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Couple of things:

1) I've been running a number of VI's (East/West and Garritan) for some time. Just recently working heavily with Symphonic Orchestra Gold. While I know it's been suggested that VI samples should reside on an internal HD disc NOT containing the OS, I had things set up this way (OS and VI's on same HD). My HD has died.

I'm wondering if rather than suggesting that samples be stored on a separate disc, it should be strongly recommended. Could this work setup be the cause of taking my HD out of commission?

2) One drawback of the iMac is the lack of any additional drive bays. This is why I had samples on the Boot disc. I doubt that partitioning the disc (one partition for the OS, the other for samples) would make any difference, right? I'm wondering if many users have had a good workflow when storing sample libraries on an external Firewire drives (FW400, FW800), or, if lacking Firewire, and external USB drive (though I can't imagine that would yield decent results).

Once I get the iMac back from the shop (with new HD) I plan to load all sample libraries to a 7200 rpm FW800 drive.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

(oh yeah - 24" iMac 3.06Ghz, 4Mb RAM, DP6, using Kontakt, Aria, and Play Engine)

dhurst wrote: I'm wondering if rather than suggesting that samples be stored on a separate disc, it should be strongly recommended. Could this work setup be the cause of taking my HD out of commission?

I think it HAS been very strongly recommended around here. I sounds like your disk was working not only very hard streaming the samples, but it was extra-working with the OS.
I guess there's no way to know for sure if that was the reason your disk died, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was.

dhurst wrote:I doubt that partitioning the disc (one partition for the OS, the other for samples) would make any difference, right?

It would make a difference: a very BAD difference. Worse than NOT partitioning it.

dhurst wrote:aI'm wondering if many users have had a good workflow when storing sample libraries on an external Firewire drives (FW400, FW800), or, if lacking Firewire, and external USB drive (though I can't imagine that would yield decent results).

That's definitely the way to go. Ideally, you'll have one OS disk, one Audio disk (for DP), and one (or as many as you can) disk(s) for samples. The more "spread out" they are, the better.
Try to instal your VIs in a way that it would be unlikely you will be using them all at the same time in the same disk most of the times.

Now, you mention you use an iMac. I forgot if it's possible to use eSATA there? If so, that would be even better, but from what I've just read, FW800 should be a huge improvement, especially if it's a samples-only disk.

Check my recent thread about enclosures. Lots of good info there that can lead you to great ideas:
http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtop ... 26&t=41003" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And there's a recent thread about disks and your general question that was very useful as well.

dhurst wrote:Couple of things:

1) I've been running a number of VI's (East/West and Garritan) for some time. Just recently working heavily with Symphonic Orchestra Gold. While I know it's been suggested that VI samples should reside on an internal HD disc NOT containing the OS, I had things set up this way (OS and VI's on same HD). My HD has died.

I'm wondering if rather than suggesting that samples be stored on a separate disc, it should be strongly recommended. Could this work setup be the cause of taking my HD out of commission?

2) One drawback of the iMac is the lack of any additional drive bays. This is why I had samples on the Boot disc. I doubt that partitioning the disc (one partition for the OS, the other for samples) would make any difference, right? I'm wondering if many users have had a good workflow when storing sample libraries on an external Firewire drives (FW400, FW800), or, if lacking Firewire, and external USB drive (though I can't imagine that would yield decent results).

Once I get the iMac back from the shop (with new HD) I plan to load all sample libraries to a 7200 rpm FW800 drive.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

(oh yeah - 24" iMac 3.06Ghz, 4Mb RAM, DP6, using Kontakt, Aria, and Play Engine)

The way an iMac is set up isn't a drawback because they have their intended purpose and it isn't pro audio.
They were designed more for creatives in mind (photoshop, web design etc.) but it's hard to tell people this until they deal with what your going through. FW is your only alternative with those and I'd get the fastest HD you can afford. Play is a DSP hog and Kontakt will load samples into ram so your safe with K but play is an other thing all together... increasing the ram in that machine wouldn't hurt either... and I'm sure you mean 4GB instead of Mb's he he.

FMiguelez: Thanks! Very helpful. I'll check your link as well.

newrigel: And Thanks. My main (paying) gig is graphics — book design, and yes the iMac is a pleasure. Just now beginning to earn a little income with my music. A long way from my first Mac II. And yes, I meant 4GB (not 4Mb) RAM.