External Hard Drives for Photo, Video, and Audio Production

Rubber Monkey · Oct 25 2024

Top External Hard Drives for Photo, Video, and Audio Production

If you’re working with big photo libraries or producing audio and video content, choosing the right external hard drive is crucial. Large image files, layered audio tracks, and high-resolution videos can put a serious load on your storage. So, before buying a drive, it's important to assess your needs. With ever-growing file sizes—thanks to more megapixels, complex audio, and 4K (or higher) video—having the right storage can make all the difference. 

Start by considering two key factors: the amount of storage space you’ll need and the data-transfer speeds required for your projects. Each type of media has different needs, so let's break down what matters most for video editing, photo storage, and audio work.

External Drives for Video Production

Video creators, especially those working in 4K and beyond, need fast, high-capacity drives. The minimum speed for a spinning drive is 7200 RPM, but SSDs (solid-state drives) offer even faster performance, albeit at a higher price.


You’ll also need to think about how your drive connects to your computer. Common interfaces include USB 3.0, USB-C, and Thunderbolt™, each offering different speeds and price points. If your video work is demanding, like DCI 4K editing, you’ll want a drive that exceeds 94 MB/s to ensure smooth playback and editing. Thunderbolt™ 3 or 4, with speeds up to 40 Gb/s, is a great choice if you’re working with large files or multiple drives. The LaCie 4TB d2 Professional USB 3.1 Type-C External Hard Drive, for example, offers read/write speeds of up to 260 MB/s and features a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port that's compatible with Thunderbolt 3 devices.


LaCie 4TB d2 Professional USB 3.1 Type-C External Hard Drive


RAID Systems for More Storage

If you need more storage and speed, a RAID setup could be the answer. RAIDs combine multiple drives into one array, making them ideal for handling large files or quick access.

For video editors, RAID 5 is a popular choice—it can lose a drive without data loss, though it’s pricier and needs at least four drives. RAID 0 offers speed by "striping" data across multiple drives, but it lacks redundancy—if one drive fails, you lose everything. A standout option in this space is the Promise Technology Pegasus32 R4 16TB Thunderbolt 3 / USB 3.2 Gen 2 RAID Array


Promise Technology Pegasus32 R4 16TB Thunderbolt 3 / USB 3.2 Gen 2 RAID Array

Portable SSDs for Speed and Silence

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have no moving parts, making them faster and quieter than traditional drives. This is great if you need portability or if noise is a concern in your recording setup. For example, the Samsung 2TB T7 SSD is compact and speedy, with read and write speeds of over 1000 MB/s, making it a fantastic choice for those who are always on the go.

Samsung T7 2TB Portable SSD
Samsung T7 2TB Portable SSD

However, SSDs tend to be pricier per TB than traditional drives, so if you need a lot of storage on a budget, consider a RAID setup instead.

Photo Editing Storage Solutions

Photographers may not need as much space as videographers, but they still benefit from a fast and reliable drive, especially when dealing with uncompressed RAW files. For studio work, desktop models like the LaCie d2 Professional offer good value, with speeds up to 240 MB/s and up to 10TB of storage.

Lacie d2 Professional


If you want more flexibility, consider an expandable system like the OWC ThunderBay 4 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Enclosure paired with Seagate’s IronWolf drives. This allows you to tailor your storage for speed, redundancy, or both, while also being cost-effective.

OWC ThunderBay 4 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 EnclosureSeagate’s IronWolf

OWC ThunderBay 4 4-Bay Thunderbolt 3 RAID 5 Enclosure paired with Seagate’s IronWolf drives


Audio Production Needs

For musicians and audio engineers, space needs vary, but the real concern is data transfer speeds when recording multiple tracks or using virtual instruments. It's best to run your digital audio workstation (DAW) software on one drive and save audio files on another to avoid bottlenecks. A reliable 7200 RPM drive like the SanDisk Professional 4TB G-DRIVE can handle most audio tasks with ease, offering data rates up to 200 MB/s via its USB Type-C connection.

For those seeking whisper-quiet operation, SSDs are ideal, though they come with a higher price tag. They eliminate the hum of traditional drives, helping to keep recordings clean in sound-sensitive environments.

The Right Drive for Your Work

Whether you’re shooting high-res videos, capturing stunning photos, or laying down audio tracks, choosing the right external storage can streamline your workflow and keep your projects running smoothly. Reach for faster drives and advanced connections like Thunderbolt™ if speed is a priority, or opt for RAID setups when you need to balance storage and reliability. And for those working on the go or seeking silence, an SSD might be the perfect fit. With the right drive, you can keep your focus on what matters most—creating great content.

Get The Right Advice

Our team of industry experts can help with your decision-making process. Get in touch with us today and we can talk through options with you. Contact Us HERE.