Just bought my first mac.

[orionquest]

There are command line tweaks you can make and software that supposedly tweaks the system and ram for best performance but honestly as long as you update your device regularly and don't fill up your ssd to 95% you are good!

Agree with the other poster, this is bad advice, and double bad advice to direct a new user to the command line where they could really do some damage to their system. Avid and Adobe do put out bulletins advising users about updates which could effect the operation of their software.

Better advice. Just setup you Mac how you like it.
Out of the Box these days, Windows and Mac OS require very little to tweak, most of it's just interface stuff to suit your personal preferences. It's not worth tweaking it like it was in the older days to squeeze out a bit more performance.
Turn off auto updates. Install your audio/production software and make sure it all works.
When updates come out, check with the software vendor if there is a conflict before updating.
Never update when you are in the middle of a critical job.
I've gone months without updates, my production is worth more then a patch.
Implement some sort of backup. Time machine is ok but can be a resource hog sometimes.
Poke around the UI and see how things work.
Otherwise..

Enjoy your new Mac!

 

[Technerd108]

Agree with the other poster, this is bad advice, and double bad advice to direct a new user to the command line where they could really do some damage to their system. Avid and Adobe do put out bulletins advising users about updates which could effect the operation of their software.

Better advice. Just setup you Mac how you like it.
Turn off auto updates. Install your audio/production software and make sure it all works.
When updates come out, check with the software vendor if there is a conflict before updating.
Never update when you are in the middle of a critical job.
I've gone months without updates, my production is worth more then a patch.
Implement some sort of backup. Time machine is ok but can be a resource hog sometimes.

Enjoy your new Mac!

If you read what I said there are those things but I said it wasn’t really needed.

I brought it up to warn him that he didn’t need it because he might look it up and try on his own.

 

[orionquest]

If you read what I said there are those things but I said it wasn’t really needed.

I brought it up to warn him that he didn’t need it because he might look it up and try on his own.

Still bad advice, and justifying it after the fact... well

 

[Technerd108]

Still bad advice, and justifying it after the fact... well

Bad advice is your opinion. But whatever.... You don't seem to get the point or the fact he is a windows user who likes to tweak things. You are going to find out stuff. But I am wrong.

 

[Ashbash75]

Been messing about with macs for 5 years and I'm going back to windows

For audio-wise, turn off icloud, time machine, imessage, email, wired ethernet over wifi, siri. Basically anything that tries to dial out to the internet.

For OS versions, try to stay a major release behind as well.

That's all I can think of, off the top of my head.

 

[TracerAnalog]

Open up the ‘Audio MIDI’ settings and have a look. Look up ‘aggregated devices in MacOS’ and use that if useful for you (it sure is to me!). Check out handy tools from the likes of Rogue Amoeba. Go crazy with plug ins and have fun!

 

[mihighil]

sadly this is not completely true for audio work (and some other areas too) where it is not completely uncommon that new macOS updates will break compatibility for stuff that was working flawlessly before.
that's why quite a few people will stay on older versions, at least until the info has gotten around that their software will actually still work, or has been patched to do so again, even if this means that they are slightly more vulnerable (in theory) if the aren't careful, or are visiting shady sites.

True, mac updates break VST plugins all the time.

 

[mihighil]

Been messing about with macs for 5 years and I'm going back to windows

For audio-wise, turn off icloud, time machine, imessage, email, wired ethernet over wifi, siri. Basically anything that tries to dial out to the internet.

For OS versions, try to stay a major release behind as well.

That's all I can think of, off the top of my head.

Yeah common sense was telling me these things, and i did all of them as soon as i first turned on my mac for the first time.

 

[mihighil]

Welcome to the cult. Can I get you a refreshment?

Some apple juice maybe? BADUM TSS

Eh just doing mu job in supporting our corporate overlords.

 

[Jeven Stobs]

I was just looking at the list, thanks a lot, much appreciated.

You can also get apps like KeyCue which will show you which shortcuts are available in which app.
Maybe you can find something interesting regarding audio in the MIDI app. If you’ve come across Spotlight, just type in midi and you‘ll find the app.

 

[Larsvonhier]

We print that page for our new Mac users in the office and they regard it as very helpful.
Just select the right one for your current OS. (They do not differ much but some additions came over time).

 

[unrigestered]

never visited that site, but macmost is IMO the best youtube channel to learn macOS (and it's bundled software) pretty much inside out.

