What I'm discussing here applies to any multi-channel DAW including Studio One. Other programs like Pro Tools, Sonar or Nuendo may actually halt your transport due to error checking that checks for dropped samples during the disk writing process.
For multi-channel audio recordings especially ones that utilize programs like Capture where as many as 32 inputs are being recorded at once, the data path to your computer must be very fast. You'll need to use a 1394 (FireWire), eSATA, USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt.
Consider what you are recording 16.4.2 = 16 inputs @ 44.1KHz = 5MB / minute per input = 80 MB a minute or = 1.4MB / Sec being written to 16 individual file paths. The number goes up for more inputs and even harder on system requirements for 24 bit or and/or 48Khz.
We strongly recommend against USB 2.0 for audio data, even with a fast hard drive (see next paragraph), if you have too many samples (or audio tracks), it may choke and display a "Disk Too Slow" Error. USB 2.0 works in burst mode, and does not use a sustained data rate for large amounts of data. 1394 and Thunderbolt on the other hand will use a sustained data rate and is better for audio. USB 3.0 has also been seen recently as a good choice as it can handle the data bandwidth for multi-channel audio in large numbers.
The hard drive must be at least 7200RPM or faster, many inexpensive external Hard drives found in USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 cases only run at 4200 or 5400 rpm which makes them too slow for real time audio access. These are most of the time the culprit for "Disk Too Slow" Errors.
Thunderbolt enclosures are just coming on the market as of Q1/2014, and your computer must have Thunderbolt on the motherboard or built into the laptop as there are no expansion cards for that technology.
For multi-channel audio recordings especially ones that utilize programs like Capture where as many as 32 inputs are being recorded at once, the data path to your computer must be very fast. You'll need to use a 1394 (FireWire), eSATA, USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt.
Consider what you are recording 16.4.2 = 16 inputs @ 44.1KHz = 5MB / minute per input = 80 MB a minute or = 1.4MB / Sec being written to 16 individual file paths. The number goes up for more inputs and even harder on system requirements for 24 bit or and/or 48Khz.
We strongly recommend against USB 2.0 for audio data, even with a fast hard drive (see next paragraph), if you have too many samples (or audio tracks), it may choke and display a "Disk Too Slow" Error. USB 2.0 works in burst mode, and does not use a sustained data rate for large amounts of data. 1394 and Thunderbolt on the other hand will use a sustained data rate and is better for audio. USB 3.0 has also been seen recently as a good choice as it can handle the data bandwidth for multi-channel audio in large numbers.
The hard drive must be at least 7200RPM or faster, many inexpensive external Hard drives found in USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 cases only run at 4200 or 5400 rpm which makes them too slow for real time audio access. These are most of the time the culprit for "Disk Too Slow" Errors.
Thunderbolt enclosures are just coming on the market as of Q1/2014, and your computer must have Thunderbolt on the motherboard or built into the laptop as there are no expansion cards for that technology.
