You hit the nail right on the head! I've been early adopter of the UAD system from back in 2008 with the UAD-1 and soon added the UAD-2 Solo to my setup in 2010. Eventually, I was doing more projects on the go with laptops that I couldn't use the UAD processing so started using more native processing again. Then just a few years ago, I realized that I hardly use any more of the UAD plugins because it was such a hassle to bring the hardware along to any of the audio projects I've been getting. Whether a music project, a podcast, or an audiobook--I've gone back to all native plugins even with an intel Core i7 CPU not even busting a gut with all my plugins and tracks when I left ProTools for Reaper, but I digress.

I totally agree with the sentiment of the video (even though I recently bought an Apollo interface). I would like to clear up some terminology though. As someone who is a software engineer first and hobby musician second the title "DSP is dead" sounds very strange to me. 😀 Wikipedia defines DSP (Digital Signal Processing) as "the mathematical manipulation of an information signal". It is what is going on in your DAW, in your plugins and in your audio interfaces. It can be done either in software (using general purpose CPU:s) or in specialized DSP chips. (Heck, it can even be done with pen and paper. Although the latency would be astronomical. 😀) What you mean is that expensive specialized DSP hardware is dead. Not DSP itself. If DSP is dead then it's back to analog consoles and tape for all of us.

DSP compliments my workflow and is invaluable whenever client wants to do some post pro towards the end of a mix when my buffer settings are maxed and I've got a ton of vsts going.

I am a Uad user with an apollo X6 and an satellite octo. Today I mixed an entire session using Luna and I was impressed by the sonic quality. Now all the tape and Api strips run natively, freeing a lot of dsp for other plugins like reverbs. I think luna is the future of Uad and the sound is really making me think to switching from cubase. For now I am going to keep testing Luna for mixing and cubase for producing. Great video!

Spot on. I look forward to UAD plug-ins in the near future hopefully.

sold my UAD and invested in a MacBook Pro, it is a monster of a machine and most people can not comprehend what apple silicon can do…most have to experience to believe, it’s beyond progression…

Great talk. I wanted "One rig to rule them all" so I now have an 8 space rack with my M1 Mini and am using the Midas MR18 for audio interface. I haven't tracked drums or anything yet but I have noticed no latency in recording into Logic and I can use the DSP in the mixer when tracking. It took me a loooong time to accept USB as the connection I waited years for Thunderbolt to appear on digital mixers but it just never happened. Plus I can take this out and play a gig or do mobile recording.

I'm looking to upgrade my audio interface. I got an M1 Mac Mini not too long ago. What would you recommend as a top of the line interface, especially thunderbolt compatible? I was thinking of a UAD Apollo X8, but maybe that's not the best choice?

7:41 PA xmas deal: dropping plugins from $300 to $30 - aaand gives you a $25 voucher UAD xmas deals: dropping a handful of plugins from 300 bucks to 150-220 - and sends you a $25 coupon code late in December 🤷‍♂ Ok, ok, I know they have a few ones under 99 bucks and I can actually get one or two, like API Vision or the Auto-tune, for as low as 19 bucks etc etc. But for a hobbyist like me - or worse, the broke musician students who wants to be part of their eco system and are not running a pro studio with income - they are fkn expensive as hell. But I think this is the main portion of their customers; I've seen countless of users talking about which fat bundle to get for Xmas.. Great video!, keep up the good work!

I really enjoy your channel. It’s so straightforward and right to the point. I wish more KZfaq channels were like this.

100% true. Thanks for sharing this info. UAD or Avid interfaces that can run multiple plugin and Vst's instances with "zero" latency when recording are from 3 grand up. And you can run just plug-in released for these interfaces. Buy a powerful computer for 3 grand and a decent interface for 1 grand and you can use same amount of plugins and Vst's of your choice. No strings attached to anyone.

Fully agree. I’m a high believer in native, that’s why I just ordered a MBP 16” Max fully maxed out, the whole nine yards (64GB, 32GPU, 8TB SSD)

Great video. This is precisely what I was trying to understand in these days of Apple Silicone and you cleared it all up.

