Install NI libraries on 2 different drives

mbourque · 2025-05-28T18:50:38+00:00

There was an error rendering this rich post.

Hi,

I have my libraries installed on 2 different drives with the same volume name (macOS), 1 drive at home and one portable. Native Access doesn't see the libraries on the portable drive, even if it's identical to the original install path.

Is there an easy way to make it work without rescaning the drive to relink the libraries?

Thanks

Find more posts tagged with

Native Access 2

Accepted answers

mbourque

Replying to myself, only to let know to others in the same situation. Now it works, but not everytime. I use the Batch Repair function when it doesn't, so it's not that long to relink everything. The only library that doesn't seem to relink easily is the Previews library. I'm unable to relink it and I have to reinstall it.

Anyway, it works most of the time, but it seems there's something Native Access doesn't like about that.

Here's how to repair the libraries location in batch:

Locating Multiple Products

If multiple products were moved (e.g. Kontakt / Reaktor instruments or Expansions), you can use the function Maintenance > Repair installed Products.

Note: The Repair installed Products feature applies to library content only. It's not currently possible to use it to find multiple applications (e.g. FM8, Massive, etc.).

Click Support and select Repair installed Products.
Note: If some libraries are still missing, you can choose another parent folder to try again.

All comments

mbourque

Anyway, it works most of the time, but it seems there's something Native Access doesn't like about that.

Here's how to repair the libraries location in batch:

Locating Multiple Products

If multiple products were moved (e.g. Kontakt / Reaktor instruments or Expansions), you can use the function Maintenance > Repair installed Products.

Note: The Repair installed Products feature applies to library content only. It's not currently possible to use it to find multiple applications (e.g. FM8, Massive, etc.).

Click Support and select Repair installed Products.
Note: If some libraries are still missing, you can choose another parent folder to try again.

BIF

I'm way behind on Mac, but on Windows it works fine. You just need to remember to set your folders before you install stuff.

For example, I have partitions I, J, K, and L, and they are named VST1 thru VST4. On one computer, they all four reside on one physical 8TB SSD. But on the other computer, they are on different physical SSDs in that machine. But from computer to computer, VST2 contains (mostly) the same stuff as VST2 on the other computer. My intent was to always be able to recover these big partitions in an emergency, EVEN IF for some reason all of my backups on one computer got broken, lost, or corrupted. That was the initial reasoning.

If I have my Native Instruments Libraries folder on VST2 and that one is getting filled up, I can change the setting in Native Access to make it install new libraries to VST3 on my K partition. I've even gone to the extent of putting my Sonic Couture stuff on one partition, and my Heavyocity stuff on another. It spreads things out and makes it easier to manage things like scans and backups.

But the key to success is to get in the habit of saying, "Okay, I'm installing a couple of new libraries from Bippity-Boop manufacturer, through Native Access. Need to check my NA settings so that they go where I want them, say I:/Bippity-Boop/ so that I don't end up all out of balance.

And since I have a Windows 11 computer and a Windows 10 laptop, I try to keep them as close to the same as possible, as I mentioned above. So if Bippity-Boop products are all on drive I: on one Windows computer, I'll do my best to put them on drive I on the laptop too.

But that's just me. I'm probably too fussy. 😏

mbourque

Thanks BIF for your insight. I'm doing things almost in the same way, and it worked, until it doesn't… anyway, now it works again, yay!

BIF

Yeah, when we make it more complicated, it takes longer to diagnose and correct any problems that may arise. Been there, doing that!

Quick links

Unanswered questions