Various M1, M3, M4 Macs tested in different music production scenarios using DAWs like Logic, Ableton and others.
In these results I am using my own “DAW Overload” template. You can download it for free here: https://bjokib.gumroad.com/l/baaid and try it out for yourself and compare it with the results here.
Logic Pro Music Production Benchmark
Benchmark instructions:
- Use “Logic Overload.logicx”
- Set “Processing Threads” to the highest you can.
- Loop section 17-32 (not the first one) 5-10 minutes.
- Duplicate tracks until the “System Overload” message appears.
512 Buffer / Process buffer range: Medium / 48 kHz
| Mac Model | RAM | CPU Cores | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| M3 Ultra Mac Studio | 96 GB | 20P, 8E | ~ 342 |
| M4 PRO MacBook Pro | 48 GB | 10P, 4E | ~ 205 |
| M3 MAX MacBook Pro | 48 GB | 12P, 4E | ~ 145 |
| M3 MacBook Air | 16 GB | 4P, 4E | ~ 55 |
| M1 MacBook Pro | 16 GB | 4P, 4E | ~ 54 |
| M4 MacBook Air | 24 GB | 4P, 6E | ~ 80 |
32 Buffer / Process buffer range: Medium / 48 kHz
| Mac Model | RAM | CPU Cores | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| M3 Ultra Mac Studio | 96 GB | 20P, 8E | ~ 345 |
| M4 PRO MacBook Pro | 48 GB | 10P, 4E | ~ 220 |
| M3 MAX MacBook Pro | 48 GB | 12P, 4E | ~ 152 |
| M3 MacBook Air | 16 GB | 4P, 4E | ~ 58 |
| M1 MacBook Pro | 16 GB | 4P, 4E | ~ 26 |
| M4 MacBook Air | 24 GB | 4P, 6E | ~ 80 |
Ableton Music Production Benchmark
Benchmark instructions:
- Use “Ableton Overload_Diva_Serum Project”
- Loop section 17-33 (not the first one) 5-10 minutes.
- Duplicate tracks and listen by ear for audible crackle/pop in audio output.
512 Buffer / 48 kHz
| Mac Model | RAM | CPU Cores | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| M3 Ultra Mac Studio | 96 GB | 20P, 8E | ~ 280 |
| M4 PRO MacBook Pro | 48 GB | 10P, 4E | ~ 180 |
| M3 MAX MacBook Pro | 48 GB | 12P, 4E | ~ 143 |
| M3 MacBook Air | 16 GB | 4P, 4E | ~ 54 |
| M1 MacBook Pro | 16 GB | 4P, 4E | ~ 47 |
| M1 MacBook Air | 8 GB | 4P, 4E | ~ 46 |
| M4 MacBook Air | 24 GB | 4P, 6E | ~ 72 |
32 Buffer / 48 kHz
| Mac Model | RAM | CPU Cores | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| M3 Ultra Mac Studio | 96 GB | 20P, 8E | ~ 103 |
| M4 PRO MacBook Pro | 48 GB | 10P, 4E | ~ 90 |
| M3 MAX MacBook Pro | 48 GB | 12P, 4E | ~ 90 |
| M3 MacBook Air | 16 GB | 4P, 4E | ~ 41 |
| M1 MacBook Pro | 16 GB | 4P, 4E | ~ 35 |
| M1 MacBook Air | 8 GB | 4P, 4E | ~ 25 |
| M4 MacBook Air | 24 GB | 4P, 6E | ~ 48 |
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Interpreting Benchmark Results
I have a personal interest in computers and how music production software performs. The results presented here are results collected over several years. Doing multiple YouTube videos testing different Macs. These tests are often done with different versions of Logic / Ableton and plugins. Usually I test with the latest version of software / system – os.
Because of that, in some cases results could be skewed. Because of the long timeline in the results you see above. The reason for this is that software and plugins often get updated. With updates we may also see performance improvements. The soft synthesizer Diva, for example. Is one that is known to be heavy on the CPU. However u-he keeps it up to date and occasionally find ways to improve the performance of it.
That said the numbers here should be fairly accurate. But if you are testing yourself and get a few tracks off here and there. That should be within the margin of error.
So please, take these results as guidelines in your research for the Best Mac for music production.
Share Your own Results Below:
If you have questions or your own results. You are welcome to share them in the comments section below. Please include what type of Mac model you have and specifications.
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