Do you require additional storage capacity to accommodate all of the video and audio files you continue to produce? If so, you’re in luck. In this article, we’ll we are going to tell you about the 8 best SSDs (solid state drives) on the market right now.
When most music producers are ready to start making music, they have this doubt. How much space do I need to save my music? When it comes to music production, what’s the best SSD size? What are the things to keep in mind before making a purchase? We can study a few things about this subject to help make an educated conclusion. Let’s take them one by one.
Roundup of the Best SSD for Music Production
| Overall Best SSD for Music Production | Samsung SSD T7 Portable External Solid State Drive 1TB |
| Most Reliable SSD for Music Production | Samsung 980 SSD 1TB M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid State Drive |
| Best Portable SSD for Music Production | SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD |
| Fastest SSD for Music Production | Samsung T5 Portable SSD 1TB |
| Most Sustainable SSD for Music Production | Samsung 870 QVO SATA III 2.5″ SSD 2TB (MZ-77Q2T0B) |
| Most Durable SSD for Music Production | Glyph Production Technologies Atom Portable SSD |
| Most Powerful SSD for Music Production | SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD |
| Most Lightweight External SSD for Music Production | VectoTech Rapid 8TB External SSD |
SSD vs. HDD- Which is Better for Music Production?
There isn’t a single reason why hard disk drives (HDDs) are superior for music production to SSDs that we’ve found. If cost is your top priority, the lack of mechanical elements in SSDs makes them far more durable than HDDs. It may become inoperable once you drop a hard drive to the ground. We don’t recommend you drop SSDs, although they’ll likely continue to function after a 5- to a 6-foot drop.
As a music producer, you know that as time goes on, sample libraries will only get larger and larger. It takes a lot of storage space to store many samples. Data transmission rates of 80-160 MB/s on a 7200 RPM HDD will not serve you. Modern SSDs offer theoretical maximum speeds of 3,500 MB/s, so you’ll be much pleased with those.
There’s no reason to limit your creative ability because you’re using a hard drive. SSDs are unquestionably superior to HDDs in music production.
How Much SSD Storage Is Required for Music Production?
It’s not easy to answer because it depends totally on your requirements; for example, producers who regularly record several bands will need a lot of storage.
We recommend having at least a 500 GB SSD installed with the operating system and recording software to have quick access to everything and a 1 TB or 2 TB hard drive to store the audio files and mixdowns. They are reliable external hard drives.
If you’re just an ordinary home producer who doesn’t need to save a lot of files from multiple bands, you can get away with a 500 GB SSD and a 1 TB or 2 TB hard disc.
Things to Consider When Buying an SSD for Producing Music
Having settled that SSD is the go-to device for you if you are a music producer or you are going to start producing music, let’s find out the factors which play a crucial part in deciding which SSD is the best one for you. Honestly, it’s not enough to have the best laptop for music production, you need a good SSD too!
1. Disk Capacity
It is always better to have more storage space. You’ll need enough space to store your files, video files, programs, music, movies, images, and other media. Unfortunately, your computer’s internal drive is not always up to the task. When going out to buy external drives, think about what you want to store and make a choice according to the disk’s storage capacity.
2. Speed of Transferring Data
Another critical factor is the speed of transfer. For example, the read/write speed of an SSD is reflected in its transfer rate. When it comes to the transfer speed, megabytes per second (MB/s) is the most vital metric to consider.
Because your most often stored audio files data will be copied to the drive at a faster rate if your save speed is faster than your read speed. The read speed is critical when transferring files that will essentially be read rather than saved.
3. Value for Money
What you get for your money is what matters. Choosing an SSD isn’t only about performance; it’s about finding the most excellent price per gigabyte ratio. The best price per GB ratio means you get more storage for your money. The more storage space you get, the more data you can store. You’ll be able to run your computer faster, more reliably, and more smoothly and store many files if you install an SSD.
