help about updates

[AndyMacAndMic]

What do you mean by software and OS updates being the biggest bottleneck? are you saying that I should have the iMac updated, and should update it to one of the updates I was recommended?

As you already know, your iMac can not run the newest MacOS anymore (the last one it can run is Ventura). At one point in the future (if you want to update your current software) your software won't run on your iMac anymore because it needs a newer OS than your computer can run. For your music production software that can become a problem if you can't run updates on your computer anymore. If you don't mind to use 'old(er)' software for years to come it won't be a problem, but if you want (for instance) to upgrade your music production software in the future that can potentially be a problem.

But don't overthink it! If you are happy with software you are running now, simply keep running what you have now. Make backups and be happy for many years to come.

 

[Pinkly Smooth]

As you already know, your iMac can not run the newest MacOS anymore (the last one it can run is Ventura). At one point in the future (if you want to update your current software) your software won't run on your iMac anymore because it needs a newer OS than your computer can run. For your music production software that can become a problem if you can't run updates on your computer anymore. If you don't mind to use 'old(er)' software for years to come it won't be a problem, but if you want (for instance) to upgrade your music production software in the future that can potentially be a problem.

But don't overthink it! If you are happy with software you are running now, simply keep running what you have now. Make backups and be happy for many years to come.

Hi there. I am trying to understand all this. Not savvy in this way at all. You mentioned that Ventura is the last one for my iMac. But to quote someone else here (he mentions other software):
Ventura is the latest and last available for your iMac. You can install Mojave (10.14), Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11) or Monterey (12), if one of them is better suited for the software you are trying to run. But only Ventura and Monterey still receive updates, and support for Monterey will be discontinued soon.
Am I not able to access those? Should I just stick with Ventura?
I also don't understand what you mean when you said that if I want to update my current software that my software won't run on my iMac anymore because it needs a newer OS than my computer can run. thanks in advance.

 

[gilby101]

I am trying to understand all this.

Going back to your initial post:

Currently my iMac version is 'macOS High Sierra' Version 10.13.6
I am going to use an app/plugin for my music production but it seems I may need a better update to access a better version of it. I tried to do it with my current version (listed above) and it doesn't work.

So there are two things interacting with your choices: 1) macOs version and 2) versions of music app and plugins.

For 1) we know you can run macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) and newer up to macOS 13 (Ventura). From the point of view of continuing security updates the more recent the better. Also Safari for High Sierra does not work with an increasing number of web sites, so again something newer.

For 2) You have told us you want to a plugin which requires something newer than High Sierra. So you need to discover what version of macOS is compatible with the particular music software and plugin you want to use. It will be restricted to range of macOS versions.

We don't want to advise macOS 13 if later we discover that the music software version does not work with macOS 13.

We can't really advise further until we know what music software and plugins you are wanting to use. Perhaps you know what macOS versions are compatible. If not, what music software and plugins (hopefully including their versions) do you want to use?

 

[bogdanw]

@Pinkly Smooth One important thing to consider, all macOS version after Mojave do not support 32-bit apps.
If the music software you use has not been updated to 64-bit, you can’t run it on Catalina and above.
“How to Learn Which Apps Will Stop Working on Your Mac When 32-Bit Support Ends”
https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/identify-32-bit-apps-mac/

 

[Macky-Mac]

...
We don't want to advise macOS 13 if later we discover that the music software version does not work with macOS 13.
---

Yup!! This is often a problem with older software. It's one reason why people don't update to newer versions of Mac OS

....
I also don't understand what you mean when you said that if I want to update my current software that my software won't run on my iMac anymore because it needs a newer OS than my computer can run. thanks in advance.

Your older software that you currently have may or may not work with newer versions to the Mac OS.

There may or may not be updates (free or paid) to your older software so that it will work on the newer Mac OS versions......but you have to verify the OS requirements with the company that makes the older software.

When Apple updates the operating system, all the companies that make make software may need to produce updates for their product.

You can't just assume that the old software will still work with any newer Mac OS version....verify the requirements FIRST before you update

 

[Pinkly Smooth]

Hello to you all. Well it turns out I was able to access the plugin, I just had to choose the current configuration that I have on the list of them. Right now I intend on updating to logic, and am unsure as to whether or not my configuration will allow for that. we shall see. thank you.

 

[gilby101]

Right now I intend on updating to logic, and am unsure as to whether or not my configuration will allow for that. we shall see.

The App Store says "Requires macOS 13.5 or later." for Logic Pro.

 

[Pinkly Smooth]

The App Store says "Requires macOS 13.5 or later." for Logic Pro.

Can't I just update to another software that people suggested here? Would that be ok then, to access Logic Pro. There is a new version of logic out now and I already started backing up my data.

 

[gilby101]

Can't I just update to another software that people suggested here?

You are right. Your Mac can be updated to macOS 13.5. So you are just ok to get Logic Pro.

 

[Pinkly Smooth]

You are right. Your Mac can be updated to macOS 13.5. So you are just ok to get Logic Pro.

Hey again. Which update are you referring to specifically? From these, macOS Ventura Mojave (10.14), Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11) or Monterey (12)
because the Mac I have doesn't have updates, like it says in the thread. I'm confused

 

[gilby101]

Hey again. Which update are you referring to specifically? From these, macOS Ventura Mojave (10.14), Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11) or Monterey (12)
because the Mac I have doesn't have updates, like it says in the thread. I'm confused

macOS 13 (Ventura). The most recent version is macOS 13.6.8. (not 13.5 as I said earlier).

 

[Pinkly Smooth]

macOS 13 (Ventura). The most recent version is macOS 13.6.8. (not 13.5 as I said earlier).

Thank you very much. I'll go for that one then, once everything is backed up. I'm also going to put more ram in my iMac, for logic, because its such a bigger daw than GarageBand which is what I've been using. Thanks to you guys I started backing up my data already, and although I have not finished the process, I've made good progress so far. I really take care of my iMac, have done all these years, so I hope it will last a long time. I don't watch porn on it or endanger it in any way. I just hope it lasts. God bless you all.