Question about external hard drives

[Deluxomatic]

My question is two fold. Please keep in mind I just got my Digi 002r yesterday.

1) Currently I am not using an external HD. When I add one, will the performance be much quicker?

2) I have read on the Digi site the requirements for an external HD. Being that my lap top has only one fire wire port and no SCSI port, is it possible to connect the external HD via a USB port? (I read how I can daisy chain it via the 002r, but wasn't sure if it would be optimal via USB 2).

Thanks in advance for you input, and feel free to flame me for being a noob!

[macr0w]

You can get a multiport firewire card for your laptop. Or you could daisy chain them just remember to put the 002R last in line. You would probably do better with the card.

[cruisemates]

FWIW - You cannot use an external USB-1 drive. Too slow. Digi will solely recommend external firewire drives. They will not support USB-2 external drives, however, I can tell you I recorded a 16-trk live session on a MAC running PTLE using an external USB-2 drive, and then mixed the same drive/session at home on my windows LE. USB-2 is actually just a hair faster than firewire. So, if you are going to buy a drive, get the firewire, but if you happen to already have a USB-2 no harm in giving it a trial run.

[mrufino1]

Get a firewire enclosure from www.dealsonic.com , you can also get combo USB2/firewire enclosures. Then wastch the sales at your best buy, circuit city, etc. and get a 7200 rpm, 8mb buffer hard drive. Very easy to hook up and I have had no issues with mine (160 gb maxtor diamond drive in a dealsonic enclosure- total cost $120 9 months ago, much less now!). Attach the firewire drive to the back of your 002, attach the 002 to your laptop. USB2 is theoretically faster than firewire but I have read that firewire has a better sustained transfer rate, which is what you want for audio. Also, make sure the drive enclosure has an oxford 911 bridge (most do), and if you get an aluminum case it will not need a fan and will be therefore quieter. Hope this works for you.

[Deluxomatic]

Thanks very much for the input everyone.