Synchron Pianos and MacBook 2021

[David B.]

Hello VSL team,

I recently traded in my older Intel Macs for a new MacBook Pro M1 pro: 10 Core, and 16GB memory. 

It's by far the best performing Mac I've owned and that includes running Synchron Pianos via Rosetta. However, I still run into the same problem with multi threading issues (or lack thereof) running Synchron Pianos that I had with my Intel Macs. 

Synchron pianos performs way better when I run it as a plugin via MainStage and open several channels, a couple mics per channel. I can run as many mics as I want with no perceivable latency. I can't even get the fans to turn on in the new MacBook Pro it runs so efficiently. And that's running MainStage and the plugins through Rosetta. 

However, the performance is considerably diminished when just using Synchron Piano player as a standalone. This new MacBook Pro should be able to handle it, but I think it's because Synchron Pianos is not optimized for multi-threading and/or the Apple's new M1 chip. 

Any plans on making changes to Synchron Pianos in those two areas? Will it ever be optimized for the M1 Chips and/or multi-threading? Thanks for the consideration.

God Bless,

David

[KevinMe]

I would love to see much better multi-threading support.

I think it should be prioritised over a M1 version, as it will benefit both intel macs and M1 machines running VSL with rosetta.

A M1 version without better multi-threading will still have issues.

I have learnt to live with the current situation and still very much enjoy my VSL virtual pianos. If you can, limit yourself to just one close mic. If you do want to use more than one close mics then set Sympathetic to -inf.

I am able to add any number of non close mics without a problem even with Sympathetic not at -inf.

[erisno16]

Hi David,

Have you tried changing the Streaming/Loading threads number in the Synchron Piano Player?

I'm curious to hear the result as I'm considering switching to mac.

Best,
Erik

[David B.]

@erisno said:

Hi David,

Have you tried changing the Streaming/Loading threads number in the Synchron Piano Player?

I'm curious to hear the result as I'm considering switching to mac.

Best,
Erik

I don't know if that's possible. If it is, I don't know how to do it. Opening multiple channels in MainStage works great for inducing multi-threading. This is verified by observing CPU usage in Activity monitor. The largest preset I use is 5 mics over 3 channels with latency set at 64. My new MacBook Pro doesn't even break a sweat with those settings. 

I also found recently that MainStage will open the Synchron Piano plugin even when MainStage is not running through Rosetta. The computer actually performs better not running MainStage through Rosetta. 

God Bless,

David

[erisno16]

@David B. said:

I don't know if that's possible. If it is, I don't know how to do it.

Here you can access the option (in the engine settings). 😊 

Settings | VSL - Software Manuals

[David B.]

@David B. said:

I don't know if that's possible. If it is, I don't know how to do it.

Here you can access the option (in the engine settings). 😊 

Settings | VSL - Software Manuals

Unfortunately, those settings don't do anything at all (that I'm aware of). 

God Bless,

David

[David B.]

VSL Team,

Any plans to address multi-threading and/or Apple M1 compatibility in Synchron Pianos? 

Thanks for the consideration.

God Bless,

David

[Paul]

Hello, 

Yes, there are plans with multi-threading and M1 native compatibility!

Best, 
Paul

[David B.]

@Paul said:

Hello, 

Yes, there are plans with multi-threading and M1 native compatibility!

Best, 
Paul

Wonderful! Thank you for the reply. I'm really looking forward to it. The Bösendorfer Imperial is my favorite piano to play. You guys are awesome!

God Bless,

David

[Mavros]

We are now 3 months later and the Synchron player is still not M1 compatible. Is there no Beta version to try out? In Logic it is no issue as it seems to run both native and Intel based plugins without need for Rosetta except some rare exceptions. In the latest Cubase and Dorico it is a real problem as several plugins of other library suppliers are only M1 or you might have to go each time through a new manual installation to get them to work in Intel mode and back to M1. So if you have a templates with a lot of flexibility with VSL and other instruments it is a rather tiresome process. When can we expect at least a Beta M1 version of the Synchron player?

[Paul]

Hi Mavros, 

Sorry to see you disappointed. We're still focussing on ironing out a few teething troubles with our switch to iLok. 

M1 native support is still high on the to-do list, but I can't give you an ETA.

Best, 
Paul

[Rafa Ferreira]

 

Hello Paul,

Is there an ETA already for the M1 and M2?

Best

@Paul said:

Hi Mavros, 

Sorry to see you disappointed. We're still focussing on ironing out a few teething troubles with our switch to iLok. 

M1 native support is still high on the to-do list, but I can't give you an ETA.

Best, 
Paul

[Paul]

Hi Rafa, 

Unfortunately still no ETA. 

Best, 
Paul