External Storage Options

Jocphone

OK I know this has been discussed before but I am pushing the storage limits of my 32gb iPad Air and and wondered what other people are currently using to store samples, audio clips, projects etc..

Ideally I would like a device that can be used directly from the iPad without having to resort to a computer, that lets me transfer large files to and from my iPad.

Any recommendations?

Fitz

I use an Apotop,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apotop-Wireless-Card-Reader-iPhone/dp/B0098Z2C9A

Works fine with it's own app. It is much, much faster if you charge the iPad during transfers. But you've got to start the charging before the transfer.

[Deleted User]

@Fitz said:
I use an Apotop,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apotop-Wireless-Card-Reader-iPhone/dp/B0098Z2C9A

Works fine with it's own app. It is much, much faster if you charge the iPad during transfers. But you've got to start the charging before the transfer.

Wow that's good, didn't realise you could connect USB drives. Does it connect to the iPad using the standard iPad connector?

I tend to shove everything on Dropbox these days.

ChrisG

I use a regular Western Digital MyBookLive and a MyCloudLive (different name for basically the same things really) NAS. Both have 2TB storage, I believe they come in up to 4TB though. Any apps (GoodReader and similar, iOS media players etc are good examples) that can access regular windows SMB share protocol, AFP protocol, FTP protocol, various media share protocols etc, will snap these up as soon as you plug it into your router/home network.

Fitz

@monzo, no, it's a wifi connection. It creates a wifi and the iPad connects to it. You can use USB drives, hard drives, sd cards... I open something in apotop's app and then export to whatever is connected. Just reverse procedure for bringing stuff in. There is a really big difference in transfer speed if you are charging the iPad at the same time (if you can) though.

[Deleted User]

@Fitz said:
monzo, no, it's a wifi connection. It creates a wifi and the iPad connects to it. You can use USB drives, hard drives, sd cards... I open something in apotop's app and then export to whatever is connected. Just reverse procedure for bringing stuff in. There is a really big difference in transfer speed if you are charging the iPad at the same time (if you can) though.

Oh ok thanks - thought it might be useful for when I don't have a wifi connection. I still have 40gb free though so not too concerned at the moment

BiancaNeve

@monzo said:
Oh ok thanks - thought it might be useful for when I don't have a wifi connection. I still have 40gb free though so not too concerned at the moment

It makes its own wifi connection (but not to the Internet, unless it's also plugged in via Ethernet) to your iPad. It's like portable battery powered router.

[Deleted User]

@BiancaNeve said:

Ah right thanks, just looking at the full product page on my desktop so I can see what it does. Clever thing, might have to get one of these.

Fitz

Also you don't have to import them. Music, photos and films can be streamed from the device!

Jocphone

Thanks @Fitz, @ChrisG I guess me main issue is that I'm not sure how I would, for instance, take a Cubasis project with all its audio files and save it on external storage to free up space locally. Not too worried about streaming movies, etc.. Can this be done directly with something plugged into the camera connection kit? Do I need some app to access the file sytem?

smeeeth

I used to just drag files into iFunbox on a desktop. I still could, but I'm thinking about the future if I ever upgrade beyond 8.2 or or want to cut the cord with syncing to a desktop system. As far as I know today, the choice (post 8.3) to back up app data (such as patches) is full restore of the device using iCloud or selective synchronization using iTunes on a computer. I hope I am wrong and there is something great I'm missing, but right now I'm thinking about buying some iCloud and I would need about 200gb. Any other options?

Fitz

@Jocphone, yes saving and opening whole projects isn't possible at the moment AFAIK. It's something that comes up on Auria forum occasionally, and isn't ruled out as a future update. Don't know about Cubasis but if enough people ask....
I just added that about streaming just as it helps with storage (photos for me is always an issue). You can run through audio files/samples etc, without bringing them onto the iPad for example.

BiancaNeve

@Jocphone said:
Thanks Fitz, ChrisG I guess me main issue is that I'm not sure how I would, for instance, take a Cubasis project with all its audio files and save it on external storage to free up space locally. Not too worried about streaming movies, etc.. Can this be done directly with something plugged into the camera connection kit? Do I need some app to access the file sytem?

Well I've just done this .....
Emailed myself a cubasis project which included an audio file, which cubasis zipped for me.
You can also export the zip file to iTunes file sharing

Opened the zip file in an app called ifiles.

iFiles by Imagam.com
https://appsto.re/gb/eiweu.i

Then in ifiles I copied the zip file to the apotop

Then I switched to my iPad 3

Connected that to the apotop via wifi

Opened the ifiles app and connected that to the apotop

Then "open in" ed the file in cubasis on the Ipad3

It loaded fine. Including the audio file.

So as a proof of concept it works fine.

[Deleted User]

Thanks @Fitz for that link, I couldn't find anything less expensive that 40 euros for RavPower 6 in 1...

