Right, let's get serious. Buying one of the best external hard drives for music production in 2024 may be no more exciting than arranging vehicle insurance, but when push comes to shove, you'll be glad you did your homework if you opt for one of our choices in this guide.
In our opinion, a decent external hard drive is crucial for musicians and producers; you can relax, safe in the knowledge that all your sounds, samples, projects and presets are secure and ready for action when you are. With a bad one, you run the risk of catastrophe striking when you least expect it.
Whether you’re recording huge multitrack DAW sessions, hammering a sample library running into multiple digits in gigabytes, or editing reams of 4K video footage for your latest YouTube banger, a reliable external hard drive for your Mac or PC is worth its weight in gold, saving you time and, potentially, serious heartbreak should the worst happen to your primary data store.
But what should you be looking for? Speedy data transfer and portability are key considerations, along with the amount of data you can store. In this guide, we'll cover the essentials - like storage capacity and durability - to help you make the best choice. With the perfect drive, you'll have your compositions secure and accessible wherever you go.
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Best external hard drives for music production: Product guide
Drive type: SSD
Capacity: 1TB - 2TB
Interface: USB 3.0
+ Slimline
+ Reliable
+ Choice of colours
- Metal chassis can scratch
For us, the best external hard drive for musicians right now is the Samsung T7. We used a trusty Samsung T5, this version’s predecessor, for around 4 years without a single problem, so recommending this new version is easy.
We loved the rapid transfer speeds, the fact it’s so small and can therefore be carried in your jeans’ pocket, and the choice of different colours on offer. With it being an SSD, and therefore able to be bus powered - meaning it doesn’t require an additional power source - it is ideal for a variety of use cases, including iPads, laptops and cameras.
Yes, it’s slightly more expensive than an equivalent-capacity HDD, but the benefits it brings mean any doubts over the T7’s real-world value disappear.
Drive type: SSD
Capacity: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
Interface: USB 3.0
+ Small
+ Fast
+ Great value
- Short cable
The best external hard drive for laptop-friendly workflow comes in the shape of the Seagate 1TB Fast. The Fast offers impressive read/write speeds of up to 540MB a second. Connectivity is managed via USB C, meaning the data is being retrieved as quickly as possible, although a standard USB cable is included so you can still use it on slightly older machines.
Seagate is one of the bigger names in media storage, so has some pedigree. There's a good range of capacities on offer too, from a basic 250GB right through to a healthy 2TB. It's also small enough, and shock resistant enough, that stuffing it in a backpack every day won't feel like you're leaving your precious data's safety in the lap of the gods.
Drive type: SSD
Capacity: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
Interface: USB 3.1 Gen2
+ Respected brand
+ Protection
+ Carry hook is useful
- Studio users may need more capacity
Taking rugged portability to the next level comes the SanDisk Extreme Portable. With the high data transfer speeds you'd expect of an SSD, the Extreme Portable also packs in a bunch of resistance to things like dust, water and drops.
You might think this could be a bit overkill for creative production tasks. But consider the field-recordist stood out in the rain capturing the sounds of nature, or the videographer filming in harsher climes. If reliability and toughness is required, the SanDisk Extreme might be your new best buddy.
Drive type: SSD
Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Interface: USB 3.0
+ Rugged by name...
+ Difficult to lose
- Slow transfer speeds
Certain drives become synonymous with certain applications, and the LaCie range's popularity with creative professions is legendary. These iconic orange drives are used by photographers, videographers and musicians everywhere, and for good reason.
On paper, the LaCie Rugged Mini drives aren't that advanced. They only offer a 5,400rpm data transfer speed, so realistically you aren't going to be streaming sample libraries from one. But as a portable backup drive, its shock resistance and small size means it is perfect for on-the-go performers and creators.
Drive type: HDD
Capacity: 1TB - 5TB
Interface: USB 3.2/Thunderbolt
+ Bus-powered
+ Tough
+ Large capacity
- Slow vs an SSD
While SSDs have the edge when it comes to speedy file transfers, making them ideal for some situations, there are times when a beefy HDD can more than hold its own. If you’re the type of musician who travels a lot or works from different locations, and you need gargantuan amounts of data, then look no further than the SanDisk G-Drive range. These rough and ready drives can hold up to 5TB of data and can be completely bus-powered via your laptop.
We particularly liked the fact they’re shock and water-resistant, which aren’t qualities you’d normally associate with mechanical drives like this, making them the perfect option for field recording or videography.
