Definite better performance if the data files you're working with are from a different HD. I don't recommend installing the program on a different HD though....just save and work with the data files from the other HD. Ex: My Winamp is installed on the same drive as Windows...on my C:. But I save my MP3's on a separate HD, which is my D:. (Not to be confused with separate partitions, which can look similar but is a different matter.)

Because Windows can get screwy sometimes if you install programs in drives other than: 1. Where Windows is not installed. 2. Where most other programs are not installed. Sometimes, due to programming glitches, certain other programs that may need to interact with your software could get confused.

Another thing to think about is where you set the "working area" for the recording software. But I'm not sure what's better for that....or if your software has that option.

Not a definite rule, but definitely the simpler, more worry-free approach.