Hi folks,

I have just upgraded my DAW with three new drives, a system/programs drive, one for audio projects and audio files, and one for my samples libraries.  I've read that it's best to keep Sonar and the picture cache on the programs drive, and only the CWPs and WAVs on the audio drive.  So, where should I keep my VSTs?  What do you guys do/recommend?

And... as far as the page file, I should keep that on the systems drive, right?

Thanks for your help,

Todd

toddsilva


Hi folks,

I have just upgraded my DAW with three new drives, a system/programs drive, one for audio projects and audio files, and one for my samples libraries.  I've read that it's best to keep Sonar and the picture cache on the programs drive, and only the CWPs and WAVs on the audio drive.  So, where should I keep my VSTs?  What do you guys do/recommend?

And... as far as the page file, I should keep that on the systems drive, right?

Thanks for your help,

Todd

There are a few schools of thought around here, from my observations:
 
My own approach is to install the actual program related items on C: (normally in Program Files).  These would include documentation files and other files related to the installation, but not the actual VST DLLs.
 
I have a folder on my C:\Program Files called "VST Plugins" and that's where I keep the actual DLLs and I do so by having separate "vendor" subfolders.   This is mostly for easy organization and updating.
 
Others put all their program files and actual VSTs on a separate drive.
 
My feeling is by keeping the 'main' program files and DLLs on C: I can do an image backup more easily.
 
However, if the plugin has big libraries (like samplers do), then I create a separate folder on one of my NON-OS drives (I have one drive JUST for samples/libraries).  This also allows for easy backup of such things and I can use large drives to hold the libraries and related data.
 
You have to find what will work for you best, though.
 
 

also, in win7, keeping the vst folder outside the program files hive helps avoid security/uac issues (ymmv), mine's at c:\vst plugins

pwal


also, in win7, keeping the vst folder outside the program files hive helps avoid security/uac issues (ymmv), mine's at c:\vst plugins

Good point.
 

I have two:
C:\vstplugins-32
and
C:\vstplugins-64

Thank you all, great feedback!

I was primarily wanting to know if there is performance advantage/disadvantage with having the VST DLLs on the same drive as the system/programs/X1.

Todd

toddsilva


Thank you all, great feedback!

I was primarily wanting to know if there is performance advantage/disadvantage with having the VST DLLs on the same drive as the system/programs/X1.

Todd

The answer to that mostly depends on the type of plugin.  IF the plugin uses streaming data (such as samplers do, for example), it's ok to keep the plugin on the OS drive but I would recommend keeping the data on a separate non-OS drive, as I mentioned (re libraries for example).
 
 
 

Thanks BA.

I've noticed with most samplers you get a choice about where the program is to be located, and again for the actual sample data.

I reinstalled 8.5.3 last night and with it, Dim Pro & Beatscape, so the progs went on my C drive and the data on my D drive.

The installer might say something like "install requires 3.4Gb hard drive space but you only have 2Gb availalbe - do you want to continue?"

Selecting "yes" will move you on to the next screen where you can specify the location of your sample data.

Simples.

Thanks Bristol_Jonesey.