Why Do I Use External Hard Drives For My VSTs (Tutorial In Description)

[@JPONTHABEAT_]

5 years later this video still valuable. Preciate this fam💯

[@DDS825]

I’m glad I could help!

[@TaughtByTech]

i use external ssd instead of hard disk

[@Digamortis]

Who's here because of Omnisphere?

[@DDS825]

😂😂

[@priyankamallipudi8759]

yes

[@ktr33muziclibrary30]

If anyone can help me I have omnisphere on an external but logic already has an unauthorized version loaded from my desktop. How can I change it to load from the external?

[@MixmasterDBN]

me

[@senseiikj]

Man quick question. Can I just use cloud storage? Like if I install the program on my main computer and put the STEAM folder of Omnisphere in google drive, will that work?

[@JayslowEntertainment]

You can almost always tell by the first few words if the video will help or not. You literally answered my questions like you were reading my mind. Thanks for the help, and keep up the good work.

[@donquezstrong6884]

I'm pretty much new at this when it comes down to making beats on the computer. but thanks bro this video really helped me out a lot!

[@DDS825]

Glad I could help!

[@Meekismwisdom]

I do the same w Nexus and it saved me, I had to install nexus on the computer but the library on my external like you told me , it worked !! lol

[@DDS825]

Exactly! Glad I was able to help! Lol

[@DDS825]

Exactly! Glad I was able to help! Lol

[@ELLIOT8209]

How did you actually do it?

[@tonka5354]

Meekismwisdom do you need to do this with every vst?

[@HELLABIGTBABY]

We need a video of that process big homie

[@DDS825]

I’ll do one

[@yoericktv9610]

it's pretty easy if you're on iOS but the process is similar on PC. 1. Find your library folder 2. Move library to HDD 3. Create a "symlink" for the library 4. Move symlink to your desired location 5. Launch!

[@ELLIOT8209]

@@DDS825 lol

[@thereysupremo]

@@yoericktv9610 what is symlink? how do i create that?

[@yoericktv9610]

​@@thereysupremo To put it simply, a symlink helps you create a "ghost" folder. It's just a shortcut folder to the actual library. Google it for steps on how to create one.

[@bigbro4266]

Been using a toshiba hard drive i had since2011 that's 7 years of building sound samples packs only. My vst is a whole other story. Thank God for external hard drives.

[@DDS825]

That’s a dedicated Hard Drive. Yes, thank God!

[@antoniodalombajr9169]

Thank Toshiba too LoL

[@yoericktv9610]

I do the same. My Macbook Pro has 250gb of storage and I hooked it up with a 4TB thunderbolt HDD and it runs smoothly with my vst libraries.

[@teamsters3967]

Which hard drive did you purchase?

[@howard6130]

Could you Do a video on the process of loading and using the vst's with the external drive?

[@DDS825]

Yes I can do that.

[@Meekismwisdom]

I was going to ask the same thing

[@AgentJayce]

Just subbed and am waiting for this video!

[@hunterbryant835]

did u ever make it?

[@YungBrazyBoomin]

Just was bout to ask the same thing as well cause I have one but , Don't wanna mess anything up while doing it .

[@yoericktv9610]

it's pretty easy if you're on iOS but the process is similar on PC. 1. Find your library folder 2. Move library to HDD 3. Create a "symlink" for the library 4. Move symlink to your desired location 5. Launch! Good luck!

[@dhaighy]

Wait what?

[@jojotp9338]

I needed this information, my external hard drive crashed and my normal hard drive almost crashed too.. I was lucky to see your video and learn from it \

[@DjSegwon]

Back in the day, we used to be able to do this with ease ,but HD got larger then became SSDs, so the memory storage is the shit now so no need to do externals, but VST manufacturers didn't account for the current explosion of vst manufacturers and stores that sell all manufacturers vst along with these large sample folders! Now you'd need to spend a small fortune (musician are broke,lol) to get the biggest ssd/hd! For those using desktops, the best way to do this is internally, with internal drives/ssd, it'll load faster vs going through the wire of a usb cable! Look up, ICY DOCK! And if you can afford it, get into NVME ssd! Up to 3500MB R/W!