Loved it! I said the same thing immediately to my Music School Teachers and Producer friends once I seen all the run throughs of MAXing it out, pardon the pun. The M1 Max has me willing to give up on PC and going back to Mac completely fully loaded for all my music and video, even graphics work period. The cost is high but; DSP cards are not cheap either. They lock you in to proprietary systems!

It is true that new processors became really powerful in the last couple of years, but developing DSPs on a FPGA will make a huge difference because the instructions of the code are not compiled anymore and translated to machine code (assembly) even low level code (c/c++). The code is transformed to an electronic device that includes digital logic circuitry where the instructions will be executed as it is without any limitation on the hardware architecture and with less power consumption (less copying for the data from the memory to the cpu or to the gpu). In my opinion, I agree that those DSPs are really expensive and overrated sometimes but the audio field in general is not ready yet to drop a lot of operations/traditions and didn't shift to the digital world completely. Hopefully we will get there specially with AI and machine learning.

Hi Barry, thanks for your videos! Do I understand you totally right, that you would record a band on Mac M1 for Example in Logic and monitor the band through logic? Do you know or can you guess: What latency has a lets say 20 channel band recording with a channel strip on each channel on the monitors for the band while recording live through the Apollo vs. through Logic on M1? Thanks a lot!

This totally makes sense. I bought into Protools years ago with a serious TDM setup including a Icon console. I graduated to the AAX HDX system. Very spendy being on the edge. I am glad that I spent more money on analog than digital gear and thank goodness the analog stuff has maintained or appreciated in value. Lesson learned.

I think you nailed it..As soon as the major DAW & plugins are all on board with the new Mac OS & processors that is the way to go …

Love your no nonsense talks.💥 REVOLUTIONARY Dolby Atmos plugin and great timing with the M1.🔥 Like to hear your thoughts on Dolby and maybe instructional video.🦧

Merry Christmas Barry!!!

Thanks for making this video and its a great argument! My question is though, are you saying that I could potentially record a drummer with high end plugins on every channel or a vocalist for that matter with zero latency? Or are you referring only to mixing? Because I have huge doubts especially with live drums ie having eq/compressors/delay/reverb/gates on every channel/busses? I run 16 channels atm with uad at zero latency and I find it hard to believe any i9 with 128gig ram can do that? If I'm wrong then I accept your statement with open arms

Barry, I bought FOUR M1 Macs for like $2600, 3 Mac Minis and a MacBook Air...a few years ago ONE dedicated DAW computer was over 3 grand. A single UAD setup can cost more than a single M1 computer...that’s ridiculous.

An inconvenient truth for those companies.Music production is changing for good! Awesome video

Presonus realize that years ago when they released the Quantum series, super fast thunderbolt connection and a perfect integration in studio one. two daisy chained Quantum 4848 gives you 96 channels I/O for less than 3k. I just wish they go AVB and Thunderbolt 4 on the Quantum 4848 MK2

Dude I love it! I’ve been giving this advice since the M1 Macs dropped...The M1 is actually cheaper than the DSP interfaces, this is actually a HUGE paradigm shift! Apple, say what you may, but they are game changers.

Hey Barry great video as always! Kind of in line with the previous comment in terms of we would all still be using/running a Mix system on a Mac II if it weren’t for the constant updates to the app and the OS. After a while, as you know, they make our systems sluggish and outdated to the point where you must update. I realize things like the 32 to 64 bit OS jump gave us the powerful workstations we’re all now used to but for me, at least, that was quite a few Macs/OS’s/Pro Tools hardware/software upgrades along the way. I don’t see any of this ending anytime soon. And companies like Avid will always offer the latest new cutting edge tech features which will draw attention as well as put a huge strain on whatever the latest and greatest Mac’s or Pc’savailable. Planned obsolescence.

