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Ableton may not be the top contender when it comes to the best DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it is still fairly high up in the list. As such, when it comes to the specifications for a software as efficient as Ableton Live, questions arise regarding the system requirement. How much does it needs in processing speed, storage, RAM ROM etc.? Similarly, what are the connotations of Ableton SSD Vs. HDD?
Let’s compare that.
SSD & HDD; The Different Storage Types:
We have come long way from just storing an entire contact list to humongous terabytes in one storage space. Thus everyone would be familiar with a hard drive. It is the most commonly used storage in computers and laptops where the system can not only store data, but also depend on when it comes to performance and power usage. That is HDD, or hard disk drive. SSD (solid state drive), on the other hand, is an alternate option that can perform all the same tasks HDD can by replacing it. The main difference between both of them is that SSD is a modern replacement of HDD, and it has a different working mechanism (no movement of disk involved).
What does that implies? Basically, it has all the advantages a newer technology typically has over its predecessor. That means that compared to HDD, SSD is faster, more compact, durable, and most convenient of all, consume less energy. Hard disk drive does not entirely lose the race though due to two important factors; it is cheaper and more reliable when it comes to data recovery if damaged. It should also be kept in mind that just because HDD is the older version that still does not diminishes its working capacity in any way, shape or form. In short, in most cases, it’s just your preference.
Ableton SSD Vs. HDD:
When it comes to DAWs and music production, the speed matters. The higher the writing speed is, the more responsive your DAW would be. With the former type storage, Ableton will speed up considerably and would also perform better, as SSD literally lights up in an instant due to its working mechanism not having any moving parts. On the other hand, Ableton would also work great on HDD, but if you draw comparison of both, SSD would the winner. Thus, it is generally recommended that you use SSD for not just Ableton, but for any DAW. In fact, it is guaranteed that you will be blown away by its performance when installed on a solid state drive. You would be able to load samples, tracks and VSTS much quicker and in a more reliable manner.
Should You Only Get SSD For Ableton?
It should be kept in mind that you do not exactly need an SSD for normal tasks that can be done easily by HDD. But when it comes to music production, then yes, SSD does perform better than you can ever imagine. However, it is still not a necessity. Yes, the performance would be better, but there are still many Ableton users out there that are working with HDD just fine. So get an SSD if you want faster and better performance, but again, it is not a requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Question- Does SSD improve DAW performance?
Answer- Yes it does beyond any doubt. As the solid-state drives (SSDs) have a much faster read and write speeds, it offers an impressively improved DAW performance to producers, musicians and audio engineers. Some of its quirks include faster load time of sample libraries in comparison, recording, and VST plugins.
Question- Does HDD vs. SSD affect performance?
Answer- Well, it depends on what you are doing with your system. As a rule of thumb, the choice of SSD or HDD has a similar impact as that of CPU or GPU. If you only do office work like using MS word, internet browsing, watching videos, attending meetings etc., HDD is absolutely fine. But when it comes to heavier tasks, like gaming, music or video productions, of course SSD would be a better choice as it provides improved, speedy performance and response. There are advantages to both types, but it would be our advice that if you want to use the system for a heavy task, use SSD instead of HDD.
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