Optimize your video workflow with the OWC ThunderBlade X12 12TB 12-Bay Thunderbolt 5 RAID Array—engineered to make high-performance storage fast, simple, and portable. Ideal for handling large-scale projects, it delivers the speed and capacity needed to streamline media ingestion and backups, all within a compact design suitable for shuttle use. The array features twelve NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 drive bays, each preinstalled with a 1TB OWC Aura Pro IV SSD. Preconfigured in RAID 0 for maximum throughput via a software controller, it also supports RAID 1, 4, 5, and 10, giving you flexible options for performance, data protection, or both. A fanless, thermally efficient aluminum enclosure ensures quiet, cool operation even under heavy workloads.
Connectivity with your host system is established using an 80 Gb/s Thunderbolt 5 port which supports read and write speeds up to 6500 MB/s, while a second Thunderbolt 5 port may be used to daisy-chain up to 5 additional devices, including two 8K/120 Hz or three 4K/144 Hz displays. The ThunderBlade X12 is compatible with macOS 14 and 15, Windows 11, Linux, and Chrome.
The TL;DR to ThunderBlade X12
The ThunderBlade X12 is a solid portable solution with high performance, efficiency, and dependability for film and streaming service content production as well as multi-cam 4K, 6K, or 8K raw sequences, 12K raw video and beyond, or even stereoscopic 360 VR editing.
- Breakthrough: Up to 6600 MB/s peak speed with fast 5990 MB/s consistent sustained write speeds over the entire volume
- Silent: Heat dissipating fanless aluminum chassis keeps you working at top speed
- Massive: 12 x 1TB NVMe M.2 SSDs for up to 12TB
- Informative: Confirm use status instantly via a configurable LED
- Includes SoftRAID: Robust software for creating, monitoring, and managing advanced RAID sets
- Mobile: Compact footprint and custom-fit ballistic hard-shell case make this the perfect shuttle drive
- Versatile: Daisy-chain up to five additional Thunderbolt devices or connect a USB-C device via the second Thunderbolt port
- Certified: Meets Intel Thunderbolt and OWC operating certifications for assured performance and reliability
- Secure: Non-skid rubber feet, locking power connector, and OWC ClingOn ready for on-set use
Unleash Your Pro Potential
Adaptability is a key component to your filmmaking success. One day, the job may require working on a Netflix documentary with a range of Sony cameras or ARRI Amiras and Alexa Minis. The next, you're diving into narrative content with an ARRI Alexa LF, creating commercial magic with a RED V-Raptor, filming aerials with a RED Komodo-X, or engineering camera arrays for complex VFX projects. Whatever the job throws at you and your team, you will unleash your potential with the ThunderBlade X12.
- Built for On-Set Efficiency: When you're on location, speed is everything. Offload your memory cards at breakneck speeds, ensuring no downtime and complete data reliability with RAID 5. Trust in your gear means focusing on the creative process.
- Master the Toughest Workflows: From multi-cam sequences and 8K raw to intricate VFX, this plug-and-play external storage is a powerhouse. It's designed to handle heavy data loads and keep you moving, all while being easily transportable.
- Rock-Solid Shuttle Drive: In the world of high-stakes production, your shuttle drive needs to be as dependable as the crew. The ThunderBlade X12 offers blazing fast, highly reliable data transfer, ready to be shipped safely across the globe without a hiccup.
- Pro-Grade Centralized Storage: Keep all your files centralized and at your fingertips for stress-free editing and data management even on the largest projects.
