTFWWDB]

throw some Izotope shiet on there, Transient Shaper

[@siro5838]

I dont believe that you can use this if you work with sample librarys like Kontakt etc.

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

good vid :).you are correct, the base model needs to run allples own software ...... and it does :)........ 3 yrs ago i bought the last intel mini, also 8 and 256..... that box ran logic pro just fine........ today i ordered the m2 base model like yours...... w/ a new 60$ seagate 2 TERABYTE hard drive.... and the focusite scarlett 1820..... brand new 8ch studio rig's hardware for 1200 bucks.....i am pretty excited to catch onto the mac mini revolution !!!! ps: i seem to remember you from a guitar lesson 5 years ago :). cheers sir

[@J.WingedLion]

Lesson: spend your money once, even it’s more than you wanted to pay.

[@slidersson]

You are a pride for the gay community! Thanks.

[@tomford8286]

Dude, get to the point. smh

[@elliothetzer9685]

I see you are new to content creators. I get what you’re saying, but content creators aren’t paid just getting to the point

[@adrienferreira4666]

Whether he has something to say or not, the video has to be 10 minutes long. That’s how it works nowadays, sadly.

[@pakkrunnr]

😂

[@Roper122]

Wait... I'm taking mac mini advice from the guitar guy? When worlds collide.

[@younganointedgeneration]

Nice👍Love you from India

[@kane29842]

8gb ram is so 10 years ago and a 256gb drive is just having a laugh, especially when the OS takes up a good 20% of that. That said, the m2 chip itself is glorious. But stay away from the budget model because the rest of the specs are straight trash.

[@zeus1117]

The OS doesn't take up that much space. He installed all his music creation stuff, he even mentioned it in the video! Also, unified memory of 8GB with arm native apps use way less memory and way smarter than the PC version of the same plugins or software. On PC you better have 16-32GB RAM for the SAME audio projects. Speaking from experience here. I would go for the 512GB SSD version, I already have couple of TB fast external SSDs, 16GB unified RAM is definitely not necessary, since it acts like 16-20GB of DIMM RAM.

[@kane29842]

@@zeus1117 what's 20% of 256gb mate? I'll give you a hint, 50gb, which is exactly what he said. Do you actually know what unified ram is? It pools the system storage for shared use between the cpu/gpu/other system components. This doesn't make it act like 'more' ram, it makes it faster. It also acts like LESS memory, since it's shared with the gpu rather than having discrete gpu memory. Anyway, you agree the hdd should be bigger, and you're wrong about the ram. Chrome/safari with a days browsing of tabs open is still going to suck a solid chunk of that into the depths of its memory hell. More memory is always better. Period. 8 may be sufficient for day to day stuff. It may even have been great for this demo. Most people aren't going to buy a dedicated mac mini for audio processing, they're going to want to do other things at the same time the longer background tasks are running. Since you can't upgrade it, because apple, get a unit with more base memory. I hate the fact my m1 laptop only has 8gb. It is wildly insufficient for any level of prosumer or professional use.

[@D0x1511af]

@@zeus1117 8GB RAM use way less? lolz ever heard memory swap??if you want destroy your SSD lifespan than go for 8GB RAM and dont complain why your mac mini died before it's expiry date

[@leekpart]

looking at it, i currently have quite a beefy pc which i use for gaming, emails, all the day to day kind of stuff etc, and would probably get the mac mini purely for music production bc windows sucks balls for production. Ofc i know its not as good but with the SSD you can buy an external off like amazon for cheap so I'm not overtly fussed about that, but the unified memory does worry me a little. This mac mini would literally be JUST for music production so would i particularly need a 16gb UM when its not going to be used for everyday activities?

[@LloydBuckmanGuitar]

@@leekpart I'm thinking about doing the exact same thing. . . .

[@PASHINNSOUNDS]

as a zoomer I will gladly accompany one of yall for some fruity pebble vapes

[@stansmith7445]

1:56

[@KRUDDYMUNGUS]

Explain 3xplain explain.

[@crapadopalese]

Running *one* midi instrument and seeing no latency is your way of checking its speed?? 🤣 Gimme back these 10 minutes of my life

[@SeniterYT]

20 instances?

[@Tomato10982]

Serial number

[@紅葉亀]

play guitar and forget about testing :)

[@ArthropodSpidey]

Your base model energy is so obvious that you only managed to grow a base-model level of facial hair.

[@HookEmNBookEm]

You can definitely edit videos on it