[@alexv8039]

Best way to describe RAW is that its uncompressed / like the master copy 🎛

[@andres6733]

Thank you bro, I want to buy omnisphere but I got no space on my Mac haha, this vid helped fr thank you

[@davyone1552]

Once you installed, for example, Omnisphere on your computer, can you still move the VST over to a Hard drive?

[@livefast-xc8lm]

Whatsup man. Would love a video showing how you do this whole process. Installing on your laptop installing the libraries on your ssd/hd. I only have 50gbs left on my Mac so I need this route haha. Can you make a video please thanks

[@נדבקלי-ה6כ]

thank you bro this is exactly what i needed

[@DDS825]

Glad you found the video

[@jordanrazowskymusician8178]

Great info!

[@offica1_jj785]

On a real note this helped cause I typed up on google and it weren’t giving me the right answers I needed 😂 this explained everything well !!

[@themetronomelab.9457]

DDS thats dope. I was thinking about the ideal but never tried.. Only thing i didnt know is you have to put the VST on one and the LIB on the other..

[@DDS825]

Yessir! It definitely makes a difference

[@yoericktv9610]

it's pretty easy if you're on iOS but the process is similar on PC. 1. Find your library folder 2. Move library to HDD 3. Create a "symlink" for the library 4. Move symlink to your desired location 5. Launch!

[@ambientdave]

Hi Just recently got myself a reconditioned ex office Dell Optiplex 9010, Windows 10 PC. And have swapped out the 120GB internal SSD and installed a 1TB SSD as the main drive, I got my daw's on this,plus the associated programs My big collection of libraries for Kontakt are on my Seagate external 1TB HDD,. Including Omnisphere 2.6 The original smaller 120GB SSD ,is now a copy of the operating system ,The internal and original 500HDD for backup etcs,as well as a couple of flash drives,as back up Stating the obvious.but its really important, that you back up your work, .Including if poss a mirror copy of the main C drive. The backup software I have,is set for auto,so i don't worry,or forget,

[@kamosebeats6494]

I agreed I most of my vsts in external hard drive.. like nexus 3 it’s 173 GB the full version.. and you want to leave at least 200 GB on your internal SSD drive so you can have a smooth running system for making music etc ✌🏾

[@kingdommind7]

Very useful information! Thank you 🙏

[@DDS825]

Thank you for watching!

[@Dakedike]

Very valuable information in this video, thank you very much. I just have a question, when can the external SSD be disconnected?

[@kalobnorton484]

Omnisphere only gives you the option to download it from their site 1 time after spending $500 (I think that’s kind of bullshit) so now I’m trying to figure out the best way to copy the entire thing onto an external so when my old computer dies I won’t be put loads of money. Is this possible? Thanks for the gems bro

[@DDS825]

I would just copy the whole download file over. I didn’t know they only allowed one download. But yes it’s possible to move all the files over to the external for safe keeping,

[@kalobnorton484]

DDS825 thanks bro I appreciate you getting back to me

[@poeticgeenetikstv4672]

So you gotta put Pro Tools and other DAW's onto C drive? But you can put VST's on external?

[@vukola4358]

EXACTLY THE VIDEO I NEEDED

[@DDS825]

Glad you found it!

[@nirajsingh6298]

What is that program that you were telling is it VST? or any .dll file?

[@hugomusik568]

So to make sure I understood you correctly, you put kontakt/native instruments on the actual computer? But you put the sounds/libraries from kontakt/native instruments on the external drive?…. Also do you put your mixing plugins like waves, fab filter on your actual computer or external drive?

[@jahwasalegend]

thank you bro. video was very helpful.

[@DDS825]

Thank you for watching

[@jahwasalegend]

DDS825 literally just copped one of those drives yesterday. the mac version tho.

[@jahwasalegend]

DDS825 the WD Passport

[@Shinn-K]

Do you recommend installing the library on the Mac first then moving it to the external SSD or install it straight to the external SSD from the beginning?

[@DDS825]

I install directly to the external.

[@Davinciblack_]

So here’s my question, when I go to move my kontakt libraries to my hardrive it says it’s copying instead of moving, is there a certain way to do this?

