In recent years, solid-state drives (SSDs) have become the norm over traditional hardrives as they offer better speed and capacity when working in the studio.
At Psymedia, we have tested dozens of different solid-state drives (SSDs) during our music production process and evaluate each one based on features, performance, value and cost.
In our article below, we’ve listed the some of the top-rated internal and external SSDs, including our best overall recommended M.2 internal SSD the Samsung 990 Pro.
For those who need external storage take their music on-the-go or expand their limited internal storage (like the base level Mac Mini M4 with 256GB storage), many music producers praise the Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD.
In our best SSD for music production guide, we’ll make the confusing purchasing process a breeze and give you the most important features like pricing, durablity, speed and more. Are you ready?
Best Internal SSD For Music Production
If you’re considering upgrading your computer, Mini PC or laptop with additional internal storage, it’s important to first check if your current storage is hard-soldered to the motherboard. If it’s not, you’ll also need to ensure you have a compatible slot available on your motherboard for the new drive (like M2 or SSD). Once that’s confirmed, you can explore some of the best internal SSD options available.
When purchasing an internal SSD, choosing the right interface is key. Internal SSDs typically run on SATA (which may offer slower speeds but more common on older machines), M.2 PCIe (newer machines), or as an Add-in Card. Be sure to pick the one that matches your system’s specifications for optimal performance.
Samsung 990 Pro
Best M.2 SSD for music production
Kicking off our SSD selection is the Samsung 990 Pro – a powerhouse that’s as impressive from a reputable storage brand. With capacities ranging from 1TB to 4TB, you won’t need to worry about running out of space for your audio projects.
The M.2 2280 form factor, coupled with PCIe 4.0 x4 and NVMe protocol, ensures lightning-fast data transfer speeds that hit up to 7,450 MBps for reads and 6,900 MBps for writes.
The 5-year warranty and an endurance of up to 2400 TBW (Terabytes Written) mean you’re investing in an SSD that’s in it for the long haul. The price tag might raise an eyebrow, starting at around $120 for the 1TB, however it’s well worth it.
Pros
- Comes in 1TB - 4TB capacity
- 5 year warranty
- Top performance
Cons
- Expensive
Best Deal
Crucial P3
Best Budget M.2 SSD for Music Production
Moving to the next track, we’ve got the Crucial P3 – an SSD that’s all about fueling your sonic dreams without breaking the bank.
Available in capacities ranging from 500GB to 4TB, this M.2 2280 SSD might not have the highest numbers in the speed department, but its PCIe 3.0 x4 interface still delivers up to 3,500 MBps reads and 3,000 MBps writes.
With up to 5 years of warranty and an endurance of up to 800 TBW, this SSD is here to accompany you on a musical journey that’s bound to be jam-packed. The price point is where it truly shines – the 2TB variant, which typically retails for under $100.
Pros
- Comes in 250GB - 2TB capacity
- 5 year warranty
Cons
- Not the fastest on the market
- Only supports PCIe 3.0
Best Deal
Crucial MX500
Best SATA3 SSD for Music Production
Last but certainly not least, we have the Crucial MX500 – an SSD that’s all about delivering a reliable groove to your older music production setup. Available in capacities ranging from 250GB to 2TB, this 2.5” 7mm SSD might not boast the highest speeds, but its SATA 3 interface and AHCI protocol ensure up to 560 MBps reads and 510 MBps writes.
With a 5-year warranty and an endurance of up to 700 TBW, this SSD is here to stay for the remaining life or your ageing setup. The price of under $100 for the 2TB version strikes a sweet balance between performance and affordability, making it a sensible choice for those who want a stable foundation for their music-making endeavors.
Pros
- Comes in 4TB capacity
- 5 year warranty
Cons
- SATA is slow
Best Deal
Best External SSD For Music Production
If you’re a music producer in need of extra storage, an external SSD could be the perfect solution – especially if your internal storage can’t be expanded. Whether you’re looking to store critical session files off-site or need a portable option for on-the-go work, there are plenty of great choices available.
When selecting an external SSD, be sure to consider the interface. Look for options featuring USB 3.2 (the latest standard) or Thunderbolt 3, which are often optimized for Mac users. For the fastest performance, aim for a PCIe/NVMe-based external SSD to ensure maximum speed and reliability.
Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD
Best external SSD for music production
First up, we have the Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD – a true knight in shining armor for your musical creations. With a sleek interface that sports USB 3.2 Gen.2 at a zippy 10Gbps, this SSD ensures your data moves as smoothly as a melody through your tracks. Available in capacities of 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, you’ll never be short on space to store your symphonies.
What’s the tempo like, you ask? With transfer speeds that reach up to 1,050MB/s for sequential reads and 1,000 MB/s for sequential writes, your audio files will glide effortlessly through this SSD’s sonic corridors. At a mere 98g, it’s as lightweight as a feather, making it a breeze to carry alongside your other gear. It’s like having a portable fortress for your music, ensuring your tunes remain shielded from harm’s way. Definitely the best external SSD for music production right now.
Pros
- Large 4TB capacity
- Compact portability
- Fast transfer speeds
Cons
- No fancy features
Best Deal
Samsung X5 Portable SSD
Best external SSD With Thunderbolt for music production
Moving to the next act, we have the Samsung X5 Portable SSD – a thunderstruck wonder that harnesses the power of Thunderbolt™ 3. With an interface that roars at 40 Gbps, this SSD is ready to transport your music at lightning speed. Its sequential read speed of up to 2,800 MB/sec and sequential write speed of up to 2,300 MB/sec ensure that even your most intricate compositions won’t skip a beat.
Imagine your creativity unleashed with such immense bandwidth at your fingertips. Whether you’re working on a colossal orchestral masterpiece or a heart-pounding EDM track, the X5’s performance won’t leave you waiting. This SSD is your sonic ally, propelling your music production into warp speed.
Pros
- Thunderbolt powerhouse
- Has encryption
Cons
- Slow write speeds
Best Deal
LaCie Rugged SSD Pro
Best rugged SSD for music production
Last but not least, we introduce the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro – an external drive that’s as rugged as a desert road trip. With capacities ranging from 1TB to 4TB, this SSD brings the raw power of USB-C connectivity to your fingertips. Its solid-state drive technology ensures that your data remains safe and sound, just like a well-protected melody.
As its name suggests, this SSD doesn’t shy away from rough terrains or challenging weather. Its water-resistant feature means your music will stay safe, even if you’re caught in an unexpected downpour of inspiration. Compatible with both laptops and desktops, it’s like a trusted travel companion that never leaves your side. With a striking black color and a hard disk form factor of 2.5 inches, this SSD is a blend of aesthetics and performance – just like the perfect melody that resonates deep within.
Pros
- Thunderbolt + USB-C
- Can handle large drops
Cons
- Expensive
Best Deal
SSD for Music Production FAQ
Do I need an SSD for music production?
An SSD (Solid State Drive) can definitely be a valuable asset for music production. Here are a few reasons why you might want to consider using an SSD:
Speed: SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives (HDDs) when it comes to reading and writing data. This can be especially important when running large music software programs, as they often require a lot of processing power and access to large amounts of data. With an SSD, you may notice a significant improvement in the speed and performance of your music production setup.
Capacity: SSDs come in a range of capacities, with some models offering up to 4TB of storage. This can be helpful for music production, as audio files can take up a lot of space. With an SSD, you can store all of your audio files, music software, and other production tools on one convenient drive.
Durability: SSDs have no moving parts, which means they are less prone to physical damage than HDDs. This can be particularly useful for music producers who are constantly on the go, as an SSD is more likely to survive the rigors of travel.
Overall, while an SSD is not necessarily a requirement for music production, it can certainly be a valuable addition to your setup. It can help improve the speed and performance of your music software, provide ample storage space for your audio files, and offer a more durable solution for storing and accessing your music production tools.
Does SSD improve DAW performance?
Using an SSD (Solid State Drive) can improve the performance of a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) in several ways:
Faster load times: One of the most noticeable benefits of using an SSD with a DAW is the faster load times. Because SSDs can access and transfer data much faster than traditional hard drives (HDDs), your DAW will likely start up and load plugins and samples more quickly when using an SSD.
