Logic Pro X stutters and drop outs with Mac Studio M4

Been following this thread, agree with Ben, transferring from Intel to Apple silicon using Migration assistant can cause problems. There is one other thing I noticed... The device that you're using for master clock. In my experience it should be the first device you've plugged into, (Fractal Audio). Everything following should auto sync to 48khz. Fractal Audio master clock/Apogee Element sync to external clock. All devices including Logic should be at 48khz.

Keep in mind the differences between the Intel machine and the new silicon are pretty big, not only MacOS and Software versions, also a different chip architecture. There are plenty of threads in the internet of having issues with migration assistant and audio especially Logic because of transferring old and incompatible stuff onto the new machine. And the more complex the set-up, the more issues they had. You should read some of them and how they solved it.

I did the intel-to-silicon transfer by fresh-installing every software manually, plugins and drivers as well, even libraries. I only copied documents from which I knew, they don't interfere with the new chip architecture. And I haven't had any issues.

For this reason, the only thing I can suggest is to go the hard way: create a timeMachine backup, de-authorize all software and plugins, and delete your mac (I wouldn't format the mac) and start with manual installations of everything. But as I already wrote, read some posts from other fellow sufferers, look also in other forums. You are not alone.

riesje wrote:

Logic Pro X playback stutter on brand new Mac Studio M4 - Sequoia 15.6.1. 64 Gb memory, 4 Tb SSD.

I'm having playback stuttering in Logic Pro on a new Mac Studio I've just set up. I didn't have this problem on my 2020 iMac intel I upgraded from, which was also 64Gb memory, 4 Tb SSD.

Did you use Migration Assistant transferring your stuff from intel to M4 ? It's highly recommended to do fresh installs of any audio related software including plugins and not using Migration Assistant.

The playback will stutter or restart if I have the cycle bar on and sometimes stutter at restart.

There are dropouts like every minute for just a slight second.

Are all plugins properly authorized? Maybe some plugins running in Demo Mode? Are you running Rosetta?

I use an aggregate device where my Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III (can only send 48Khz) sends 48Khz through USB. Straight into the Mac Studio.

I don't know this thing, and I don't know what issues could caused by using this as an aggregate device with your audio interface.

Set buffer ridiculously high, set summing from 64 bit to 32 bit. Used a different audio interface. Same problem.

Started in 'safe mode' without plugins, same problem.

Maybe something is not compatible? Drivers? Maybe some old intel stuff on your new M4?

Set 'low latency recording' same problem.

Low Latency deactivates some plugin and should be used only while recording to reduce latency.

Apogee Element 88 - latest firmware

Universal Audio Apollo Twin X- latest firmware

Logic is set to 48Khz. Aggregate device where Element is the master with 48Khz.

Input is Fractal Audio digital through USB.

So you have 3 audio devices combined to an aggregate device? Try one after another to find the culprit.

This very same setup worked like a dream with never any any problem every since 2020 on my iMac intel.

I am totally in the blue why the Mac Studio M4 cannot handle this same setup.

See above, maybe something transferred

that is not compatible?

I'm guessing the Element has trouble with the clock source on the M4. This doesn't happen when I record guitar analog. But I specifically want to record digitally with 48Khz through USB.

What is your signal path?

There was another thread where a user had strange issues and solved it by going to Control Surfaces > Bypass All Control Surfaces. Give it a try.

Random playback and recording stop/start … - Apple Community

Do you see in orange icon in the task/control bar. It's a microphone setting for the internal mic. Make sure it's set to normal or standard. I know it doesn't seem like it affects the whole system, but it does.

If your sound card from 2016 and 2019 is really too old, then you should reconsider the company that manufactures it. ... And actually, I doubt it. I'm using old UAD thunderbolt stuff in the studio and RME in live performances (UC from 2010 and Firewire 800 from way beyond 2010) without any issues. RME still supports drivers for really old soundcards.

MBP M2, MacOS 15.6.1, Logic 11.2.2

Also, the aggregate device set as Input/Output device in Logic Audio. Yeah I know, old school stuff, but I've never felt comfortable with Aggregate devices and software clock sync.