[@TimotheeDuport]

Hi from France ! Thanks for the video !! I have two little questions : - Is there any manipulation that is needed to be done to make Logic able to find the plugins in the SSD? Or you just have to drag and drop your libraries to the SSD, keep your SSD plugged into your mac and Logic find the way by itself to the plugins? - Is it possible to get your Logic plugins libraries into the SSD as well (my mac is really really full haha) Sorry if you already answered these questions and keep doing video ! It's really helpful and profitable to the entire world ;)

[@DDS825]

Thanks for watching. I install the vsts in the VST folder but I put the content on external hard drives. So when I open Logic it should already pick up the new vst. I’m not 100% sure about the logic plug ins because I haven’t tried lol

[@TimotheeDuport]

@@DDS825 Ok ! Thanks for your reply!

[@johnnail2285]

Any video tutorial on how to set up new ssd external hard drive to run keyscape and omnisphere??I use MainStage and my computer is old. Need it to run smoothly thru church set.

[@DDS825]

I just install the library onto the ssd. You can probably move it to the ssd from where it is currently installed. Once you open keyscape, you’ll just have to direct it to the new location.

[@anthonytreetrunk]

I do the same, My main hard drive is disk (D:) once i plugged in someone's flash drive which was also (D:) then i plugged in my main hard drive (D:). my main hard drive reassigned itself to (E:). I didn't realize until i got home and tried making a beat and all my files were lost!! kept me worried for an hour or so before i found out how to reassign my drive back to (D:) lol. great vid

[@Byronic19134]

How is ur main hd /d and not /c?

[@ScoutMadeThis]

@@Byronic19134 his main is an external

[@tiffanyonwudinanti]

Do you also keep a copy of all your Plugins/Vst/instruments on the 8tb hard drive ? Also what’s your process on storing your music project files ?

[@DDS825]

Yes I do! I store them on my external as well. That’s where the folder is located.

[@omarcoming183]

What up DDS can you make a vid about when you started out and giving advice to a beginner? I’ve been rappin for a while but now I’m into making beats with nobody to really help me so these gems dropped on here are like gold. Ps Try me was one of the coldest beats I’ve heard

[@DDS825]

I appreciate it, I have a video on here giving advice. But I may do more. Plus more live streams.

[@alainarritola4565]

My brother thank you for this video as you I have a problem with computer space need a bigger external hard drive I see you have a link para external hard drive make thank you for that as well ... native instruments latest update are really big honestly please please we need a video from you going step by step we appreciate your time god bless you for this thank you

[@DDS825]

Glad I could help. I have a link to a tutorial on the process in the description of this video.

[@kingg7457]

Will storing the vsts on the external HD allow the instruments to load smoother in a DAW?

[@DDS825]

I’m not sure if it makes them load smoother. It just helps save space on the computer.

[@Sol_Keez]

That's what I'm trying to look into now. I wonder does it increase performance

[@chromesaw2971]

Sorry for the late reply but it will speed up your computer because there’s less space on the internal hard drive

[@lamborghinicentenario2497]

@@chromesaw2971 However, the speed is limited to how fast the hard drive USB cable can transmit data

[@Dbeats62]

Excellent video

[@DDS825]

Thank you

[@dons-d-art5875]

Thanks for the info Bro God Bless! 1love!

[@DDS825]

No problem! I'm just glad I can help!

[@hbeatz2900]

I'm very late for asking you this but I'll give it a shot. Is it safe to plug my external drive in and out every time I want to use the vst which I installed steam folders on?

[@DDS825]

Yes, as long as the drive is ejected before removing.

[@hustlerunnaa]

I made my path my d drive for my vsts even the program itself because my computer real low on space hoping it still works for me

[@themetronomelab.9457]

How would you make the change after the fact? in other words i wanna relieve my computer of the library and put that data on a hard drive.. How would you go about it ?

[@DDS825]

Go to the location of the libraries and move them to the hard drive and open the vsts and set the new locations

[@pierrejohnson3720]

Do u have any videos or know any videos where I can transfer my logic pro x program to my external hardrive

[@MusicianStuff]

Is there any overheat issue for using ssd Nvme for kontakt?

[@DDS825]

I haven’t had any.

[@tobaccoroadentertainment5280]

I just purchased komplete 12 and have it downloaded on my computer. I also have an external hard drive...is it possible to move komplete over to the hard drive so that the komplete box will have more storage

[@SmoodaBuddah]

Does that home Hardrive you have ever stopped working or become corrupted? I have one like your blue one but I know you said update it every few years? How is that going?

