I just picked up a thumb drive for being able to patch out of digital soundboards. Figured I would just leave it in my bag and it may come in handy. How should I format this thing? I think a sound guy told me recently that it needed to be FAT32 but I am not sure. What would be the most universal option; btw i use a mac for editing.
Great idea! I've had an 8gb or 16gb USB Thumb Drive in my bag for about 3 years now! Luke Stratton [Dopapod's Soundguy, before they starting selling their Multitrack sources] used to put the SBD on my thumb drive post show, and then I would sync the SBD from the thumb drive, with my Schoeps AUD mics in WL6 in post! It would only take like 5-10 mins max for Luke to transfer both sets of the SBD source [WAVS@24/48] onto the thumb drive, and its a really old thumb drive, so I bet a newer one would transfer even faster! Cant beat the cheapness and easiness of just tossing one or two into your gear bags
Easiest patch ever, right?
And yes I agree FAT32 will do the job, so just leave it as it is and do a couple of QUICK FORMATs and you should be good to go! I have mine sealed in tiny pharmacy baggies that only cost like $3/50 or 100, that I use for all of my adapters and stuff! That way your USB Thumb Drive wont get wet if your bag did ever get that soaked, or a zipper got left unzipped, etc
Even if you never use the thing, its still worthy of a spot in your bag IMO, because the ONE time that you do need it, you won't have it, happens every time lol
And like I said, its the easiest SBD patch EVER!!! No cables or levels or batteries or decks to deal with! Just hand the soundguy a 2" USB Thumb Drive, and you have the whole show in the RAW high res files, back in your hand in 10 minutes
Easy peasy!