Logic Pro 11 RAM Needs?

deakle

deakle

Experienced
I’m going to pull the trigger on a new Mac Mini M4 Pro machine. Trying to decide if I should spring the extra $400 to upgrade from the standard 24 GB RAM to 48 GB RAM. I don’t do anything crazy in Logic, just simple home recording of backing tracks for guitar using Superior Drummer 3, EZ Bass and occasionally EZ Keys. Would the 24 GB stock RAM handle this or should I spring for the 48 GB?
 
I believe the minimum requirement is 8, so it should work. That being said, despite the ridiculous amount they charge, I would go for the 48 if it isn't going to render you broke and homeless.
 
24 will be plenty. I do all the same stuff (and more, e.g. Superior Drummer, multiple instances of omnisphere, serum, various NI software instruments, keyscape, etc) on my 2020 16gb M1 and it's just fine.

The M4 Pro is extreme overkill for the purposes you're describing. Even the $599 base M4 mac mini will perform those types of tasks with ease.

For storage, it's a stationary "desktop" computer so you don't need to pay Apple for the additional internal storage. Just get a <$75 TB4 nvme 40Gbps enclosure and add whatever nvme drive you want up to 8TB.
 
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I purchased an M4 Mini last month with 24Gb memory, 512Gb disk - no issues so far with light > light-moderate Logic Pro use. My 2019 intel based Macbook pro with 16Gb memory also runs Logic Pro without issue.
 
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deakle said:
I’m going to pull the trigger on a new Mac Mini M4 Pro machine. Trying to decide if I should spring the extra $400 to upgrade from the standard 24 GB RAM to 48 GB RAM. I don’t do anything crazy in Logic, just simple home recording of backing tracks for guitar using Superior Drummer 3, EZ Bass and occasionally EZ Keys. Would the 24 GB stock RAM handle this or should I spring for the 48 GB?
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What's the total cost of that rig with 48GB? You'd also need an appropriate monitor and a mouse if you don't already have them, right?
 
Memory usage and CPU load will be proportionate to the number of tracks and plugins in your project as well as the sample rate and bit depth of your project.

For example, using 96 kHz instead of 48 kHz means each track contains twice as much data per second, so you'll be able to run a lot fewer total tracks for the same amount of audio data with a given amount of RAM. Using 192 kHz would be four times as much data per second.
 
I run an M1 mini with 16 gigs of RAM, and while it's generally easy to run projects with up to 100 audio tracks, it does slow down a bit with very large sessions. Same for Final Cut Pro. It's good, but slow in rendering output files. I would think with a newer / more powerful CPU and 32 gigs of memory, you'd be able to handle large workloads without issue.
For storage, I have an OWC Thunderbolt RAID array connected, and I run all of my projects directly from that RAID without issue. That thing has 4x8 TB drives - mirrored so I effectively have 16 TB of storage with local mirrors - and it backs up to Backblaze overnight for an offsite safety copy.
 
Sleestak said:
I run an M1 mini with 16 gigs of RAM, and while it's generally easy to run projects with up to 100 audio tracks, it does slow down a bit with very large sessions. Same for Final Cut Pro. It's good, but slow in rendering output files. I would think with a newer / more powerful CPU and 32 gigs of memory, you'd be able to handle large workloads without issue.
For storage, I have an OWC Thunderbolt RAID array connected, and I run all of my projects directly from that RAID without issue. That thing has 4x8 TB drives - mirrored so I effectively have 16 TB of storage with local mirrors - and it backs up to Backblaze overnight for an offsite safety copy.
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100 audio tracks Lordy be
 
Base M4 mini with 16gb Ram and I upgraded the internal drive to 2tb (3rd) party.

I was able to load up an insane number of tracks with virtual instruments and the lowest latency. AT5 (heavy), Helix Native, ToneX, EZ Drummer, Sampletank, MODO Bass …

I use my FM9 for my guitar tracks, so I’m way over powered.
 
you'll be fine with the factory ram. don't spend more, especially at the exorbitant cost apple is charging. i got the mini m4 pro with base specs and it'a a beast. the M chips use ram a bit differently than the old intel machines, so i don't think you need as much anyway
 
I have the mini m4 pro with 24 gigs of ram and it slays. 24 will certainly handle your requirements.
 
as much as you can comfortably afford but also depends on your workflow. If you rely on virtual instruments (superior drummer/ggd etc) youll want alot more RAM to allocate to those. 48 is more than plenty.
 
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