macOS Catalina

[iannicol]

Metro doesn't work with the new macOS, at least not on my 2013 iMac. I may have missed the update on current status, but could you let everyone know what the state of play is on sorting this out please, Jeremy?

[Jerm]

Metro on the Mac is a 32 bit application written basically in C++.
Apple, in its infinite wisdom, decided to remove all support for 32 bit applications in it latest release that they call "Catalina". "Catalina" is also a closed platform.
This means Metro will not work on Macs running this operating system. If you want to continue to use Metro on a Mac you will need to not update to this OS.

Under Windows, Metro is both a 32 and 64 bit application and runs fine on all of the latest OS's.

[iannicol]

That is deeply disappointing, Jeremy, but typically Apple in its complete disregard for its customers.

At some point, fairly soon I imagine, I'm going to have to replace my studio iMac which dates from 2011 and won't accept Catalina anyway. A new iMac is inevitably going to arrive with this new OS already loaded.

I have two possibilities; I can abandon Macs and buy Windows machines, or I can abandon Metro, which I've used for as long as I've had a studio computer, and turn to Logic. Much as I'd like to have my own tiny, insignificant revenge on Apple, it will probably be the latter.

Many thanks, Jeremy, for a wonderful piece of software that has served me well over many years of music making. It's really sad that it's come to this.

[Jerm]

This is the decision that Apple was counting on you making.

[iannicol]

I know it, Jeremy. And, as you know only too well, it's not the first time that Apple have pulled a stunt like this. But I have to look after my own best interests and disregard that faint small voice in the back of my head telling me otherwise.

[GSpro]

.

Under Windows, Metro is both a 32 and 64 bit application and runs fine on all of the latest OS's.

Are there plans for a 64 bit Metro for Macs?

Thanks

[iannicol]

I think the implication is that there will be no 64 bit Metro for Mac, GSpro. I do wonder how easy it would be to port the Windows 64 bit version to Mac, but perhaps the work involved versus the relative sales figures would militate against this.

[Jerm]

The Windows version, like the Mac 32 bit version, is written in C++. The mac version uses Carbon. Unfortunately, Apple does not fully support C++ and has completely stopped support for Carbon.

[GSpro]

I think the implication is that there will be no 64 bit Metro for Mac, GSpro. I do wonder how easy it would be to port the Windows 64 bit version to Mac, but perhaps the work involved versus the relative sales figures would militate against this.

I got the same vibe, iannicol. I knew that Carbon was going to be fully dropped and no longer supported, eventually.
I can also understand why a 64 bit may never come to light. It’s definitely a great app though, too bad it is not getting the recognition it deserves.

[vicpierce]

I have used Metro since 2003. I love it. I am on Mojave and will hold out upgrading for as long as I can. But thank you for this wonderful software Jeremy! Having developed applications I know how much blood, sweat and tears - and joy - the effort involved.
Victor

[iannicol]

Decided to jump before I was pushed and switch immediately to Apple's Logic and, generally, it's working out just fine.

The major downside is that the MIDI implementation is seriously clunky, especially when compared to its intuitive equivalent in Metro. The most obvious difference is that, while Metro provides a separate piano roll track for each voice within a single window, Logic works with two windows and, frankly, takes some getting used to. I seriously miss Metro.

[vicpierce]

BigSur on a Mac with the M1 chip has Rosetta2. From what I have read, Rosetta2 will enable 32 bit apps to run. I am hoping this will allow Metro to run on that machine. But there may be more than just 32 bit compatibility involved. Jeremy?

[Jerm]

Thank you Vic. This is the first I have heard of this. I would suspect there is more to this but If anyone has a machine that runs Rosetta2 I would be curious to know.

[Qbert]

I can confirm that I got Metro 7.4 beta (Windows 64bit) installed on Mac mini (M1,2020) Apple Sillicon running macOS Big Sur (vers 11.2.3)!!
I used Winskin Winery.app (1.8.4.2) https://github.com/Gcenx/WineskinServer ... g/V1.8.4.2
(Tried with the Apple Metro installer first.The installer works and installs fine, but the app is crossed out and will not launch).

There was some hiccup during installation and I had to force sit Winskin Winery 2 times and there was a crash of Metro when I was asked to choose Audio engine in Metro, after regist the app.
I have just testet Metro like 20 min or so. Don't know if it will work with VST and VSTi s. I will only use Metro with the fantastic Ultra Rhythm Explorer and just rout my midi to Ableton or other DAW for VSTs or to my external synths via my midi interface.

I am so happy that Metro works on my new M1 Apple!!! (..well until Apple removes Rosetta 2 support ??)

[Jerm]

Thank you for sharing this. If you have any more details on getting it working please share more here.