Rosetta Mode
First off, until Reason is M1 compatible, I needed to run my DAW (LUNA) in Rosetta mode. Click on the application icon and "get info". There is a check box to launch in Rosetta mode. Though I only tested one song, Rosetta mode appears to add around 10% CPU load - otherwise everything appeared to launch/run just as quickly as before!
Thunderbolt Drivers
I still need my Focusrite Clarett 2Pre for MIDI fader control from the MIDAS M32r, but I first needed to update the Thunderbolt drivers:
https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/ ... ed-systems
Once I did (and it was quick) the Clarett showed up and is working perfectly!
Performance
Oddly, when running Reason standalone I was getting EXTREME glitches/slowdowns with large MIDI projects. I started clicking on things frantically, and accidentally de-selected "Use multi-core audio rendering" and suddenly everything sounded fine. Not sure this would still be a thing after Reason becomes M1 native, but until then give it a try if you're experiencing glitches on large projects.
Favorites
I did a 100% clean install for this machine, since I had been doing migrations for many times in a row (it was suggested to do a clean install from time to time). I'm sure to get rid of useless crap, but unfortunately you loose some useful stuff as well. Favorites is one of those, which I use extensively. Luckily you can copy the favorites files (or share them with others and collect 'em all!). Find it here on Mac OS:
~/Library/Application Support/Propellerhead Software/Reason
On Windows:
%appdata%\Propellerhead Software\Reason
ScreenShots
And while you're digging around in the Library directory, don't forget to copy any plugin screen shots as well to save you time re-creating them later.
Connections
Aside from that, consider any adaptors you may need to support existing hardware. For example, I needed a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) adaptor for my Focusrite. Also be aware that standard USB-C "power" cables will NOT work for audio interfaces - you need to be sure the ends have the lightening bolt logo on them (please, learn from my mistakes!). And consider a powered USB hub since you only get two 'legacy' USB jacks on the Mac Studio.
For your entertainment
I have already filled every 'hole' on the back of my Mac Studio except the headphones jack! I may need a USB-C/thunderbolt hub next…
Booting Reason takes half the time, about 6 seconds compared to 12 seconds on the old 2014 iMac.
Songs that maxed the buffer on the old system play with up to 75% CPU to spare!
This is all written on my second day of running this system, so I'll update as I go - stay tuned!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)