Run MM 2021 in a VM?

gjonny wrote on 2/22/2021, 3:34 PM

I have a newer laptop (i5, 8GB RAM, ssd for storage, Win10), and I'm thinking about installing MM 2021 on it. But, I'd like to keep the laptop system clean/unclutterd, so would prefer to install the program in a win10 virtual machine (VM).

Besides performance (slower is okay), possible issues I see are graphics and the audio connection. I'd be using VirtualBox, so would be stuck with their built-in graphics engine -- that's a big question mark. For audio, I'd be using a Behringer UCA222 usb-audio device. I think this should work (again a question mark).

Before I lead myself down the garden path, I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience doing this kind of thing?

thanks, John

Comments

SP. wrote on 2/22/2021, 6:38 PM

@gjonny In my opinion, besides possible problems with graphic and audio drivers, 8 GB RAM for a VM running Windows 10 plus Music Maker is very low. It would be much better if your computer had 16 GB of RAM. How many cores does your i5 have?

PATIENT-X wrote on 2/22/2021, 8:20 PM

@gjonny

Hello, Welcome

First of all what is the full specs of your laptop? What generation is your Cpu?

Size of SSD?

If you have four cpu cores, you can add more cpu cores to your virtual system to make windows run smoother by going into Virtualbox, settings, system, processors.

Installing windows 10 in virtualbox suggests at least using 50% of your available ram and as its windows 10, you would need to use at least 8gb. As @SP. has mentioned, an upgrade to 16gb would be ideal to leave you with 8gb.

Some folk mention that 4gb is enough for 64bit windows or 2gb for 32bit windows.but it depends on additional software.

As for the Cpu, virtualbox does not use much, maybe only 25% or could be higher.

Its advisable to create a virtual drive between 30gb and 50gb depending on your SSD storage.

Its seems a usb audio interface is fine to use, but can be a hit and miss.

If you are installing Win10 64bit, you need to enable hardware virtualisation for the Cpu, so you would enter bios and go to Advanced, Cpu configuration - enable Intel (Vmx) Virtualisation technology before installing Virtualbox.

There have been issues of audio clicking, popping etc in VM.

But your Behinger audio interface may overcome such issues.

There are many youtube videos and forum sites to get additional information.

 

 

Last changed by PATIENT-X on 2/23/2021, 7:49 AM, changed a total of 13 times.

 

 

Pc self build by me.

New photo, upgrades.

Upgraded GPU, CPU, CPU cooler, March 2025.

Azza Pyramid 804 case

Intel Core i7-13700K

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 digital black CPU cooler.

Kingston FURY Beast 32GB (16GB x 2) 4800MHz DDR5

Geforce GTX1080ti Founders edition

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Lian Li UNI SL120 V2 triple fans

MSI Meg Unify Z690 motherboard

 

 

gjonny wrote on 2/23/2021, 3:51 PM

Hi guys, thanks for responding. The cpu is an i5-10351G1, with 4 cores.  And, there's approx. 1.5 GB of ssd storage space.  
  
Having said that, to clarify... I do already have experience with creation and setup of VirtualBox vms.  What I'm really looking for is feedback from someone who has actually installed MM 2021 in a vm.  Does it work?  Are there any gotchas?  That sort of thing. 

It seems I might be on my own here. I'm thinking now that I should try installing the "Free" version (no extras), and see how that goes.  If it behaves, then try adding in extras (I have a Premium license).  If it craps out, I can always do a reset of Win10.

I'll send a "postcard" later: either "come on in, the water's great!" or... "don't bother" ;-)

John

PATIENT-X wrote on 2/23/2021, 4:09 PM

@gjonny

You have powerful Cpu, I think your on your own here, as you said, try it out and if it does not work , do a reset.

But let us know how you got on for future reference.

 

 

Last changed by PATIENT-X on 2/23/2021, 4:26 PM, changed a total of 1 times.

 

 

Pc self build by me.

New photo, upgrades.

Upgraded GPU, CPU, CPU cooler, March 2025.

Azza Pyramid 804 case

Intel Core i7-13700K

Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 digital black CPU cooler.

Kingston FURY Beast 32GB (16GB x 2) 4800MHz DDR5

Geforce GTX1080ti Founders edition

Firecuda 530 1tb SSD Nvme

Team Group T-FORCE DELTA MAX RGB LITE 2.5" 1TB SATA III

Corsair RM1000x 80 PLUS Gold Fully Modular ATX 1000 Watt Power Supply

Lian Li UNI SL120 V2 triple fans

MSI Meg Unify Z690 motherboard

 

 

gjonny wrote on 2/28/2021, 4:05 PM

So, I did the test install. Overall, the postcard should read "don't bother". Below is a summary report.

John

 

The following is done in a VirtualBox Win10/64 vm (on a Win10/64 laptop).

1. minor glitch at end of installing basic/free MM2021 program
    >> restart, everything ok.
2. logged in to Magix, all add-ins automatically d/l'd and installed
3. program defaults to Magix ASIO driver
    >> load a demo, it freezes at play (no sound)
    >> no sound from any instrument
4. tried other drivers
    >> Wave driver: uses sound card -- soundpools work ok, no instrument sounds
    >> Direct Sound: uses sound card -- soundpools work ok, no instrument sounds
    >> WASAPI driver: uses ASIO -- both soundpools and instruments work (see image below)
          BUT... instrument sounds are noticeably delayed (when keyboarding)
5. UCA222 -- as alternate soundcard -- stutters, not useable

This shows WASAPI/ASIO configuration.