Backing up your project

[Dan Korneff]

How 'bout two physical hard drives in RAID1 configuration? Data is stored on both drives simultaneously and identically, so if one drive dies you have the exact copy...

This is a good option for daily work, but is not going to be practical for the long term. Not sure how much data you run thru, but I'm eating up about 1TB per month in recorded data. In a matter of 3 months, I'd use up even the largest size drives available these days. In the DAW world, you want your rig to run fast, and your backups to be plenty In general, cover your ass at all times.
I'm running a RAID 0 on my rig for speed. Track counts get high, so I can't function without it. You should have at least 1 "clone" of your operating system just in case you have system failure.
As for your recorded data, I recommend doing an "incremental backup" at the end of each day to an external drive. That not only makes your backups shorter as you progress in your project (only backing up "new" data) but it also allows you to restore your project at any given point in the recording process. I'm using Retrospect for this task. Pretty much been the standard in recording studio for as long as I can remember.
The one thing that is a pain in the butt about Incremental backups is that it backs up to a proprietary format that requires extras steps to restore your data... it's not a drag and drop deal. SO... you'll also need to keep a copy of your drive using a basic file synchronization program. This would be good for quick drag and drop access, but only for recent data (which is why you'll need the incremental backup for full security). I have Retrospect backup data automatically at 4AM every day, so I dont even have to think about it. I manually use a file synchronizer at the end of every day.
The last step is that you should aways keep a backup of your backup in a completely different format! Hard drives are great to use, but they have moving parts inside them... which means at some point the unit will fail. For that reason, I also make a DVD backup of each song when I'm done with the project. If you minimize your session to only the final files needed for the song (no additional takes), even the largest 96K session will fit on a 4.7GB dvd. And if not, you can always go Dual Layer.
That should just about do it. All it took was for me to lose some data ONCE before I learned my lesson and adopted this practice.

 

[DanLights]

I didn't think there were any pretty girls who produce music until now ;]

I don´t have to say anything, I´m sure one of the old timers will pick up on what I should say here

This is a good option for daily work, but is not going to be practical for the long term. Not sure how much data you run thru, but I'm eating up about 1TB per month in recorded data. In a matter of 3 months, I'd use up even the largest size drives available these days. In the DAW world, you want your rig to run fast, and your backups to be plenty In general, cover your ass at all times.
I'm running a RAID 0 on my rig for speed. Track counts get high, so I can't function without it. You should have at least 1 "clone" of your operating system just in case you have system failure.
As for your recorded data, I recommend doing an "incremental backup" at the end of each day to an external drive. That not only makes your backups shorter as you progress in your project (only backing up "new" data) but it also allows you to restore your project at any given point in the recording process. I'm using Retrospect for this task. Pretty much been the standard in recording studio for as long as I can remember.
The one thing that is a pain in the butt about Incremental backups is that it backs up to a proprietary format that requires extras steps to restore your data... it's not a drag and drop deal. SO... you'll also need to keep a copy of your drive using a basic file synchronization program. This would be good for quick drag and drop access, but only for recent data (which is why you'll need the incremental backup for full security). I have Retrospect backup data automatically at 4AM every day, so I dont even have to think about it. I manually use a file synchronizer at the end of every day.
The last step is that you should aways keep a backup of your backup in a completely different format! Hard drives are great to use, but they have moving parts inside them... which means at some point the unit will fail. For that reason, I also make a DVD backup of each song when I'm done with the project. If you minimize your session to only the final files needed for the song (no additional takes), even the largest 96K session will fit on a 4.7GB dvd. And if not, you can always go Dual Layer.
That should just about do it. All it took was for me to lose some data ONCE before I learned my lesson and adopted this practice.

notworthy

 

[Mikaël-ange]

I didn't think there were any pretty girls who produce music until now ;]

Marcella Araica no?

http://www.soundonsound.com/articles/InsideTrackMixSecrets.php

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

I use a couple externals for project backups (back drives only) and an internal TB for everything else. Shit backs up on it's own.

 

[dasreinfeld]

Hi UltimateMetal Awesomeness!

I wanted to let you know that we’re giving away 25GB Gobbler accounts free for 1-YEAR to anyone that signs up before December 7th (that’s tomorrow!). Anyone signing up for the service on or after December 7th will still get a free Gobbler account, but it will be at the 5GB level. *womp *womp

We’re doing this as special thanks to our beta community, who have been great with helping us build an better product for the pro audio community.

We’re also giving prizes to the top referrers, including $1000 cash prize to the person with the most referrals from now through December 7th. That means you have one day left to spread the word to all your friends!

Here are links for more detailed info:
http://blog.gobbler.com/2011/11/tha...m/2011/11/25gb-starter-accounts-ending-dec-7/

We have a super active beta community that has helped us with feedback & ideas. If you have any questions/idea/feedback that will help make the product better, hit us up at community.gobbler.com

So what I'm trying to say in all this mess is.... Sign up for Gobbler today so you can at least have the benefit of a 25GB account for the year. If you think Gobbler sucks... hit us up in the community, we'll work hard to make the product better. If you still think it sucks by February 2013, toss it out and curse our names forever! (We think you'll love us though )

Stay metal!

Andrew
Community Manager
http://gobbler.com