After 2 years of working for Antelope Audio, a company that has almost the same business model as UAD, I really agree with you! However, the leaders of such companies will never see the same profits as they see now. And fuck it they are too lazy to change a business model. Antelope's plugins are superior to the UAD ones, however, most people haven't really heard of them let alone used them because of the lousy business model. You did not even mention them, and this speaks volumes to me. Anyways, I cannot agree with you more.

I had invested in uad 1, 3 cards. At the time, I agree they were great. I also bought a hardware 6176. That's worth every penny. I stopped after uad 1 as technology got faster. Now, it's a big upfront investment to be part of their ecosystem as I can run so many tracks on an M1 mini, my first step into apple, but don't. Now I'd rather do a mix of high-end analog upfront hardware chains going into digital daw like ableton with no dsps like uad. I don't need 100 tracks with a ton of plugs and 100 compressors , kid of using a daw like it's a 24 or 48 tracks (2 linked tape machines) if that, and making upfront decisions. But to each is own. Great video ❤🤟 Happy winter solstice

Apple M2 PRO CHIP.... all you will ever need.😊 THANK YOU SO MUCH.. YOU ARE 100% CORRECT! We returned the Apollo Twin X , $1600.00 dollars 2 channels, not foot switch jack for Presonus Quantum 262e ar6. 26 in 26 out. faster amps , tons of free plug ins and Studio One. Easy to use... LUNA is not as simple.

What is your camera/lighting setup? I'm really blown away by the image quality. I found another video where you mentioned you're using a Sony A7III with a Rokinon AF 85mm f/1.4 lense. I'm referring to the video with the still images. Admittedly, I'm a novice and don't understand lenses/photography but when I get ready to actually use something other than a webcam, I'm leaning your way.

I really wish these sorts of videos offered more than opinion for ten minutes. I would love to see a breakdown of say using an old computer with UAD VS native in a set up with a typical 4 piece band, using 3-4 plug ins on each member. My feelings on this have been the same for years, not just since the M1, unless you're live tracking a band and that band has heavy plug in demands, autounelive etc. then native is just fine. Low latency tracking means heavy CPU use, means less plugins, this gets better with newer chips but it doesn't go away.

It was back in the day due to the old Intel Pentium 4 and the old mac G3 G4 Motorola chips that just weren't powerful enough. Now with the new Intel I9 chips and M1 chips...forget it. More than enough power...plus SSD drives! More than enough power.

Exactly. I just bought a new ADDA and did not want UAD, though highly recommended, for that reason. I just wanted an ADDA with low latency and I'll worry about plug ins and don't want another mixer window.

For recording, software works fine. Custom DSP chips are still useful for live sound reinforcement. Mixing in the dsp and plugins in software.

I bought a UAD satellite quad to help me mix on my 5 year old computer. It cost me around 440 Euros second hand so for that amount of money I got instant CPU relief with zero downtime. I’ve demoed most of the plugins got hooked and decided to spend a few grand to get them all. With a bit of planning and a lot of luck I have now almost every UAD plugin under the sun. But I am a exception. In no way I would have spent 3k euros on a dsp system if I wasn’t 1 in the middle of a couple of projects so needed a quick upgrade to offload cpu 2 sure that some of the plugins are amazing (all AMS Neve ones, Cedar denoise etc.) 3 able yo purchase almost all plugins within this budget (second hand cards)

any thoughts on using an apollo solo to improve audio for video livestreams? The issue has always - for me - been either deal with sub-par audio, or deal with sync issues due to processing delays. Or maybe you can get just as good of results by using something like audio hijack and loopback with some plugins on an M1 max machine...

I 100% agree with you, so I have two dsp and I didn’t use much

Other honourable mentions, some previous to UAD (though mostly not DSP native DAW Mixing, as orig neither was UAD) ... Creamware Scope, Studioelectonic Powercore and SSL Duende*(after from memory).. I'm sure there's more....actually, add a Yamaha DSP factory to the list.