4. Endurance
One can overwrite a flash memory a limited number of times. Endurance is the name for this. When deciding on an SSD, make sure to take durability into account. An SSD’s endurance is defined as the number of write operations it can do before failing. The SATA standard’s notion of durability is used to calculate ratings. SSD companies apply their own accelerated or real-time stress tests to compute durability ratings.
5. Controller
For external SSDs, the controller is an essential component, determining the overall speed of the device. Memory chips communicate via this component, which is in charge of managing data flow. Newer controllers, on the whole, come with greater storage capacity. In addition, the overall performance of an SSD is also affected by this.
Top 8 Solid State Drives for Music Production
Buying the most excellent external SSD for music production isn’t much more interesting than buying a steam mop in terms of excitement. It is undoubtedly one of the most important purchases you’ll ever make, especially if you’re a musician or a videographer.
After carefully testing them on various parameters, we have compiled a list of 8 solid state drives. We know you are excited, so let’s start.
1. Samsung SSD T7 Portable External Solid State Drive 1TB
Overall Best SSD for Music Production
- Compact and light
- 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- On-par speed in line with the competition
- Discrete Type-A and Type-C USB cables
- Large capacity
- Somewhat expensive in comparison to HDD
- Cables are a little short
The Samsung T7 comes in three colors, and we got to try out the gray today. It was hard to grasp just how compact the Samsung T7 SSD is until we had one in our hand. In terms of size, it’s only 3.37″x 2.24″x 0.31″, and it only tacks on an additional 58 grams to its total weight (or 0.13 pounds).
During our tests, we set up the whole operation in no time, and we could transfer roughly 5GB of data in a few seconds from a Windows PC using USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports to the Samsung T7 SSD – this is a fast drive that won’t have you waiting around for long to move your files across. Another plus is that it never became hot during our tests due to sophisticated technology.
Just plug it in and forget it’s there; it’s ideal if you’re on the go and need to take all of your data while working.
In conclusion, as a mainstream compact SSD, the T7 is an excellent solution for you if you, as a music producer, need to travel to show your samples or record music on the go in different surroundings.
View on Amazon: Samsung SSD T7 Portable External Solid State Drive 1TB
2. Samsung 980 SSD 1TB M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid State Drive
Most Reliable SSD for Music Production
- Huge and rapidly recovering dynamic SLC cache
- Attractive appearance
- Hardware encryption with AES 256-bit
- Excellent endurance
- 5-year warranty
- After the SLC cache fills, write speed can become slow
Although it costs roughly the same, the NVMe Samsung SSD 980 is five to six times faster than earlier SATA SSDs. We were able to open all of our programs and audio files in a flash, and it’s fast enough to run professional picture and video editing software without a hitch.
For all the budding music producers, the SSD 980 is fast enough that they won’t notice any change in performance if they have been using another expensive SDD. Hardware encryption, a five-year guarantee, and a good endurance rating make this a solid choice for those looking for a long-term storage solution for their music storage needs.
In our tests, we were pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly we could transfer our files to it and the easy-to-set operation. This drive series aims to give a neat performance at the lowest feasible cost, and it certainly lives up to our expectations and more. In conclusion, we believe that Samsung’s 1TB 980 is a real deal and offers great value for money and thus makes it on our list of best SSD options on the market.
View on Amazon: Samsung 980 SSD 1TB M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid State Drive
3. SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD
Best Portable SSD for Music Production
- Lightweight and convenient to transport
- IP55 dust and water-resistant
- Quick USB 3.1 (Gen2) connectivity
- 10Gbps data transfer rate
- Pretty expensive
- Dust and filth can stick to the outside
In terms of aesthetics, the Extreme Portable SSD far outshines the competition. The SSD is equipped with an orange plastic loop at the top right corner, which you can use to attach it to keys or any other item you like.
The SSD drive from SanDisk is effortless to hold because of its IP55 rating, rubber edges, and textured surface, all of which contribute to its excellent grip. And if you do happen to drop it by accident, the Extreme Portable SSD should be alright after two meters of drop time.
