Should I install DAW & VST plugins on SSD or HDD?

This article will discuss whether you should install your DAW and plugins on an SSD or HDD. 

Another way to frame this question is whether you should have your main drive or your C: Drive as an SSD or an HDD. The main drive, the C Drive, contains the operating system and related system files. Hence you install apps and software on that. You can source its data from another drive, but the main software has to be installed there. 

Since the main drive is the drive from which your computer reads all the apps and on which it runs all apps, so it has to be efficient. So now let’s discuss if HDD is a better alternative or SSD. 

Should I install DAW & VST plugins on SSD or HDD?

To install DAW and plugins, SSD is a better but more expensive alternative than HDD. That is because SSD is more efficient and reliable, has faster reading-writing speeds, doesn’t overheat or make noise, and consumes lesser power.  That means your C: Drive, or the OS drive, is better off as an SSD drive.

However, in many cases, you need not bear the high expenses of an SSD drive, so let’s do an in-depth discussion on SSDs and HDDs.  SSD stands for Solid State Drive, and HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive. Both are storage devices, but the underlying technology is different for both. An HDD uses a spinning magnetic tape combined with some moving mechanical parts, making it larger, less stationary, and slower in processing data. 

However, an SSD relies on flash memory for storing, reading, and writing data and processes data immediately. Hence, apart from being faster, it is also more compact and durable. HDDs having moving parts makes them easier to break. Also, because of its spinning disk, an HDD wears out after a few years and lasts lesser than an SSD. 

Do I need an SSD? 

SSDs are about ten times faster than HDDs, but it depends on the type of SSD. An SSD of about 500 MBPS reading and writing speed is just as good as an HDD. Yes, flash drive storage technology has added advantages that lead to better reliability, but that’s it. 

You should not pay extra money for only a handful of more megabytes per second. So, even if you’re buying an SSD, remember that thunderbolt connectivity and NVMe technology would significantly improve the efficiency of the drive and bring about a major difference. 

Lastly, if you’re a hobbyist music producer or your workflow depends mostly on stock plugins, and you use only a few samples in the session, in that case, HDD may be a more efficient option, as it is more affordable and will suffice your needs. 

However, if you use big Kontakt libraries, have a huge library of samples, and use heavy mixing-mastering plugins, then SSD is crucial to ensure a seamless and smooth workflow. SSDs are also better if you’re a recording and mixing-mastering engineer, as it is quieter and gives you a more suitable & uninterrupted environment for your needs. 

Should I install VST plugins or DAW on an external SSD?

It’s impossible to install software, be it a plugin (VST, AAX, AU, etc.) or a DAW on an external drive. However, you can install the plugin or the DAW on the main drive and source its data, samples, audio, recordings, etc., from an external drive. You can also save the sessions, recordings, MIDI files, wave files, etc., on an external drive. 

If you use the external drive in real-time with your sessions, I recommend you use an SSD as the external drive. If you use it for storage, then also, I recommend using an SSD, as it has a longer lifespan and is lighter, smaller, and more rugged. However, if there are budget constraints, and you need a drive with as much capacity as possible at affordable rates, then HDD is a good option. 

What are the best internal drives for music production?

The Samsung 980 SSD M.2 NVMe interface and Samsung 870 QVO SATA III 2.5″ SSD are great internal drives that you could use for music production. The Samsung T7 Portable SSD, Samsung T5 Portable SSD, Samsung X5, Atom Portable SSD, and SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable SSDs are the best external SSDs for music production.

The best HHDs for music production are LaCie Rugged Mini HDD, Cirago Slim External Portable HDD, Toshiba Canvio, and Seagate Expansion Portable HDD. It’s important to choose a drive that is efficient with audio digital signal processing and can handle audio data without compromising the quality.

Conclusion

We have seen that you can install the DAW and plugins only on the main C Drive and that SSD is a more efficient, faster, and long-term solution for a C Drive. You can only use external drives for sourcing or storing the data; even for those purposes, SSD is a better solution.

We have also discussed the exceptions in which an HDD may be a better solution. Hope the article was of help. Thank you for reading.

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Plugin Related:

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Headphones & Studio Monitors:

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Top 10 Room Calibration & Headphones/Speakers Correction Plugins 

Does Heat Damage Headphones?