Reduced CPU usage: Another advantage of using an SSD with a DAW is that it can help reduce the load on your computer’s CPU (Central Processing Unit). When your DAW accesses audio files and samples from an SSD, it takes some of the strain off the CPU, allowing it to focus on running your DAW software and processing audio.
Improved audio editing: When you’re working with large audio files, an SSD can help improve the overall performance of your DAW. For example, when you’re scrolling through a long audio track or editing audio in real-time, an SSD can help ensure that your DAW stays responsive and smooth.
Overall, using an SSD with a DAW can help improve the speed and performance of your music production setup. It can make your DAW start up and load faster, reduce the load on your CPU, and improve the overall responsiveness of your DAW when working with large audio files.
Do I need a fast SSD for music production?
The speed of an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be an important factor to consider for music production, as it can impact the overall performance of your setup. However, the specific speed requirements will depend on your specific needs and how you plan to use the SSD. Here are a few things to consider:
Running music software: If you plan to use the SSD to run music software such as a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), a fast SSD can be beneficial. This is because the faster the SSD, the faster it can access and transfer data, which can help improve the overall performance of your DAW.
Storing audio files: If you plan to use the SSD to store audio files, the speed may not be as important, as you will primarily be reading data from the drive rather than writing to it. However, a faster SSD may still offer some benefits, such as faster load times when you’re accessing large audio files.
Transferring files: If you plan to use the SSD to transfer files between devices, a fast SSD can be helpful. This is because a faster SSD will be able to transfer data more quickly, which can save you time when moving large files around.
Overall, whether you need a fast SSD for music production will depend on your specific needs and how you plan to use the drive. If you plan to use the SSD for running music software or transferring large files, a fast SSD may be more beneficial. If you’re mainly using the SSD for storing audio files, the speed may be less important.
Is 256gb enough for music production?
The amount of storage space you need for music production will depend on a variety of factors, including the size and number of audio files you’re working with, the size of your music software programs, and how much other data (such as samples, templates, and backups) you need to store. With that said, a 256GB SSD (Solid State Drive) could be sufficient for music production in some cases, but it may not be enough for everyone. Here are a few things to consider:
Audio files: The size of your audio files will be one of the biggest factors in determining how much storage space you need. For example, a single uncompressed audio file can be several hundred megabytes in size, so if you have a lot of audio files, you may need a larger SSD.
Music software: The size of your music software programs will also impact your storage needs. Some DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) and other music production tools can be several gigabytes in size, so if you have multiple programs installed, you may need a larger SSD to accommodate them.
Other data: In addition to audio files and software, you may also need to store other data such as samples, templates, and backups. This can add up quickly, especially if you have a lot of these types of files.
Ultimately, whether a 256GB SSD is enough for music production will depend on your specific needs and how much storage space you’re currently using. If you’re not sure how much space you need, you can try using a storage calculator or simply keeping track of how much space you’re using over time to get a better sense of your needs. If you find that you’re consistently running out of space on your 256GB SSD, it may be worth considering upgrading to a larger capacity drive.
Which SSD manufacturer is best?
Some of the most popular SSD manufacturers include Samsung, SK Hynix, Western Digital, Crucial, LaCie and Sandisk.
What is the disadvantage of SSD?
There are a few potential disadvantages to using an SSD (Solid State Drive) that you should be aware of:
Cost: One of the main disadvantages of SSDs is their cost. SSDs are generally more expensive than traditional hard drives (HDDs) on a per-gigabyte basis, so you may need to spend more to get the same amount of storage space.
Limited capacity: While SSDs are available in a range of capacities, they generally don’t offer as much storage space as HDDs. This can be an issue if you need to store a large number of audio files or other data.
Limited lifespan: SSDs have a limited lifespan compared to HDDs, as they can only withstand a certain number of read and write cycles before they start to degrade. This means that over time, an SSD may start to slow down or become unreliable.
Compatibility issues: In some cases, SSDs may not be compatible with certain older devices or operating systems. This can be an issue if you’re using an older computer or device that doesn’t support SSDs.
Overall, while SSDs have many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. It’s worth weighing the pros and cons to determine if an SSD is the right choice for your needs.
