Hey guys! I wanted to get some advice and start a topic on how you all organize and manage your files, sample libraries, and project files. I've gone through several iterations of organizational structure, but recently, my latest attempt has gotten really messy and I want to try and simplify it.

Explaining or posting pictures of the way I have my computer set up would be more confusing than anything so I'd love to see if anyone else has got a system they're really happy with.

I have a folder on my desktop where all my current projects live, and every new project goes into one of three folders: Practice (song recreations, practice with new plugins, and practice from textbooks/guides/tutorials), Random (sound design experiments, weird self-challenges, shit like that), and Sketches (everything else).

If I think a song has a lot of promise, I put it in another folder called Finish Me, and anything that doesn't feel like it has much potential goes onto a "Sketchbook" folder on my external hard drive so I can take bits and pieces from it later or come back in X months and see if I have a new idea for it. Anything that I finish goes into a completed projects folder on my external.

With regards to sample libraries, I divide things up based on whether they're of dubious legality (given to me by other people or containing copyrighted samples), free samples from online, or purchased royalty free music. I used to sort all the samples I purchased into their own categories, but now I just keep them inside their original sample packs so I can keep track of where they're from.