Are Noise-Canceling Headphones Good For Music Production?

Can Headphones Break in Cold Weather?

Why do headphones & cables get sticky?

 

Can Wearing Headphones Cause Hair Loss?

How Do I know If My Studio Monitor Is Blown?

Side Effects Of Sleeping With Your Headphones On

Do You Need Music Amplifier For Studio Monitors or Studio Headphones?

Do Headphones or Earphones Damage Your Brain?

Can Headphones or Earphones cause Deafness or Toothache?

FarField, MidField & NearField Monitors – Their Uses, Pros & Cons

 

MIDI & Synths:

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Why Is Audio Gear So Expensive? (Especially Synths)

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Buying Your First Guitar: 2 Things To Know

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How Often Does A Guitar Need a Setup?

Can I Play Classical Guitar On A Steel-String Guitar?

 

How often guitar necks need reset?

Can You Play Two Guitars Through One Amp?

Can a 6 String Bass Be Tuned Like A Guitar?

Can I leave My Guitar Tuned Down a Step? Yes, But Is It Safe?

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How To Know If your Guitar Amp Is Broken?

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Do Fender Guitars Appreciate In Value?

Should You Put Stickers On A Bass Guitar?

How Acoustic And Electric Guitars Are Made?

Is Electric Guitar Too Loud for an Apartment?

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If I Learn Acoustic Guitar Can I Play Electric Guitar?

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Do headphones get worse with age?

 

Recommended Gear:

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Top 10 Guitar Pickups for Low Tunings 

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Top 12 USB Audio Interfaces Under 150$, 200$, 300$ 400$ (Any Budget)

 

Top 12 Hardware Equalizers (Analog EQs For Mixing & Mastering)

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Plugin Roundups:

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Kontakt Libraries

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Audio Restoration, Calibration & Utility:

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Instrument Plugins: 

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Top 5 Multiband Limiter Plugins 

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Top 7 Clipper Plugins (Best Limiter Alternatives)

Top 6 Chord Generator Plugins That Inspire Melodies (+ FREE Tools)

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Top 7 Channel Strip Plugins (And 2 Best Free Plugins)

 

Top 11 Distortion Plugins (And 4 Top Free Plugins)

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The 7 Best Tremolo Plugins | Eventide, Melda, SoundToys, Kuassa…

The 7 Best Harmonizer Plugins | Eventide, Melda, Aegean Music

7 Best Sidechain Plugins (VST, AU, AAX) | Xfer, Cableguys..

 

Top 10 Noise Gate Plugins (And 6 FREE Free Gate Tools)

The 6 Best Ring Modulator VST Plugins | KiloHearts, Melda

7 Best Autopan VST Plugins | CableGuys, Melda, Waves, Soundtoys

The 6 Best Frequency Shifter VST Plugins

Top 11 Granulizer Plugins For Future Sound Design

29 Best Sound Design VST Plugins

 

Compressor Plugins

Top 11 Free Compressor Plugins (VCA, Vari-Mu, FET, Digital)

Top 7 Multiband Compressor Plugins (And 4 FREE Plugins)

Top 5 Diode-Bridge Compressor Plugins 

Top 6 Mastering Chain Plugins: Complete VST Solutions 

Top 10 FET Compressor Plugins 

The 7 Best VCA Compressor Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)

Top 11 Mastering Compressor Plugins (And 2 FREE Plugins)

Top 10 Opto Compressor Plugins For Transparent Sound

The 7 Best Vari-Mu Compressor Plugins (And 2 Best FREE Tools)

 

Reverb & Delay Plugins:

Top 12 Reverb Plugins (And 5 FREE Reverb Plugins)

The 6 Best Spring Reverb VST Plugins | AudioThing, GSi, u-he, Eventide

Top 12 Delay Plugins For Music Production In (VST, AU, AAX)

Top 10 FREE Delay Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)

The 10 Best Convolution Reverb Plugins 

 

Amps & Preamps:

Top 10 Guitar Amp Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Simulators)

Top 10 Bass Amp Plugins (And 5 Best Free Simulators)

Top 9 Preamp Plugins (For Vocals, Guitars & More!) + Free Preamps

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