It’s that time of year again; the leaves have turned colors and are falling, the weather is getting crisp, the holidays are looming — and Apple is releasing a new operating system: macOS 12, also known as Monterey! For the legions of Mac faithful out there, a new macOS is super-exciting . . . but, for Mac-centric musicians and audio engineers, there’s that nagging question: should I update, or should I wait?
Torn and Twisted
If you’re like me, then you’re completely torn. You want all the great, new Monterey features — macOS 12 includes new SharePlay features for FaceTime, new Safari features for better browsing, Focus to help you keep your attention on your work, Quick Note, Universal Control across your various Apple devices, Live Text in photos, AirPlay on Mac, and much more — and you want those features now! But past (hard-earned) experience has taught me that any operating system (OS) update can bring complications and incompatibilities with music and audio software and hardware.
Environmental Change
A computer’s OS is the environment in which all your software runs and through which your external hardware connects. So, any change in the OS can have far-reaching implications. Usually with a “point” OS update — from 11.1 to 11.2, for example — the changes aren’t too drastic. But, with a “whole number” OS update — from macOS 11 to macOS 12 in this case — there are sure to be big changes both on the surface and on the deeper OS levels, as well. Couple that with Apple’s ongoing shift from Intel processor chips to their own “Apple silicon” M1 chips, and there is rightful uncertainty in the air for those of us who rely on our computers for our livelihood in music making and audio production.
The Uncertainty Principle
The reason for this uncertainty is that a major operating-system update such as Monterey inevitably comes with a lag time: after the operating system comes out, before music and audio software and hardware manufacturers can catch up and implement whatever updates they need for their software and hardware in order to make them compatible with the new OS. If what you need to use hasn’t been updated for compatibility yet, then your Mac may be dead in the water for making music and producing audio. (It will be fine for surfing the web and for staying in touch using all those new SharePlay features, but you may not be working on your album . . .)
Everything?
So, will all music and audio software and hardware break when macOS 12 is installed on your computer? The answer is: that depends. In some cases, no update may be required for compatibility with the new OS. Or just a minor update may be needed — just a driver tweak, for example. But, for other software or hardware that requires hooks deep into the OS in order to operate, a more significant update may be required. And that takes time. Most music and audio software and hardware manufacturers are not huge companies. They have limited resources to accomplish software rewrites and, even more important, to put in the work required to test a piece of software or hardware thoroughly to ensure that it’s 100% compatible with the new OS. How long this takes depends on a lot of interactive factors shared among the operating system, the resources available, and the manufacturer’s music or audio hardware and software.
But There’s Good News
The good news is that we’ve all gone through this before — many times, in fact — and I can tell you with certainty that, for current products, whatever incompatibilities arise are sure to be temporary. Manufacturers know that you want to use their products with the latest and greatest OS and computer hardware — and anyone who buys a new computer won’t have a choice — so they make completing any required updates a priority.
One or Two More Things
There are a couple of additional things to consider with this upgrade. First, macOS 12 Monterey is 64-bit only. So, if you’re still running 32-bit software or plug-ins, be sure that a 64-bit version is available or take other steps to preserve anything you might have created with those 32-bit versions before you move ahead with the update.
And, of course, you’ll also want to ensure that your Mac itself is compatible with the new operating system. Apple says that Monterey is compatible with the broadest array of Macs of any OS, but that doesn’t mean all Macs are supported. Plus, not all Macs support all features. In general, various MacBooks from 2015 and 2016 forward, iMacs from 2015, and Mac Pros from late 2013 are supported.
And the Answer Is . . .
Okay, a new OS is a big deal; Monterey has cool, new features. Manufacturers need to verify and update their software and hardware. But the original question remains — should you update? My answer is: take a breath, step back, and be patient. There’s nothing worse than installing a glistening new OS and then finding your essential music and audio tools don’t work. Or something catastrophic happens, and you lose valuable time and work. My recommendation? Wait to update until you’re absolutely certain that the music and audio software and hardware you use will be compatible with the new operating system.
How Will You Know?
Fortunately, Sweetwater has a raft of resources available for you to help you know when to upgrade and, just as important, how to update without problems. The hub for all of this is in the SweetCare support section of Sweetwater.com. We’ve assembled a great collection of macOS 12 Monterey update resources for you. This central location contains everything you need to know about compatibility, how to update, how to protect yourself from problems, and — most important — when to update.
The first thing you’ll want to check is our Monterey Compatibility Guide page. We’ve worked — and continue to work — closely with all our software and hardware manufacturers to ensure we’ve got up-to-the-minute information on the status of as much software and hardware compatibility as possible. With hundreds of manufacturers updating their products and compatibility statuses over the coming days, weeks, and months, having a single page where you can find what you need to know is super-convenient and a real timesaver.
And . . .
There’s more to an OS update than just compatibility, of course. We’ve got an array of other important resources, as well, including a guide on how to create a complete backup using Time Machine before you update. This is an absolutely essential step. (Please, I’m begging you, get a clean hard drive and make a backup before you perform the update.) Then, if there’s a problem with the OS update or a compatibility issue, you can get back to where you were prior to attempting the update. (It’s a great idea to always have a current, up-to-the-minute backup of your precious data even if you’re not updating — trust me, I speak from painful experience!)
You’ll also find a step-by-step guide to downloading and installing macOS 12 Monterey, so you can make the update happen quickly and easily — once you have made your backup and you’ve ensured everything you need is compatible. And, since computer operating systems aren’t specifically designed for music and audio production, we’ve also included tips for optimizing your OS for best performance in your studio or live rig.
One last thing: If the worst happens and you have a problem with the upgrade, then you’ll need to know how to get your Mac back to the previous OS. We’ve included a guide for how to downgrade as an emergency reference. You probably won’t need it, but, if you do, this guide will help you get your Mac back to square one so you can get back to work making music with minimal time lost.
Fear Not!
Boy, who would have thought that a simple OS upgrade could be such a big deal? Or that you’d need a guide for emergency recovery? In truth, it’s really not that scary. But we do want you to be prepared and informed before you make the leap so that you don’t experience any unexpected calamities. And it will be worth it. We’ve been putting macOS 12 through its paces, and we love it; there are so many new features and enhancements to enjoy.
But, for us, as music makers, engineers, and producers, the value of a glittering new OS feature pales in comparison to being able to use our computers for our art and craft. Don’t let an OS upgrade take your computer out of commission for music and audio production. (This is the point where I say the same thing every time we’re faced with a major upgrade.) Be cautious, wait to update until you’re sure everything you need to use is compatible, and thoroughly check out the resources we’ve collected at Sweetwater’s Monterey Compatibility Guide page in the SweetCare section of Sweetwater.com.
Patience Is a Virtue
In the words of the late, great Tom Petty, the waiting is the hardest part. And (to use a cliché) discretion is the better part of valor; meaning, in this case, that patience and caution will save you a lot of trouble. Then, when you’re sure everything is good to go, you can safely install Apple’s latest and greatest OS and transition all your software and hardware tools without a hiccup or interruption to your music making. Here’s to safe OS upgrades and uninterrupted music making!
Visit the Monterey Compatibility Guide page in the SweetCare section of Sweetwater.com for complete information. Or give your Sales Engineer a call with any questions at (800) 222-4700. They are always here for you.