Vienna Symphonic Library Forum
Forum Statistics

194,360 users have contributed to 42,916 threads and 257,956 posts.

In the past 24 hours, we have 2 new thread(s), 8 new post(s) and 81 new user(s).

  1. Home
  2. Sample Libraries
  3. Synchron Series
  4. Synchron SSD Speed Requirements?

  • Synchron SSD Speed Requirements?

    MackerM
    MackerM

    Hello everyone, I'm new to VSL and planning to become a Synchron Strings user. I'm aware that SSD is necessary for the Synchron library but I need to know what kind of SSD speed I should invest in. I fully intend to push multiple instances of the Synchron Player as hard as I can.

    I'm not a pro and can't justify spending big money on pro-level RAID or striped arrays of super fast SSD.

    I have a late 2017 5K iMac (4.2 GHz i7 7700K) and my options for adding SSD storage are pretty much limited to external devices designed to use one of the following protocols:-

    (a) Thunderbolt 3, or Thunderbolt 2 or 1 via the Apple adapter;

    (b) USB 3.1 Generation 1 or Generation 2 via USB-C port; or

    (c) USB 3.0 via USB 3.0 port.

    My ideal solution would be a fast external m.2 PCIe (NVME or ATI) SSD module, but there are as yet very few reputable USB 3.1 Gen 2 external enclosures or adapters for such modules and thus far I've found no Thunderbolt enclosures. SSD SATA III modules are more plentiful and at relatively modest prices, plus there are numerous external adapters/enclosures for this type, but this solution is of course limited in speed by SATA III's maximum theoretical throughput rate of around 600 MB/s.

    My foremost question at present is therefore:- would a USB3.1 gen 2 SATA III SSD module offering maximum burst rates of around 400-550 MB/s, connected via an iMac USB-C port, let me get the best out of the Synchron library? Or should I hold out until a decent enclosure or adapter suitable for PCIe SSD modules offering upwards of around 1000 MB/s is available?
  • MackerM
    MackerM

    UPDATE (29 Aug): Well yes I should have posted my query in the General & Hardware forum - my apologies. And perhaps it's still too early for the SyS user community to be familiar with the kind of SSD read speeds that sample data streams need in various degrees of complexity and work rates of SyS setups.

    I've sidestepped my bulk storage speed issue for now by opting to buy the full Appassionata Strings Bundle instead of SyS 1 (though I'll probably soon be swearing at the absence both of a Violins 2 section and of proper divisi in all sections of AS – especially as I happen to enjoy programming Wagner's most 'over-engineered' pieces). I've read a lot of comments here and listened very closely to pretty much all the demos (all excellent) of SyS, and concluded that SyS 1 is not my top priority at the moment.

     Nevertheless I will be adding a 1TB Samsung T5 USB SSD to my system anyway, which will at least double the read speeds (even via USB 3.0) that I currently get from my pair of Thunderbolt 3TB fast hard drives.

    Ok enough hardware drivel from me. Looking forward to talking music and programming. Later, gentlemen.
  • PaulP
    VSL Team
    PaulP

    HI Macker, 

    Sorry, must have overlooked your post. Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 will be a good connection. 

    If you want INSANE loading speeds, check out SSD M2 drives (can also be connected via USB 3.1 with the right case). 

    In any case, you will benefit from the faster access speeds with VI as well, just make sure that you set a lower PRELOAD size in your Directory Manager. 

    Best,
    Paul

    Paul Kopf Product Manager VSL