Computer setup (need help!)

[mark66]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in the process of reorganizing my work computer and studio setup. I work on a MacBook, and when I'm at home, I connect it to a docking station. One of the devices connected is an 8TB external hard drive. It's quite slow, and it often goes into sleep mode. I've already tried everything to prevent this, but nothing works. It holds all my samples, project files, and backups. That's nice, because when I don't need it, I can simply unmount it.

For music production, I use tools like Native Instruments Komplete Ultimate (installed on a separate 1TB SSD), while Omnisphere, Nexus, and Keyscape are installed on the Mac’s internal drive. The libraries, updates, and additional content keep growing in size, which causes my MacBook to fill up quickly and makes it harder to stay organized.

I previously considered investing in a NAS, but from what I’ve heard, it might not be ideal in terms of speed for the way I work.

What I'm looking for is a way to keep using my 8TB drive for backups and older or archived projects. At the same time, it's a bit risky if that drive crashes, I’d lose everything. I’m also not a big fan of cloud solutions. While they seem affordable now, you often end up paying double a few years later. We've already seen this with Splice and other subscription-based models.

I’m looking for a fast, reliable solution to store and use large libraries like Komplete, Omnisphere, Nexus, and Keyscape from a single drive.

Ideally, I want a clean and efficient setup where my MacBook doesn’t get overloaded.

How do you all handle this? Or what would be a good budget solution? Should I buy an 8TB external SSD and keep the 8TB hard drive for backups?

Thanks

[Etienne1973]

Ideally, I want a clean and efficient setup where my MacBook doesn’t get overloaded.

How do you all handle this?

My strategy:

1x System 1TB SSD fast enough and kept clean as possible for macOS, plugins w/o content, etc.
1x Samples/Content 4TB SSD fast enough for direct disc streaming
1x Archive 3TB HDD

These 3 drives aren't fully used in regard disc space, approx. 5TB weighs all my data, so I can still easily backup all of them daily on an 8TB HDD.

Additionallly every 2 weeks I backup these 3 drives on another 8TB HDD which I physically store in a different location outside my apartment. B/c I also don't like cloud backups.

[BertKoor]

Yea, retire that 8TB external drive (spinning rust, is it? ) and make it your drive to store backups.
Replace it with a modern and fast external SSD drive.

[uOpt]

I use M.2 NVMe drives in USB enclosures. Plus regular external HDDs for backup only.

You could simply buy a better enclosure for your external drive.

[vstdls]

External SSD for Samples, Libraries, etc.

NAS for everything else.

[Fannon]

If you don't want to lose your data at some point, at the very least you have to have everything on two different disks. Everything that you cant afford to lose, ideally also put it into a cloud storage - or store it from time to time on external devices outside of your home (this is very tedious).

I keep everything now on SSDs and use external HDDs for backups. Do you need the full 8GB? It may help to take the time and sift through your data (using tools like TreeSize) and first clean up everything you won't need anymore. This will make your digital life easier, not just the backups. Then you'll get an impression of how big your new SSD would need to be. But don't cut it to close, usually you'll need more than you think - or you clean up more regularly (also not a bad thing).

You may not need to backup things that you can re-download easily anyway, like your Kontakt library, steam games etc.

[mark66]

Thanks all.

Purchased a new fast USB C hub with Sandisk Extreme 8TB SSD. It work's great and fast here.
Best decision ive made because of you!