advice on CD and backup programs

[Jim Borchardt]

I thought I could get by with the NT backup program installed on Windows, but it's apparent I need to buy a more suited tape backup software for my slowly growing business. I have a Scorpion 4 mm data DAT tape drive installed in my tower, and am looking for a program that works well with Pro Tools sessions. Any advice? Also, what's the best program for compiling your clients sesions into a CD? (Something along the lines of MasterList) I've used MasterList when I worked on a Mac, but I don't think it's PC compatible, and I've heard there's better programs out there now. Thanks for any advice.

[steve at Your Heaven]

As far as I know, the gold standard of backup programs for some time has been "BackUp Exec" by Veritas. I think it works with any tape drive, but call them (or any vendor you use) to make sure it works with yours.

I got tired of dealing with tapes and backup type files altoghether, so I am using Maxtor external firewire drives (80 gig for less than $300, I think they sell internal 80 gig for less than $200). Way faster, you just use Windows copy command, you can read a file at any time without 'restoring' it first, etc.

[beggehorn]

Mezzo Technologies

[Jim Borchardt]

Beggehorn, I used Mezzo when I worked at a Mac based studio and liked it alot, but I don't think it's Windows compatable. Are you using it on your PC?

[Jim Borchardt]

Steve, thanks for the advice. The Maxtor firewire sounds like a good option, but I'm skeptical of having 80 gig of clients sessions on one drive. That means I might have 10 or 20 different projects on one drive, and if it becomes corrupt, I lose them all. Tape backup does seem outdated, but still the most bulletproof. Am I looking at this right?

[Jim Borchardt]

Also, does anybody have advice on the best CD compilation program for NT? MasterList CD was great for the Mac, but not an option for my Windows setup. I have a good external burner, but I need a program that will arrange my PT sessions into a complete file with time spacing and level matching (etc..) between songs. Thanks again for any help.