I am wondering what the true minimum system requirements might be for running MG3, both on Mac and anything that might be anticipated for the eventual iOS release, and what a good recommendation would be to step above the minimum, without going truly crazy investing in hardware.
I am finding that my current 2018 MacBook Air, with 8GB of RAM and a dual-core processor, seems to be prone to limiting out on CPU load. It surprises me sometimes, since what seems to limit out sometimes doesn’t seem to do so others (with the same patch), but I imagine that a machine with more CPU and more memory might give me a good deal more headroom, especially if I wanted to build out three full chains with a VST instrument and various supporting plugins.
So, the question really is, if you wanted to take full advantage of MG3’s ability as a host, what does that imply for looking for minimum CPU speed, number of cores, memory, etc? Really I’m just looking for guidance and ballpark ideas here, not getting into the weeds of hardcore optimization, etc.,
Any clarity and guidance for those using music software seriously would be helpful. Thanks!
On the Mac, any Apple silicon machine is recommended and will run great.
The “expressive” tracking is where it crunches audio data the most and if you have a complex patch and an older intel machine, you may want to use one of the other tracking options which will run on just about anything.
With 3.0.48 there is also a new option for multithreading, which balance loads and improves energy efficiency.
For Windows, newer AMD APUs will run great (Im seeing typically under 15 watts of power draw) but we’ll get a better grasp on Windows requirements when the first beta is ready.
RAM and harddrive is almost irrelevant as for MG is concerned, but of course can be important if you use sample based synths or a DAW.
Hey, thank you most kindly for that. Useful info for me, for sure.
And your comment about “sample based synths” I think is kinda what I expected, since that is mostly what I originally invested in (IK’s SampleTank and Mirsolav Philharmonik), but curiously the place I’ve had things bog down the most isn’t with those MG3 patches, but rather with the ones that use IK’s AmpliTube and MODO Bass. They don’t always seem to bog down, but it looks like I may be kind of right at the tipping point with my Intel-chip Mac, so I’ll play with optimization a little more.
And for anyone reading this (not just @JamO), my interest in this question is not just for MG3, which I kinda figured may not use up all that much horsepower on its own, but more generally for suggestions/guidelines on what baseline performance to look for in upgrading to a Mac with which I’ll expect to be using these sorts of combinations. So, I could well have phrased my original question more simply, along the lines of:
“What would be the minimum Mac I should consider getting, if my intentions are the following?”
MG3 with several hungry plugins (e.g., AmpliTube or MODO Bass for guitar channel and SampleTank for instrument channel) and a few more less-hungry plugins
MG3 in MIDI-out mode with multiple standalone apps (e.g., one, two, or three of the aforementioned apps)
DAW for basic recording and mixing (with aforementioned plus other plugins)
Any of the above running concurrently with device editor software (e.g., for configuring MIDI devices like the MS-3 or a control surface)
I’m still new enough to the serious use of music software, that I just don’t feel like I’ve got a good natural handle on how to assess all that. I could also phrase it as, “What sort of thing would I need to be doing, in order to really require the extra investment of a Mac Pro rather than an Air?”, etc.
Anyway, guidance from others who know the space better than I is very much welcome.
I dont want to get into hardware recommendations, but just a few comments:
Some plugins need CPU power (analog synths, guitar processors) and very little RAM and harddrive. MG3 falls into this category. Conversely, others plugins (sample based synths) and also DAW recording need RAM and a fast SSD and very little CPU.
MacBooks M1 was a game changer for laptops. And newer M-chips are even more awesome. But since you cant upgrade CPU, RAM and SSD you need to figure out where to spend. Most people will say 8GB RAM is the weakest part and go with 16GB. The question of Air vs Pro is mainly a question about Mx vs Mx-Pro/Max.
Further, MG3 for Windows is coming, so that gives you a lot of other choices
I can totally understand not wanting to wade in to specific recommendations, especially in your chair, but I seriously appreciate these comments. Thank you. This is exactly what a n00b needs to make a better-informed decision when the time comes, and I appreciate it!
I’m considering buying one of these ASUS ROG Ally units to run Midi Guitar 3 with Hex pickup and place it in my floor pedal board connecting to the GP-10. They are very small (good for stage) and seem to meet the required specs with Win 11, 16GB RAM, 512GB HD, with an AMD Ryzen Z1 processor. Should work right? I’d love to test it on gigs right now, but the beta keeps interrupting my use to ask for license key (I did buy one). Buy ROG Ally and Find the Best Gaming Handheld Console Price
That’s pretty interesting. I don’t have that ASUS but if it has the CPU and enough RAM for your needs (i.e. using modelers and synths, not sample-based vst’s) then I’d be interested to hear how it works out for you. The built in scree and price are game changers if it has the horspower needed.