 

[altaic]

Open up the ‘Audio MIDI’ settings and have a look. Look up ‘aggregated devices in MacOS’ and use that if useful for you (it sure is to me!). Check out handy tools from the likes of Rogue Amoeba. Go crazy with plug ins and have fun!

Yeah, Rogue Amoeba makes really good software and has been doing so since the early days of Mac OS X— they started in 2002 and OS X had just debuted in 2001.

Reminds me of another company that has made great Mac software forever— The Omni Group. Just looked them up on Wikipedia and was surprised to see they were actually founded in 1989 as a NEXTSTEP consulting company (without getting too nerdy, OS X was the progeny of NEXTSTEP). Their software design is pleasant and intuitive. Also, they provide temporary full-featured trial licenses for as long as you want— purchase as you please. Good stuff.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
What audio interface do you have (or are interested in)?
What DAW apps do you use?

 

[mihighil]

OP:
What audio interface do you have (or are interested in)?
What DAW apps do you use?

I use ableton and premiere, i plan on learning logic. My go to interface will be an RME babyface

 

[unrigestered]

My go to interface will be an RME babyface

in case they will ever be available again, that is (had been out of stock pretty much everywhere for almost a year or so)
i like RME and probably would have gone with the Babyface too (if it had been available 🤣)
but went with a much cheaper (and available ) MOTU M2 instead.
It doesn't go quite as low latency wise as RME is renowned for, but it's still good.
Really happy with it as i don't really need Toslink anymore and 2 analog ins and outs are also are also good enough for me

regarding Logic: keep in mind that Apple often requires you to run the latest OS version for their then current software, which might become problematic if you really want to run the latest version of Logic, when the required newest macOS version is known to (still) break things for your favorite plugins

 

[mihighil]

in case they will ever be available again, that is (had been out of stock pretty much everywhere for almost a year or so)
i like RME and probably would have gone with the Babyface too (if it had been available 🤣)
but went with a much cheaper (and available ) MOTU M2 instead.
It doesn't go quite as low latency wise as RME is renowned for, but it's still good.
Really happy with it as i don't really need Toslink anymore and 2 analog ins and outs are also are also good enough for me

regarding Logic: keep in mind that Apple often requires you to run the latest OS version for their then current software, which might become problematic if you really want to run the latest version of Logic, when the required newest macOS version is known to (still) break things for your favorite plugins

Yeah i know, but i think i know one or two shops in my area that have them. And if that is the case with logic….then its a no go zone for me 😀😀

 

[unrigestered]

i'm not exactly sure about Logic, as i'm not using it, but i think that's what i've heard. might still be wrong though

 

[mihighil]

i'm not exactly sure about Logic, as i'm not using it, but i think that's what i've heard. might still be wrong though

I will sail the pirate seas and i will tell you about all the treasures i will find 😜

 

[satcomer]

1. You could get a Book on Mac OS Monetary called MAC OS Monterey Manual [/url]

2. Apple Support: MacOS User Guide

3. Mac centric links for Apple users besides MacRumors:
RL8yourMac - Great reader reports on gadgets for a Mac and Mac audio equipment

4. Daring FireBall and/or LoopInsight - Two Mac Centric bloggers
BareFeets.com - Mac and Mac deices speed test site
RoaringApps- to see if an app is silicon ready

 

[Tagbert]

If you are coming from Windows there will be a bunch of little differences that will throw you off and may seem irritating or just wrong, at first. Think of this as traveling to a new country where the history is different and the language can be different. Not necessarily wrong but different. Try to embrace that difference and not get too hung up on how you are used to doing each thing. (The same thing happens if you are going the other way from Mac to Windows.) Below are a few things that I have seen trip up people who have recently switched from Windows to Mac.

Mac OS window management is very different than Window. Mac windows have a green icon in the header that will make the window full screen. this is different than just maximizing the window. It puts the window into a very isolated "space". some people like that others don't. That green button also has other window resizing options for half screen size if you hold your pointer over the button. If these don't work for you, there are a bunch of third party apps that provide different ways to manage windows like Rectangle and BetterSnapTool that might feel more familiar to you. Also, Mac apps are not entirely within their windows. You close a Mac app with cmd-q cmd-x or with the menu bar. Just closing the window does not close the app in many app. That is because those apps are document oriented and can be expected to have more than one document window open at once. Closing a window just closes the document. Some apps that are more like control panels will close when the window closes because those apps don't make sense without that one window.