We all know Protools architecture was very poorly designed from the very start. In early 2000 I bought a SoundScape complete system for $6000 ; MX4 card, superb SoundScape converters and a PC. Could record 56 tracks at 96Khz with 0 latency. The same Protools kit cost about $20,000 at that time... And did not sound as good...And needed an outrageous expensive Mac... Now Intel and AMD are putting effort to get single thread speeds and efficiency at new levels to compete with Apple M1 performances. I agree that in the next 5 years we'll be able to run everything at 0 latency for very cheap...

AGREED! I actually own a Apollo twin but bought it in 2017. Wouldn't do so today

Thanks for the video Barry.

Completely agree!. that's the reason I get a used Uad Satellite because I just wanted use some of their plugins but never thought to change my interface!. These plugins are useful for me .. yes... do I really need them with the options on the market? absolutely not!. it is what it is!

Great video. However, I would even say that Dsp wasn't that important as far back as intels 4th Gen I7 4790 processor. I am still running an i7 4790. It's still ranked 207 on high end processors. I have no issues managing projects of 50 tracks at 128. For some this may still be too high but think about it. I am running sessions this big with modern heavy plugin use on a 4th gen i7 4790. The newest processors dwarf this processor so yeah; DSP is dead.

I still need dsp 😢. I pummeled my 2023 MBP M2 Pro chip 16gb ram 1TB SSD while rendering a 10-15 track 5.1 atmos mix in Pro Tools while running atmos DAPS side by side (standard interface) 😢 they heiled these machines as top teir YET I'm still blogging them like my PTLE days. I don't have these issues in TDM.. Ironically I did a bulk of the tracking in TDM then I moved the completed 5.1 track into Pro Tools Studio to finish the render. I saw this video and I watched it just to hear you and and respectfully interject. Silicon is strong but it bogs down with big sessions.

Very interesting point of view! Thank you very much. Question: I’m going for a M1Pro, but I’ll wait for this spring to see if Apple comes out with some new M1 computers, maybe a new Mac Mini. So, at this point, with a M1Pro in mind, what audio interface do you recommend? Thanks a lot.

I agree...I have a M1 Max.I knew before I purchased my Twin X Duo that I didn't need the DSP. I got the Twin X bundle Combo( Twin X duo, Shure Sm7b, Shure SRH440 Headphones, 5 extra UAD plugins, a mic cable and a thunder 3 cable for $1399. I earned 20% in store cash back on my purchase so I got UAD buy 3 plugins get one free...$1399 for all that.

I'm running a 12 year old Intel I7 980x 6 core machine with Windows 10 on a 10 year old TC electronic FireWire interface and have no trouble recording at a 32 samples buffer setting with plugins and an RTL of 3.5 milliseconds at 48k. The interface has a 24 channel DSP mixer but I rarely use it. The computer is clocked to 4ghz but it's still not fast by today's standards but fast enough to record and mix even large sessions in the real world with no trouble. It won't run 200 plugins at 32 samples but it's a non issue as I have no need to mix at such a low buffer setting. I will upgrade when it breaks but for now I'm making music and the computer is never an issue for me.

Interesting video, wish I could see some a and b analysis. Wish I would’ve saw this before I bought 50 plug-ins for my Apollo Twin X.

Hi Barry I completely agree with you on this one. Too many other manufacturers have jumped into the game who make either just as good or better products so the cost of admission into their antiquated eco system is dead.

I'm enjoying Luna and my Apollo x6 on my M1 Mac quite a bit. The Apollo handles its end of things and the M1 can run 16 channels of the API Console and Studer Tape on every track. Marrying the two is good for now. Will be interesting to see if the Apollo route will become obsolete.

First, I am impressed by the quality of your videos and really like your channel Barry. That said I agree on your points one after the other. Even with my iMac I7 from 2020 I can playback Dolby Atmos film mixing sessions with 300+ tracks down to 64 samples in Pro tools. So as you said, for the price of a HDX card you can get a Mac studio (can’t even imagine the upcoming M2) with MASSIVE power. And it is for the best for creation, freelances and studios. Soon we can see appear hybrid studios where the engineer just plugs in his MBP laptop, loads the local io setup and done… Avid really has to go in deep introspection because their range is collapsing and the only high end products they will offer will be S4 and S6 coupled with MTRX systems. And at the point nobody will be willing to spend 30+ K just on automation buttons and 16 plastic faders…

Are unison preamps a justification? My understanding is they actually change the physical properties of the preamp to better emulate the actual hardware. If this true, UA interface + expensive plugins are still cheaper than the real thing.

