The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > RECORD

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 01-28-2018, 10:24 PM
midwinter midwinter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 1,483
Default Tracking to an external drive?

Hi all.

I'm tracking a podcast tomorrow. It'll be 3-4 mics (one for each person and one omni in the middle of the table). They'll do two episodes, each between 30-45 minutes. I have plenty of space for that on my computer's drive, but I have a couple of these 2TB external drives (one of these) that I use for backing up/archiving, and I'm wondering if I could just record straight to the external drive instead of using my laptop's internal one.

I'm tracking in Logic on a 2014 Macbook Pro (2.6GHZ i5).

I got to thinking about this after watching a video where one of the producers said that he tracks directly to a LaCie Rugged drive. It'd sure free up a lot of space on non-processor-intensive jobs.

Any advice/thoughts/experience on this approach?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-28-2018, 11:20 PM
DupleMeter DupleMeter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 1,750
Default

Yes - it's always best to track to a secondary drive. I don't know of a single professional engineer who would risk a session to their boot drive.

Let your boot drive handle running the OS and the applications. Let a secondary drive handle the session.

FWIW, I like the Seagate drives & use one myself for all my tracking. I buy bare hard drives and use this external dock: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/exte...owc-drive-dock

It allows be to swap drives for different projects very quickly.
__________________
-Steve

1927 Martin 00-21
1986 Fender Strat
1987 Ibanez RG560
1988 Fender Fretless J Bass
1991 Washburn HB-35s
1995 Taylor 812ce
1996 Taylor 510c (custom)
1996 Taylor 422-R (Limited Edition)
1997 Taylor 810-WMB (Limited Edition)
1998 Taylor 912c (Custom)
2019 Fender Tele
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-28-2018, 11:28 PM
midwinter midwinter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 1,483
Default

Oh that's very helpful! And that looks like the exact dock I saw in a video that got me thinking about this whole thing. I was mostly wondering about the I/O transfer speeds over USB 3, but that doesn't seem to be an issue.

I gotta say that I love the price on that drive dock, as well.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-28-2018, 11:29 PM
rockabilly69 rockabilly69 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ogden, Utah
Posts: 4,062
Default

That Seagate HD of yours is only is only 5400 RPM, for audio tracking 7200 is recommended. That said, I've read lot of threads on Gearslutz where people record straight to externals because their internal SATA HDs were so noisy. USB3, Firewire and Thunderbolt are all fast enough in the transfer of data, and with a long cable you can place the HD far away from the mics, BONUS!!!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-28-2018, 11:30 PM
David MacNeill David MacNeill is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 749
Default

Always record your tracks on an external drive — always.

And +1 on the OWC DriveDock. I bought two OWC Mercury 120GB SSD bare drives that I use for recording and editing due to their incredible speed and silent operation. The other slot in the DriveDock holds a fast Toshiba 5 TB disk drive for archiving completed Logic projects.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-28-2018, 11:38 PM
midwinter midwinter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 1,483
Default

I am detecting a theme here....

purchasing the OWC dock right now to use going forward. It'll certainly be nice to get the project files off my lappy.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-28-2018, 11:43 PM
midwinter midwinter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 1,483
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rockabilly69 View Post
That Seagate HD of yours is only is only 5400 RPM, for audio tracking 7200 is recommended. That said, I've read lot of threads on Gearslutz where people record straight to externals because their internal SATA HDs were so noisy. USB3, Firewire and Thunderbolt are all fast enough in the transfer of data, and with a long cable you can place the HD far away from the mics, BONUS!!!
Thanks, buddy! We started moving in today in a panic over the tracking tomorrow. After that, we're in earnest setting up shop. Will need to get you to come down and see if you agree with us on what the sweet spot is in the room.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-29-2018, 08:19 AM
Bob Womack's Avatar
Bob Womack Bob Womack is online now
Guitar Gourmet
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Between Clever and Stupid
Posts: 26,989
Default

Let me be a tad more specific: Always track to a drive other than the boot drive. However, the faster the drive and the faster the bus, the better you are. At the studio where I work we have at least two internal drives dedicated to production on the fastest rails of our workstations that we record onto. We don't typically use EXTERNAL drives unless the drive and bus being used are really fast, such as USB3 and Thunderbolt.

Bob
__________________
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring

THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-29-2018, 08:26 AM
Brent Hahn Brent Hahn is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,065
Default

I have several OWC drives I use with both my Mac tower and my laptop. 250's, 500's and 2TB. They're all fine for recording. For mixing, especially with high track counts, the 2TB drives gave me trouble so one now gets used for archiving and the other one now stores movies and old episodes of "NCIS" transferred from the Dish box, much to Mrs. Hahn's delight. The most bulletproof of all are the (non-boot) internal drives in the Mac tower.

