Hi Folks! After a few years of Jump/Remote working, I now have to subscribe to my own Media Composer. I'll be starting a series in a few months and I want to make sure I get the correct Avid/Mac configuration. I have a Mac Studio M1 with 32 gigs of ram. I cut with 3 monitors: one for bins, one for Composer and one in Full-Screen mode. (I don't use a TV Client monitor) So my question is: What version of MC to use and on what OS should I be on for the most stable situation? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

Trevor Ambrose:

Hi Folks! After a few years of Jump/Remote working, I now have to subscribe to my own Media Composer. I'll be starting a series in a few months and I want to make sure I get the correct Avid/Mac configuration. I have a Mac Studio M1 with 32 gigs of ram. I cut with 3 monitors: one for bins, one for Composer and one in Full-Screen mode. (I don't use a TV Client monitor) So my question is: What version of MC to use and on what OS should I be on for the most stable situation? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Hi Trevor,

Below is the version matrix KB article which shows the compatibily chart for Media Composer version.

https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites.com/pkb/articles/en_US/compatibility/en267087

 

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks,

Ajay

Trevor Ambrose:

I'll be starting a series 

Best of luck! We'll be here if you need help...

2024.2 seems pretty stable. You will still crash randomly on exit and if you need scriptsync AI or Phrasefind AI, it is very slow. 2022.12.3 and 2023.3.1 were pretty good and the last ones with Nexidia if you need Scriptsync of Phrasefind.

Hi Ajay, Thanks! This chart it very helpful. The one thing I'm confused about is this: Since a new Avid is good on 3 OS's (Big Sur, Monterey and Ventura), why wouldn't everyone just choose the lastest (Big Sur). Is one OS more stable than another? Is one OS bumpy? Basically, why would you want one over another?

Thanks Phil! I appreciate it!

Hi Trevor,

Thanks for asking this question. I am have been cutting an hour doc on 16" MBP M1 Max with 32 GB running Ventura 13.6.X and have had some issues.

I have been using DNxHR LB proxies (3840x2160) in an HD sequence. My colleague working on an older intel imac loaded with RAM hasn't had issues. (We trade sequences back and forth with duplicate local media.)

The sequences aren't particularly effects heavy but we do tend to stack materials on the timeline.

I have had very sluggish playback, a general slow down, and lots of beachballs with longer sequences.

On the activity monitor, when I have MC 2023.3.1 open, the computer runs in the orange all the time. Since this is my only computer it isn't unusual to have other processes going like Dropbox and that brings things down.

Right now, I am between projects and I have been considering replacing the computer with either the same laptop with 64 GB or switching over to a Studio (probably an M1) but in both cases I have been assuming I will need 64 GB. 

Have you road test the M1 Studio with 32 GB? I realize it is an "approved" configuration but I have also heard that 32 GB just isn't enough, especially if you want something else open like AE.

Thanks,

Dan

 

Using UHD proxies in a HD sequence makes zero sense workflow wise. It is hard on the throughput and avid has to do a resize in the timeline which it doesn't like and yes MC still uses Rosetta and has a lot of issues like this. If you have and IO box on 2023.3.1 you will have quit a few issues as well with sluggishness. Unplug the IO and try it if you have one.

Trevor....

Sometimes an OS an application combo, work well and sometimes they dont.  They you add in the dongle or activation and it can be even more challenging.  

Im on SW activation now as I converted my dongle a while ago.  I have a Macbook and an iMac and use different OS and MC versions on them for stability.

My iMac which is newer uses Sonoma 14.3 and MC 2024.3

My Macbook is on Ventura 13.6 and MC 2024.3

So I go with a tried and true OS and MC version with the most fixes.

Marianna

 

Hey Dan....

Have you considered upping the memory on the Mac.  Added memory will help a lot and allow you to work with other thigns at the same time.

Marianna

 

Thanks Marianna! That seems like what needs to happen. I just would like to know for sure before selling this MBP and getting another.

Can that MBP be upgraded higher than 32?

Marianna

Hi dmccabe, I have only used my M1 Studio for remote (Jump) editing on my last two features. It worked like a charm but that's just remoting. My next project will be with my M1 and an Avid subscription. Hopefully I won't have any issues with the 32 GB. I'll let you all know! Thanks a lot for responding. It's a good conversation!

"I go with a tried and true OS and MC version with the most fixes." Thanks Marianna. Going with the appropriate version makes sense.

Sadly, no. Soldered in.