Correct. We never found the 'dream' stick, and I doubt it will show up soon. Therefore a much bigger (in memory) and cheaper (in cash) hard drive is the way to go.

The front delivers the typical 500 mA, plus a bit headroom for peaks.

As expected I can report good news about using the following USB HDD with the UFX DURec function

Samsung G2 Portable 640 GB 
HX - MU064DC/GW2 (W = white housing)*
or
HX - MU 064DC/GB2 (B = black housing)

Very handy and very silent model – amazing!
Inside there is a Samsung HM 641 JX 5400 rpm SATA drive (reported by HDD Scan 3.3).
Maybe it is similar to the HM 641 JI  (I=internal, X=external?!) but at least the housing of the G2 Portable makes the HM 641 JX model MUCH quieter! It must definitively be lower than 0,1 Sone (taking Sone measuring procedure of the german c't magazine as reference).

Here are the results of the ... endurance test:
ZERO Errors after 2 and 3 hours and even after more than 6 hours* nonstop recording 34 channels @ 96 kHz Sampling Rate (the maximum)
USB load round 80%
Max (Read/)Write time during recording: running down in iterative sequences from 95ms to 76ms at the beginning of the disk, the further the heads reach the "end" of the disk write time runs down from ~ 150ms to 76ms (these sequences are probably caused by the algorithm filling and emptying the HDD cache buffer).
Twelve points go to RME, douze points à RME!
Ten points go to Samsung, dix point à Samsung.

My tipp: Take the white one, the cable delivered with the white model seems to be of better quality.
And no, I'm in no way related to Samsung company!

* When recording 34 channels @ 96 kHz the numbering of the multichannel WAV files (in this case each 34channel file will become ~ 3'39" long because of the 2GB file size limitations of FAT 32) goes from UFX_08_00 up to UFX_08_99, so after creating 100 files the recorder stops (after 6 h and up to 5 minutes).
So if you plan to record operas or sth. else longer than 6 hours AND using all 34 channels (who will ever do so?), you should stop the machine at an appropriate moment and press record again so that DUREc can count up the next first file number to UFX_09_00 etc... ;-) for the next 6 hours ....

I'm surprised that no one seems to have tried the SD card reader idea... HeadScratch

That aside, I found one of the last remaining 2TB external drives at a reasonable price (WD 2TB USB2 drives have gone up to almost 150 Euros these days...). It is an Intenso Memorytower, got it for € 75,- at a local shop (Karstadt). Unlike with other external drives, the disk can easily be removed (it is practically not possible to open some external Seagate or WD drives without destroying the plastic case and losing warranty).

For some reason, the built-in Samsung HD204UI drive is FAT32-formatted.. :-)
I noticed when it complained it could not take a file larger than 4 gig. That prompted me to connect it to the UFX straight away. It is now happily recording 60 channels at 44k, disk usage around 66%, very constant, and no errors, tested for 90 minutes straight.

The case is solid black alumin(i)um, the drive also comes in 1 and 1.5 TB varieties. There is a proper power switch. The Samsung disk is quiet and remains cool. Read rates in the PC are up to 120 MB/s...
The case switches the drive off after about 5 minutes of inactivity. When hitting record, the UFX will patiently wait until it has spun back up and then start recording without showing any errors.

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

As I stated earlier I tested several SSDs by using a SATA to USB2 and SATA to USB 3 adapter. They worked without a glitch. Don't know what's wrong with the new Kingston, though.

Yes, definitely.

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Tomorrow, I will get Hitach's USB3.0 pocket hard drive (2.5inch, 7200rpm). I'll test with my laptop (Thinkpad W520) and UFX (plus Front DUREC), and report back.....fingers crossed!

This HITACHI Touro 500GB, USB3.0, 7200rpm pocket HD recorded 30 minutes of 30ch audio WAV files, flawlessly with my W520, and front DUREC of UFX. I even used my laptop without AC/DC adapter (power settings have been tweaked, of course).

Full 30 channels (15 stereo channels by UFX's 12 analog in+AES+ADATx2), 24bit/44.1kHz, ASIO: 256 samples. DAW: Reaper 4, 64bit.

I'm planning to get 1U UPS to back up power supply for UFX and the laptop, for the upcoming location recording.

Hi Matthias,
I bought a Hitachi "Life Studio" 320gb external HD and it is reporting "Media/Device error".
The thing comes with a non-removable partition that I believe is the crux of the problem. I have tried to remove it with no luck as it still shows up as 2 partitions on a PC. Any chance there is a workaround or FW change that might help this? It is FAT32 and I am at 351/147 drivers as of 1/30/2012.
If not, definitely put this one on the BAD list so noone else buys it for this purpose.
Thanks.
Patrick

I assigned the partition as "primary" and formatted - still no go. Wish there had been a warning list before I bought it...

Hello,

I recently found that a brand new Seagate 5400 RPM, 500 GB external drive could not reliably record even 20 channels (@ 96 kHz) using the UFX's USB recording feature.  This was a surprise as the UFX manual and posts here strongly suggested that any 5400 drive was capable of recording all available channels.  I am not sure if this is due to the nature of the drive, or if my drive is defective.  Either way, it does not suit my needs.

I plan to return this drive and pick up another one.  Has anyone successfully recorded all 34 available channels at 96 kHz for some length of time?  If so, I would appreciate you letting me know what type of drive you are using.

