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Storage Media and Tapes

Essential information on recording & storage media

Whether analog 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. Larger projects are often spread across multiple media (sticks/drives) for backup and easy handoff. 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 media correctly so the project doesn’t become larger than your 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 substantially 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 backward-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, analog 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 analog 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 of 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 analog 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 handoffs 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 write speeds vary by model; USB 3.x is backward-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: prioritize 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 analog character.

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