182,238 users have contributed to 42,214 threads and 254,721 posts.
In the past 24 hours, we have 5 new thread(s), 26 new post(s) and 50 new user(s).
Hello,
Can anyone suggest which is best for performance?
1. Have the library files of VSL SE + PLUS + the Bösendorfer Imperial installed on a MacBookPro's hard disk.
2. Have the same files in an external hard drive, while working a MacBookPro. (Would you exclude a 2.5 hard drive with a USB connection, in this case?)
Usually I work with Sibelius, but also with Logic. Does it make any difference, as far as the setup is concerned?
Thanks in advance.
Best,
Raoul
let me add you should choose an external drive carefully.
USB works up to a certain density of file access, firewire drives often collide with firewire audio interfaces ...
best performance gives a PCIe34 sATA expansion card and an external sATA drive - this is like you had a second internal disk.
christian
I see your point, Christian. Thanks for your reply.
I wonder what will be the case when the USB3 finally gets out. I 've heard that it 'll be a lot faster than a Firewire 800, but on the other hand I don't know how will it address file access issues.
Best,
Raoul
i personally don't like USB at all (for the nature of this protocol) - it adds much load to CPU and the real data throughput is far away from the technically specified bandwidth (all USB devices share the bandwidth in a *sliced* manner) ... USB3 will be faster, but not address the underlying issues.
out of my head from a test (same data, same disk, same computer, different drive housing):
USB2.0 26 MB/s ~8%CPU, FW400 38MB/s ~4% CPU sATA 78 MB/s ~2% CPU
hth, christian
Thanks very much, you've been all very helpful.
I checked out the Sonnet card and I think that it'll be perfect in connecting a 750GB Seagate that I got.
Final question - for matters of portability: Is there any 2.5 external hard disk around that to your knowledge uses the eSATA protocol and not USB or Firewire? I am sure that everyone would appreciate the easiness of slipping such a small device into a pocket of a laptop bag instead of having to carry an 3.5 external hard disk with its considerable bulk and usually its own power supply. On the other hand, I am not sure as to whether the 5400 rpm speed that 2.5 drives usually have, will be a reason to drop this whole approach from the start; however, it's worth asking.
Thanks again! Cheers,
Raoul
ANTEC has 2.5" enclosures with USB and eSATA
AFAIK 2.5" drives are max. 500 GB and seagate offers models with 7.200 rpm (something considerable if sample streaming is the intended purpose) - the VelocityEaptor from WD is 10.000 rpm, but 300 GB only (in this case overkill i think)
hth, christian
