File Location Preferences?

I am going through the process of reinstalling Sonar X1 and would to make improvements to my configuration settings, particularly the file locations.  Ideally, I wish Cakewalk would just publish a a white paper on the configuration settings that they use for their systems; that would help us all get past many of the set-up issues and start using Sonar for what we purchased it for...to make music!

I understand the concepts of using multiple physical drives and to keep the audio files separated from the OS drive, but I am still a little confused about how I should set the file locations.  I have three goals: (1) optimal performance; (2) effective backups; and, (3) ease of finding files. 

If you feel that you have a successful configuration that also meets the goals I stated, would you please share how you have configured the following file location settings?

Thank you!

FOLDER LOCATIONS
----------------
Project Files:       
Templates:       
Track Templates:   
Track Icons:       
CAL Files       
Wave Files:       
Video Files:       
Sysx Files:       
Play List:       
Groove Quantize:   
StudioWare:       
Drum Maps:       
Plug-in Layouts:   
Step Sequences:       
FX Chain Presets:   

AUDIO DATA
----------
Global Audio Folder:    
Picture Folder:       

A normal configuration is three drives (although you can always use more)..

Drive 1: Windows OS and software (like SONAR and plug-ins).
Drive 2: Project files and audio files
Drive 3: Streaming sample library files

SONAR X1 now puts all content files in a Content Files folder location. I would recommend either putting that on Drive 2 or on a separate drive. That takes care of all the folder locations you listed.

Global audio and project files on Drive 2.

Keep the Picture Cache on Drive 1 with the OS and software.

Scott

--
Scott R. Garrigus - Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series. Get Sonar X1 Power - Today! Go to: http://www.garrigus.com/

Publisher of DigiFreq - free music technology newsletter. Win a free SoundTech Vocal Trainer Package, go to: http://www.digifreq.com/digifreq/

Publisher of NewTechReview - free consumer technology newsletter. Win a free i2i Stream Wireless Music Pack, go to: http://www.newtechreview.com/newtechreview/

Thanks, Scott. That clarified for me, too.

Scott,

Thanks for your reply.  BTW...your "Power" books are great references.  I pre-ordered your latest; I just wish it was ready now.

Based on your response, here is how I ended up setting up my Sonar file locations...

During the initial install and using the advanced options, Sonar asks for several file locations.  The following are how I responded:

• Install Sonar X1 Producer to: C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\SONAR X1 Producer
• Shared Folders: C:\Program Files\Cakewalk
• VST Folder: C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins
• Plug-In Content Folders:
  • Perfect Space: C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins\Perfect Space
  • RXP: C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins\RXP
  • Session Drummer 3: C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins\Session Drummer 3
  • Application Content Folders: E:\Cakewalk Content

After the install was complete, I went to Preferences->File->Folder Locations and adjusted the file location for the Project Files and Video Files.  The final file locations look like:

• Project Files:        E:\Cakewalk Projects
• Templates:        E:\Cakewalk Content\SONAR X1 Producer\Project Templates
• Track Templates:    E:\Cakewalk Content\SONAR X1 Producer\Track Templates
• Track Icons:        E:\Cakewalk Content\SONAR X1 Producer\Track Icons
• CAL Files:        E:\Cakewalk Content\SONAR X1 Producer\CAL Scripts
• Wave Files:        E:\Cakewalk Content\Audio Library
• Video Files:        F:\Cakewalk Video Files
• Sysx Files:        C:\Users\Jonathan\AppData\Roaming\Cakewalk\SONAR X1 Producer\Sysx Files
• Play List:        E:\Cakewalk Content\SONAR X1 Producer\PlayList Files
• Groove Quantize:    C:\Users\Jonathan\AppData\Roaming\Cakewalk\SONAR X1 Producer\Groove Quantize Files
• StudioWare:        E:\Cakewalk Content\SONAR X1 Producer\StudioWare Panels
• Drum Maps:        C:\Users\Jonathan\AppData\Roaming\Cakewalk\SONAR X1 Producer\Drum Maps
• Plug-in Layouts:    C:\Users\Jonathan\AppData\Roaming\Cakewalk\SONAR X1 Producer\Plug-in Menu Layouts
• Step Sequences:        E:\Cakewalk Content\SONAR X1 Producer\Step Sequencer Patterns
• FX Chain Presets:    E:\Cakewalk Content\SONAR X1 Producer\FX Chain Presets

Finally, I went to Preferences->File->Audio Data and changed the Global Audio Folder.  The final projects folders look like:

• Global Audio Folder:    E:\Cakewalk Projects\Audio Data
• Picture Folder:        C:\Cakewalk Projects\Picture Cache

Does this set-up look correct?  Any additional tweaks?  For back-up purposes, is it sufficient to back-up the E (Content) & F (Video/Sample Library) drives or are there additional folders located in the Sonar Programs folders that should be included?

Thanks again for everyone's input...Jonathan