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not sure which of the two digital forums is more appropriate for this.

For PC users, what is the best method of accessing data from the removable SCSI drives (in Kingston carriers) that are still common on hard disk recorders?

Is there a table top SCSI box connects to most PCs that allows you to pop in a SCSI drive/carrier?

thanks.

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Big_D Tue, 10/05/2004 - 14:56

It sounds like you already have the caddy. If you want to transfer the data your going to need a SCSI card for your PC, a SCSI cable and terminator. I don't know what format HDR's use to record to disk (anyone know this) but if it's not one that is supported by your OS you've just wasted your money. My advice would be to seek out someone with a PC that already has a SCSI chain to see if you can even read the disk. Some of your local colleges may have this gear and be willing to help you. Older MAC's all came with SCSI ports built in, but I doubt it's in that format.

Good Luck!

dabmeister music Wed, 10/06/2004 - 07:22

I have an internal 33.6 gig SCSI HD connected to an Adaptec 19160 SCSI card that has worked exceptionally well for me for the past 2 years. My other 2 internal HD's are 45 & 20 gig IDE Maxtors. All have been partitioned from 6.8 to 9 gigs. I have'nt used the external SCSI connection for anything yet, but you'll defenitely need a terminator if you're planing on daisy chaining scsi devices. I love the performance I get from using SCSI HD's. I assume Hollywood Steve is talking about transfering data from a standalone HD recorder such as in Mackie HD2496 or Tascam MX2424. I can't really comment on such a transfer since I don't own any of these types of recorders.

hollywood_steve Wed, 10/06/2004 - 16:17

To clear things up, I have the Genex GX9000 with two Seagate Cheetah 18gig, 15k rpm SCSI drives, both mounted in standard Storcase Carriers. (similar to the setup used by Radar and some of the other HD recorders). I'm looking for a table top box that will allow me to pop in one of these drives (in it's carrier) and allow me to archive the files to the PC hard drive.

I now understand that I'll need a SCSI card, a SCSI cable and a terminator. I'm guessing that will get me data connection to my PC, but where does power come from? That's why I thought I needed something like a "box" that the carrier would slide into (as it does on the Genex) Something that would provide a stable home to the carrier and power to spin the drive. (or does SCSI handle everything?)

As the GX9000 is an 8ch recorder, the 18g drives last me about 3 or 4 projects, before they fill up. I often use less than all 8ch (often as few as 2ch), but I do record to DSD format, so the space fills quickly.

Currently, I give clients 30 days notice when I provide them with their final mix. I explain that their original multi-track files will be deleted at that time. But there are certain recordings that I want to keep for marketing use or other purposes, so I need some way to dump the multi track files to my PC.

Big_D Wed, 10/06/2004 - 20:59

Steve, I know of no such carrier that would allow you to do what you suggest. Most of these types of carriers are of a backplane design. They are intended to be plugged into the backplane of a server and have 1 1/2" power and SCSI cables attached to a small circuit board with contact fingers on the end of the board. These carriers are designed for HS RAID implementation in a server environment. I'm guessing you are not running this type of setup in your studio. I'm also guessing from the way you describe how they are inserted into the recorder that this is the type of carrier you already have. The only way you can make this work that I can see is to buy the SCSI card and cable and also an extended power cable. You can attach it to a lead off of your power supply and feed it out the back of your PC. You may have to crimp a new end on the PS cable if the holes in the back of your PC are to small to pass the PS plug. Then just unplug the cables from the drive in the carrier and plug in your new SCSI and PS cables. That would be the simplest way to do this and all it requires is plugging and unplugging cables. As far as the DSD format I think someone else should address the issue of compatability as I am not familiar with it. I'll continue to look for the box you request but beware if I find it the cost may be prohibitive as this is server gear and it don't come cheap.

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