I have just set up a Roon Rock server and installed a 2 TB SSD for the audio files in my NUC NUC8i7BEH2. ROCK runs on a 500 GB M2 SSD.
The server is running very well so far. However, when restoring the database and moving audio files to the Rock server, I keep running into a problem that I have not yet been able to solve. I would very much like to have my audio files in the "Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage" folder so that the metadata is retained. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do this so far.
Creating and restoring my backup from a Mac Roon server works fine if I relink the restored path to the audio files to my Synology NAS, for example, or if I connect the "Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage" via the network (Roon accesses the internal SSD via the network in this case).
However, as soon as I delete the path to the audio files that is restored by the backup and activate the existing "Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage" folder, all audio files are reimported and my metadata is immediately gone.
It seems that you can only relink the audio path restored by the backup, but using the default audio path in ROCK always leads to a rebuild of the database.
Is there any way I can restore my database so that I can access my audio files in the "Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage" folder without having to go through the network?
Describe your network setup
I use Ubiquiti UniFi switches and the UDM Pro as a router
Thanks for reaching out with your report. When moving Roon Servers and files between the Servers, one important aspect to keep in mind is that Roon should not see two copies of the same files, otherwise it can lose previously saved metadata. To view the proper procedure on how to move/relocate these files please see:
If you still need assistance after following the article, please let us know.
Thank you very much for your answer. I have read and worked through these instructions many, many times, but unfortunately this procedure does not work in this particular case.
I have done everything exactly as described in these instructions:
Steps
If you are moving files between locations, drives, or machines, then it is best to avoid letting Roon see 2 copies of the same file at the same time:
Be sure you have a current backup of your database before proceeding
In Roon’s Settings > Storage, remove all old storage folders that contain the files that are being relocated.
For performance reasons, if you are adding a large amount of music (1000’s of tracks), quit Roon (or stop RoonServer on Nucleus). The best experience will come from letting Roon look at the folders when the files have settled.
Move/Copy the files to the new location
If you stopped Roon in Step 3, start it again.
In Roon’s Settings > Storage, add the new watched folder location.
However, step 6 cannot be carried out as described, as the “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder is always there. It can neither be added, as described in the instructions, nor deleted. It can only be deactivated.
When restoring a backup, it is therefore unavoidable that the “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder is already there. In addition, there is the audio path that was saved with the backup (I previously had the Roon server on a Mac and on a Windows computer). After a restore, I have the following options:
I deactivate the “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder and re-link the path restored by the backup to the internal hard drive via the network (see attached screenshot). This allows me to access the audio data on the internal hard drive via a detour.
I delete the audio path restored by the backup and activate the “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder. However, this rebuilds the database. Unfortunately, this solution does not work.
Since I assumed that your instructions would work, I tried them with different storage locations. For example, I also put the audio path on a NAS and proceeded as follows:
I reformatted the “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder via the web interface so that this folder does not contain any audio files. I then created a backup as described in step 1.
I then removed the audio path to the NAS. However, as I have already written, the “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder cannot be removed. So it stays.
As described in step three, I then stopped the Roon server via the web interface.
Then I copied the audio files from my NAS into the “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder.
I then restarted the Roon server via the web interface.
The “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder is already there. It cannot be deleted or added again. The result: All files are read in again and my metadata is gone.
I would be very happy if you could tell me what I need to do differently so that I can use the “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder without losing my metadata.
Hello Benjamin
Thank you for your message. Sorry for my late response. I was on vacation and couldn’t access my Roon server.
I have now restored my old Macmini Roon server from a backup and taken screenshots of the storage folder (see pictures).
I can edit and relink the Macmini path, but not the predefined storage location of Rock (Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage). I can only deactivate this. However, it would be great if I could use this for my library.
Thank you again for your patience. This issue has been escalated to development - we’ll respond here as soon as we have clarified the expected behavior.
Hello Daniel
I have now tried the procedure you described three times. Basically it works. I can now only see the internal storage. However, all covers are read in again. Covers that I have linked manually are suddenly linked differently again. Even albums that I have defined as not visible are now visible again or individual tracks of an album have been split up so that I suddenly have two albums. In addition, I can no longer see what I listened to last week in the overview.
Is there no way to keep everything exactly the same? That would actually be the aim of a backup.
Many thanks and best regards
Andreas
Can you be more specific with your findings? Let us know a few examples if possible.
To confirm, you were able to restore from a backup, and didn’t have your local library re-imported?
We’re not able to see or connect to your ROCK to enable diagnostic mode, could you please use the directions found here and send over a set of logs to our File Uploader?
From there, our team will continue to investigate.
For example, Chicago’s album “The Heart of Chicago” is now available twice and obviously different covers were used. Cock Robin’s album, “The Best of”, is also included twice and different covers were used. My original favorite is the cover on the right. The Dire Straits album “Communiqué” suddenly contains two albums with different covers. There are many more examples.
In the following example you can see that an album only has one track while the other tracks are in the other album, even though all tracks belong to the same album:
Yes, I made a backup and did everything exactly as you described in your instructions. However, my impression is that the local library will be automatically reread if I do this. It can’t be prevented at all. I wouldn’t know how. On the other hand, if I keep the original original folder from my PC or Mac from the backup, then the backup works as it should. Everything remains intact. I then just have to relink the files. Unfortunately, the library is not in the “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder, but in the PC or Mac folder.
What exactly do I need to do for Roon Support to contact my ROCK? What logs do I need to send you? I would be happy if you could explain this in a little more detail.
Unfortunately, I don’t fully understand the second question. I chose a very specific album cover before making a backup. After restoring the backup, these selections are only partially correct. Is that what you mean?
I’m referring to the specific version of the album you’re viewing or have added - if you click the versions tab on the album with the incorrect cover art, do you see a version option with the correct artwork?
Hi @andreas_rudin,
Since the correct album art is showing on the second entry we know the album cover is properly associated in your library. Under your import settings make sure you have Artwork set to prefer file.
Hi Daniel
Thank you very much for the tip. However, the question is, if I keep the folder from the Macmini and relink it, why don’t I have to set this? Besides, the album would probably still be split up, right? Or do you think this would fix this problem too? This setting also doesn’t solve the problem of me losing the music I marked as favorites, I assume?
I still don’t understand why I can’t just create my 1:1 backup in the “Roon Optimized Core Kit Internal Storage” folder. If I keep the folder from the Macmini, it works.
Do you have any suggestions as to what else I could do to solve the problem? Otherwise, I’m considering rebuilding my library cleanly or living with the unpleasant situation of continuing to use the Macmini folder.
Based on the screenshot you shared above, Roon is currently showing you / viewing another version of the album. What happens if you swap albums and select the correct album (the version below) to be the properly viewed album?
Simply clicking on the proper album will auto-swap it into the ‘currently viewing’ album. Apologies if this was already glazed over. Does this help you?