Use FCPX on Unsupported NAS
If you’ve ever tried to store a Final Cut Pro X library on an external hard drive connected to your local network, or via an actual NAS or DAS, then you’ve likely been greeted with an unsupported volume type error [see image above]. This error is there to let you know that you must store a library on a local, SAN, or supported SMB location.
Read on for a great workaround…
However, it is possible to save a library on a NAS by properly wielding a disk image created via the macOS Disk Utility. Depending on your local setup and network speed, it could make a viable network storage option for your Final Cut Pro X libraries.
If your NAS doesn’t meet the requirements, or if you’re just using an external hard drive attached to your router, then this alternative method may be helpful if you wish to manage libraries from a network location.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Add a Final Cut Pro X library to a shared network location
Step 1: Open Disk Utility and click File → New Image → Blank Image.
Step 2: Use the following parameters, but change the Size of the disk to whatever size you need. Be sure to add enough storage space, as libraries can get really large. Because we’re using a sparse disk image, the initial size of the image won’t be the size you initially designate, but it will grow to that size as your storage needs increase. Initial file size will be somewhere around 1GB, so you can save it to your desktop without running the risk of filling up your Mac’s internal storage.
Size and names may vary, but these parameters work well
Step 3: Once all of the parameters are in place, click the Save button to save the disk image to your desktop and close out of Disk Utility.
Step 4: Move the created disk image to the network storage location.
Step 5: After the disk image is on the network storage location, open it to mount the disk. You will then see the disk as a location in Finder.
Step 6: Open Final Cut Pro X and click File → New → Library.
Step 7: Point to the disk mounted in step 6, give the library a name and click save.
Step 8: Highlight the library and click File → Library Properties, and ensure that Media is set to In Library. If not, you can click the Modify Settings button to change this parameter.
Step 9: In Final Cut Pro X’s preferences, under the Import section, make sure that Copy to library storage location is selected.
Step 10: Now you may begin creating new events, projects, and ingesting media into your new library located on the shared drive. Keep in mind that you will need a fast local network connection for this to work smoothly, and a hardwired gigabit Ethernet connection preferred.
If you’re working with 4K media, or high bitrate Full HD media, you may be forced to employ the use of proxy media in your editing workflow. Not only is proxy media much easier on your machine from a processor perspective, it’s also less bandwidth intensive because the file size is a fraction of the media’s original size. I used proxy media when connected wirelessly via my Airport Extreme, and while directly connected to the router via Ethernet and both experiences were smooth.
Overall performance will depend on your local network connection, the speed of the storage media, and of course your machine itself. If you’re working on a fast connection with storage media that can keep up, then you should expect performance that’s roughly in the ballpark of media stored in a local library when utilizing proxy media.