Question Two monitors needed for a Mac Mini ?

[Kgveteran]

Hello, first post here, probably not my last.

Im setting up a recording studio in my basement total amateur, and my computer of choice is the
Mac Mini 4M (it's on its way as we speak).

I’ll be using the DAW (GarageBand). I will need a monitor for that.
I also have a tablet controled mixer Behringer XR18, so i need a monitor for that.
I need to see both screens simultaneously. I will be mounting them above each other Behringer monitor above the Garage Band monitor.

Im getting dizzy with models and in’s and outs, resolutions ect, i like wide monitors as it lets me see everything with out too much futzing side to side motions.

Budget! $250each, unless you feel i should go higher, or lower without sacrificing, btw, all audio mixing, no video editing ( i know thats important, i have a 65” sony OLED TV and i appreciate the black levels when watching movies….

It sounds stupid, but i have been a hometheater installer for a million years (im retired) my computer skills are minimal.

Thank you for looking and im looking forward to getting some advice

 

[LordVile]

For Mac you really want around 110ppi so that’s about 1440p at 27” larger than that and you want 4K

 

[Kgveteran]

https://www.target.com/p/acer-34-wi...facturer-refurbished/-/A-93266825#lnk=sametab

@LordVile

I hope its ok to post links, the price is very nice for (2) of these, im fine with manufacturers refurb, unless you think otherwise.

Also, would the plan be to use the HDMI out if the Mac into one monitor, and out of that monitor into the one above, provided there is an output on these ??

 

[Kgveteran]

Hello, im setting up a recording studio and my main display is a 34” ultrawide 1440p monitor, im gonna use LogicPro, it will be fed from a Mac mini 4m through the HDMI out on the Mac. My plan is to connect a smaller monitor for a tablet controled mixer, and use the HDMI out on the main display for the smaller monitor 1080p.
Because the app for the mixer is chunky, unlike LogicPro lower resolution should be fine…..

Is all this possible ??

 

[BFG-9000]

I have never heard of a display with HDMI out and even if there was one, it wouldn't be seen by the device driving the HDMI in, because HDMI isn't Displayport so can't be daisy-chained.

There are receivers with HDMI switches in them, but they pass through the signal without scaling it to a different resolution.

 

[dingo07]

Hello, im setting up a recording studio and my main display is a 34” ultrawide 1440p monitor, im gonna use LogicPro, it will be fed from a Mac mini 4m through the HDMI out on the Mac. My plan is to connect a smaller monitor for a tablet controled mixer, and use the HDMI out on the main display for the smaller monitor 1080p.
Because the app for the mixer is chunky, unlike LogicPro lower resolution should be fine…..

Is all this possible ??

what's the Make and Model of the monitor you're using with the HDMI Output?

 

[Kgveteran]

what's the Make and Model of the monitor you're using with the HDMI Output?

I think im out of my mind there is no output!!
New question:

what's the Make and Model of the monitor you're using with the HDMI Output?

You have to understand LOL, im a hometheater guy, an AV nerd, computers are almost unknown to me!

I just read that i can use the Mac Mini’s usb-c connector to connect up to 3 monitors, problem solved Good God Lol

 

[Kgveteran]

Hello, i have been going round and round with monitor decisions, so im back at square one. Thank all of you who offered advice, your advice caused confusion and more questions, the information was overwhelming Lol, i understand if ur like, im done with this guy.

The Mac Mini’s has multiple connections. USB-C, HDMI, thunderbolt 4

I would like a 34” ultrawide (1440p)for
(LogicPro DAW) main work station

The second monitor is for an instrument interface tablet controled mixer Behringer XR18 (not critical, and the app is discribed as chunky not needing detail like LogicPro

Would you place an importance on any of the outputs on the mini for the main monitor ?? I had no idea that usb-c was a display, power, data connector.

So, im starting from scratch

 

[COLGeek]

Please do not start another thread on the same basic topic. Follow up with those who have been assisting.

If you don't understand something, ask questions.

 

[Kgveteran]

Please do not start another thread on the same basic topic. Follow up with those who have been assisting.

If you don't understand something, ask questions.

Thanx, not easy being a noob 🙄

 

[COLGeek]

Thanx, not easy being a noob 🙄

We were all noobs at some point.

 

[BFG-9000]

Well, only one of the monitors can be HDMI, and you've already got one of those.

So any additional monitors you get will have to have Thunderbolt or Displayport inputs to attach to USB-C.

 

[Kgveteran]

Well, only one of the monitors can be HDMI, and you've already got one of those.

So any additional monitors you get will have to have Thunderbolt or Displayport inputs to attach to USB-C.

does it matter which i use for the 34” ultrawide ?? HDMI Or USB-C.
Btw, whats a display port, so many new terms.

Because the 34” is 1440p, will there be an issue having a 1080p smaller display ?

I have seen monitors installed one over the other, and the mouse icon going seemlessly from bottom to top, my guess this is a display setting thing, along with resolution differences

 

[BFG-9000]

Different resolution is fine, and you can place the monitors up-and-down or side-by-side or however you like (diagonally?), simply drag them around in the settings to match whatever configuration you settle on.

Displayport is the other input type you have on your 34" Acer monitor. If you get a USB-C to Displayport adapter cable then you could hook the monitor up that way, leaving your HDMI port free for another monitor or TV (monitors without Displayport tend to be cheaper. While Thunderbolt monitors like the genuine Apple displays are premium-priced). Note it's fine if the 1080p display is larger than the higher-resolution one so it would be cheapest of all to repurpose an old TV for this.

If the Acer has a Displayport out, then you could attach another monitor to that too. If it doesn't, then it would have to be the last monitor in the chain so you could buy another monitor with both Displayport in and out. That beats using up all of your USB ports for monitors as then you would only need to use one.

 

[Kgveteran]

Different resolution is fine, and you can place the monitors up-and-down or side-by-side or however you like (diagonally?), simply drag them around in the settings to match whatever configuration you settle on.

Displayport is the other input type you have on your 34" Acer monitor. If you get a USB-C to Displayport adapter cable then you could hook the monitor up that way, leaving your HDMI port free for another monitor or TV (monitors without Displayport tend to be cheaper. While Thunderbolt monitors like the genuine Apple displays are premium-priced). Note it's fine if the 1080p display is larger than the higher-resolution one so it would be cheapest of all to repurpose an old TV for this.

If the Acer has a Displayport out, then you could attach another monitor to that too. If it doesn't, then it would have to be the last monitor in the chain so you could buy another monitor with both Displayport in and out. That beats using up all of your USB ports for monitors as then you would only need to use one.

That cleared up a lot of questions, thanx for your patience

 

[Kgveteran]

The LG monitor im looking at (34WR55QK) has a usb-c input, would i be correct that i need a (male to male) usb-c 3.1 cable to carry power/data/video ?

And i just read that the mac mini will not power the monitor through the usb-c port… so a 3.1 cable may not be necessary
So a standard usb-c cable will carry data/video or should i be sure when purchasing