External Hard drives-What's the best?

[ryguydrum]

I need to get an external hard drive and I heard that Ezquest makes good ones that are "optimized for audio" storage. Is it a load of B.S. or does it help to get an external hard drive that is set up for digital audio storage. Plus I am going to need to use this drive to transport audio files from a PC to a Mac G4 dual 1.25 GHz. computer. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
http://www.ezq.com/ (Ezquest's website)

[sdemott]

Look for a drive that has the following specs:

Oxford 911 (FW400) or 922 (FW800) bridge/chipset
7200 RPM
<10ms seek time

if you start there, you will be okay.

HTH

[BradLyons]

Also look for what kind of power supply, is it properly powering the drive or is it just a standard power supply which can cause shorts to the drive? Does it have a cooling system designed to keep the drive running cool? Does it have a quiet-metal design to prevent tiny vibration absorption which can cause drive malfunctions and skipping (as well as noise)? I always read posts and hear users saying just look for the Oxford 911 chipset and, while that IS important, it's only a part of the drive.....what's very important is a drive that is properly suited for the demands of audio. Remember, hard drives are used solely to save a file and retrieve it..... for audio, you're dealing with large chunks all over the drive that must not only be accessed, but streamed from the drive for set periods of time. THAT causes stress, generates more heat, and a few other factors.

[ryguydrum]

Thanks guys. Your info is much appreciated.
Ryan

[Danthesoundman]

It's all about the LaCie d2 Firewire Drives, man.

[jaffi]

I agree. The LaCie D2's are good. Plus, sometimes you have different data port requirements for different recording situations. The D2 gives you all 3 of them. Very good and very fast.

[mhayesmusic]

I would go with the LaCie's as well. I've go two at my home studio and about 13 at my day gig studio. Real workhorses. I have put full feature films on them and a season of an episodic TV show on them. I have definately put them through the ringer. Not to bash EZQuest but I have not had any luck with them. In both OS9 & OSX. I've watched things just disappear off them and just plain disappear off the desktop. Another person I do alot of work with who is a Final Cut Pro Editor, swears by the Maxtor drives. I never tried them but I never heard of any horros stories with them either. I think Maxtor tends to be acouple of bucks cheaper, but you can get drives now for less than a buck a gig.