Cheers,

David

I had the same problem with my new! "WD, My Passport, 500GB, USB3, 2.5".
It comes preformated with NTFS for WIN. But even if I reformated it with FAT32 it coulden't be recognized by the UFX.
Then I used Disk Director, a partition program from Acronis.
I deleted the installed partition and installed a new one (directly as Fat32).
After 10 seconds all necessary matters where done by the program.
Now the HDD works perfect.
For a cheap price I got a small, nice and very quiet Harddisk (20 Channels/96kHz, 42-45%, 0 Erros).
BTW: The HDD comes with its own program for reformating itself for MAC OS.

All the best
Beat Kaufmann

Hi
Here are the Results:
Task 1
34 Channels / 96kHz (Who ever will use this...)
82-89%,
Errors:  0
Time: 1h

Task 2
34 Channels
96kHz
81-89%, (92% while starting the recording process)
Errors:  1 (while starting the recording process)
Time: 2h

Nevertheless, I'm happy - even if there was obviously 1 error in the second recording session.
I will only use all the inputs for recording onto disk. (20 Channels/96kHz, 42-45%, 0 Errors, 1h = OK for me).
Maybe RME will offer once a White List with all the "carefree-disks"

Best
Beat

Hello,

I having problems using 500gb  G-Drive mini. When I plug it in it starts beeping suspiciously and the UFX does not react in any way.  I have a 2gb stick that I formatted exactly the same way and it works fine.   Has anyone run into this?

Thanks,

z

i tried different media now. 64gb stick, 1tb hdd. all worked fine when blank formatted happy with it!

As I also pointed put above, I saw the same kind of thing on a Toshiba drive. No way o get rid of it, even with third-party tools.

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Without reading updates on this thread, and because I was buying some outboard SDXC card readers for other purposes, I decided to try an IOGear SDXC/MicroSDXC card reader UPC 881317507693.

Since SDHC and SDXC cards are used in video cameras, they need to stream well and they have the speed class ratings. I tried a Transcend Class 6 16 GB SDHC card with 12 channels running (all analog inputs) at 96/24 and it ran for 45 minutes (duration of test) with no errors and typically 38% utilization. I think I saw it go up to 41% once.

This is very promising as always worry about spinning discs. The card fits vertically in the USB stick and extends maybe 5 mm above the top cover of the UFX.

I did: I found a similar Hama adapter in a "Mediaworld" store here in Italy, but it's silkscreened as SDXC compatible. Then I got a cheap "CnMemory" SDXC card from Ebay: 64gb, class10, 54 €. Came as NTFS but I formatted to fat 32 with EASEUS Partition Manager.

Armed all 30 inputs, 48KHz: 3 hours, 0 errors. Usually 37-38 %, <100ms.
*BUT* when starting and/or splitting files, it jumps up to 65-67 %  200ms, which makes me a little nervous.

I'd like to ask: does fat32 block size makes any difference in performance ?

I'm a new UFX user, transitioning from MOTU896HD.

Direct USB recording was a major factor in my decision, for safety back-up of live concert recordings.

DURec works like a champ, I'm using Transcend Class 10 32gb SDHC USB "SD/MMC/MicroSD Card Reader/Writer" model number GFR204SD, both sourced from eBay.

30 chanels @ 44.1kHz, no errors, 37-39% HD, R/W 100-350 msec, avg. 105-125 msec, 2 hours.

DURec functions just as advertised, great feature!

I use the latest (M4) Crucial 128 Gb SSD available thru Amazon for about $102.00. It indicates 22 DUrec Tracks, 50% USB load and no errors for over 4 hours of recording with no modulation and no errors for 110' with modulation (didn't test longer).

But the actual tracks recorded are either 19 or 20-not sure where this defect originates. But I think the Crucial SSDs are fine because I replaced  my MacBook Pro's internal program drive with a Crucial M4 256 Gb . This solved stoppages due to, apparently, slow internal HD PT 10 program operations paging out to the external HD (used to record the PT 10 session-PT 9 was fine recording the same session).

Correction ...remaining two line INPUTS...

Hello UFX users.
I just got a new Sandisc Ultra 32 GB Class 10 micro SD and tried it together wit an hama micro sd-usb card reader. The class 10 Card promisses 10mb/s minimum write speed which should be enough to record all 60 Channels at 44,1. Well, the result is really dissapointing, since the write speed is not constant at all. Recording 10 Tracks at 44,1kHz seems to work, but HD-usage varies between 20% and 90%. If I enable more tracks there are lots of errors... Do You think there is something wrong with the card or with the reader? It seems to be strange, because other people wrote that they recorded 12 Channels even with a class 4 SD...

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...

Looks great!  I will buy one to try out.

In a previous post I described recording swing music with the Crucial M4 96GB SSD (Amazon approx $100). I routinely record 22 Durec tracks @ 24/96 (max for this format) for about 100' with no errors and approx a 50% USB indication.

I do this as a backup to my protools session. When protools has crashed the Durec tracks have always been a reliable save. I have also tested longer times (close to the limit of the m4 drive's capacity) for "no modulation" track enabled testing-again with no errors.

I use a second, slave, UFX for mic Pre/converters to max out the 22 tracks of the Master UFX. But there still 6 channels available on the slave- unassigned to protools. So I use garden variety digital camera cards for 2-6 Durec "Bonus Tracks" which can be stripped into the protools 22 track session for a max of 28 tracks @ 24/96 using two UFX.