Logic Pro How to change storage

[Anna Kvitová]

Hello there,
Could anyone say me how can I change my Logic Pro X storage to my external disk?
Thank you!

 

[Peter Ostry]

External storage for all Logic samples etc:

1. Copy the folder <YourHardDisk>/Library/Application Support/Logic/ to the external disk.
2. Move the original folder to a temporary location on the system disk.
   
3. Make a symlink from the original location to the external folder (alias won't work).
   
4. Check if it works, then you can delete the original folder.

—

Storage for audio recording is project-based:

Main Menu > File > Project Settings > Recording
(at the bottom of the panel you can set a folder)

 

[Anna Kvitová]

Hello,
I cannot move the original folder, I can just copy that...
And if I wanna make the symlink from the original Logic folder it tells me that the target already exists..
(I am maybe silly or something..)
And one more question: I need it mainly because I wanna download more additional contents, does it work also with it?

I am so sorry and Thank you!

 

[Peter Ostry]

I cannot move the original folder, I can just copy that...

Well, then copy it and remove the original ;-)

However, it is somehow tricky to make a symlink folder via the Terminal. I just get files and not folders, which is the normal function in Unix. But I prefer folders for easier handling, therefore I use a small freeware utility that does it for me:
Symbolic Linker
Installing instructions come with the disk image. In short: You put the file "SymbolicLinker.service" into the folder "<YourHarddisk>/Library/Services/". From now on you are able to create a symlink of any file or folder by right-click and selecting "Services > Make Symbolic Link" in the context menu.

Here is a step-by-step description for Logic, using just the Finder and Symbolic Linker (no Terminal):

1. Copy "<YourHarddisk>/Library/Application Support/Logic/" to the external disk.
2. Delete the original folder (make a backup if you want).
   
3. Go to the external disk, activate the Logic folder and right-click to show the context menu.
4. Select "Make Symbolic Link" from the "Services" menu.
5. You get a folder with a little arrow and the name "Logic symlink". It looks like an alias but is a symlink.
   
6. Copy this folder to "<YourHarddisk>/Library/Application Support/", where the original Logic folder was.
7. Remove the word symlink because the name of the folder must be "Logic".
8. Delete the symlink folder on the external disk.
9. Ready.

You may do the same for the Apple Loops folder:

1. Copy "<YourHarddisk>/Library/Audio/Apple Loops/" to the external disk.
2. Delete the original folder.
3. On the external disk, make a symlink using the Symbolic Linker Service.
4. Copy the new symlink folder to "<YourHarddisk>/Library/Audio/" where the original Apple Loops folder was.
5. Remove the word symlink from the name.
6. Delete the symlink folder on the external disk.
7. Ready.

I need it mainly because I wanna download more additional contents, does it work also with it?

Yes. I use it for quite a while and it works fine for downloading Logic content.

—

It is confusing that the Finder thinks to show an alias and that the icons are folders, but if you list the Application Support or Audio folder in the terminal with the command ls -la you clearly see that these "folders" are actually links.

Finder View lies:

Finder info lies:

The Terminal tells the truth, "Apple Loops" is not a folder but a link:

 

[Anna Kvitová]

Thank you!
Could you tell me why this is happening? 🙁

 

[hybridarts]

It looks like your startup disk is close to capacity and the content is not downloading to your alternative drive. I am also looking to move the library once I've downloaded all the content. You might find the information useful over on GS that I came across.

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/app...-install-logic-pro-x-content-external-hd.html

I just wish Apple would realise that many users keep their startup/os disk as clean as possible so that when things go pear shaped its easy to revert back.

 

[Peter Ostry]

Could you tell me why this is happening?

As hybridarts said, your system disk may be too full. In former days it was common knowledge, that a Unix disk should always have 30% of the capacity free (= max. 70% full). Today and on Mac this is not absolutely necessary, but with our automatic downloads the free space becomes relevant again.

Second, I don't know if Logic checks the system disk for space for the whole, unpacked installation, not only for the packed downloads. If it does, your symlink does not help because Logic checks the disk it "thinks" to install on.

Try to make some room on your system disk.

And – don't forget to test your symlink folder before you install. Copy a file into the folder and delete it, you should see these changes on the external disk.

 

[hybridarts]

Hey Peter,

I've been reading quite a few forums/articles etc about moving the library and downloaded the utility you posted. I've read that a command line can achieve better results using terminal. Would you agree with this? Or maybe users had forgotten to create the services directory which was causing problems when using symbolic linker. I'm happy to bash around in terminal trying things if the link will be more stable. I also plan to use Carbon Copy to clone my system drive before I try moving anything with either the utility or terminal.

Cheers,
j.

 

[Peter Ostry]

I've read that a command line can achieve better results using terminal. Would you agree with this?

Basically yes, because you never know what such a utility really does.

But in this case I wanted symlink folders (for my own convenience) and this utility makes them on it's own. In other words: I was too lazy to explore how to make a symlink folder by command line. I assume that it is possible, those tools aren't magic. And I assume it has something to do with the Mac OS.

I also plan to use Carbon Copy to clone my system drive before I try moving anything with either the utility or terminal.

You move the music content manually yourself. The Symbolic Linker utility does not move anything, it just makes a symlink which is a tiny file that points to your content. You can safely delete such a file and nothing happens to your data. Like an alias, just less smart and a reliable link since Unix exists.

 

[hybridarts]

Thanks!

You move the music content manually yourself.

Yeah, I wrote that sentence badly