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Migrating audio libs from my 7 year old pc

b_elliott

A work in progress.
I saw an online article state that Dell HDDs fail after 3 - 5 years -- my Dell XPS is +7 years old; so, I figure it is time to consider migrating to new hardware before any trouble occurs.

Currently all my sample libraries are on my Dell c:\ drive + a secondary internal HDD with backups of the original install files* (@200 GBs for
IKMultimedia alone), I wanted to start to understand what is essential for me to prepare as smooth a migration as possible.

Since I am a hobbyist, I am likely to get: Windows 11, 24GB RAM, i7 Intel, 512GB SSD c:\ drive with 2 or 4 GB external drive for backups. I also use the Avid Mbox in my set-up.

TWO questions for now:
1. Would it make sense for me to purchase an external drive to copy over all the .exe install packages & backup copies I made on my Dell as a first step?

2. What migration process would be better?


Best, Bill

* (NI, SA, OT, IKM, Arturia, PA, plus 4 Wave products.)
 
The option NI recommends is to install your sample library files on a fast external SSD. If you keep the drive letter the same on each computer for that external drive, you can than move between your computers with your samples.
 
The option NI recommends is to install your sample library files on a fast external SSD. If you keep the drive letter the same on each computer for that external drive, you can than move between your computers with your samples.
How would this work if you’re moving to a Mac?
 
How would this work if you’re moving to a Mac?
I don't have a modern Mac, but my assumption is you'd need to format the external SSD in a file format that will work with both Mac and Windows.

The method I explained allows you to keep your samples on one external SSD and not have to keep them on the local drive of each of your computers. You'll still need to install the Mac version of the sample players and audio plugins on your Mac and then point to the external SSD for the file location of the samples in your software.

If your mac has a good amount of storage, just copy the files off the external drive onto your internal drive and then go into NI, SINE, Spitfire etc. and point to those folders.
 
I don't have a modern Mac, but my assumption is you'd need to format the external SSD in a file format that will work with both Mac and Windows.

The method I explained allows you to keep your samples on one external SSD and not have to keep them on the local drive of each of your computers. You'll still need to install the Mac version of the sample players and audio plugins on your Mac and then point to the external SSD for the file location of the samples in your software.

If your mac has a good amount of storage, just copy the files off the external drive onto your internal drive and then go into NI, SINE, Spitfire etc. and point to those folders.
Awesome. Thank you for the info, I know that all of this is readily available online but sometimes a head start really helps to know what to search for.
 
I don't have a modern Mac, but my assumption is you'd need to format the external SSD in a file format that will work with both Mac and Windows.

The method I explained allows you to keep your samples on one external SSD and not have to keep them on the local drive of each of your computers. You'll still need to install the Mac version of the sample players and audio plugins on your Mac and then point to the external SSD for the file location of the samples in your software.

If your mac has a good amount of storage, just copy the files off the external drive onto your internal drive and then go into NI, SINE, Spitfire etc. and point to those folders.
You may have difficulty with the drive format - EXFAT which is readable in both systems is not recommended for sample libraries. So you either buy software that lets you read/write on the other systems file format (APFS or NTFS) or duplicate your drive -one in NTFS and one in APFS.
I have no idea what sort of performance impact such software would have (I know you can buy something from OWC that lets a Mac read/write NTFS - and I assume someone has made something to go the other way ie PC can read/write a APFS drive).
 
You could always buy a new drive and install it.

I've done the same in my 6 year old Dell XPS laptop (9650) earlier this year: went from a 512 Gb to 2 TB drive.

I migrated by using an external USB drive and AOMEI Backupper software to clone the old drive and copy it to the external USB drive. I then replaced the old drive with the new one and using the same software, restored the clone of the old drive. That way, the OS and all software and libraries are restored exactly how I left it, but on a new, larger drive! You can also use software to enlarge the C drive your restored to fit your needs on the new, larger drive.

One thing to note though: it's advisable to deactivate any iLok, eLicenser or custom licensing software using local computer licenses (not on a dongle or cloud) before migrating to the new drive. Sometimes, replacing hardware can be viewed as getting a new computer and licenses will become invalid. I had this with software from Samplelogic for example. Deactivating those licenses and reactivating them after migration will save you a ton of support calls.
 
You could always buy a new drive and install it.

I've done the same in my 6 year old Dell XPS laptop (9650) earlier this year: went from a 512 Gb to 2 TB drive.

I migrated by using an external USB drive and AOMEI Backupper software to clone the old drive and copy it to the external USB drive. I then replaced the old drive with the new one and using the same software, restored the clone of the old drive. That way, the OS and all software and libraries are restored exactly how I left it, but on a new, larger drive! You can also use software to enlarge the C drive your restored to fit your needs on the new, larger drive.

One thing to note though: it's advisable to deactivate any iLok, eLicenser or custom licensing software using local computer licenses (not on a dongle or cloud) before migrating to the new drive. Sometimes, replacing hardware can be viewed as getting a new computer and licenses will become invalid. I had this with software from Samplelogic for example. Deactivating those licenses and reactivating them after migration will save you a ton of support calls.
For VSL LIB on Mac you just need to change the path in Vienna Assistant
Why not making an allias ?
 
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