[@chrisq2083]

Did you ever make a video on the process of all of this?

[@josephandal1803]

can you make a video showing the process

[@DDS825]

Yes I will!

[@yoericktv9610]

it's pretty easy if you're on iOS but the process is similar on PC. 1. Find your library folder 2. Move library to HDD 3. Create a "symlink" for the library 4. Move symlink to your desired location 5. Launch!

[@favourhenshaw197]

DDS825 still waiting on this video 😊😭😭

[@skitlan94]

@@DDS825 i still need this video

[@toddbranch3492]

I use my vst’s in a live setup as well as production. Is that 4TB Passport fast enough to use in a live setup (my custom sounds are stacked like crazy and I currently use a 1TB G-Technology ssd and it does the trick). Looking for larger but inexpensive solution.

[@DDS825]

I think it’ll serve you well. I haven’t had any issues loading sounds.

[@imdrewfornow]

yo my computers harddrive is only 118GB but i had another one thats inside thats 2 tb, can i move VSTs to the other one because its inside the computer or do I need to keep it on the main harddrive and only move the libraries. Also can I move plugins like soundtoys as well or will that mess me up?

[@regg5917]

you said you put the vst itself like omnisphere, nexus, etc. on the actual computer and the libraries on an external, but will putting both for example omnisphere and its libraries all on an external be as efficient being that the external drive is a well performing one? just tryna save as much space on the internal drive as possible.

[@DDS825]

I believe the actual VST has to be installed on the internal hard drive.

[@t.y.mproduction4194]

You can do both on external. It still works.

[@connor5184]

bro i need to know but if i bought omnisphere and got it on my computer would i be able to make a copy of it and put it on my hard drive and computer at the same time

[@creator.season3714]

The omnisphere installer and the updates folder is still on my computer. I erased the zip files once i moved the steam folder to my harddrive, but my ssd is still almost used up completely. Can i erase the istall and update folders from my computer?

[@DDS825]

Do it at your own risk! lol I don't think it would be an issue if you already have everything installed. If you delete it and it's an issue, you should be able to go to spectrasonics website and download everything again if it messes up. But Again back up everything before you do it lol Do this at your own risk lol

[@graffmixer]

I store my VST on my hard drive too. My problem is loading the VST. Thinking if I trash my hard drive and get an SSD drive that might perform a lot better

[@DDS825]

That may definitely help!

[@gregstewart5211]

Great video. Is that an SSD or HDD that you store your libraries on? You didn't specify. They say you should use a SSD for that. Please advise.

[@DDS825]

At the time it was HDD. Now I’m using SSD.

[@420protoman]

i'm just a beginner with music production but i play all the instruments, so i took your advice and picked up a thunderbolt external HD 1TB should be enough for what i need right now, if i need to upgrade later down the road whatevs. i mostly use Ableton 10 live suite with melodyne, xfer, omnisphere, keyscape, my current setup can't handle it , just spent this year's tax return on new laptop and setup

[@BrotherMalMusic]

Did you ever upgrade? What do you use now?

[@mli3083]

How are you connecting your hard drive to the computer (USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB C...)? Does it load up quickly? I put the Omnisphere library on an SD card, but the sounds took forever to preview, so I ended up upgrading my internal SSD and moving it there.

[@DDS825]

I have a usb 3.0 External. Everything loads up fine for me.

[@Idc.350]

Thanks for the vid man! Is their a way to move the plugins I have on my internal hardrive to an external one without messing with the licenses?

[@nirajsingh6298]

What happens if you unplug the external hdd and plug it again do you have to rescan all the VSTs in fl studio? Do we have to plug it in all the time? Or we can just plug and play?

[@DDS825]

You should be good to just plug and play after the first scan,

[@benschmidt1353]

Do you download plugins to hard drive or computer? Plugins like rc 20 and Serrato sample and such ?

[@DDS825]

Plug in goes on computer. The content goes on an external.

