Backing up project on external HD is taking forever is this normal?

Hi I have had great help from this forum before and would love to know if backing up a project and event files+ rendered files, normally takes forever?

I have followed the instructions that was provided by apple, went to the project - control clicked it and said duplicate project + used files, chose the external HD that was plugged in and I can see that it started creating the backup ( the dublicate showes up in the project line under the HD where I put it and the little round timer started), but its realllly sloooow - took about an hour for 12% on a one hour long project!

I'm using media from different hard drives and different events (most of them are also plugged in at the same time, all besides one) but most of the clips in the event library is linked / referenced and not copied inside FCPX´s folders.

I'm not very good with FCPX and its my first documentary so my nerves get to me- it would mean allot if someone would just tell me - if taking this long is quite normal? :S

Thank you!

Ps. I'm backing up with all the material because I wish to create a copy to use on a different machine, i'm going traveling and cant fly with my huge stationary mac:)

Hi Katja,

When you duplicate a Project + used files to an external drive FCP X will duplicate all the media you have used in the Project into a new Event on that drive. Even if you have only used 5 seconds of a long clip it will copy the entire clip. Depending on the nature of your footage a 1 hour Project can include a lot of media so yes, this can take some time. If you have selected to also include the render files this will also increase your transfer time. Transfer time also depends on the connection speed of your drive. If your external drive has a slow connection (such as USB2) copying the files will take much longer than when you use a Thunderbolt drive.

- Ronny