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Storage Media and Tapes

Essential information on recording and storage media

Whether analogue or digital, your recordings must be stored reliably. Make regular backups. With USB drives and disks, it’s just a few clicks; on tape, the process is more time-consuming and costly.

Plan your data capacity

1. Audio

With modern digital media, capacity is rarely the bottleneck for audio. Large projects are often split across multiple media (sticks/drives) for backup and easy hand-off. Rule of thumb for WAV/AIFF: ~10 MB per minute (44.1 kHz/16-bit/stereo).

2. Visual media

Photo and video projects demand far more space. If you work at high resolution, rely on real-world figures to size your media so the project doesn’t become larger than the storage. RAW files are roughly four times the size of JPEG (e.g. 20 MB/image ⇒ ~800 photos on 16 GB). Video at high resolution or multi-cam can require multiple terabytes (fast SSD/HDD). Faster media and modern CPUs markedly reduce render and transfer times.

Product image: Sandisk Ultra USB 3.0 64GB flash drive
A USB 3.0 drive is significantly faster than a USB 2.0 model.

USB flash drives

Beyond capacity, transfer speed matters. USB 2.0 up to 480 Mbit/s (≈ 60 MB/s theoretical); USB 3.0/3.2 Gen 1 up to 5 Gbit/s (≈ 625 MB/s). In practice, write speeds vary by drive/controller. USB 3.x is backwards-compatible; on a 2.0 port it runs at 2.0 speed.

Memory cards

Differentiate between SD and microSD. SDHC up to 32 GB; above that, SDXC — common for video and burst shooting. When buying, check read/write speeds and device compatibility.

Magnetic tape

Tape follows different rules: every minute costs money and capacity is limited, yet you get that warm, analogue character. No surprise many plug-ins offer tape emulation. If you’re working with real tape, look beyond tape length to additional technical parameters.

Product image: RTM SM900 1/2 762m analogue tape
This ½″ tape on a NAB reel offers, among other things, a wide dynamic range.

Tape width & reel type

Width is specified in inches. ¼″ tape is common in hi-fi/semi-pro, while pro studios use up to 2″ depending on track count (around 24 tracks). Sound quality depends on the magnetic coating and width. In studios, the NAB hub is standard; many ¼″ decks use a three-prong/cine reel.

Product image: RTM C60 compact cassette
Back in the spotlight: the compact cassette with professional ferric oxide tape and 60 minutes’ runtime.

Compact cassettes

While a niche, small production runs still serve a dedicated community. With a well-calibrated deck and quality tape you can achieve authentic analogue recordings; the distinctive cassette sound remains popular.

FAQ: Storage for audio, photo & video

How much storage should I budget for audio recording?

With today’s media, storage is seldom a limiting factor for audio.

  • Rule of thumb: WAV/AIFF (44.1 kHz/16-bit/stereo) ≈ ~10 MB per minute; higher resolutions require more.
  • Practice: use multiple media in parallel for backup and easy transfer between workstations.
How much space do I need for video or photo projects?
  • Photos: RAW ≈ 4× JPEG (e.g. 20 MB/image ⇒ ~800 photos on 16 GB).
  • Video: high-resolution/multi-cam often means multiple TB (fast cards, external SSD/HDD).

Modern media and CPUs significantly speed up workflows.

Why does USB drive speed matter?

It determines how quickly you can copy and back up projects.

  • USB 2.0: up to 480 Mbit/s (≈ 60 MB/s theoretical)
  • USB 3.0/3.2 Gen 1: up to 5 Gbit/s (≈ 625 MB/s theoretical)

Real-world writes vary by model; USB 3.x is backwards-compatible.

What should I look for when buying memory cards?
  • Type: SDHC up to 32 GB; SDXC above 32 GB.
  • Compatibility: check your recorder/camera supports the card type.
  • Speed: prioritise high write speeds (video/multitrack audio) to avoid dropouts.
Why do some studios still use tape?

For the warm, organic sound of magnetic tape.

  • Widths: ¼″ (hi-fi) up to 2″ (studio), around 24 tracks.
  • Reels: NAB hubs are standard in studios; many ¼″ decks use three-prong/cine reels.
Are compact cassettes still used?

Yes — a dedicated community still records on cassette. With a well-maintained deck and quality tape you get authentic analogue character.

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