What kind of a battery do you need? It doesn't seem to have an external AC in, or a rechargeable battery?

BiancaNeve

It has a built in rechargeable battery just connect it's usb lead to your iphone charger.

[Deleted User]

@BiancaNeve said:
It has a built in rechargeable battery just connect it's usb lead to your iphone charger.

Thanks a lot:-)....sounds great....

BiancaNeve

Oh and one last thing you can load things from it straight into audio share via audio shares web browser.

Jocphone

Thanks @BiancaNeve that info will definitely get me going in the right direction

bounce

Ideally, I'd like to be able to preview files before bringing them on to the ipad, anyone have a suggestion on a workflow that can do this without a lot of intermediate steps?
Will a home router with a usb/harddrive port, or a one of those small travel routers like a hootoo nano allow file preview in Audioshare, Samplr, or Thumbjam?

supadom

This worked for me!

bounce

@supadom cool, how many gigs do they let you store there? I'm imagining calling the manager and having him whistle some previews then converting that to midi is quite a long process. I hope they gave you a month free.

supadom

I live there

TozBourne

@Jocphone said:
OK I know this has been discussed before but I am pushing the storage limits of my 32gb iPad Air and and wondered what other people are currently using to store samples, audio clips, projects etc..

Ideally I would like a device that can be used directly from the iPad without having to resort to a computer, that lets me transfer large files to and from my iPad.

Any recommendations?

How about a USB flash drive with a Lightening connector? That's as direct a connection as you can get. One is from SanDisk, called iXpand. I got the 32GB model from BestBuy.

I use the iXpand app to transfer various wav, midi, etc files to and from AudioShare. The app is not the greatest but they recently released another update so that's a good thing. The drive itself has a wonky connector design that you have to work around, but heck...the thing works and it's the solution I've been hoping for.

I don't have a buy link but here is the USA App Store link:

SanDisk iXpand™ Sync by SanDisk
https://appsto.re/us/Na8b3.i

Jocphone

Thanks everyone, some good suggestions here.

It's funny. Posting a question on the forum and getting lots of answers, some quite unexpected, makes you reassess what you're actually looking for.

The comment about shoving everything in Dropbox from @monzo made me go back and look at that. There is a pretty nice workflow between Cubasis and DropBox, also with AudioShare, so I may end up stumping for a DropBox Pro account. This has the added benefit that DropBox are probably better at looking after storage hardware than I am..

[Deleted User]

@Jocphone said:

The comment about shoving everything in Dropbox from monzo made me go back and look at that. There is a pretty nice workflow between Cubasis and DropBox, also with AudioShare, so I may end up stumping for a DropBox Pro account. This has the added benefit that DropBox are probably better at looking after storage hardware than I am..

I use Dropbox for everything these days - work stuff mainly but it's great for transferring samples from the PC and exporting/backing up tracks from the iPad.

If you recommend other users to sign up then you get extra free storage - I've managed to bump my free account up to a healthy amount that way.

Jocphone

@monzo that does seem to be a potentially hassle free way of managing space on the iPad. I was worried that it would make the issue worse by duplicating all the content. Went and looked it up and they say that only files that are favorited (starred) are kept locally. So as long as DropBox don't screw up this should be good.

[Deleted User]

@Jocphone said:
I was worried that it would make the issue worse by duplicating all the content. Went and looked it up and they say that only files that are favorited (starred) are kept locally. So as long as DropBox don't screw up this should be good.

Yeah, when you're using it on a desktop if you just select and drag the files then it transfers the file without creating a copy. If you alt-click then it'll save a copy as well. That's caught me out a couple of times when I haven't been able to find a file on my desktop PC!

I've never had any problems with Dropbox and I've been using it for years. Nice for iPad use as a lot of apps support it - I use it all the time via Audioshare.

Jocphone

Ok. Follow on question. Cubasis workflow with Dropbox seems good. Any way to backup Gadget songs to Dropbox? I don't mean exporting audio files but the editable songs themselves. Can it be done?

[Deleted User]

Doesn't Dropbox cost a hefty sum? They offered me a TB I think for 80£ or so a year? LOL
I don't remember exactly it was a while back...

I went with the Apotop, (thanx @fitz) it's in the mail...
I prefer units that generate their own wi fi so I don't need the PC on

Matt_Fletcher_2000

Dropbox all the way (luckily I have big account as part of work). Synced with both my laptops - and loads of iOS apps. It's great. Really easy to organise folders etc. via laptop.

Only issue is when there's no internet connection possible. But that's basically just on the Tube underground. The rest of the time - all good.

[Deleted User]

@Jocphone said:
Ok. Follow on question. Cubasis workflow with Dropbox seems good. Any way to backup Gadget songs to Dropbox? I don't mean exporting audio files but the editable songs themselves. Can it be done?

Never tried - I'll test it later.