We transferred a 100GB file in 294 seconds in our tests, which amounts to a transfer rate of around 334MBps, which is highly satisfying.
Your SanDisk SecureAccess 3.02 program includes a password-protected folder (or private vault) that may store all of your important files using 128-bit AES encryption, which is included in the package. In conclusion, SanDisk offers an affordable solution for travelers searching for a reliable SSD that is resistant to water and dust and powerful and small.
View on Amazon: SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD
4. Samsung T5 Portable SSD 1TB
Fastest SSD for Music Production
- Outstanding performance
- Encryption hardware
- Premium design and a pocket-friendly size
- Included are USB Type-C and Type-A cables
- We did not experience any issues with this SDD
The Samsung T5’s dimensions and weight are nearly comparable to its predecessor, the T3, which measures 74×57.3×10.5mm (3.0×2.3×0.4 inches) and 51 grams in weight. In terms of size, it’s about the same as a standard credit or business card, but it’s slightly thicker. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket.
We achieved sequential reads of over 550MBps and sequential writes of 499.9MBps in CrystalDiskMark v6.0.0, with the former exceeding Samsung’s claims. With a queue depth of 32, we achieved excellent random read and wrote speeds of 150.7MBps and 147.2MBps, respectively.
In real-world testing, it also transferred a 10GB file in 47 seconds using Teracopy, giving it a real-world transfer rate of slightly more than 212MBps.
In conclusion, if you need to transport or carry a lot of data, the Samsung T5 is excellent. A three-year warranty and blazing-fast data transfer indicate that Samsung is on top of its game with the T5.
View on Amazon: Samsung T5 Portable SSD 1TB
5. Samsung 870 QVO SATA III 2.5″ SSD 2TB (MZ-77Q2T0B)
Most Sustainable SSD for Music Production
- Excellent value for a SATA-based SSD
- Swift 4K read and write speeds
- Magician management software with advanced features
- We did not experience any issues with this SSD
An all-metal shell distinguishes Samsung’s 870 QVO from other 2.5″ 7mm SATA SSDs, which typically use plastic. It also has a slightly darker grey finish than the previous model, the 860 QVO.
Four capacities are available for the Samsung 870 QVO 2.5-inch drive, but we tested the 2TB one for our review. Nevertheless, it is expected that performance will be relatively consistent across the entire range.
Our tests worked fantastically, and load times were short. We’re pretty confident it has enough storage for all the audio files you have stored on your laptop or computer. Another feature which we loved is the easy to install operation.
Within a few hours, we were able to load an entire disc-based collection of just over 2 dozen games coming in at 493.0 GB, and still, there was enough space left.
In conclusion, if you’re upgrading your storage from HDD to an SSD, Samsung 870 QVO SATA III 2.5″ SSD 2TB (MZ-77Q2T0B) can be an excellent option. The same goes for fresh builds or those searching for high-capacity SSDs of good quality. The 870 QVO is a superb mass storage drive at a reasonable price.
View on Amazon: Samsung 870 QVO SATA III 2.5″ SSD 2TB (MZ-77Q2T0B)
6. Glyph Production Technologies Atom Portable SSD
Most Durable SSD for Music Production
- Superfast
- Durable and sturdy
- Affordable price
- You can store the cable in bumper
- We did not experience any issues with this SSD
The Atom solid-state drive from Glyph features everything you’d want in a portable drive if you possess a 12-inch MacBook or one of the new MacBook Pros.
To begin with, it is lightning-fast. It is one of the fastest non-RAID portable drives with USB 3.1 Gen 2 and real-world read rates of roughly 420MBps and 270MBps.
We loved the sturdy aluminum construction and detachable rubber protective cover, which makes it withstand a 6-foot drop to the carpet with no damage. It’s a USB-C drive with a USB-C cable and a USB-C-to-USB-A cable, which is convenient. As a result, you can use it with any USB port computer.
