Topic: PC crashes during 24-bit/96Hz downsample/dither

[Albix714]

Hi,

I have a 3 GB .wav file in 24-bit/96Hz format that I have been trying to downsample/dither to 16-bit/44.1Hz.

First I tried using Cool Edit Pro 2.0 to do the task. My PC crashes every time. I had the same results w/ Audacity.

I have 132 GB free on the drive where all the data is and I have 26 GB free on the main C drive.

I'm running WinXP Pro SP2, AMD Athalon 1.8 GHz CPU and 3 GB of RAM.

Any ideas as to why this keeps happening?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Patrick]

I have a 3 GB .wav file in 24-bit/96Hz format

Most software can't handle 3 gb files.  Somehow you'll have to split it into two more managable files and then resample/dither.

[Albix714]

Thanks for the simple solution.

[F.O.Bean]

Hi,

I have a 3 GB .wav file in 24-bit/96Hz format that I have been trying to downsample/dither to 16-bit/44.1Hz.

First I tried using Cool Edit Pro 2.0 to do the task. My PC crashes every time. I had the same results w/ Audacity.

I have 132 GB free on the drive where all the data is and I have 26 GB free on the main C drive.

I'm running WinXP Pro SP2, AMD Athalon 1.8 GHz CPU and 3 GB of RAM.

Any ideas as to why this keeps happening?

Thanks in advance for any help.

what recorder are you using? this hsould be done in the recording part of your rig

for example: my SD 722 splits at 2GB, so i can post-process the files FWIW

[Patrick]

Thanks for the simple solution.

No problem! 

I think I've heard people splitting the file in Pro Tools or Peak, because of their capability to handle such large files.  You may want to find a friend with a Mac and go at it, although I'd assume that there is an easier solution, like a freeware or a software patch or something.

Good Luck!

[Albix714]

Hi,

I have a 3 GB .wav file in 24-bit/96Hz format that I have been trying to downsample/dither to 16-bit/44.1Hz.

First I tried using Cool Edit Pro 2.0 to do the task. My PC crashes every time. I had the same results w/ Audacity.

I have 132 GB free on the drive where all the data is and I have 26 GB free on the main C drive.

I'm running WinXP Pro SP2, AMD Athalon 1.8 GHz CPU and 3 GB of RAM.

Any ideas as to why this keeps happening?

Thanks in advance for any help.

what recorder are you using? this hsould be done in the recording part of your rig

for example: my SD 722 splits at 2GB, so i can post-process the files FWIW

I forgot to mention that this was a cassette transfer. Cass > Nak CD2 > V3 (24/96) > Audiophile 2496 > CEP 2.0 (24/96)

[Albix714]

Ok, I split the 3 GB file in half, went to downsample the 1.5 GB file with Audacity and with one minute left my PC crashed again.

I have Audacity's temp directory on the C drive. Should I move it to a drive with more space?

The CPU and motherboard are not running too hot either.

[sleepypedro]

i'm surprised no one suggested this yet, but have you run a RAM test?  i bet you have a bad module that's causing the instability.

[Albix714]

i'm surprised no one suggested this yet, but have you run a RAM test?  i bet you have a bad module that's causing the instability.

I tested the RAM recently so I don't think that's the issue. Anyway, after breaking the files down to 1.5 GB and adjusting the downsampleing/dithering settings in Audacity, my PC stopped crashing.

Thanks for the input.

[Brian Skalinder]

I'd say you have a serious problem with your PC and it could even corrupt the results.

Agreed.  You've addressed the symptom, but not the cause.  You may be in for a nasty surprise down the road if you don't address the cause before perfmorming additional processing.  I strongly recommend digging deeper.

FWIW, CEP/AA and Audition both handle > 2GB files on my PC with NTFS-formatted HD.  However, I've found some third-party plug-ins will not handle > 2GB files properly.

[JoeKiller]

Another FWIW, Audacity is kinda unstable sometimes.

[Albix714]

My PC crashed while using Cool Edit also. I think Brian and Freelunch have the right idea. My system is overdue for an overhaul. Thanks.

[Albix714]

CONCLUSION:

My PC was crashing due to the box overheating. I believe it has a temp limit and then it shuts itself off.

The heavy use during 24-bit dithering definitely contributed to the excess heat.