I used to have a gig rack with a custom Rack PC (I think it had an i7-9700k?) that weighed almost 20 lbs just for the PC, but was incredibly fast and glitch free. Last year I moved to NUC 12, which is tiny and light. Some said I was crazy but it’s been rock solid, never a glitch, and I really load it up with modelers and multiple sample-based plugins in 1 song. CPU runs about 15%. It has an i7-1260P, 32GB RAM, SSD and 2- TB4 ports which was important for me. I think you can pick them up for around $800. Now my entire gig rack weighs about 12 lbs with everything…interface, power conditioner, wireless guitar, wireless IEM, etc.
Let us know how you make out!
Tom
So I just got the ASUS Handheld ROG Ally (pic at bottom) Here’s a comparison with my desktop PC.
running a 128k buffer:
On my desktop PC, I have no trouble running any 3 separate SampleTank multi instruments on each chain with multiple FX.
On the handheld, I can only run 2 Sampletank mutlis on 2 chains (best to leave chain 3 open) and run very few or no FX.
Can anyone recommend good sampled VST instruments with low processor demands? I need Basses, Strings, Pianos, Epianos, Organs. I’m happy with SampleTank sounds, but it’s too much load for the CPU.
Below are the differences in specs, so I guess the performance difference is no surprise. I was hoping for more from the AMD Z1. The ASUS seems sturdy and could easily be incorporated into a floor rig.
DELL Optiplex 7000 DESKTOP PC
Processor 12th Gen Intel(R) Core™ i7-12700 2.10 GHz
Installed RAM 64.0 GB
Windows 11 Pro
Asus ROG Ally hand held PC
Processor AMD Z1
16GB LPDDR5 RAM
512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD
Win 11 Home
I have an AMD 7940HS Mini PC which is basically the same CPU as the Z1, but I guess the ROG Ally is more limited in power draw and cooling… I think there will be more CPU optimisations of MG3 which could help.
But I guess even more important than CPU - how is the touch interface? I’m starting to look into touch controls using an iPad now.
I notice that the 3.4 VST still will not open unless the host is running at or below128. It’s a bit of a pain since my Surface Pro cannot run heavier soft synths at this latency. I have to change the host, open the VST and make my changes, and then change the host rate back.
I hope you can consider not making this restriction.
The touch interface isn’t bad even with my calloused fingers. The downside is with a 7 inch screen, no matter how good the touch interface, things are really small and hard to be precise with. The joy stick can act as a mouse though as needed. I’m not keeping it. I want to 64k buffer with good piano, strings and bass on the bottom 3 strings. Will keep looking for a small unit capable of that, or at least a 128k for a sollid 3 hour gig.
It should run at 256. I understand what you mean of course, but higher buffer sizes doesnt save you any CPU. It still has to process every sample. The real solution is to make everything more efficient, but that of course only kicks the can a bit further down to the next slower PC.
@erol, what kind of wattage so you see on the Ally? I never had any issues with the small Minisforum PC with the same chip and it seems to run cool and quiet at around 12watts + VSTs.
I’ve sent the ROG Ally back, don’t know what the wattage consumption was. I have ordered a Mini PC with the following specs: Core i9-13900H, 14 Cores up to 5.4GHz, Windows 11 Pro, 64G DDR4, 1T SSD. I will try it with the GP-10 and if it works well, my plan is to get rid of the GP-10 (it’s models are not as good as my Antares ATG-1 which also has auto string tune). Unfortunately the ATG-1 does not have USB hex audio out. So I plan to get a break out cable and run it into a Behringer UMC1820 audio interface. My NEXT BIG QUESTION is will the Behringer UMC1820 play nice with Midi Guitar 3 Hex? Do I need a special driver, or will it work out of the box? The description says “Compatible with popular recording software including Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase” I don’t plan to use any DAW, just Midi Guitar 3 Hex as a standalone for live performance.
Thanks for all the help here, I will report back my results as I try different gear! My main live rig now is Antares ATG-1 with it’s aux 13 pin feeding an AXON 100mk2 for synth sounds. It works well, but doesn’t track as well as Midi Guitar 3 Hex! The axon is also limited in it’s sounds, unlike a software synth.