2x Faster Multi-Camera Ingest
In the fast-paced, tight-budget world of filmmaking where time is money, every minute saved is critical. Whether you're juggling multiple cameras or offloading a variety of media cards simultaneously, you'll keep your production running ahead of schedule by ingesting twice as fast with the ThunderBlade X12. DITs can now simultaneously ingest multiple media types at full speeds:
- Up to two CODEX Compact Drives simultaneously via Thunderbolt at full speeds (ARRI)
- Up to four CFexpress 2.0 Type B cards simultaneously via Thunderbolt at full speeds (RED V-Raptor, Komodo-X, Pyxis 6K, Sony Burano, Canon C400, Nikon Z9, and more)
- Up to five AXS-A cards simultaneously via Thunderbolt at full speeds (Sony Venice, Venice 2, and more)
- Up to seven CFexpress 2.0 Type A cards simultaneously at full speeds (Sony FX6, FX3, A7sIII, and more)
- Up to ten CFast 2.0 cards simultaneously at full speeds (RED Komodo, BlackMagic Cinema Camera 6K, ARRI Alexa Mini, etc.)
- Up to twenty UHS-II SD V90 cards simultaneously at full speeds (Canon C80, C70, Panasonic S5II, GH7, and more)
Plentiful Port Possibilities
You can never have enough ports for connectivity. That's why the ThunderBlade X12 gives you an extra Thunderbolt port so you can daisy-chain additional Thunderbolt devices and place a USB-C device at the end of your chain to create plentiful possibilities.
Purposefully Built for RAID 5
With ThunderBlade X12, you no longer must sacrifice capacity and performance to achieve RAID 5 peace of mind data reliability. Twelve NVMe SSDs and Thunderbolt 5 let you work at the speed of thought with high capacity and performance in a shuttle RAID SSD. Now you can streamline on-set and editing tasks while adhering to mandatory requirements (the 3-2-1 Principle) when producing content for large studios such as Netflix.
- Hold at least three copies of all original camera files (OCF) and audio
- Store the OCF and audio copies on at least two different types of media
- Keep at least one of these backups in a different geographic location from the others
A Powerful RAID Tool
SoftRAID is a fast and flexible application to configure, maintain, and protect your RAID volumes on Mac and Windows. OWC enclosures include three years of SoftRAID Premium.
- High-performance RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, and 1+0 (10) volumes
- Predictive Health Monitoring proactively notifies of volume and disk issues well before failure, provided on your computer and remotely
- Seamless Cross-Platform Sharing with support for Apple-formatted APFS and HFS+ SoftRAID volumes between Mac and Windows at no additional cost
- M1 Macs require macOS 11.3 or later
- SoftRAID is licensed per computer
- And many more unique features
Your Preparedness Is OWC's Passion
Paying attention to seemingly insignificant details that prepare you to work uninterrupted is OWC's passion. Besides keeping the ThunderBlade X12 securely in place, the non-skid rubber feet elevate the heat-dissipating aluminum housing to prevent thermal throttling. The power cord locking connector keeps you up and running in active workspaces. OWC ClingOn custom cable stabilizers (available separately) screw into the ThunderBlade X12 to stabilize your Thunderbolt cable connections. When you're done and ready to ship it off, the ThunderBlade X12 comes with a ballistic hard-shell carrying case.
Pre-Tested = Certified Ready
Like all OWC storage products, the ThunderBlade X12 underwent rigorous development testing processes, including intensive mandatory Thunderbolt certification. Because OWC understands having confidence in your gear's reliability is paramount, every ThunderBlade X12 undergoes their rigorous multi-hour burn-in performance certification prior to shipping with a Thunderbolt connecting cable. This ensures your ThunderBlade X12 arrives operating properly and immediately ready for demanding use.
Work with Confidence
Active workspaces expose gear to unexpected bumps and shoves. OWC ClingOn custom cable stabilizers (available separately) screw into the OWC ThunderBlade X12 to reduce—if not completely eliminate—cable strain on Thunderbolt and USB-C connections so you can work with confidence, even in high foot traffic environments.
OWC Thunderbolt Cable Included
OWC ThunderBlade X12 comes with a certified 2.3' OWC Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) cable. But if your workflow demands a different length to make the connection, OWC Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) Cables are a great choice.
SoftRAID
- The SoftRAID serial number will work with both Mac and Windows but can only be active on one computer at a time. Additional seats can be purchased.
- SoftRAID works with Windows 11 or later and macOS 10.14 or later. SoftRAID is licensed per computer.
