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CarynClark · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:54 am Post subject: USB Ext Hard Drive and ProTools

I just learned something new and thought I'd share.

ProTools does not play nice with USB external hard drives. One should use a firewire external hard drive if using ProTools.
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Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

NorthEndVoice · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:38 am Post subject:

Maybe I've been lucky but every external drive I've ever used with Pro Tools has been USB. Presently using a Seagate FreeAgent. Previously had a LaCie USB that also performed without problems. Possibly it's another issue related to Pro Tools?

CarynClark · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

I've been using a USB ext hard drive for a year now with ProTools, and while I've had some issues, I don't/didn't know that they are related to that. However, my tech at Sweetwater told me it was a big NO-NO and to only use firewire external hard drives with ProTools, so I thought I'd pass it along.
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Edo · Guest

Caryn,

I asked this question to my Digidesign rep in Holland and he said:

"One of the main reasons why this is somewhat of an issue is that every USB-connected item consumes power from the USB-interface in your computer. Most systems allow you to connect up to 500 milliamps. Since more and more items (like mouses, keyboards, scanners, external drives) are connected these days, that 500 milliamps max load is consumed very quickly. All connected items with moving parts (like a harddrive) take a lot of power from the USB-system, hence the throughput of data gets slower and slower. In studio situations we always recommend using FireWire 400 or 800 harddisks for they don't 'lean' on the motherboard so much."

So... I put it to the test. I connected a bunch of USB-stuff on a HP Pavillion dv9000 laptop with 2 Gb of RAM running Vista Home Premium.

External keyboard, wireless optical mouse, Digidesign Mbox2, HP laserprinter, Edirol MIDI interface (to connect my Mackie HUI control surface), 2 smartphones, a camera, an 8 Gb USBstick, and 2 external USB harddrives (one 1.5 TB containing all my production libraries and sound effects and a 1 TB one to backup my PTLE sessions) all on an unhooked (now passive) USB-hub.

I get flawless performance from my internal 5400 rpm laptop drive recording or mixing pretty complex sessions. But here comes the bummer... when I tried to record or bounce to the external USB-drive it started to rain pop-up messages telling me that the external drive(s) probably aren't fast enough to work properly. One of them is a 10k rpm drive, the other is 7200 rpm... and pretty much brand new. The error reports keep telling me to increase playback buffer size, or powercycle my HUI (which also loses communication with the session). The problem disappears when I hook up the external power to the USB hub.... flawless performance once again after a reboot. I since have connected the backup drive via FW to the laptop, and I have even better overall performance.

In a couple of weeks I'm gonna celebrate Xmas in Holland, so I will try this procedure on my Macs as well. I'll let you know what happens. So basically, me personally... I have had no issues with external USB-drives. But I might just be lucky. On the Digidesign User Conference there's a lot of topics about this. Maybe you want to check that out...

http://duc.digidesign.com

Chuck Davis · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 5:06 am Post subject:

I use a firewire external drive that also has a USB i/o available. In several cases where I needed to connect two external drives I have used the USB with success...actually it worked no differently than the firewire connection for me. PT is very picky about chipsets for firewire - Oxford 911 has been the choice. All of the enclosures that I'm using have that chipset. I don't believe that makes any difference as far as USB is concerned though.
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CarynClark · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:53 am Post subject:

Interesting test Edo... and interesting notes Chuck. I'm going to buy a firewire cable today or Friday and test it out. We'll see if it improves the performance of ProTools.

BTW, my computer has been up in IN at Sweetwater since Monday. It should be back today. The hard drive crashed... no idea why. They recovered it... but they also recommended they replace the video card, b/c it was causing errors with ProTools. Keep in mind, I bought this PC from Sweetwater, set up with ProTools... you would think they would have initially equipped the computer with a video card that could handle the software.

They're very nice folks there and they do try to take care of you... but I don't think I'll buy another computer from them.
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Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

Chuck Davis · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 7:08 am Post subject:

Caryn, do check and see what chipset your firewire enclosure is running.

PT is very particular when it comes to that spec. Check out the compatability docs on Digi's website for particulars. Pretty sure that "Oxford 911" is still the requirement.

Your Sweetwater experience is a surprise. Those guys are usually right on spec-wise..their computer systems are pricey though. As far as your next PC...do some homework and build it yourself. It's super easy..there's a bunch of us here that could help...and you'll save $$. The only downside is the geek badge you earn for doing it :)
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CarynClark · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject:

Guess what? This is all moot b/c my PC (which arrived today) doesn't have a firewire port.
_________________
Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

georgethetech · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:14 am Post subject:

Ahhh!! Why torture yourself with Pro Tools for VO? WHY WHY WHY?
Any DAW that has the requirements list as long as Pro Tools just to function somewhat reliably has no place in a home VO studio, unless you are into complex production work and need to collaborate with other Pro Tools users exchanging PTF files.

Just my humble 2 cents...

Now go eat turkey. (speaking to myself)
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CarynClark · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject:

LOL... I know, I know George. And I bet there are at least five others on this board who read my posts about ProTools and are saying the same thing, b/c they've already echoed your sentiments to me. I see them, banging their heads against the wall. Rolls Eyes

You are absolutely correct, But then, you ask, why do I use it? B/c I have it.

Smile

(PS: I also have AA, but I've never used it. I've tried, but a) I think there are a couple of things I need to figure out how to configure b/c I've not been successful in using AA, but I hate messing around with settings etc. and b) I do not relish the thought of learning how to use new software.)
_________________
Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

Chuck Davis · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:25 am Post subject:

I'm with you on that one Caryn. I've been on PT for years....since PT 3 on a Powermac. Once you get used to a certain app it's a little daunting trying something new. That said, I am getting used to AA3.0 for my portable setup...it's pretty easy to use. Thanks F2!

BTW - You can always equip your new PC with firewire...just get a firewire PCI card....super easy to install and cheap.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815126001
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Edo · Guest

I always used to do everything I did in Sony Soundforge (which I still think is a great tool) but switched to Protools HD in 2004 because nearly all my clients (broadcasters and ad agencies) came to my studio with PT sessions. At that time I had been using SAW Studio as a multitrack DAW for over ten years. It goes without saying that if for VO purposes only, PT is somewhat overkill, I agree with some of the comments here about that... but I spend about 60% of my time on VO and the rest of the time I'm producing radio-ID's, records, advertising jingles and commercials. So quitting PT simply is no option for it's (my) industry standard. I still use Soundforge 8.0 for to me it simply is the best sample edit program I ever came across.

Deirdre · Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:58 am Post subject:

I use Pro Tools because that's what I learned on. It is a bit daunting to change horses in the middle of the stream, as it were— I've tried.
And I do occasionally produce some intense multi-track stuff.

Is there anyone here who NEVER does multitrack editing?

I don't recommend PT to VOs who've never done production before, but for guys coming out of radio, it's not a hard thing to tackle.
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