Technology

Why Guitarists (and Creators) Should Care About a Good External SSD (Samsung T5 2TB)

Written By: Andrew Siemon

If you’re recording guitar, producing tracks, or shooting video content, your internal hard drive fills up fast. Virtual instruments, amp sims, drum libraries, multi-track sessions, and 4K video all eat storage for breakfast—and if your main drive chokes, your whole workflow slows down.

That’s where a solid external SSD comes in. The drive I’ve been using for a long time is the 2TB version of a USB‑C external solid state drive (SSD), and it’s become a core part of my music and content-creation setup.

This isn’t a hype piece—just a practical look at how it performs, how I use it, and what you should know if you’re considering something similar for your own guitar and production rig.

Overview / First Impressions

I picked up the 2TB SSD (on Amazon) mainly to:

  • Store all my instruments and VSTs
  • Keep my sample libraries and Apple Loops
  • Offload video files so my main drive stays clean

In day-to-day use, it does exactly what I need it to do: it’s fast, reliable, and basically invisible in the best way possible. I plug it in, everything loads quickly, and I don’t think about it.

From a guitarist/producer’s perspective, that’s the dream—you want your tools to disappear and just let you create.

Build Quality & Design

  • Compact and portable: Easy to throw in a bag with a laptop, interface, and a small pedal or two.
  • Solid-state: No moving parts like a traditional hard drive, which means better durability and less risk if you’re carrying it to sessions or rehearsals.
  • USB‑C connection: Modern, fast, and works well with newer Macs and PCs that have USB‑C ports.

I connect mine through a USB‑C adapter rather than directly into a built-in port, and it’s been totally stable.

Features & Functions

Here’s how I’ve put the 2TB SSD to work:

VSTs & Instruments

All my virtual instruments and amp sims live on this drive. That includes guitar plugins, synths, and other production tools.

Samples & Apple Loops

Drum samples, one-shots, and loops are all stored here. This keeps my internal drive from getting cluttered and helps my DAW stay responsive.

Video Files

I also use it to store large video files for guitar lessons, playthroughs, and other content. It handles those big files without any drama.

Connection & Cable

  • The drive comes with a USB‑C cable, and that’s the only cable I’ve ever used with it.
  • I can’t say for sure how it behaves with every third-party USB‑C cable, so my recommendation is simple: use the cable that comes in the box for best results.

How It Performs (Music & Video Workflow)

In terms of speed, I have no complaints at all:

  • File loading is snappy.
  • Copying large files is quick.
  • No noticeable lag when working with projects stored on the drive.

To put it in practical terms:

  • Copying something like a 5GB video file doesn’t have me sitting around for minutes. It moves fast enough that it doesn’t interrupt the creative flow.
  • Loading sample-based instruments and VSTs from the SSD feels smooth and responsive in real-world use.

I don’t have benchmark numbers to throw at you, but from a guitarist/producer’s perspective, it’s fast enough that you forget about it—and that’s the best kind of gear.

Limitations & Things to Know

A few practical notes:

Cable Compatibility

I haven’t tested it with other USB‑C cables, so I can’t guarantee it’ll behave the same with every cable on the market. Again, stick with the included one if you can.

No Extra Frills

This is a straightforward external SSD. No built-in hub, no extra ports, no flashy features—just storage. For most music producers and guitarists, that’s actually a plus.

Dependent on Your System

Real-world speed also depends on things like:

  • Your computer’s USB/USB‑C ports
  • Your DAW settings
  • How many tracks and plugins you’re running

The drive does its job well, but your overall performance is always a combination of factors.

Final Thoughts

For guitarists and creators working with DAWs, plugins, and video, a reliable external SSD is almost essential—and this 2TB USB‑C SSD has been rock-solid for me.

  • It keeps my internal drive clean.
  • It handles large video files without slowing me down.
  • It runs all my instruments, VSTs, samples, and Apple Loops smoothly.
  • It’s fast, compact, and dependable.

I have zero complaints about how it performs and would easily recommend something like this to any guitarist or producer looking for an external solid state drive to anchor their setup.

If you want a simple, fast, and reliable way to offload your libraries and sessions, a 2TB USB‑C SSD like this is absolutely worth it.

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Hey — I’m Andrew Siemon, the creator behind Andrew Reviews Everything. I’ve been a guitarist for years, and along the way I’ve gone deep into the world of music gear, recording, and production — not just the fun creative side, but the real-world side too: what gear is actually worth buying, what’s overrated, and what’s just marketing.