Hey great content, i understand what you mean, i also got and M1 machine last year and it is very powerful, but i like UAD platform and i use it for real time processing, mostly recording vocals and playing music (bass, guitars). I don't need it but i like to use it. For me UAD DSP is like a reasonable replacement for analog hardware, very versatile. Thank you for sharing!

The new Macs can process multiple streams of 8K video without glitching. Audio processing is much less demanding. There *is* still a need for DSP, but DSP is now built in.

Hi, so I plan to buy a new iMac when the one with the M1 pro chip will be ready in a few months. I was planning to get an apollo interface like an Apollo x4, but do i understand that I would not need that? Therefore, what interface would you recommend? I actually use a Soundcraft Signature 22 mtl with a late 2013 iMac running Logic Pro X. It works, but I get that I could upgrade. Thanks

Hey there, Ok, so what do you suggest for the best way or best couple of ways to get into the new MacBook Pro M1or M1 Max as far as interfaces go? Thanks!! 👍🏼

I totally agree. I switched recently from windows to an M1 MacBookPro. I play live in amateur rock bands. Now I see huge power to do whatever audio project I could imagine with extremely low latency. This is a huge milestone. External hardware DSP are useless. Simple evidence.

I Agree ! Just got new AMD 5 & 7 2nd gen and running 100 tracks 80% plugins on All with IK Mutimedia 3 Studio MAX at the time of Recording Performance % is just 13%.

Some one from UAD leaked that they already have native cpu versions of every plug-in, they are holding out to make sure they still sell the hardware. I still think DSP has some place, because really if you have the money and can offload some of the heavy work from the computer and keep it latency free, that’s a wise choice. But I also agree that really, with the advancements in computing it may become a thing of the past. We shall see, as computing advances, so will the plug-ins, thus you’ll still need a lot of power to run the very best if them as the coding and sound algorithms get more complicated

Barry, I agree that overtime You will be correct on all accounts. But for those of us who have committed thousands of dollars to working studios, Those people are not going to make the change quickly nor do they need to. Remember it’s about Sonic quality first. Then time , cost, and convenience. That saying “don’t fix it if it ain’t broke” and I’ll take a sonic quality over a little latency any day. Great video By the way the title is great click bait

your getting more and more confident with these opinion videos haha. I hear ya, it's prob less important but I'm using an M1 and still appreciate using UAD plugins ( and hw ) that doesn't tax my system. Esp since I'm experimenting with recording and mixing at higher sample rates. I'm getting mileage out of it still, if you'r not, thats cool...

Yes the M1 world is replacing the need for DSP. Imagine M2 and M3 models in the future also. It’s a fun time for audio production. Thunderbolt 4 interfaces are on their way too! Tip, I use a 6’ “active” TB4 cable now on my TB3 interface. 3 is backwards compatible from 4 and the active cable keeps me at 40 gbs, at the longer cable length. It’s an expensive cable though. Amazon.

I would love to buy Native UAD plugins whenever they drop the DSP. With as much power as the new Apple macs have maybe we will finally have some stunning reverbs now that CPU isn't going to be an issue anymore.

What's (FPGA) on a HDX cards, it sounds like something prepping or the future? Questions, If I where to run 10 channels of hardware inserts example, compressors and eq's in Protools on a new M1 pro loaded up. Is it so powerful that it just puts all my inserts in time and I don't have to think about latency? I came across this video researching and looking to buy a HDX card for analog hardware insert. I didn't want to to run all tracks out across a console to insert hardware any more and just wanted to add a few hardware pieces into my digital mix. Any advice is helpful, Cheers people !

