OWC ThunderBay 4 96TB Thunderbolt 40Gb/s Enterprise RAID Storage Solution With SoftRAID

Unleash studio-grade storage with the OWC ThunderBay 4 96TB Thunderbolt (40 Gb/s) Enterprise Drive RAID Storage Solution. This four-bay external RAID enclosure is engineered for professionals who demand massive capacity, rock-solid reliability, and blazing-fast performance for video editing, color grading, 4K and 8K workflows, color-intensive media libraries, and collaborative post-production environments. Built to harness the full power of Thunderbolt technology, it delivers sustained throughput and dependable data protection, making it an essential cornerstone for busy production pipelines, broadcast facilities, and demanding creative studios. With SoftRAID integrated, you get enterprise-grade RAID management software that simplifies setup, troubleshooting, and day-to-day operation while delivering advanced monitoring, email alerts, and proactive health checks to minimize downtime.

• Massive capacity for professional workloads: Four drive bays combine to deliver up to 96TB of usable storage when populated with high-capacity, enterprise-class drives. This scalable, high-density configuration is ideal for raw 4K/8K media, large project files, and expansive archives, enabling you to keep your timelines tight without constantly shuffling drives or adding new hardware.
• Blazing-fast Thunderbolt 3 performance (40 Gb/s): The ThunderBay 4 connects via Thunderbolt 3 with up to 40 Gbps bandwidth, delivering near-real-time data transfer for multi-stream 4K playback, RAW footage access, and fast exports. Its high-bandwidth interface minimizes bottlenecks during editing, dailies, and color sessions, helping editors and colorists work more efficiently with fewer waits.
• SoftRAID enterprise RAID management included: Pre-installed SoftRAID software unlocks robust RAID capabilities beyond basic disk mirroring. Choose from multiple RAID levels (0, 1, 4, 5, 6, and 1+0) or JBOD to optimize performance, redundancy, and storage efficiency for your specific workflow. SoftRAID provides ongoing health monitoring, predictive notifications, and easy rebuilds, so camera masters and editors can focus on creative work rather than hardware concerns.
• Tool-free, hot-swappable drive bays with rugged chassis: The ThunderBay 4 features four hot-swappable drive bays housed in a durable aluminum enclosure with thoughtful cooling design. This system supports quick drive swaps during active sessions, reduces downtime, and extends drive life by maintaining proper thermal conditions. The chassis is built to withstand professional environments, from post houses to on-set rigs.
• Cross‑platform reliability and expandability: Engineered for professional studios, the ThunderBay 4 works seamlessly with macOS and Windows systems when used with SoftRAID. It serves as a central RAID storage hub for editors, VFX artists, and producers who rely on fast, dependable access to media assets across multiple workstations or shared storage setups. The combination of a Thunderbolt interface and SoftRAID management makes it a flexible choice for mixed workflows.

Technical Details of OWC 96TB ThunderBay 4 Thunderbolt (40Gb/s) Enterprise Drive RAID Storage Solution With SoftRAID

• Drive bays: 4 hot-swappable drive bays compatible with 3.5" and 2.5" SATA drives (drives not included; configure with your preferred enterprise or high-capacity consumer HDD/SSD options).
• Interface: Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s) external RAID enclosure, providing high-bandwidth, low-latency connectivity to Macs and PCs withThunderbolt ports.
• RAID software: SoftRAID software suite included for advanced RAID management, health monitoring, alarms, and flexible RAID level configuration.
• RAID levels: Supports multiple RAID configurations including RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, and 1+0 (mirrored and parity options) plus JBOD, enabling tailored balance of performance and redundancy.
• Capacity potential: Up to 96TB total usable storage when fully populated with appropriate drives.
• Chassis: Rugged aluminum enclosure with efficient thermal management to keep drives cool during extended operations.
• Power: External power supply required; designed for professional use with stable, continuous power delivery.
• Compatibility: Optimized for macOS and Windows environments via SoftRAID; ideal for video editing suites, post-production houses, and on-set workflows.
• Dimensions and weight: Compact desktop footprint suitable for desks, racks, or studio shelves; built to survive the rigors of on-location shoots and busy edit suites.

