This week’s release of the latest version of macOS 10.15 dubbed Catalina has brought with it a significant number of issues, especially for music professionals. And this week has seen a tech press avalanche telling us that because of iTunes being replaced by the new Music app, we DJs are essentially screwed and that we shouldn’t update for a while. But why let facts get in the way of a sensationalist headline right?
So there’s something we need to clear up, and to underline, other than the word underline that is. Apple has definitely NOT removed the ability to create the XML file needed by DJ software. It’s clearly deprecated and doesn’t do it automatically, meaning that any changes you make to your library needs the XML file generating each time.
Reiterating the words that Rekord Buddy creator Damien Sirkis wrote for us back in JUNE about the potential impact on DJs after the removal of iTunes:
“Even when the new OS ships this is not necessarily mean everything will break in your DJ setup. For starters, you can still export this XML file manually (via the File menu, export library) and as long as you put the file in the same spot as the old XML file then your other apps will be able to access it just like before. Of course, you’ll have to do that every time you change something which is a pain and probably not a long term solution.”
And to further clarify this — the path is /Users/YOURUSERNAME/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Library.xml
Now I’m not for a moment suggesting that you hit the update button. The vast majority of music industry companies have issued some sort of warning about their stuff needing updating. But it’s better to have the actual facts in front of you so that you can make informed decisions.
But even my inner suicidal lemming is reluctant to pull the trigger, which should be a solid indicator that doing so is likely to induce a period of difficulty, and most probably extreme and prolonged bouts of “why oh why oh why did I do that?”. Besides, I tend to find the thrilled and excited hoopla of a keynote rarely translates into anything more than things looking slight different.
The bottom line is this — the warnings are everywhere and hard to ignore. Be it the elimination of iTunes, or some other driver or 32 bit software related hitch, if you utterly depend on your Mac in any capacity, do some solid research and only update when you get an all-clear from your mission critical software companies.
*Crickets*
*Tumbleweed*
*Flies buzzing*
Catalina probably broke DJWORX.
I’ve heard that some companies don’t bother to test on the new MacOS until after release, because the Apple APIs are subject to change right up until release. Is that true? Not testing is still dumb, but at least then I could understand their reasoning.
I haven’t heard that. But it wouldn’t surprise me. I used to give them such shit for not being ready for release. But then I heard the stories of the last minute Apple changes borking stuff, I let them off the hook. There’s no excuse for the XML thing though — they have been able to change for years.
If you buy DJ mixers/controllers with class compliant sound card and MIDI, you at least remove the risk of a driver issue when upgrading your OS. You also remove the risk of obsolescence of your product when the manufacturer stops maintaining the driver.
There is no reason/excuse for manufacturers to make the drivers proprietary for audio and MIDI other than controlled obsolescence. As you can see, the Rane Seventy-two is a class compliant product though having some display/software integration and dual USB sound card. And any of their products is class compliant as well no matter the specific features and innovations they provide. Same for Denon. Not the case for Pioneer. Roland has a “generic driver” mode in some of its products.
As far as software is concerned, it’s typically way more vital for the software developer to be compatible with the latest OS than it is for a hardware manufacturer who will also be invited to have you buying their latest controller. So you can easily expect timely updates that bring the compatibility.
Having an iPad, iPhone and 2 MacBook Pro’s I always felt like updating asap because they had great functions working together.
Since I own a iPad Mini 2 (so no PadOS) a iPhone SE (probably last update received) and the MBP’s are from 2010 and 2012 (in my opinion the last few best because of all the ports and I can fix/upgrade them easily myself) there is no need to update. All the best functions don’t work in my household anyways.
As I get older my priorities change I guess…. when I see the youngsters with their latest shiny I just shake my head. I’m officially old now.
For some reason, I can’t help saying ‘Catalina’ in an Australian accent.
I have the Catalina Wine Mixer from Step Brothers in my head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTJMiLPV4P8
why pgrade at all unless you buy new hardware that comes with Catalina? Apple always does a piss poor job with 1.0 releases.. Wait until 6 months, a year is even better. New OS versions rarely introduce anything significant these days..