AIR Music has been actively testing all current software titles with each beta release of macOS 11 Big Sur. We understand how important it is for all our users to know exactly what works before they make the jump on any new updates.

For this reason, we encourage all our dedicated AIR software owners to refrain from updating to macOS 11 Big Sur until compatibility with the new operating system can be confirmed. 

This page will be updated regularly to reflect any updates to product compatibility as testing is completed. We encourage all our users to remain on their current OS unless all necessary software titles have been qualified for support. 

Contents

• Supported Software
• Apple M1: Native vs. Rosetta
  • How to Open Your Software Using Rosetta/Rosetta 2
• Turning off Automatic Updates

Supported Software

All compatibility testing for macOS 11 Big Sur is performed on Intel and base-level M1 processors. 

Any product not listed below is not considered to be supported with macOS 11 Big Sur systems or M1 Processors at this time.

*Full Apple silicon (M1) support is not available, but the VST plugin may be compatible with some DAWs if run using Rosetta.

Apple M1: Native vs. Rosetta

Apple M1 processors are a new processor design that incorporates the functions of many different processors into one. As such, it functions differently from established Intel processors. While some software will operate well on both M1 and Intel, this ultimately means that software originally designed for use with an Intel processor will need to be re-structured for use with an M1. There are two ways to run software on an M1-based system:

1. Native - Software that is designed and/or fully established for use with an M1 processor is considered "Native" or can be run "natively" on an M1-based system. This means you can open the software as you always would and it will work as expected. Not all software will run natively, and this may be different depending on the version. Before running your DAW or other software, please check with the software developer to find out what versions (if any) are supported natively.
   
   
2. Rosetta - Apple understands the jump from Intel to M1 could take some time, so they offer a built-in "application" called Rosetta that will act as a translator between your Intel-based software and the M1 processor. Rosetta is not an application you interact with, but rather a service that runs in the background when you need it. Although not guaranteed, software that cannot run natively on an M1 may run perfectly fine using Rosetta. 

Native M1 support for AIR plugins varies, but anything considered "natively" supported will be listed above as "Supported" in the M1 column. If your plugin is not listed as supported for M1, it may still run in your DAW if the DAW is opened using Rosetta. We're finding that some VST versions of the plugins work well in Rosetta, but AU/AAX plugins will not appear.

How to Open Your Software Using Rosetta/Rosetta 2

You can use Rosetta to launch your DAW or other music software if you're using an M1 processor and if any of your plugins are not yet compatible. This is perfectly safe to use and may give you better results if your software isn't running well (or crashing) when run natively.

Keep in mind, the "software" we are discussing here is software that can be launched on its own (i.e. a DAW or AIR plugins opened in standalone). If you are using your AIR plugins within a DAW or other music software, you will want to follow these steps for your DAW or music software. The plugins opened within that software will follow.

1. Go to your Applications folder and find your DAW or music software in the list. Right-click on the software and select Get Info.
   
   
   
   
2. Look under General > Kind and this will tell you if your software is compatible with Intel, Apple Silicon (M1), or Universal (both Intel and M1).
   
   
3. If your Application is listed as "Universal" this means you'll have the option to open it using Rosetta. To do this, simply place a checkmark in the box next to Open using Rosetta. If your application is not universally compatible, check with the software developer to see if there are updates or alternate versions that are compatible with your system.

And that's it! The next time you launch the software it will launch using Rosetta. If this is your first time opening software in Rosetta, you will be asked to first install Rosetta. Just follow the prompts to complete this quick process and your software will open.

Turning off Automatic Updates

We recommend all users consider turning off automatic updates to prevent updating accidentally:

1. Navigate to System Preferences > Software Update
2. Uncheck the box labeled Automatically keep my Mac up to date

For all current system requirements for any of our software titles, please visit the respective product page at https://www.airmusictech.com/.