"Yes, it was not soon, but finally it is there! I was checking from time to time about improvements in USB 3 sticks, and found out about the

SanDisk Cruzer Extreme 64 GB

This stick seems to have the highest write rate ever (more than 160 MByte/s in real-world!), and according to its SMART values it is based on a SSD controller. The higher the write rate, the smaller the pause times during data streaming. So the question was: does that improvement also mean less pause times in USB 2 operation, making it work like a hard drive at the front port of the UFX?

Answer: Yes, it does! I recorded 34 tracks at 96 kHz until the stick was full (nearly two hours). The max write time never exceeded 80 ms, the USB load stayed at 80%, and subsequently there were 0 errors at the end of the recording!

Note that this is the 64 GB stick, sold in Germany for around 60 Euros. The 32 and 16 GB ones have slower write speeds, but it may well be that due to their special design there will still be no pause (write time) problems. If someone tries out these please report here.

!!! Update 01/14/2013: I just confirmed that the 16 GB version also runs the full channel count without errors. !!!

The stick itself gives a very cheap impression due to being extremely lightweight and made from simple plastic. But it includes a nice spring-supported slide mechanism to hide the connector, so no cap needed. It also has the (often missing) gap for a neck wrist. It doesn't get warm so draws not much current. And its speed...heck, I think I have to order more of these..."

I can only get this (great) USB stick to format exFat, not Fat32. Will this be an issue using DURec?

Thanks,

Thanks for the reply. The stick I bought sealed in it's packaging - in Canada - was not originally formatted Fat32. I'll have to see if I can find a third party program to format it to Fat32.

I've had issues trying to delete/override un-deletable "OEM" partitions on USB drives (and sometimes "OEM/Recovery" partitions on regular drives).
I'm not sure if your FAT-32 formatting problem might be related.  If it is, you can likely force a complete partition deletion using diskpart as follows (and then maybe perform a standard FAT-32 partition operation afterwards?).

Just be VERY CAREFUL that you don't format the wrong drive by accident!!! (seriously)

Step1: Hit “Windows Key” + “R” to open the run dialogue box and type “diskpart” and hit “OK” to open a black command prompt window.

Step2: Type “list disk” to display all the disks of your computer.

Step3: Type “select disk n”. Here n stands for the disk you want to work well.

Step4: Type “list partition” to display all the volumes on the hard drive.

Step5: Type “select partition n”. Here n stands for the volume you want to delete.

Step6: Type “delete partition override” to get rid of the volume.

Step7: Type “exit” to close the window.

You will have a wiped drive that *might* be able to accept a standard FAT32 partition+format for use in your UFX with DURec...

I'm not sure if the exFAT file-system is a deliberate inclusion since the SanDisk Cruzer Extreme is not your average USB stick (as you mentioned - it is basically a full-fledged SSD with a USB3 bridge chip!  I have the 64GB one and it does scream!).  I have no idea how overriding the OEM partition with basic FAT32 will affect performance/bandwidth - so only proceed with your own desire to experiment further.

Post 15 on page 1.

FWIW, I too had massive problems to DURec to any of my USB sticks due to the discussed write latency problems. I followed MC's suggestion and bought a SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.0 128GB (https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00HR7FWUC/) stick and tested it with 34 channels @ 96kHz (USB load 80%) with 0 errors for a full stick record and write latency around 77-79ms.

The retractable USB connector is locked in position when slid out, so no issues there - unlike with some other sticks. Device only gets hand-warm while recording at max UFX performance (34ch@96k). Comes with FAT32 filesystem from factory.

If UFX+ becomes usable under Pro Tools (needs I/O ASIO remapping functionality suggested in https://www.forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=23759), I will buy one as soon as it ships, re-test and let you know.

Question to RME: what would be best for the UFX+ ?

I have currently for my UFX the SanDisk Extreme 64GB USB 3.0 (up to 245 MB/Sec):
https://www.amazon.de/SanDisk-Extreme-U … dp_product

Is this well enough as UFX+ has more channels or shall I consider to get the SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.0 128GB ?
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00HR7FWUC/

I want simply the best stick to be well prepared shall I have to record with max number of channels.

Still the same as mentioned in the manual - Sandisk Extreme rocks.

Sandisk kicks out a new stick with SSD speed:

https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung … 89185.html

Unfortunately the Sandisk links in this thread are now removed. Are there differences between the 'Go', 'Pro' and 'Cruzer' versions?  And what about the Sandisk Extreme USB sticks with none of these words in their title?!

Thanks MC.  You say to avoid 'Go' but what about the drives that are just labelled 'SanDisk Extreme' e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/sandisk-extre … 0290.m3507

So to clarify, there is no real-world improvement when upgrading to the Pro version - both are equally reliable?

It also seems the Pro version has different generations with write speeds of 240MB/s and more recently 380MB/s - has anyone compared these versions?

