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Posted by MessiahProject on Aug-11-2005 18:45:

Running out of HDD space...

Hey guys,

I have a 40GB HDD at the moment but im running out of space fast (only 6GB left) and want to know what my options are.

I dont want to upgrade to a new PC, but need more storage. The only thing is, im worried that if I just add a new hard drive i wont be able to use it for what i want (any future plug ins for my sequencer etc)because surely i need to install my plug ins (.dll files etc) into my cubase folder or else it wont recognize them. So I thought i could transfer all the shit what is currently on my hard drive over to the new one but most of it is programs so dont they have to be kept in the 'program files' folder on my primary drive?
But then I thought i could just copy all my music files across to the new drive but then if I open my sequencer it wont be able to find them? Oh problems problems...

So there must be an easy way to do this??

Thanks guys,

MP.

Posted by Akridrot on Aug-11-2005 20:32:

Get yourself a DVD burner. I was running out of space too, so I just bought one (installed it myself, it's easy as hell), and now I don't have to worry about losing anything until I get a bigger HD.

Posted by dEEkAy on Aug-11-2005 20:38:

Most bigger Synths, especially Samplebased ones, support saving the libraries on a different disk than the VST Plugin DLL.

Personally I got 160GB (mirrored manually via LinuxLiveCD weekly on an identical disk) as main disk and another 120GB in a Raid-1 Array.

Thinking of adding another 250GB Raid-1 array in the near future.

Posted by Zombie0729 on Aug-11-2005 20:55:

Re: Running out of HDD space...

quote:
Originally posted by MessiahProject

I dont want to upgrade to a new PC, but need more storage. The only thing is, im worried that if I just add a new hard drive i wont be able to use it for what i want (any future plug ins for my sequencer etc)because surely i need to install my plug ins (.dll files etc) into my cubase folder or else it wont recognize them.

you should absolutely be able to hold DLL files in multiple folders.

Posted by GreenLight on Aug-11-2005 21:24:

I would recommend getting a firewire / USB external hard drive ... for about 200 bucks you can get an extra 180GB, everything is sent back and forth on the fly between programs and you wont lose any internal harddrive space except for programs ...

Posted by DigiNut on Aug-11-2005 23:07:

Re: Running out of HDD space...

quote:
Originally posted by MessiahProject
Hey guys,

I have a 40GB HDD at the moment but im running out of space fast (only 6GB left) and want to know what my options are.

I dont want to upgrade to a new PC, but need more storage. The only thing is, im worried that if I just add a new hard drive i wont be able to use it for what i want (any future plug ins for my sequencer etc)because surely i need to install my plug ins (.dll files etc) into my cubase folder or else it wont recognize them. So I thought i could transfer all the shit what is currently on my hard drive over to the new one but most of it is programs so dont they have to be kept in the 'program files' folder on my primary drive?
But then I thought i could just copy all my music files across to the new drive but then if I open my sequencer it wont be able to find them? Oh problems problems...

So there must be an easy way to do this??

Thanks guys,

MP.

I assume you're using Windows 2000, XP, or 2003 (if you're on 9x, shame on you).

These OSes support virtual filesystems.

You're worried that Cubase won't be able to find your music. Well, let's say your existing music is in the folder "C:\Music". All you have to do is rename the old C:\Music folder, and mount the new drive as C:\Music. Cubase will not know the difference. Of course, you can do the exact same thing with the Program Files folder as opposed to the Music folder.

You can do this with an external drive just as easily as an internal drive. But if you're going to get an external drive, I recommend you steer clear of the USB drives and just get yourself a regular hard drive with a USB or Firewire enclosure. You'll save tons of money that way.

Posted by outer limit on Aug-12-2005 04:41:

im not sure what setup cubase uses but I use fl studio and it gives me an option to have a different plug in directory.My fl plug-ins are on the d drive with fl studio and my vsts are on the c drive.So If your program/sequencer allows for 2 directories you can have them on different drives without too much trouble.If not then you might want to consider getting a very large 100gb+ drive and using it for nothing but plug-ins your sequencer and samples.

Posted by syk0 on Aug-13-2005 08:05:

dude:

MonarchComputer has the Western Digital 320GB SATA 8MB Cache Hard Drive for $150 - $16 coupon SGJE-30CCHS - $25MIR = $114 w/ free shipping.
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc...9&AFFIL=pg&NR=1

Or go here to buy an external USB drive case and a 40GB laptop drive for around $100:
http://www.pcmicrostore.com/PartDet...01713&kbid=1030

If there is a "Fry's Electronics" near you they have awesone deals too:
http://www.frys-electronics-ads.com/#Hard%20Drives

current deals:
Seagate 300GB Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive $149.99 $99.99 after rebate

Seagate 300GB Serial ATA/150 Hard Drive $169.99 $119.99 after rebate

Maxtor 160GB Ultra DMA 133 Hard Drive $69.99 Ad for Cal, Renton. Ad price $59.99 for Dallas, Downers Grove.

Maxtor 300GB Network Shared Storage $349.99 Ad for Cal, Dallas.

iomega 80GB USB 2.0 Silver Edition Desktop Hard Drive $89.99 $49.99 after rebate

Maxtor 200GB OneTouch II Combo External Hard Drive $169.99