How to install OWC 96TB ThunderBay 4 Thunderbolt (40Gb/s) Enterprise Drive RAID Storage Solution With SoftRAID

Setting up the ThunderBay 4 is designed to be straightforward for professionals who want to get to work quickly. Follow these practical steps to configure a reliable, high-performance RAID array and integrate it into your workflow:

• Prepare drives and workspace: Choose high-quality SATA drives suitable for enterprise or pro-sumer workloads. Ensure you have a clean, static-free workspace and your computer or workstation has a Thunderbolt 3 port available. If you plan to use multiple drives, arrange them in matching sizes for predictable RAID performance.
• Install drives into bays: Power off your computer and the ThunderBay 4. Open the drive bays, insert each drive securely, and ensure the drives are firmly seated in their trays. Replace the trays and close the enclosure according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The tool-free design makes this quick and accessible, minimizing downtime between sessions.
• Connect to your system: Use a high-quality Thunderbolt 3 cable to connect the ThunderBay 4 to your Mac or Windows workstation. Connect the power supply to a reliable outlet and power on the enclosure. The system should initialize and be ready for software configuration.
• Initialize and configure with SoftRAID: Launch SoftRAID on your computer. Create a new volume by selecting your ThunderBay 4 device, choose a RAID level that matches your performance and redundancy goals (0, 1, 4, 5, 6, or 1+0), assign a volume name, and define the desired block size if prompted. SoftRAID will present status indicators and health checks to guide you through the setup.
• Format and mount the volume: After RAID creation, use SoftRAID to initialize the volume, then format it with your preferred file system compatible with your workflow (for example, macOS File System formats or NTFS if using Windows with appropriate drivers). Once formatted, the new RAID volume appears in your operating system’s file browser as a ready-to-use storage pool.
• Test and optimize: Copy representative media and test playback, scrubbing through timelines and applying effects to gauge performance. If needed, adjust RAID level or stripe size in SoftRAID to optimize for your specific media types and workflow. Enable SoftRAID alerts and health monitoring to stay proactive about drive health and capacity management.
• Integrate into your workflow: Set up shared access for team members, configure backups or archival strategies, and implement a routine for monitoring drive temperatures and SMART/health metrics. The ThunderBay 4, combined with SoftRAID, provides a scalable foundation for collaborative editing suites, on-set backups, and long-term media preservation.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the ThunderBay 4 and what makes it special? The ThunderBay 4 is a four-bay external RAID storage enclosure that uses Thunderbolt 3 to deliver high-bandwidth connections and supports SoftRAID for robust, flexible RAID configurations. It’s designed for professionals who require large capacity, reliable data protection, and rapid access to media assets in demanding production environments.
• Which RAID levels are supported? SoftRAID supports RAID 0 (speed), RAID 1 (mirroring), RAID 4, RAID 5, RAID 6 (parity-based redundancy), and RAID 1+0 (a combination of mirroring and striping). This enables you to optimize for performance, redundancy, or a balance of both depending on your project needs.
• Do I need a computer to use SoftRAID on this device? Yes. SoftRAID runs on macOS and Windows, so you’ll configure volumes and manage health using your computer as the host. The enclosure itself does not require a separate controller beyond the included software.
• Are drives included? The ThunderBay 4 is typically sold as an enclosure for you to populate with drives. Check the product listing to confirm whether drives are included in your specific package.
• Is this suitable for 4K or 8K workflows? Absolutely. With Thunderbolt 3 bandwidth and SoftRAID’s flexible RAID options, the ThunderBay 4 can support multi-stream editing, transcoding, and high-bandwidth media libraries common in modern post-production pipelines, provided you choose appropriate drive speeds and RAID configurations.
• Can it be used with Windows and macOS? Yes. SoftRAID supports both macOS and Windows, enabling cross-platform projects, shared pipelines, and flexible collaboration in mixed environments.
• What about drive reliability and maintenance? The ThunderBay 4 uses a durable aluminum chassis and supports hot-swapping, which minimizes downtime during drive replacement. SoftRAID’s health monitoring and alert features help you anticipate drive failures before they impact production.
• How do I maximize performance? For maximum throughput, populate all four bays with fast drives (preferably enterprise-class or high-performance SSDs where your budget allows), maintain adequate cooling, and configure a RAID level that suits your workflow. Ensure your workstation’s Thunderbolt controller and cabling are high quality and that you’re running compatible driver/software versions.