I've been using 2 different models of Sandisk flash drive for DURec on my UFX+ for half a year or so now without any obvious problems. I typically record at 24/48 up to a dozen or so channels for up to 3 hours of constant recording in a session.  This past August I was recording more tracks ... up to mid 20s ... at a time and after half an hour most channels trashed (massive static).  Occasionally the recordings would go back to working as expected.  I'm not in the habit of having to monitor for errors, etc. so didn't. I assume I overwrote the speed capability of the drive. This past Saturday I used my other model thumb drive with 14 channels and it was back to working without issue. 

The thumb drive model that had problems in August: SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 32GB SDCZ80 (note no "PRO" in model name) write speed up to 100 MB/s

The thumb drive model that worked this past Saturday: SanDisk Extreme Pro USB 3.0 128 GB SDCZ88; write speed up to 240 MB/s

Note that the slower non-PRO thumb drive would work for awhile before running into problems. I assume its slower speed caused my recording problems. I suggest that if there's any doubt you stop/start recordings when possible and monitor the errors (which I didn't do).

I have just bought a San Disk Extreme USB3.0 usb stick SDCZ-80-064G-X46 (64Gb,read 190MB/s, write up to 170MB/s). I armed 24 tracks (outputs) and it recorded fine. I just wondered if there was a 'dismount' routine I should follow? Should I power down the UFX before removing the flash drive from the front of the unit? Or is it enough just to make sure that the drive isn't recording or playing back before removal?
Thanks
Al

Thanks Matthias,

Al

SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB U3 card in the mandatory SanDisk card reader/adapter.

You must use the SanDisk USB adaptor specifically for this card for it to perform properly.
Other adapters will not work properly. I tried, no go.
This is a very high performance card (U3) so it's not surprising a dedicated adapter is required.
Both are available from B&H.

Other than that, formatted it to FAT32 with FAT32Formatter  no issues, Card can be read on all systems.

34 channel record 1 hour test gave USB ~49-50%, 0 errors.
This yields around 3.5 hours record time in this config.
RME extraction to individual wav files with no issues.

I've been using this card for a while, and now have the SanDisk Extreme 500 SSD for even greater capacity.

Grand opera coming up on the schedule in a couple of weeks, one or the other will be used as the b/u recorder for the HP Elitebook i7 Win7/64 Samsung SSD laptop running Sequoia 13.

Hi to all,
Could you recommend a cheap/not so expensive stick (16gb or more) that works ? I will be recording 2 or 4 channels at 192hz.
Thanks

Thank you. I have one Scandisk extreme pro, but I need to buy another stick and wanted to know of there is a cheaper option that works

Hi!

Does anyone have experience with this SSD drive for use with Durec and UFX+ over MADI?

SANDISK EXTREME 500 PORTABLE SSD (250GB):

https://www.multicom.no/sandisk-extreme … c/p9423711

Thinking of buying this SSD for use as a backup/parallell recording solution for a live venue in Oslo, Norway. Recording will be up to 48 channels at 48kHz. Will also record on a Macbook Pro simultaniously, using Nuendo Live.

Best regards
Ingar Hunskaar
Oslo, Norway

Sandisk extreme Pro 128GB SD-Cards with Kingston USB 3.0 Cardreader works nicely. 60 Track @48kHz, 73% max. With 16 Track @96kHz load goes up to 83%.
Also nice: SanDisk Ultra Fit 64 GB. I use it with up to 40 Tracks @ 48kHz, load is 55% max. Perfect for recording only the input tracks.
Cheers

Here some other successful tested USB drives;
SanDisk SDCZ43-064G-GAM46,USB-Flash-Laufwerk USB 3.0 bis zu 150 MB/S, 64 GB Schwarz/Silberfarben
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01BGT … &psc=1

SanDisk SSD Plus 240GB Sata III 2,5 Zoll Interne SSD, bis zu 530 MB/Sek
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01F9G … &psc=1

This is a little off, but I have noticed using the recommended SanDisk stick ( https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail … rive-128gb ) has been randomly stopping.  Sometime it will record for 8 minutes and stop, other times it will stop in less than a minute.  Track count does not change it.  I have noticed if RME Buffer is set high, it is less likely to stop recording.  This is all at 96kHz.  Anyone else have this experience?  It is not confidence inspiring knowing your only back up recording is failing.....

Has this one been approved as a replacement:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ … b_3_1.html
Thank you.

This is different from the 64gb one that Joost just recommended, right?

Has anyone tried the 128gb version?

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra-12 … B01BGTG2A0

And are we talking about the original UFX or UFX II?

I have been using the:
Sandisk CZ48 128GB USB 3.0 Flash memory Drive - SDCZ48-128G-U46
Note this is not the "Pro" flash drive discussed in this thread.  It's been working flawlessly on recordings of 20 tracks or so at 96/24.

The price is only $27/US via Amazon.  Considerably cheaper than the pro version.