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Best Way to Backup A Collection

Hello!

Currently (like many users) I have my songs and master database located on an external drive. So far, I've just used Carbon Copy Cloner to makes multiple clone drives of the external drive I use to keep my database + music files. I'm going to be purchasing a new computer soon, and with the new Macbook Pro's having the option of 1TB of internal storage, it's got me seriously considering moving to an internal library setup. As we're all aware, Rekordbox stores its cues and beat grid information in an external library (not in the music files themselves), so maintaining stability between the music files themselves and the "master database" is of the utmost importance. I've been able to have great peace of mind by duplicating the external drive that houses both my master database and my music files. My question is, is there anyway to backup an internal drive so that if my computer is stolen, destroyed, lost, etc., there's a way to easily retain the connection between the "master database" and the music files.

A few things I've considered are:

1) Timemachine backup of the entire Macbook.
2) Rekordbox's own backup function (to an external drive of course).
3) Cloning the folder's containing the database and the music files (is there anyway I could put those into one folder?).

With option 1, theoretically if my computer was destroyed I could buy another macbook, and Time Machine the entire hard drive.

I'm not exactly familiar with option 2, as I've never had to use this feature. If I backup rekordbox to an external drive using rekordbox's own backup feature, and my computer is destroyed, could I then simply plug the hard drive into my new computer (with the same name*), select restore library, and have everything good to go?

Option 3: If I clone the folders containing the music and master database to an external drive , and my computer dies, could I then copy the master database and music folders to their correct respective locations, and be good to go?

Conclusion: please comment with your thoughts, suggestions, and recommendations. I've greatly enjoyed the peace of mind of having an external drive that's easily cloned, but if I can maintain an equally fail safe backup system I'd obviously prefer internal storage for its convenience on the road. Thank you for your help!

Chrishogandj

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Time Machine is your friend. It will restore your whole computer including music files and Rekordbox data exactly as your latest backup. The drawback is that Time Machine backup data has to stored on a physical external drive that also can be destroyed etc.

I'm all for moving everything to the cloud. To start Rekordbox should have an option to store analysis data etc. in iCloud. And when Apple fixes the problems with Apple Music and local files (at the moment it messes with the metadata) we will be just an iCloud login away from a complete backup. It will not be for everyone, but I'm willing to pay 4€ a month for 200 GB with easily fits my music library.

The Henrik Maneuver 0 votes
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I would be interested to know if anyone has used the rekordbox option to backup database and tracks. If so can you select an external drive to back this up to? I do a Time Machine backup monthly but since the recent iTunes mess up I think it's wise to backup database and collection.

Richie 0 votes
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I use Rekordbox backup option only to backup the database as i have a powershell script to backup up my music files.

And yes you can select an external drive as i do. A backup would be much use if it was stored on the same drive as Rekordbox. (Talk about put all your eggs in one basket)

Clive Foley 0 votes
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