Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) are computer-based systems that facilitate digital audio recording.
They bring the power of random access (non-linear), non-destructive editing and excellent signal-to-noise ratios to users from the home/project studio all the way to the world's most elite professional studios. The ability to "undo" edits and move pieces of audio with "cut & paste" (just like a word processor), perform digital effects processing, save multiple versions and substantially increased editing speed fueled this revolution of change in the audio recording world.
The replacement/augmentation of analog recording tape with a digital storage medium has built an insatiable demand for higher capacities and increased performance from disk drives. Digital backup copies of sessions and masters are also vital for long term archiving and disaster recovery. Historically, the dominant interface to connect storage devices to a DAW was SCSI (Small Computer System Interface). SCSI has had many versions since its inception, the newest being Ultra320, where the bus runs at 320 MB/sec. For the most part, audio applications don't require SCSI speeds, and most storage systems Glyph sells are UltraWide, where the bus runs at 40 MB/sec. Our standard TripT and 2U Hot-swap racks are configured with UltraWide Hot-swap receivers, unless they are ordered with Ultra320 components. A host bus adapter is needed when connecting SCSI devices to a computer.
While SCSI is still used in some high-end and legacy applications, FireWire (IEEE-1394) has established itself as the new leader in audio storage applications. While SCSI drive speeds such as 10K and 15K RPM allow large sessions to run on one drive, it is possible get the same or better performance if audio tracks are spread across multiple FireWire drives. And it is much less expensive. FireWire's advantages are that it uses less expensive PATA and SATA drive mechanisms, it is hot-pluggable, there are very few cable length concerns, and there is no need for a host adapter card for many computers available today. Glyph builds FireWire systems for all audio needs, from high end studios using a GT 205 to portable live rigs recording to a GT 050Q. For more about FireWire, check the FireWire 400 technology page.
Hot-swappable drives have become very popular in audio applications for obvious reasons. Hot swapping allows for a hard drive to be removed while the computer is running, and another drive inserted, for immediate use. It allows projects to be organized on multiple drives, backed up and taken to other studios without the need to disconnect cables and re-configure gear. But building a stable hot-swap system is not easy, if it is done wrong, data corruption can occur when drives are removed. Glyph's Integrity FireWire Hot-Swap system swaps drives at the FireWire level, adhering to IEEE-1394 standards, assuring data integrity. Hot swapping is cost effective and scalable - when you need more storage, just add more drives in trays for use with your existing enclosure. For more about Glyph's Integrity hot-swap system visit the Integrity page.
There are many options when choosing recording and storage systems. Rack or tabletop? Hot-swap or fixed-mount? Single drive or multiple drives? RAID or JBOD? Which backup system to use? Getting the configuration correct can be crucial for successful digital audio recording and data security. Warranty, product service, technical support and application knowledge are just as important as the storage system itself. In production environments, product repair time is absolutely critical. Glyph and its Authorized Dealers can walk you through these questions and provide storage solutions and service specifically for your application.