[@benschmidt1353]

are the built in sounds considered to stay on the main computer like the presets that come w omnisphere? And you mean just the things like extra banks are external. @@DDS825

[@prodbyliamescusa]

Did he make a vid on how to actuslly do this yet

[@Henry-es3hh]

my mac is pretty old, it's like 5 years old, would it work if I buy this external hard drive? and also does it work for Mac and pc?

[@DDS825]

I don't see why it wouldn't work and you would have to format the hard drive to work with both.

[@eseweyjimmy]

Question. If I’ve already installed omnisphere on my hard drive how do I get it to load up on a different computer (because I installed omnisphere for my Mac and i want to get it on my PC) do I have to install omnisphere on that same drive again?

[@DDS825]

You have to install the vst on the other computer

[@lamerre1609]

see..i like restarted my pc like removed everything. but my omnisphere was on my hard drive and it still is STEAM folder and everything. BUT i installed FL studio on my main drive how would i use omnisphere again? do i have to install it again?

[@DDS825]

You would just have to install the vst, not the steam folders.

[@lamerre1609]

@@DDS825 ight. one more question i just found my FL folder on my drive and i found the omni dll should i move it to my vst folder or just go ahead and install it again

[@hcj2000c]

Do you put your samples libraries together with your VST libraries or you put both onto different HD?

[@DDS825]

Yes I do

[@hcj2000c]

DDS825 Thanks

[@champagne_made_that9534]

Do u have a video of how to put the app on internal and rest in external hard drives cause I’m kinda lost trying to do that

[@DDS825]

Yes I do. I believe the link to it is in the description.

[@champagne_made_that9534]

Ty DDS

[@noelkinz]

Can you run Vsts on the actual external hard Drive?

[@simplelogic2605]

What Mac book do you have? I plan on buying a mid 2015 Mac book i7 ssd 512-1tb is that a good choice?

[@DDS825]

That’s much better than what I have. Lol I’m not sure of my specs right off the top of my head.

[@jimibeatz]

What up bruh! Will I be able to put the entire komplete ulimate library(which is about 575GB) on the Samsung t7 2TB SSD? Or would I need more space? I'm only asking because sometimes things aren't always what they seem regarding disk space vs how much you ACTUALLY need.

[@DDS825]

It should work fine.

[@el1502]

Great Video, Thanks alot... What kind of Speaker Stands are you using for the Yamaha's. I need to buy a set

[@DDS825]

Just some monitor stands from guitar center

[@el1502]

Hi, I have Yamaha HS8 and looking to buy stands for them. I need something sturdy and those Monitors are heavy... Which Stands are you using now?

[@DiabolicKal646]

“What’s up everybody this DDS” New year new introduction Bro lol

[@DDS825]

What do you suggest? Plus this was shot in 2017 lol

[@DiabolicKal646]

DDS825 idk lol I was just fucking with you Every video starts off the same I catch my self saying it mentally

[@DDS825]

😂😂😂

[@BigChiefPrinceVision]

I do not know how i missed this video, ive researching on how to do that, or if it works doing that and sounds a be able to load, didnt know you could separate, sounds and actual program. How about session files from your Daw

[@DDS825]

This one probably just flew under the radar. lol I store all of my trackouts on my external.

[@BigChiefPrinceVision]

@@DDS825 Thats wassup lol

[@FD-lo8xr]

can u do a video of how to cange from it all on one drive to mulpitple external drives?

[@DDS825]

It’s really just drag and drop and then set the locations inside of the vsts

[@ELLIOT8209]

@@DDS825 one foot in the door. Lol

[@pauldanielmusic4067]

Ableton's site recommends using 3 external hard drives. Is that really necessary?

[@Slayerking342]

do i need to buy a hard drive before installing keyscape or omnisphere if i want to use them on another computer or can i do that later

[@gonzalezjr4885]

How did you format the Hard Drive ? ExFat or APFS ?

[@VOLOREAN]

Can you do a tutorial- Also portable hard drives are great but if you drop them your F'ed. I dropped mine and it cost 800. I had that blue harddrive. It's better to get an SSD hard drive.

[@DDS825]

I have a tutorial in the description. That is true!

[@VOLOREAN]

@@DDS825 Found it thank you

[@tnpworld6954]

What’s good DDS I’m having a problem with native access it’s crashing I’m on a laptop 💻 and on windows 7 have any experience with that or suggestions?

