As a DJ, backing up your music and your software’s music database is paramount. The loss of these assets means not only losing the tools of your trade, but also the countless hours you’ve dedicated to building playlists, preparing songs, and more.
No professional DJ would ever risk not backing up their music library, and neither should you, even if DJing is just a hobby. With a bit of thought and some automation, backing up your collection can be a streamlined process.
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The unthinkable can happen – fire, flood, theft, mechanical failure, or malicious intent can all lead to a loss of music. So in this article, and the accompanying video, we explore simple steps to ensure this never happens to you, including the three-two-one backup principle.
The 3-2-1 backup principle
The three-two-one principle is straightforward yet effective. It suggests that you should have three copies of your essential data, stored on two different types of storage, with at least one copy offsite.
For example, your master copy could reside on your DJ computer, a second copy on an external drive stored away from your computer, and a third copy in a different location altogether. Adhering to this principle greatly reduces the risk of losing all your data.
7 Ways to Back Up Your Music and Database
There are various methods to back up your music and database, and the best approach depends on your individual circumstances and DJ system.
Here are some options, but remember to always follow the three-two-one principle, and always remember to backup both your music folder and your DJ software’s own folder, where it keeps its database (you’ll usually find this in your Music or Documents folder).
1. Your laptop
For software DJs using platforms like Serato, Traktor, or Rekordbox, the master library is likely already on your laptop. This includes that database folder within your music or documents folder, which holds vital information like track locations, playlists, cue points, and more. This is your first copy – the main one on your computer. Now we need two more… just pick two that work for you from the options below!
2. External hard drive
This traditional method involves manually copying the relevant folders to an external drive. If done twice, with one drive stored offsite, you’ve achieved the three-two-one goal. It’s straightforward but of course requires you to manage and update the backups.
3. USB flash drive/SD card
These types of device are more portable than external hard drives and can hold large capacities, so could be used instead of (or as well as) external drives. However, don’t consider exports to USB or SD for standalone DJ gear as valid backups; they’re not designed for full collection replacement, and of course often won’t include your entire library.
4. NAS
Network-attached storage devices (Synology etc) are designed to keep files needed by more than one computer on a network in a central place, and can also be used for backing up. Be cautious, though, as DJ software typically doesn’t support shared libraries across multiple devices, which could lead to data corruption if you try to use your DJ music and database from another computer. Stick strictly to backup if using a NAS device.
Watch the show
Prefer me to talk you through this? In this video, a recording of a live show from the Digital DJ Tips YouTube channel, I talk you through everything in this article, and we take questions from our community on the subject.
5. Automated Backup Software
Programs like Acronis True Image or Carbon Copy Cloner can automate backups to external drives or NAS (or even internally on the same computer). They can be scheduled to backup everything on your computer, ensuring you don’t forget to maintain your backups. They do take a bit of understanding and setting up though, but for the more tech-savvy, they’re a good addition to any of the methods covered so far.
6. Generic cloud backup
Services like iCloud, Google Drive or Dropbox can provide offsite backups. Ensure you’re not syncing in a way that could lead to accidental deletion across devices, and again, as with NAS, be careful with using cloud services to share a music database between DJ software on different computers, unless the software is designed for that (such as Rekordbox with Dropbox/Google Drive, for instance).
7. Dedicated DJ backup software
My DJ Cloud is a service we reviewed recently that offers a set-and-forget cloud backup service for a subscription fee. It’s designed to keep an up-to-date backup of your music and database without any manual intervention – good if you know you’re likely to forget to do this (but of course, as with generic cloud backup services, it needs decent internet).
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Finally…
Backing up your DJ library might not be the most exhilarating task, but it’s essential. A small investment of time and perhaps the purchase of an external hard drive or two can save you from the heartbreak of losing your music collection.
The work you’ve put into curating and preparing your music is invaluable. If you haven’t yet experienced the loss of music, consider yourself fortunate and take preventative measures now. Establish your own three-two-one backup strategy and stick to it. You’ll be grateful you did.
Phil Morse
