All About Backups...

[clicktrack]

In the Laptop thread, our esteemed Mr. Halligan made a comment about backups that brought this to mind.

Running a backup while you're doing a live recording is so important, yet so few do it.

I've been having backup issues for awhile in trying to determine the best and most reliable way to back up our various gigs. From running a spare recorder or recording to a computer there are pros and cons to a lot of the schemes out there.

And of course, you always have to resist the urge to make your backup scheme part of your main recording path in order to increase track count...

My current scheme is to use my RADAR rig as my primary while recording the equivalent tracks to a PC. I'm planning on moving to a totally purpose-specific method, such as the X48, as it totally simplifies my on-site procedure.

What about you guys? What do some of you do for backups? Where do you pull the feed for your backup? What headaches have you had? And most importantly, When have you had to use your backup?

[pounce]

someone once told me that backup was the thing you learned how to do the day after you lost all of your data.

[seagate]

someone once told me that backup was the thing you learned how to do the day after you lost all of your data.

This is so true...

The amount of clients I have that do not back up is staggering...

[Dr. Bob]

This is so true...

The amount of clients I have that do not back up is staggering...

Probably 85-90% of folks who's livelihood depends on digital media don't do routine backups.

In my case, I'm working from remote sessions. So... I push them from the remote recorders to a server. From there the get moved to the local drive for edit/mix/OD's.

I'm running an older, but stable, DLT tape on the ass end of the server... DAILY incremental's and weekly full backups.

[clicktrack]

Actually, you guys were thinking in a direction different than where I was going...which is good, actually!

Its true, not enough back ups of your working data actually happens. This can be a topic unto itself, and I invite more comment on it here.

The backing up I was referring to, though, was the running of a backup during a live recording.

Typically, once I have the signals coming into the truck, I'll route them to another set of recorders via direct outs on the desk or tee-ing off at the half-normalled patch point. right now I'm using a PC to do the recording, however, like I said previous, I'm looking at a dedicated solution such as the X-48.

As well, during a live mix, I'll usually try to record the stereo mix as well as a couple of sub-mixes if possible. It all depends on the importance of the job and the track count.

Does anyone else run live recording backups? What configurations do you do? Where in the signal path do you pull your backup?

Cheers!

[pounce]

i don't find myself in your situation much, so my approach is able to be more casual. i do, however, have a cd burner available as a standalone device that i occasionally make a stereo recording to. this would then be my backup for one of the only remote type recording things i do.

the main one i do, coming up next month, is one where i track about 4 shows and make a final cd with the best performances compiled from those shows. that makes it less stressful than having to get everything perfect in one show. although my recording stuff has to be fine for all 4 shows otherwise i can't accommodate folks choosing which performances they prefer to have on cd. but it's cooler for everyone so that if a peformer has a bad night we can just choose a different show and away you go. with the same mics in the same venue, you can't tell which night the cuts were pulled from.

i don't have the gear (or need) to have a properly redundant multi track setup. you would know more about what works in the trenches in that way. so for me the stereo backup, now via standalone cd burner - previously via dat, was my cover my ass option.

[Dr. Bob]

The backing up I was referring to, though, was the running of a backup during a live recording.

Typically, once I have the signals coming into the truck, I'll route them to another set of recorders via direct outs on the desk or tee-ing off at the half-normalled patch point. right now I'm using a PC to do the recording, however, like I said previous, I'm looking at a dedicated solution such as the X-48.

As well, during a live mix, I'll usually try to record the stereo mix as well as a couple of sub-mixes if possible. It all depends on the importance of the job and the track count.

Does anyone else run live recording backups? What configurations do you do? Where in the signal path do you pull your backup?

Cheers!


DOH~

OK... I normally like to do what you do... I'll T-off the half normalled patchbay to a 2nd HD24 and then burn a 2-Buss direct to disk.

I take the signal as it's coming out of the channel on the desk or an external pre output. It's routed to two half normalled patchbays... one for ins and one for outs... so I can route one of them back to the console for monitoring. So, the signal is split just before it goes into the recorder.

My console's a dual path, so I can EQ the monitor and track sans EQ.

If I get real brave one day, I might take the PT rig on location and do backups to the HD24.

[clicktrack]

If I get real brave one day, I might take the PT rig on location and do backups to the HD24.


Funny you should say that...

There are a lot of people who use PT as the primary (and sometimes only) recording source.

I *JUST CANNOT* bring myself to do that...I can't trust it enough.
I dunno...am I just being anal?



Coming back to the backup idea...have your backups ever saved you?

[pounce]

i've seen radar a bunch, but i've also seen racked mac's running Pro Tools or Digital Performer doing recording. i don't recall what their backup was, but i wouldn't worry too much with a radar. actually, a decently built pro tools rig with none or minimal plug ins and so forth would be fine. just come up with a single working system and don't mess with it.

[clicktrack]

I do use the RADAR system and I love it...its been 100% stable for me.

...except for once....and it was my fault.

We were recording a band across a weekend for a DVD shoot. They were doing 4 shows, all sold out and the plan was to take snippets from each of the shows & piece it together.


Well on the last show, things were going great. The band was GIVING it. Over com someone even noted that they may just use this ONE show for the DVD segment because it was so good.

Just before the encore started, I looked over and noticed that the primary RADAR was flashing red.

"WTF?!?!?" Says I...

Until I noticed that the disk space indicator was showing zero. The 5 minute warning must've went off and, because I was into the show, I totally missed it.

At the beginning of the weekend, I did a calculation on how much disk space I'd need for the 4 shows. It was at that moment that I realized that my calculations were out by a factor.

Thankfully, the backup unit was happily recording away, and I was able to piece everything together properly. The client never knew a thing.

I had images in my mind of having to tell the client that we lost that show. *shudder*. I was SO thankful at that moment to have been running the backup. Saved my ass, yes it did!!!

:)



Any other horror stories?

[pounce]

even reading that scares the shit out of me.

i haven't been in that situation, but i certainly can empathize.

[Dr. Bob]

Have I ever needed my backups?... thank God, no.

The HD24's have been stable and reliable. Granted they ain't no RADAR... (rather envious of ya' there Click) but they're very serviceable for what I do.

I can pretty well rely upon them as long as I put a UPS on the power. They do have the glitch that if you remove power/turn em' off w/o hitting the "Stop" button, anything in record mode is lost.

There is a way to recover with HD Tools, but man... what a PITA. A UPS will do me just fine, thank you.

I'm hesitant about taking the PT rig out at this point for a number of reasons... it's brand new, and it's my luck that my lack of familiarity would cost me the whole recording! :D

Pounce's point is dead on... config the thing as minimalistic and go for it. Maybe... but again, it being my primary system for the studio, it'd put me down while it was in the rig.