Running mp3, rtf, and/or tif files from a flash drive every night. OK or not?

[Notes_Norton]

I have two computers on stage. Both have identical data on them, and I can get by with only one. The redundancy is for "The show must go on".

 

One plays 192k mp3 files with Windows Media Player. The other displays either lyrics as rtf using Microsoft WordPad, or a head chart as tif using IfranView. They do nothing else, never visit the Internet, don't have 'office' or any other non-essential apps. The fewer things there are to break, the less chance of a problem. And with redundancy, a problem won't stop the show.

 

I use ThinkPads because they are ultra-reliable and, being black, disappear on stage. Since I went to computer in 2002, I've had only 2 problems, and switching the USB cable to the other computer let the show go on without the audience knowing there was a problem.

 

I make backing tracks at home, save the mp3, rtf, or tif files to a flash drive. When I get to the gig, I drag and drop them to both computers. So the flash drive and both computers have identical data.

 

I'm thinking about saving a step, and getting a couple more flash drives, and running the files directly off the flash drive. It's non-essential, and will just save me a bit of time each time we learn a song.

 

I'm considering something small like a Samsung Fit Plus.

 

They would be used 3-4 hours a day, 18 or so days per month, always ejected safely, and on gear that is hooked up to a Power Conditioner/Surge and Dip suppression. Each file will get written once or rewritten if need be, and then only read again and again. So there won't be a lot of write cycles, but a lot of read cycles.

 

So I'm good at working with computers, but don't have the knowledge and experience as some others.

 

Is this a good idea or a lame one? If lame, why?

 

Thanks,

Notes ♫

[Anderton]

It's a fine idea. I use a variation of what you're describing with Ableton Live. Flash drives can do only so many write/erase cycles, but we're talking huge numbers. Even the lowliest drives can do about 10,000 write/erase operations, some can do in the millions. Reads are not an issue. The biggest reliability danger is losing them because they're small! The electronics have a plastic casing, so they'll survive if you have one in your shirt pocket, then throw the shirt in the laundry.

 

A greater source of concern is the reliability of the USB connector at the computer itself. A typical range is 1,500 to 10,000 insertion/removals. I recommend getting a short (6" or so) USB extension cable. Leave it plugged into your computer, assuming it won't stress the connection when you pack up the computer. Or, if the USB drive is small enough that you can leave it connected to the computer (e.g., like you would a Bluetooth dongle), that's even better to minimize the wear and tear on the computer's USB connector.

[Notes_Norton]

Thanks.

 

I've been plugging a USB-to-Audio interface into my computers for decades, and it's still OK.

 

I use Caig De-Oxit Gold on the connectors, which lubes them, which minimizes the wear of the contacts, and supposedly enhances the electrical connection.

 

Living in oceanside Florida, having De-Oxit Red to clean connections and De-Oxit gold to maintain them is just a way of life.

 

The USB flash drive I'm thinking about is small, and according to what I've read, reliable. I might be able to keep this one plugged in. I'd probably get the 128GB model.

 

I usually make 3 different mp3 files at home, at different volume levels. The first time out, I play the softest one, which usually works. If not, the next time the one that is 1db louder, and if that's still too soft, the one that is 2db louder. 90% of the time I get it right the first time, but since my studio isn't the same system as my PA, there is a bit of guesswork. Then I just delete the ones I don't want to use.

 

They won't get anywhere near 10,000 read/write cycles. I plan to get 3 flash drives, one for each computer, and one for a spare. I'll keep the spare in a different case. Furthermore, I have a cloud backup of all my backing tracks. Just in case. Better to have and not need, than need and not have.

 

I used to mix in stereo, with bass and drums panned left and comp panned right. Then I would play both channels panned center live. When I used to do a lot of dinner sets for the people who grew up listening to Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Harry James and the like, I could turn the drum channel down, and they would be very happy during the dinner set. In those days, "Satin Doll" and "Stardust" were the most requested songs.

 

Fast-forward 30 years and those people and those songs are gone. I haven't turned the bass and drum channel down in over 20 years, so I'm now just mixing in mono. It's easier. The mono mixes are louder, which is why the softest mix (normalized -3db) is usually right.

 

I think summing two identical tracks gives 3db of gain, so that's my starting point.

 

We're gigging 18 or so gigs per month, moving gear every gig. My lugging and toting muscles are getting stronger, my voice is in top shape, and I'm improving on my guitar playing (my 7th and newest instrument). After all, if you can't practice on stage, where CAN you practice

 

I'm thinking about getting 2 new stage computers. Now, one is XP the other Win7. They are ThinkPads and still work fine, but after COVID we are doing a lot of outdoor gigs. I think a backlit keyboard would be a benefit. So I'll get 2 new ThinkPads.

 

On years when we gig a lot, I reinvest some back into the hardware, and we've been blessed with a lot of work this summer. Instead of the usual "lucky if we get 4 gigs from July to October", we've been doing 16-18, and the season starts next month.

 

Thanks again,

Notes ♫

[David Emm]

I echo Craig's USB extension cable idea mightily. I have a couple of them plugged into my powered hub, so I can add or remove things with impunity. Its been the salvation of having only 2 USB ports on a Mac Mini. One is for a QWERTY keyboard, one is for the hub that feeds the rest. Its parsecs away from my early years of MIDI Spaghetti. Sometimes even color cables can only help so much.

[Al Coda]

20 hours ago, Notes_Norton said:

is this a good idea or a lame one? If lame, why?

 

Works.

I always use flash drives for data transfer between machines which is more write processes than just only preparing a flash drive for music-playback.

 

Write processes will kill any flashdrive sooner or later,- depending on quality.

There are different types of NAND (single-, triple, quad- cell etc.) and different controllers making a difference.

 

Music playback doesn´t affect flashdrive lifetime much,- if at all.

 

Buy something w/ "highest count of write cycles before failure" you can find and buy 2 or 3 to have replacment devices and backups to be safe.

 

 

A.C.

[Notes_Norton]

Thanks for your words of wisdom.