Workflow for producers working between two computers

[Gearlife1]

Hi everyone, Im looking to simplify my workflow regarding hard drives and sample storage between two computers.

Any advice, tips, and or recommendations on producing between two computers (Main Studio computer, and a mobile laptop) would be greatly appreciated. How you keep your drives updated between the two. Even sharing how you manage to work between the two would be helpful.

I have a great setup on my main Mac Pro 12 Core working on all internal drives. Im running Pro Tools 12 HDX and have no problem running sessions with 100’s of tracks. On my laptop I’m running PT12 as well and my sessions and samples on 2 external drives.

Here is my issue. Whenever I update my sample library on my main computer I then have to transfer the files onto my laptops external drive. For example, whenever I update custom presets on Omnisphere I have to then export them or transfer the STEAM folder to keep the mobile drive updated. Same for many other synths and virtual instruments that I create custom presets or new audio samples for. Its very time consuming keeping my external drive and main drive in sync and up to date.

Im wondering if I can run an external drive on my main mac and still have the same speed or be able to handle large sessions like I do with the internal drive.

Same issue with sessions. If I do some edits on my laptop I then have to copy and overwrite the now old session on my main computer to continue working. Its doable but doesnt seem like the ideal workflow as I’m always having to transfer sessions rather than just working off of the same drive and keeping things organized.

So ideally id be using an external to move between my laptop and main computer using the samples and virtual instruments that I want to use on both computers. That way I have only one and not two mediums I'm constantly trying to keep in sync. Im just worried that running say the R-Series G-Tech drive on USB3.0 will not be quick enough.

Since I’m plugging into a Mac Pro 2010 I’m using USB 3.0 speeds and can’t use the Thunderbolt 2 connection. Would this be powerful enough to run omnisphere on and other large virtual instruments?

To some up everything, would switching to external drives for sessions and sample libraries be fast enough compared to the internal WD Black hard drives I'm using now.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Even if people want to share their hard drive setup and what works best for them. Thank you!


My setup listed below for reference.

MAIN STUDIO SETUP:
Mac Pro Mid 2010
MacOS Sierra 10.12.6
Processor. 2 x 2.93 Ghz 6 Core Intel
Memory 24GB

Mac/System Drive
1TB SSD Western Digital

Pro Tools Sessions Drive
1TB WD Caviar Black

2 Drive for Samples and Virtual Instruments both WD Caviar Black Drives


MOBILE SETUP:
MacBook Pro 15inch Laptop Mid 2015
Sierra 10.12.6
Processor 2.8 Intel 7
Memory 16GB

External Drives:
Pro Tools Sessions Drive:
G-Tech 1tb SSD R-Series USB3.1 Type C
Using the USB-C to USB3.1 connection

Virtual Instruemnts/Samples:
G-Tech ev ATC using Thunderbolt 2 connection

[sprnva]

The 2010 Mac Pro only has SATA-2 which tops out at 3Gbit/s. USB3.0 can run at up to 5Gbit/s depending on the chipset so your external SSD could outperform the internal WD Black.

You can check by using a disk benchmarking tool like AJA System Test or Blackmagic Disk Speed Test.

If that's the case then sharing the external SSD would probably be the easiest option. But another would be to look into some kind of sync system that could keep the folders on both disks up-to-date.

[Gearlife1]

Thanks for this reply. So your saying even though the WD Black says it can do 6Gbit/s because its on a 2010 Mac Pro it tops at 3? I will check this out. I appreciate the information!

[djanthonyw]

Use drive imaging software such as SuperDuper to sync drives if you want to keep both computers.

I think it’s best to just have one really powerful laptop and dock it to a larger display and keyboard / mouse when you’re home though.

[Gearlife1]

Thanks djanthonyw

[sprnva]

Thanks for this reply. So your saying even though the WD Black says it can do 6Gbit/s because its on a 2010 Mac Pro it tops at 3? I will check this out. I appreciate the information!

You can check the link speeds in System Profiler. In the SATA section you can see the speed the chipset supports and the speed it has negotiated at. Similarly you can also see the link speed of attached USB devices.

The best way to compare the actual read/write speeds is to use a benchmarking tool.