The Podcaster’s Guide to RAID, NAS, and Reliable Storage: How to Keep Your Episodes Safe and Your Workflow Smooth

The Invisible Risk Behind Every Podcast

Let’s be honest: you probably didn’t get into podcasting to learn about RAID levels or NAS configurations. But what would happen if your podcast files vanished tomorrow? Interviews, solo episodes, multi-cam video shoots—gone. All because a single drive failed.

It’s more common than you think, and the more content you produce, the higher the stakes. Fortunately, a smart storage setup can protect your creative work and streamline your workflow at the same time.

The 3 Storage Headaches Podcasters Face

1. Drive failure – All hard drives eventually die. It’s not a matter of if, but when.
2. Slow editing workflow – External USB drives choke on high-resolution video.
3. Messy backup systems – One project in Dropbox, another on a flash drive, and raw files scattered across desktops.

RAID, NAS, DAS, JBOD—WTF Does It All Mean?

Here’s the breakdown, made podcaster-friendly:

Use Our Storage Calculator

OWN Thunderbay 8 is a JBOD configuration

Real-World Podcast Use Cases

Scenario 1: Solo audio podcaster with limited gear

• 1TB external SSD for editing
• Google Drive for cloud backup

Scenario 2: Video podcast team with multi-cam setup

• 5-bay NAS with RAID 5 and 20TB of storage
• SSD scratch drive for current project edits
• Cloud backup of finished episodes

Scenario 3: Podcast editor managing multiple clients

• RAID-protected NAS for archive + backup
• Separate folders per client with version history
• Offsite backup using Backblaze B2 or Synology C2

Why We Use the Synology DS1522+

This 5-bay NAS is our personal choice for podcasting, and here’s why it’s fantastic:

• Flexible RAID: Start with RAID 5, expand later
• DSM (DiskStation Manager): Synology’s software is clean, powerful, and easy to use
• Synology Drive: Acts like your own private Dropbox
• Hyper Backup: Schedule backups to cloud or external storage
• Add-ons: SSD cache for speed, 10GbE networking for video workflows

You get redundancy, remote access, client collaboration, and peace of mind—all in one box. Click for a full review of the Synology 1522+. However, if you plan to edit video directly from a NAS, you’ll want to read this before making a purchase.

How to Set Up a Foolproof Podcast Storage System

Step 1: Capture & Edit

• Record and edit on a fast SSD (external or internal)

Step 2: Store

• Move finished files to a RAID-protected NAS like the DS1522+

Step 3: Backup

• Use Synology Hyper Backup to push copies to the cloud (Backblaze B2, Dropbox, or Google Drive)

Step 4: Archive

• For older projects, keep offline copies on cold storage or low-cost HDDs

Recommended Tools for Podcasters

• NAS: Synology DS1522+ – click to see my personal review of this device
• Drives: Seagate IronWolf or WD Red Plus
• Cloud Backup: Backblaze B2, Synology C2, or CrashPlan
• SSD: Samsung T7 or SanDisk Extreme for editing
• Apps: Synology Drive, Hyper Backup, Plex (for private streaming)

Final Thoughts: Save Now or Pay Later

You don’t need to become an IT expert to protect your podcast—but you do need a system. Even one reliable NAS setup can make the difference between smooth sailing and a creative disaster.

Don’t wait until you lose an irreplaceable interview to act.

Build your podcast storage strategy now—your future self (and your audience) will thank you.

Need help choosing a setup for your podcast workflow? Drop your questions in the comments or reach out—we’ve got your back!