Finder is very different from File Manager. Finder allows persistent tabs so you can keep multiple folders available. I tend to use a lot of drag and drop to open files in various programs (I don't like using file open dialogs). People will say that the Mac cannot cut and paste a file to move it. That is more a matter of terminology. What you do is copy the file (cmd-c) and then you do an option paste (opt-cmd-v) to move the file. Works the same, just different naming. there are several information panels in finder that are hidden by default like the Path bar. You might try some out to see if they help your transition.

The menu bar has a place for icons that can fill up. You should get Bartender or a similar app to move those to a secondary panel. They are useful but you don't always need them all competing for space up there.

These are just some random suggestions. Others will likely have more to add (or disagree on some). There are always different ways to do things. Feel free to ask question in these forums and you'll likely find answers to help.

(Edit: cmd-q not cmd-x. Thanks for catching that jdb8167)

 

[mihighil]

If you are coming from Windows there will be a bunch of little differences that will throw you off and may seem irritating or just wrong, at first. Think of this as traveling to a new country where the history is different and the language can be different. Not necessarily wrong but different. Try to embrace that difference and not get too hung up on how you are used to doing each thing. (The same thing happens if you are going the other way from Mac to Windows.) Below are a few things that I have seen trip up people who have recently switched from Windows to Mac.

Mac OS window management is very different than Window. Windows have a green icon in the header that will make the window full screen. this is different than just maximizing the window. It puts the window into a very isolated "space". some people like that others don't. That green button also has other window resizing options for half screen size if you hold your pointer over the button. If these don't work for you, there are a bunch of third party apps that provide different ways to manage windows like Rectangle and BetterSnapTool that might feel more familiar to you.

Finder is very different from File Manager. Finder allows persistent tabs so you can keep multiple folders available. I tend to use a lot of drag and drop to open files in various programs (I don't like using file open dialogs). People will say that the Mac cannot cut and paste a file to move it. That is more a matter of terminology. What you do is copy the file (cmd-c) and then you do an option paste (opt-cmd-v) to move the file. Works the same, just different naming. there are several information panels in finder that are hidden by default like the Path bar. You might try some out to see if they help your transition.

The menu bar has a place for icons that can fill up. You should get Bartender or a similar app to move those to a secondary panel. They are useful but you don't always need them all competing for space up there.

These are just some random suggestions. Others will likely have more to add (or disagree on some). There are always different ways to do things. Feel free to ask question in these forums and you'll likely find answers to help.

I’ve watched numerous videos on the basics and tips for better managment. I was perplexed that the path bar was an option you can turn on 😱 (100% should be there by default)

 

[Tagbert]

Been messing about with macs for 5 years and I'm going back to windows

For audio-wise, turn off icloud, time machine, imessage, email, wired ethernet over wifi, siri. Basically anything that tries to dial out to the internet.

For OS versions, try to stay a major release behind as well.

That's all I can think of, off the top of my head.

Don't turn those things off all the time. you will probably need them.

Ash, can you give any explanation for why you thing they should turn those things off? to give them some context.

 

[unrigestered]

I’ve watched numerous videos on the basics and tips for better managment. I was perplexed that the path bar was an option you can turn on 😱 (100% should be there by default)

+ a way to manually enter or alter the path by typing it in.
entering a path is working with shift+cmd+G though

regarding window management:
i get along quite fine with custom keyboard shortcuts
for those to work, you will have to carefully observe the terms of the actions you want to achieve, and manually typing them in correctly word by work, regarding lower and upper cases
my window commands (since using the arrow keys never work 100% reliably, as these will clash with macOS's own predefined ways of using those arrow keys)
i'm using keys i'm 100% sure that they are unused by the system.
since i'm having a german keyboard layout, that's pretty easy and Ö, Ä and Ü make a nice logical triangle, so for me it is
cmd+Ö = place window to the left half of the screen
cmd+Ä = place window to the right half of the screen
cmd+Ü = revert back to previous location (the one which was used when the window has been opened, which in my case means "maximized" in most cases)

i just wish there was a way to maximize the window size to take up the whole screen, as the "zoom" doesn't do this
yes, option+double click on one of the corners of a window does this, but come on, this is pretty finicky for such a simple thing.
but i'm still quite ok with my solution for the most part, that i don't have to reach out for a third party solution like Rectangle or Magnet

 

[mihighil]

Don't turn those things off all the time. you will probably need them.

Ash, can you give any explanation for why you thing they should turn those things off? to give them some context.

I turned them off, i wont use my mac for mails, messages and facetime…just working with DAWs, so no need to have meaningless tasks running in the background and notifications disturbing me 😀