I just got a Mac book M1 pro, I’m waiting for my interface to come in. But I worked out of an intel i9 10900K and I still had issues recording at low buffer lengths. But when I added the Apollo twin dsp, it was incredible. Definitely worth it in my opinion. I’ll see what this M1 pro can do. If I can get the same quality without the dsp, I’ll return my Apollo

I agree I recently purchased Apollo 1 and a Satellite. I had to learn the expensive way. There more affordable and if you can believe it free plugins that are just as good. After all after when the whole process is done if it sounds good. Who will care. Thanks again for help and knowledge. Much respect

Well, a year ago I bought the Apollo Twin X (Heritage package [extra plugins]) for about $1200. Since then, I've been hoovering up plugins, spending about $1450 on them alone. All were bought at sale prices and all but one had $25 or $50 coupons, average of $81 per plugin/collection. I had been dreaming of UAD/UAD-2 for about ten years, originally scanning eBay for used PCI cards. When the Apollo line came out, I switched my aim for the $600 device. Then new versions were released and with it a new price that kept climbing, until I would pay double what I initially wanted to spend. When I got it, there were connection issues with Windows 10 Pro, for system audio it would work only for a second upon turning it on, then stop. It worked fine in the DAW, though. I found out that I could disable and re-enable the device to get it working, but then the inputs were all messed up. After growing tired of power cycling the device, I finally called in to their incredibly small support window. The guy helping me was new to it all and didn't even have a device of his own. He said he'd enter everything in to a ticket, but that never happened. Then one day, I realized that it worked perfectly if I was in Hitman 2, turned it on and it didn't stop working. For months, I'd start the game up anytime I needed to use the Apollo. Recently, I believe I found the real issue. Windows kept showing a microphone icon when I'd turn it on in the start bar. I disabled the audio input support and everything started working perfectly. Even with all this nonsense and the hassle of the plugins being coupled with a piece of hardware, I have thoroughly enjoyed the output I've been getting from using it. I've got an Alesis ADAT HD-24 that I can run in and record 8 channels from the ADAT in as well as the 2 inputs all at the same time. It's a bit messy, but it works. What I like, I do not have a lot of money and so the computer I build is a bit outdated. I've got an i3 Intel (Kaby Lake) processor, and I use the system for many other things (have 20+ tabs open in Chrome, other software running, mining crypto too) that can suck up memory. This leads to the one benefit that I see, those that have older systems and already have an Apollo, it's great to have the DSPs to handle a lot of processing. What I do find, though, is that it's easy to exhaust the DSPs. This then has me using the legacy LA-2A and 1176s to lessen the impact. Some plugins, like the Lexicon-480 or Capital Chambers, will eat 50% of the Twin's DSP power, making them pretty much useless unless you want to bounce it out. All in all, I can't refute the argument of what is to come. What I can say is that even with all the headaches, I love this thing to bits. Do I have regrets getting it? No, I wanted it for so long and am proud to own it.

Makes sense. Would love to see Apollo x8 w/o that expensive DSP inside. // Apollo x4 user who almost never uses UAD plugins

The reality is that we haven't needed DSP since at least the early 2010s Highly specced up PCs could easily run hundreds of plugins back then I think Mac users have just barely found out about this because the Apple's M1 chips have finally caught up and even surpassed the most powerful Intel/AMD chips I am believe this was the main reason why UAD has neglected PC users for so long because DSP has been irrelevant in PCs for years so it made selling DSP to PC users more trouble than its worth Now that Apple has finally caught up to powerful Intel/AMD chips, there is no need for DSP anymore on any platform So its no surprise that UAD is now going native and they are now working harder to support PC users in their software and hardware Also GPU Audio's new innovations will probably allow us to run not just hundreds but thousands of plugins in the near future

Great video! I mostly agree. I do a lot with virtual instruments like Omnisphere and the like. Playing a session with a bunch of those at 32 sample buffer with effects causes clicks on my M1 Pro MBP, which isn't the point of this video. But I find if I need to dub in a vocal or drums with a heavy session of audio and virtual instrument tracks, easier on system to use UAD console where Logic Pro is sent to virtual channel on UAD and I load up any effects to monitor drummer or vocalist in the UAD console. Trying to do that in DAW has a bunch of latency. Maybe I am doing something wrong, but that is my experience. I also like to audio from computer like Apple Music through a virtual channel on the UAD console and put on a tape plugin or other to sweeten music.

