Use of External Drive as Database Alternative

[GwenButler]

Greetings SMEs! (Subject Matter Experts)


I need advice concerning the possibility of using an external drive as an alternative to my internal hard drive, in support of my karaoke hosting needs.

Can this be done? If so, how do I direct imported songs to load to an external hard drive instead of my internal hard drive, and, how would I direct Hoster to search using the external hard drive database when I need to play songs that have been imported to the external hard drive database?

I do not necessarily need to alternate between the external drive and my internal hard drive during the same hosting session, if that proves to be a limitation. In other words, I can be dedicated (each time I boot my machine), to the use of either my internal hard drive or external if need be.

Thanks in advance!

The Karaoke Queen

[Roy Dennis]

I don't know about making it dedicated on boot up between one drive or another as I have never looked into that.

Regards to changing the imports to external, this could be slightly different depending which version of Hoster you have, perhaps you could let us know if you need more info?

If you want to import all future cd+g tracks to the external look in the import cd tracks dialog, in the dialog is a "Save to" button use that to brows to where you want the files saved to, in later versions this can be found at the bottom of the dialog.
Would be best to create a folder on the external fist.

If your importing hard drive files as kmh it would import them from wherever you have them stored so if you store new ones in a folder on the external that is where they stay.
If you are importing them as kma files then you will see a save to button again to select your external folder.

If you want to move all your existing files from the C\ drive to external then you will have to remove all the existing links in the list of folders shown in the Build Songs Database dialog, again this can differ depending on your version.

Then use the Add folders button to import from the new drive.

If you do this and you have a singers database it may be that the singers database may not find the songs after but I was told by admin that Hoster will do it's best to relocate this data.

[GwenButler]

Roy,
Once again, many, many thanks.


BTW - I am using Hoster 3.321.


My plan is to establish a gospel karaoke catalog that is separate from everything else I have acquired so far, therefore, I will need to selectively import and play my kma files based upon my genre material needs. (That is, gospel music needs will involve an external hard drive, everything else will continue to rely upon my internal drive).

I am eager to see how I can put your advice to work at giving me the type of capability I need.

Best,
The Karaoke Queen

[RIKKI TIKKI]

Gwen,

Not exactly sure what your intent with separating Gospel to an external drive will achieve, when by labeling all your Gospel music in the Genre check box, in the editing/ripping phase, will allow you to search and add ONLY Gospel Music to the play list in the normal processes of a show...

Just trying to grasp what your are trying to do? Explain your reasoning, and maybe we can help you, without going to the expense of adding an external hard drive...

[GwenButler]

Rick,

FYI - For the past 4 years I have collected a significant amount of secular music while at the same time acquiring a gospel collection that has finally gown to be significant enough in volume to load, organize, establish song books etc., for use at hosting events.

I choose to have this collection captured using a portable means I will take with me to use when and where I need it. In the past, I have had requests for gospel karaoke, mainly in support of church youth group events, however, demand and frequency is not often enough for me to load onto my internal hard drive.

That is my reasoning, which I have carefully considered and decided to be the best method for me to organize and configure my collection.

Thanks for your interest.

Happy Trails!

P.S. I already have an external drive used for backup/recovery purposes.