Basically I want to do all sound processing in the Mac and have a "box" with stereo low/mid/high outputs that I connect to my amps. Besides the "box" what software do I need and are these boxes available?
What I found so far:
What I found so far:
- Are Apple SoC Suitable For Audio Production
- Guide: Computer Active XO, 2ch+ and EQ/DSP
- Crossover Software for Windows, Linux, macOS
- External Audio Interface: The interface should have multiple outputs (at least 6 if you need stereo low/mid/high outputs) and high-quality digital-to-analog converters (DACs).
- Digital Audio Workstation (DAW): Logic Pro X, Ableton Live etc
- EQ and Crossover: FabFilter Pro-Q 3, Blue Cat’s MB-7 Mixer
- Compression and Limiting: iZotope Ozone
- Audio Routing Software: Loopback (for complex audio routing setups), Audio Hijack (capturing and routing audio)
- Real-Time Analysis and Optimization: Smaart v8 (sound system measurement and optimization)
Last edited:
An old mac Mini from 2017 will do well but and new M is of course also OK - just completely overkill....
You use the free DSP platform CamillaDSP (se this forum!) and a multichannel USB DAC.
Finish.
//
You use the free DSP platform CamillaDSP (se this forum!) and a multichannel USB DAC.
Finish.
//
If you do serious work, you need current hardware that can use current software.
Any Mac M1 or later will do well.
Any Mac M1 or later will do well.
I'd have a look at Focusrite's offerings. Their Scarlett series is excellent and good value for the money: https://focusrite.com/scarlett
I used to use a Focusrite Saffire 4x2 as a crossover for my LXmini speakers. With a 3-way you'll need more outputs, so maybe the 18x8. A multi-channel DAC is a good option too. Okto makes one: https://www.oktoresearch.com/dac8pro.htm
I second @TNT's opinion that an M3 would be way overkill for the application. If all you expect from the machine is that it acts like a crossover, I'd get an older MacBook Pro or Mac mini instead. I've bought a couple of Mac mini (2012 version) for various purposes at my local eWaste recycler for $50/each. They'd be fine, though I suggest you find a machine that supports the latest MacOS.
The mini and MBP are nice in that they're super quiet in operation. They do have fans, but it hardly ever runs fast and Apple has a patent on how to shape the fan blades to keep them quiet.
Tom
I used to use a Focusrite Saffire 4x2 as a crossover for my LXmini speakers. With a 3-way you'll need more outputs, so maybe the 18x8. A multi-channel DAC is a good option too. Okto makes one: https://www.oktoresearch.com/dac8pro.htm
I second @TNT's opinion that an M3 would be way overkill for the application. If all you expect from the machine is that it acts like a crossover, I'd get an older MacBook Pro or Mac mini instead. I've bought a couple of Mac mini (2012 version) for various purposes at my local eWaste recycler for $50/each. They'd be fine, though I suggest you find a machine that supports the latest MacOS.
The mini and MBP are nice in that they're super quiet in operation. They do have fans, but it hardly ever runs fast and Apple has a patent on how to shape the fan blades to keep them quiet.
Tom
Sure. If you need to do audio production, definitely get current hardware.
And I have only praise for the Apple silicon.
Tom
One should not do sound editing work on the same comp as the one handling the monitor EQ and XO duties I would think...!?
When old minis are so cheap I would get a dedicated comp fie the speakers. My old minis can do 4ch 65k long FIRs and 20 PEQ per channel with maybe 30% proc load. The capacity and functionality (if using Camilla) compared to the Driverack is just silly.
//
When old minis are so cheap I would get a dedicated comp fie the speakers. My old minis can do 4ch 65k long FIRs and 20 PEQ per channel with maybe 30% proc load. The capacity and functionality (if using Camilla) compared to the Driverack is just silly.
//
And if Camilla isn't to your liking, there's Reaper: https://www.reaper.fm and ReaEQ: https://www.reaper.fm/reaplugs. That's what I used for the LXmini. It's $60.