Soniccore Scope system is amazing DSP-based system. I still offload resources during mix/mastering through Scope.

I totally agree with you 5 yrs ago I started using Slate Digital, Kush, Ozone, Everthing Bundle. and others. I refuse to buy anything from UAD and Avid. My AMD Ryzen 64 gb ram is just Working so Great!

So what’s up with the recording latency at 32 buffer with plugins and autotune on?

Question for everyone and apologies if it's a dumb one... but aside from shifting processing load off of the CPU, isn't the value for UAD interfaces in their actual pre-amps? I'm looking at making the jump to UAD from an oooollddd Focusrite Sapphire 26 and that was the other main reason. Thoughts?

I never paid over 70-80 bucks for a UAD plugin. If you know how to shop the sales there’s no reason to pay more than that. Got plenty of them under 50 bucks too.

So what converters and preamps should one use? The unison system and emulation of different preamps is nice.

Last year I nearly picked up an X6 with free satellite to expand on my Solo... but they pulled the offer. Lucky as I don't want to live the life of not being able to load projects without the UAD card plugged in...it's happened so many times now that I can just sit in bed with headphones on a macbook and fire up a project...just need to find a decent replacement pultec eq plugin

correction 1:19 Creamware SonicCore DSP. TC WORK PowerCore DSP. and to be cheeky the first dedicated audio digital signal processor chip was Texas Instruments’ TMS5100, first used in its Speak & Spell in 1978.

Awesome. I have an i5 10th generation 32 GB ram now with Antelop Discrete 4 and it gets the job done. But I can still see a need to upgrade to an i7 and that Ryzen 9 you mentioned. Thanks

Actualy my main audio interface is an UAD Apollo 8. And I've never realy used their plugins IN the Apollo (Unison mode), I open them in my DAW, process or post process the tracks, and everything is fine. Even with an Intel Mac. BUT I don't usualy record a string quartet in my studio.

100% ..when you consider a lot of plugins now allowing you to oversample, UAD is no longer light years ahead. I mean noise ash's ruletec for 29$. Crazy good! Their new eq series look and sound great too. I'd also say a MAC holds more value than UAD does because a MAC is of interest outside of the DAW world.

There are still many applications for DSP in many industries, at least on the consumer level side of things. Computer power is a solid argument for studio and recording applications, however having the ability to run DSP through an interface is important for running audio through applications that don't necessarily offer running VSTs natively. Things like zoom for remote teaching, and also streaming on platforms like youtube or twitch, while also maintaining quality in other communications programs like discord. Live applications call for DSP. While you may not need it anymore, many industries, especially those using live broadcast still have a use for it.

Hey there Barry. Wish everything’s great for the holidays. While I haven’t used DSP at all since I started working in music production and mixing, I find it to be a cool technology. However, these new Apple Silicon chips are insanely good. I’m looking for to invest on one of these, specially a Mac Mini. I’ve been working on an i7 7th gen Intel with 16GB of RAM on Windows 10 and using Pro Tools and it has been great and still is. But I’m pretty sure that with Silicon, the RAM issues and AAE errors are going to be a thing of the past. I only wish Apple releases a Mac Mini with the M1 Pro chip at least.