Drive type: HDD
Capacity: 1TB, 1.5TB, 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, 5TB
Interface: USB 3.0
+ Cheap
+ Capacity options
- Not ideal for streaming
As one of the other big names in media storage, Western Digital – now more commonly known as WD – has a wide range of options for your data needs. The WD Elements range is well-established, and has drives of all sizes to suit your requirements.
The Elements range comes in sizes up to 5TB – enough to store around 1.25 million songs – and comes in both portable and desktop versions. Data transfer is handled by USB 3.0, which lags behind modern USB C options, but as a backup disc it will more than suffice.
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Drive type: SSD
Capacity: 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, 6TB, 8TB
Interface: USB 3.0
+ Cloud-based security
+ Protected data back-ups
- Usability quirks
- Requires internet connection
A much different beast now, one more suited to the centre of the living room than the backpacks of sonic explorers. The WD My Cloud Home is very much designed with domestic use in mind, but that's not to say music producers should discount it.
It comes in a range of enormous sizes - up to 8TB - and it offers the perfect opportunity to remove all those films, songs, books and photographs from your laptop. With those out of the way, your production machine becomes much leaner and better able to handle recording applications.
Drive type: HDD/SSD
Capacity: Up to 50TB
Interface: USB 3.1
+ Safe as houses
+ Back up your backups!
- Complicated to operate
- Price doesn't include discs
We'll end this list with something of a monster in the drives world. The TerraMaster D5 series provides 2+3 RAID storage facilities for storing up to 50TB of files. RAID systems essentially combine the powers of multiple drives, giving you elite levels of performance, security and capacity.
Going down the RAID route isn't cheap - the TerraMaster doesn't come with its own actual drives, you need to buy them separately - but as a system designed to store gargantuan piles of data, they are peerless. For professional studio owners, this route offers the peak of storage technology. It's not sexy, but it sure is sensible.
Best external hard drive for music production: Buying advice
How to choose the best external hard drive for you
MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.
When it comes to seeking out an external hard drive for your music studio, musicians and producers need to consider several crucial factors to ensure they make the right choice.
First and foremost, speed matters. As we know, music production often involves handling large files, from raw audio recordings to high-quality samples and virtual instruments. A hard drive with fast data transfer speeds is essential for smooth workflow and seamless playback. Look for drives with USB 3.0 or higher, as they offer faster transfer rates, reducing the time spent waiting for files to load or transfer.
Storage capacity is another critical consideration. As your music library grows and you accumulate more project files, you'll need ample space to store everything. Determine your storage needs based on the size of your projects and the volume of files you work with regularly. It's often wise to invest in a drive with more capacity than you currently need to accommodate future growth.
Recording on the go
Musicians and producers who are constantly on the move will value durability, and portability, from an external hard drive. Whether you're travelling to gigs or working in different studio environments, your hard drive needs to withstand the rigours of life on the road. Look for drives with sturdy enclosures and shock-resistant features to protect your data from accidental bumps and drops. Likewise, a compact, lightweight drive that fits easily into a laptop bag or backpack is ideal for on-the-go creativity. Consider factors like size, weight, and connectivity options to ensure your drive is convenient to carry and use in various settings.
Above all, prioritise reliability
Reliability is perhaps the most critical factor of all. As a musician or producer, your hard drive is the lifeline of your creative work, storing years of music projects, samples, and recordings. Choose a drive from a reputable manufacturer known for producing reliable, high-quality products. Read user reviews and resources like this guide. Seek recommendations from fellow musicians to ensure you're investing in a drive that will stand the test of time.
So, when you’re choosing an external hard drive for your music studio, prioritize factors like speed, storage capacity, durability, portability, and reliability. By considering these key factors and choosing a drive that meets your specific needs, you can ensure smooth workflow, secure data storage, and uninterrupted creativity for years to come.
How we choose products
At MusicRadar, our team comprises seasoned players and experts immersed in the world of music making, from drummers and guitar players, to producers and DJs. With years of playing and meticulous product testing, we bring a wealth of knowledge to the realm of music gear. We live and breathe everything related to music making, including the peripherals that make our workflows more streamlined and efficient.
When it comes to identifying the best external hard drives for music currently available, we employ a rigorous selection process. Our approach involves a fusion of hands-on experience, user reviews, and in-depth discussions with our editorial team to ensure a well-rounded evaluation of the top products in this distinctive category.
As dedicated music makers ourselves, our primary goal is to assist fellow musicians in discovering the perfect gear for their sound or workflow. We meticulously consider factors ranging from budget constraints to the intricacies of feature sets, ease of use, and the build quality. The result is a thoughtfully curated list representing what we confidently assert to be the best external hard drives for music on the market today.
Find out more about how we test music gear and services at MusicRadar.
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