[@DDS825]

Note sure, I’d say reach out to NI about that.

[@tnpworld6954]

DDS825 thanks I’m just looking for answers

[@dannyoproductions1]

I got one but I'm not sure on how to get it up and running. I registered it and I try to run it through my time machine but it's not letting me. Any Advice ?

[@DDS825]

I don’t use mine as a Time Maschine, I just drag my files to it or select it as the location to install content

[@konflictbuenava266]

Do I have to un plug it and plug it when every time I shut down the turn on my computer (mac). Thank you. Reply please 🙏

[@DDS825]

No you don't

[@ILoveMusic20mg]

Can you put your drum kits in the external hard drive?

[@DDS825]

Yes

[@MORPH-tl2jx]

Thank you so much man!!

[@DDS825]

Thank you for tuning in!

[@baassik8419]

I'm reinstalling as we speak. I only have about 60. Same situation; low bucks and high "gimme a mac". I have a 4TB I'm using now.

[@nisco1467]

When u install it on the external hardware do u always have to use the hardware to open up komplete for example?

[@jltbk5420]

Hey How is it going, Quick question? I just built a new computer and I'm Trying to get my custom group templates that I've built over time from my old computer to my new one. I tried copy and paste from the old group folder and pasted into my new one although it shows up on the folder it doesnt show up when I look for my groups under my personal groups. Let me know if there is a way to do this. Thanks

[@kielhall8363]

Can please make a video on how to do for if you can thank you

[@Yerme]

Idk if it’s my external hard drive or not, but when I record (say a piano) in logic, it adds a whole bunch of crackling and the sound is extremely distorted. Then I bounce it or export it as a track and there is no crackling. It is only in Logic. You think of a fix?? thanks!!

[@DDS825]

It’s probably your cpu, not the hard drive.

[@primitivespongebob1178]

can I use usb sticks instead of hard drives for sound libraries? so much smaller and more convenient? thank you xoxo

[@fabioaguilar2838]

Do you have to have your external hard drive plugged in to your computer at all times if you want to use the vst

[@DDS825]

Yes I do.

[@fabioaguilar2838]

appreciate it

[@TElectrik]

Tell me about it bro,I'm still loading my sounds.my back up didn't work when my PC crashed smh. Over 4 yrs of me customizing it down the drain.now I gotta start all over again, peaceluv

[@DDS825]

That’s all bad bro!

[@teamsters3967]

Ok thanks bro. Is it pretty fast when loading up large libraries?

[@ducebeatz9918]

@DDS825 what is the best external hard drive to get in your opinion?

[@DDS825]

Right now I use a Sandisk SSD. I’d definitely recommend that.

[@dannyoproductions1]

Sup bro. another quick question. I got this on a Mac. but I got all the vst like Kontakt and Omnisphere install in my computer. to drag the library does it put anything at risk?

[@DDS825]

You just need to move all of the library files and you’ll have to redirect the vsts to the new location

[@trellyproductions7685]

Do you install all of your stiff on there

[@JosephBuckner]

I do the same fam I literally have compiled almost 10 T of vst's and sample files

[@kamehawaves9811]

my question is how do u install the 3rd party vst libraries to your external hard drive just whipped my mac clean because i just got the maschine mk3 and i want the maschine to find the plugin with no issues

[@DDS825]

You move them to the external and change the location of the libraries inside of the preferences in the vsts.

[@blulacez4421]

Silly question : can I install FL studio on an external HD?

[@zian3694]

does installing vsts in hard drive have any bad impact on daw's speed? does it slow down the workflow ??

[@DDS825]

I haven’t had any issues

[@zian3694]

@@DDS825 do they work much faster than in the case of installing them internally in c drive? I am at the starting level on my production journey so should I go for an external ssd and install all the packs and software in that ssd ? would it be a good investment/Ideo or should I continue with whatever I have for now?

[@DDS825]

It just saves a lot of space!

[@ANewCreation408]

Thanks for the info I finally invested in an SSD 1TB. What about my plugins and project, will I be transferring them to the same external drive as well? Or do the plugins stay on the comp and projects get put on separate drive? My bad just trying to see if I’m going to need to invest in another drive.

[@DDS825]

They can go on the same external drive.