I just got a ua solo with ultimate 12 for $1200. Paired it with a used octo core. Still under $2k. Selling my metric halo as I had to move to pc for work. Got an Alienware m18 laptop which is even faster than a Mac Studio ultra…. The deal on all the plug ins were too good. I get all the native ones too obviously. I can go crazy with software synths in komplete with my pcs cpu and run eventide plugs, izotopes and get crazy with my reverbs and effects with my octo satellite thunderbolt 3. Makes me feel ok with parting with my metric halo. Just wish I could use the satellite for live stuff but I honestly don’t have the need. Could always get an Apollo for that. I didn’t know about the ua console mixer. It’s like metric halo but you can slap every uad plug in on them. Now that’s powerful. If my computer ever says hey I can’t handle what you are throwing at me I’ll let you know. Oh also the laptop was the price of a MacBook Pro but performance like I said of a Mac Studio ultra. That’s a deal as well. Who knows maybe I’ll get into gaming too. lol. Amazing what is possible now. Oh and no monthly subscription charge. Well… might do eventides but then again might just buy the few plug ins that are simply amazing. Problem now is too many options. Spend all day cycling through synths drums etc. plugins reverbs

I think the only thing to consider is that while cpus have improved dramatically with the introduction of the M1 chip there will be more taxing plugins to utilize the newly found space on the cpu, which again taxes the computer and creates latency. I think the current dsp systems are dead for now, but having a separate system for recording and one for mixing and mastering seems to be a relevant concept. But we’ll see. It’s hard to tell what the future holds for music technology, but the future is promising

I want to agree with you!!!! I'll have to try it when I get my new mac.

True story!! I feel abit slighted by UAD, love the sound of my Apollo Duo but I've learnt I've paid alot for their plugins, which I don't use. Also they don't take enough off the cpu load to justify the price. I'm super amped that M1 Macs have high impedence headphone inputs. This video definitely makes me question Audio interefaces more and more especially for portable production setups.

Agree 100%!!! I got the M1 Pro it's AMAZING!

I know now for a FACT that Avid were selling their Carbon with the upgraded Pro Tools license because they knew of the new Mac processors incoming so they needed to get rid of as many carbons as possible. You no longer see that offer and that's for a reason demonstrated here in Barry's M1 experiments. Great videos Barry!

Totally nailed it… but also totally irrelevant to the millions of us with average (older) PC and Mac gear. I plan to keep my 2015 i5 Intel iMac running for many more years and that means my DSP Apollo Twin stays in the loop. In 5 years, I’ll revisit all this. Thanks for the discussion and with the modern high dollar machines, I agree with your conclusions 100%.

I’m a long time UAD user and I agree with everything you said …. Except… what you didn’t mention is LUNA. I know you are a big Pro Tools cat. But the sound of LUNA with the API extensions is just too damn good for me to walk away from. As the updates continue, you will see more and more users leaving other DAWs for LUNA. And then…. It really will be a mix. You can front/back end LUNA (summing, tape, channels) with an Apollo and then run all the native plugs you want for further processing. That is my plan.

Thing is, even as microprocessors get more powerful, the applications and plugins themselves become more resource demanding as they get better. But it really is great that the native solution has become a viable platform for very low latency monitoring.

Hi sir can you plz suggest the best audio interface for pro tools ultimate i need industry standard performance top notch quality main focus is cover songs vocals

Do you have tested acustica audio plug in on Mac m1 max?

I would say there is a need for an even lower latency recording as a vocalist than 32 on your DAW, but interfaces will solve that problem most of the time but DSP or FPGA for processing is definitely not needed anymore. totally agree

UAD released a new interface range “ Volt.”. No DSP. It’s sold out everywhere in Australia

idk, maybe its the GUI.... but I don't understand how people buy without thinking, those who are already invested may have a good incentive but the new guys are Rushing in headfirst, blind to ALL the great opportunities that are right there in abundance at every price point.

Thanks Barry!!

When talking about the sharcs vs the M1, the M1 has to do a million other things with many sets of instructions. You can’t compare a sharc that does ONE thing and one thing only and just look at clock speed.

I know my question doesn’t have anything to do with the subject at hand, and of course I do on a UAD twin, and a few UAD plug-ins. My question is… Have you used Harrison Mixbus, and if so, do you have an opinion about it? I really enjoy your videos.