Ableton Forum

I've been browsing the web lately to check the overall cost of migrating to Apple Silicon and compatibility of my plugins / controllers / Audio card
I have observed that some of my controllers/ Audio cards will be supported under Rosetta and some have reached end of life (no drivers).
However I need to check my understanding about this.

1. Live runs under Rosetta 2 emulation so only plugins running in the same emulation mode can work
2. Live under Rosetta 2 emulation and a Native M1 Plugin won't work. (Universal Binaries fall in case #1)
3. Live under Rosetta 2 emulation should work with Class Compliant Devices (Audio/MIDI)
4. Live under Rosetta 2 emulation won't work with devices (Audio/MIDI) if such devices have drivers in the Intel world or native to M1.
(Live will work with M1 native devices when Live will become Universal Binary or Native)

So apparently it looks like you can't mix Live under Rosetta 2 emulation with devices unless class compliant or with Native to M1 plugins.

Is my understanding right?

Thanks a lot
Cheers
Pasha

I recently made the switch from windows to M1 mac mini, I havent encountered any issues so far running Live 11 nor plugins I use, interface no problem either which is a Scarlett 18i20 2nd gen, plugins I have tried from & include, Fabfilter, Falcon, Arturia, Korg, all my hardware has been fine, the only plugins I have not tried so far are Native Instruments, althou I do have Komplete Kontrol, Kontakt & Reaktor all installed and working, just waiting on Massive X to be M1 compatible, as currently according to NI that wont run at all yet.

Thanks for reply. Very reassuring.
Does Scarlett has a M1 specific driver or it's class compliant?

Good to know you were able to restore your operations and music making.

Are you on a 8GB or 16GB apple silicon?

Thanks again,
Pasha

I just installed the Focusrite Control 3.7.2 software, which is M1 ready uses Coreaudio, as my first Mac I got the 8GB model but with 512 storage. runs really well.

Great thank you!
Interesting that an audio card which has native core audio can run while Ableton runs emulated in Rosetta.

I don't think 4 is true; at least I hope it isn't. I have seen youtubers use all sort of hardware with live on M1 machines; and you need a dedicated M1 driver anyway for your hardware to work at all (or class compliant; but that's for small and simple interfaces). If it's true that would make live compatibility with M1 only true in theory.

grrrz wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 26, 2021 2:01 pm

I don't think 4 is true; at least I hope it isn't. I have seen youtubers use all sort of hardware with live on M1 machines; and you need a dedicated M1 driver anyway for your hardware to work at all (or class compliant; but that's for small and simple interfaces). If it's true that would make live compatibility with M1 only true in theory.

I hope as well but for the sake of posting a complete question, that was one of the use cases. AFAIK if your audio card has Intel only drivers they won't be working so you must rely on Class Compliant Mode (as Motu M4 for example) while the OEM will release Apple Silicon Drivers.
As you pointed out if your audio card has native Apple Silicon drivers then it's up to Rosetta 2 to make the trick. Judging by the low latency shown on many YouTube videos that has to be the case.

Thanks for participating in the discussion!
Cheers
Pasha

Hello everyone. I’m new to this forum but I figured this is the best way to get an answer. I just recently purchased the latest software and I’ll need to upgrade my current Mac. I’m considering waiting for the new Mac’s coming. Should I buy a new M1 or MX or are people having issues? Thanks in advance. Or stick with the older Intel machines ?

Sorry folks. I’m catching up here reading earlier posts.

I do not own an M1. Same position as you. Some problems are reported here in the forum. So far I am sticking with my old Intel machine

Had my M1 Mini for just over a month with zero issues.

Mark Williams wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 27, 2021 9:23 am

Had my M1 Mini for just over a month with zero issues.

Do you use drum racks?

Yep with both VSTs and external drum machine (TR8-s), no issues.

Mark Williams wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 27, 2021 9:35 am

Yep with both VSTs and external drum machine (TR8-s), no issues.

Thanks Mark!
I have session drums pack so I use the plain kits in it. Experienced CPU and opened a bug. I have an iMac 2013. However looking for a new machine soon I am also interested in M1 Macs

Pasha wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 29, 2021 2:28 pm

Mark Williams wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 27, 2021 9:35 am

Yep with both VSTs and external drum machine (TR8-s), no issues.

Thanks Mark!
I have session drums pack so I use the plain kits in it. Experienced CPU and opened a bug. I have an iMac 2013. However looking for a new machine soon I am also interested in M1 Macs

I havent encountered any issues as of yet, all working well, impressed considering this is my first Mac, so had to adjust to the way of Mac, but performance is good and should get better once Live is fully M1 native.