You can also replace the optical drive in a Macbook Pro with a second HDD or an SSD. I'm about to but haven't yet.
__________________
Originals

Couch Standards

Last edited by Brent Hahn; 01-29-2018 at 10:44 AM. Reason: typo
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-29-2018, 08:49 AM
Al Acuff's Avatar
Al Acuff Al Acuff is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Posts: 758
Default

One thing to consider in buying an external drive is fan noise. It doesn't seem like a tiny fan makes much noise but when I recently changed over from a Glyph HD (with fan) to an SSD from OWC my studio got quieter.
__________________
Al Acuff
Al's Folk Music Blog
Alan Acuff Music
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-29-2018, 09:06 AM
MikeBmusic MikeBmusic is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: On the Mass/NH border
Posts: 6,663
Default

"Always record your tracks on an external drive — always."

Most home recordists don't have that option. I record to my only drive (and the computer does not have another hard drive space in it), and back up to external USB drives. Never had an issue (knock on wood).
__________________
Mike

My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com

2020 Taylor 324ceBE
2017 Taylor 114ce-N
2012 Taylor 310ce
2011 Fender CD140SCE
Ibanez 12 string a/e
73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string

72 Fender Telecaster
Epiphone Dot Studio
Epiphone LP Jr
Chinese Strat clone

Kala baritone ukulele
Seagull 'Merlin'
Washburn Mandolin
Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele
antique banjolin
Squire J bass
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-29-2018, 09:24 AM
Ty Ford Ty Ford is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 1,357
Default

Yes, the prevailing wisdom has been to put all media on a drive separate from the System/Apps drive.

With faster computers and SSD drives, however, we may need to re-examine this tried and true approach.

I just bought an iMac Pro that has one internal SSD drive. Logic Pro X and FCP X were my first downloaded purchases. I will arm 16 tracks in Logic Pro X and let it run for half an hour just to see if the fan comes on or the system borks.

I'm still working my way through the new work flow. If it works, the next step would be getting a backup drive. Perhaps there, I might split the backup; one for Sys/Apps and one for media.

Yes, I have recorded on a MacBook (one drive) with no problems.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-29-2018, 09:46 AM
midwinter midwinter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 1,483
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brent Hahn View Post
the other one now stores movies and old episodes of "NCIS" transferred from the Dish box, much to Mrs. Hahn's delight.
have you tried recording those through a 1073-type pre? I hear they look and sound a lot better.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-29-2018, 09:57 AM
KevWind's Avatar
KevWind KevWind is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Edge of Wilderness Wyoming
Posts: 19,878
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ty Ford View Post
Yes, the prevailing wisdom has been to put all media on a drive separate from the System/Apps drive.

With faster computers and SSD drives, however, we may need to re-examine this tried and true approach.

I just bought an iMac Pro that has one internal SSD drive. Logic Pro X and FCP X were my first downloaded purchases. I will arm 16 tracks in Logic Pro X and let it run for half an hour just to see if the fan comes on or the system borks.

I'm still working my way through the new work flow. If it works, the next step would be getting a backup drive. Perhaps there, I might split the backup; one for Sys/Apps and one for media.

Yes, I have recorded on a MacBook (one drive) with no problems.

Regards,

Ty Ford

I agree with Ty the "Always track to a seperate drive from the system drive" mantra came about, and was totally valid and optimum , in the era of slower bus speeds, etc. and limited drive space available in computers prototypical of 15 -5 years ago. And depending on what usage needs one actually has and the size of the system drive , that rule of thumb is arguably no longer quite as imperative.



Now obviously for backup things have not changed and some kind of secondary backup is always advisable

Currently there are literally thousands of single SSD drive laptops (obviously dependant on the space available ) recording music with no speed, space , or congestion issues .

That said for the OP since he already the drives, has USB 3, and the specs for that drive indicate a 4.8 GBps transfer speed ( even with a 5200 rpm) I see no reason not use it for this project.
__________________
Enjoy the Journey.... Kev...

KevWind at Soundcloud

KevWind at YouYube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD

System :
Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1

Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Ventura 12.2.1

Last edited by KevWind; 01-29-2018 at 10:05 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-29-2018, 10:33 AM
midwinter midwinter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Utah
Posts: 1,483
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by KevWind View Post

Currently there are literally thousands of single SSD drive laptops (obviously dependant on the space available ) recording music with no speed, space , or congestion issues.

That said for the OP since he already the drives, has USB 3, and the specs for that drive indicate a 4.8 GBps transfer speed ( even with a 5200 rpm) I see no reason not use it for this project.
Thanks! That's super helpful. I'll try it for a bit today before the session and see how it works. Like I said, I have plenty of space available on my powerbook's SSD, as well. I'd just hate for a hardware issue to ruin this recording session, since it's people sitting around having a conversation. This is reminding me of my paranoia around recording every (significant) interview I've ever done.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > RECORD

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:41 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=