Tom
Tom
First, thank you for the feedback!
In general, regarding sound quality and overall reliability of the setup for a PA system (not home stereo), do you think a software-based approach (Camilla or Reaper) is on par or even better than a DBX Driverack PA2 whose design dates back a decade?
In general, regarding sound quality and overall reliability of the setup for a PA system (not home stereo), do you think a software-based approach (Camilla or Reaper) is on par or even better than a DBX Driverack PA2 whose design dates back a decade?
What do you think of the sound quality of an SSL Pure Drive Quad or SSL 12? I use an SSL Six for analog mixing and love it.
I should have said that I'm using Ableton Live both in arrangement view for composing and session view for live events. The use case is to come with the Macbook and plug right into amp(s) and start.
Yes that's my goal to do everything with an M3 which should be capable of replacing my hardware incl. synths and PA devices.
My goal is to do everything from composing, production and PA with just one Macbook and and audio interface with 6-8 (XLR) outputs for low/mid/high or 2 low/highs (front and side).
I probably would start with Reaper given that it's easier to get running but ReaPlugs VST FX Suite seems not available for Mac.
If it's stationary / in a studio, I think thats is not a wise strategy. Why bring your precious media with you in a system crash of the speaker system part? Modularisation can be good.
//
I have no idea. There are no specs on the website so I would steer clear of it. I'd want a box where the manufacturer specifies the DAC chip used and provides at least a couple of THD+N and/or dynamic range numbers. If the numbers provided by the manufacturer are too far off from the numbers provided by the DAC chip maker I'd start asking some pointed questions (or look elsewhere).
Tom
Monitor Outputs Dynamic Range: >120 dB, Max Output Level: +24 dBu [Source]
Review of SSL 2 (assuming 12 is similar): It uses AKM AK4621EF codecs – all in one chips which handle both AD and DA conversion. Many higher end audio interfaces use separate chips for this, but the AKMS worked well with a very low noise level. [Source]
However, for the SSL 12 I couldn't find any measurements and most reviews simply restate the features mentioned on the SSL website, which says nothing about the chips. The dac8 PRO website is also silent on the chips but claims 125 dB dynamic range with 0.000224% / -113 dB THD+N @ 100mW into 32 Ohms. But reviews with actual measurements exist on stereophile and audiosciencereview.
I assume as as higher end audio interface the dac8 PRO use separate chips, one for AD and one for DA conversion?
I have to dig into it and go through the installation process. BTW: do you think Hang Loose Convolver could also do the job?
Manual says: Here is an example of how this can happen. This is a stereo 4-way digital XO system where the Acourate
is used to generate the .cfg file. >>> means I need to buy Acourate (not for Mac)
Last edited:
It happens much much less on older OS versions, i have been working with Macs since 1984 and have had to fix many system failures. Haven’tencountered one in ome time.
Apple has been working on their version of UNIX for some 25 years now, and the new hardware is much better than inth ebutterfly keybosrd days (2016-last Intel MacBooks)
dave
Thanx for that. The job of a concolver is fairly easy (at least conceptually) this one looks to have some interesting features.
dave
Thanks, did some research on Reaper and found that Ableton is also able (!) to do this perhaps with external plugins like FabFilter Pro-Q 3 or Blue Cat’s MB-7 Mixer. But both don't mention explicitly Linkwitz-Riley or Butterworth but the latter mentions "crossover filters from 12 to 192 dB/Oct" (but has an ugly GUI). The problem they don't have trial versions so I can't really test them.
My favourite setup would be being able (!) to use Ableton and have 3 XLR output pairs to plug into PA amps.
I was wondering why in the age of M4 Apple Macs we still use hardware crossovers decade-old design rather than everything software-based. Here is why:
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/pc-as-active-crossover.293156/post-4765097
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/pc-as-active-crossover.293156/post-4765097