In conclusion, the Glyph Production Technologies Atom Portable SSD is the most incredible portable drive you can get right now if you’re searching for a sleek, small, quick, and adaptable device. For Mac users, it’s also one of the few that works right away with your new MacBook Pro without the need for a dongle. Windows users, on the other hand, will have some issues.
View on Amazon: Glyph Production Technologies Atom Portable SSD
7. SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD
Most Powerful SSD for Music Production
- Stellar read and write speeds
- Five-year warranty
- Password-protected with 256-bit AES hardware-based encryption
- Durable and sturdy
- A 2×2 expansion card will cost extra and is only available on desktop computers
The Extreme Pro V2 is pre-installed with SanDisk Security software, available for both Windows and Mac OS X. 256-bit AES hardware encryption, widely considered the gold standard for consumer-driven data encryption, is provided together with the ability to create a password.
In our tests, the Extreme Portable SSD obtained sequential read rates of 1070MB/s and sequential write speeds of 1042MB/s in CrystalDiskMark.
It has a little black slab with rounded sides and an orange-rimmed carabiner loop in one corner and is rubberized. Its forged-aluminum chassis is meant to keep cool even under heavy load, and it quickly copied our 300GB of test data with barely a sweat.
In conclusion, if you want quick on-the-go storage for your next music production, you must consider buying the SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD. It is rugged and water-resistant and compact and durable, making them ideal for music producers and videographers on the move.
View on Amazon: SanDisk 4TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD
8. VectoTech Rapid 8TB External SSD
Most Lightweight External SSD for Music Production
- Incredibly lightweight and has a sleek appearance
- Unquestionably reduces the processing of noises and noise and prevents the system from overheating
- Resistant to shock
- Simple to use; requires only a plug
- At times, the transfer speed is dependent on the file’s load, which delays the transfer
The VectoTech USB-C Rapid is the world’s fastest 8TB external SSD for Mac and PC and VectoTech’s only USB-C to A and C to A connector. The VectoTech Rapid, with reading and write rates of up to 540MB/s, is a must-have for any data-intensive user wishing to transfer large files and video clips without sacrificing performance.
First, we loved the rugged aluminum body of Rapid that resists minor scratches and allows for optimal heat dissipation. The drive is lightweight and portable, with fast transfer speeds. We were able to get jitter-free data transfers owing to 3D NAND technology.
This 8TB external hard drive has plenty of room for your daily demands. Using the Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C connectors, we transmitted files and data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps or 20 Gbps.
It is resistant to stress and vibration, making it long-lasting and reliable. The Rapid 8TB External SSD USB-C Portable Solid State is highly portable and easy to transport.
In conclusion, the VectoTech Rapid 8TB External SSD is something we wholeheartedly recommend. It represents excellent value for money, and we doubt you’ll find a more affordable external SSD than this for your music productions sessions.
View on Amazon: VectoTech Rapid 8TB External SSD
Frequently Asked Questions About Solid State Drives for Music Production
A 500 GB solid-state drive (SSD) is the minimum storage space needed to make music without hiccups. The operating system, the best music production software, plug-ins, and a good sample collection can all fit this amount of space.
First, you should regularly back up all your digital files to at least one external drive.
If something happens to your computer, you’ll have all of your documents safe and fully prepared to go on a drive that you can keep in your closet, a cupboard, or even at your parents’ house. You can use the 3-2-1 method if you have multiple drives.
It reduces the possibility of your hard drive crashing and erasing all of your valuable music production equipment and projects.
Final Words
You only notice external hard drives when something goes wrong. The consequences of a malfunctioning disc drive may be disastrous, as anyone who has had to deal with one can attest. If only for your peace of mind, it makes sense to have one of the best external hard drives for music creation on your side. In our opinion, Samsung SSD T7 Portable External Solid State Drive 1TB is the external drive that will give you that peace.
