Topic: seamless recording

[flintstone]

Here's a list I put together showing which recorders can automatically start a new file when the current recording reaches 2GB.  Some recorders don't start a new file, but they will record up to 4GB.  A couple of recorders can be set to start a new file at 4GB. And a few simply stop when they reach 2GB.

Please take a look and make corrections and additions to the list.  Thanks.

Flintstone




--------------------------------------------
recorders that can automatically start
a new file when 2GB is reached
--------------------------------------------

Edirol R-09

Edirol R-4

Edirol R-4 Pro

Edirol R-44

M-Audio Microtrack 2496 and Microtrack II

Marantz PMD671 (start new file after specified time)

Sony PCM-D50 and PCM-D1

Sound Devices 702, 722, 744t

Tascam HD-P2

Sonosax MiniR82

--------------------------------------------
recorders that can create
files larger than 2GB
--------------------------------------------

Marantz PMD620

Marantz PMD660

Fostex FR-2LE (4 GB)

Fostex FR-2 (4 GB)

Sound Devices 702, 722, 744t (4 GB)

Core Sound PDAudio Live2496 (4 GB)

Nagra ARES-PII+, ARES-BB+ (4 GB?)

Sonosax MiniR82


--------------------------------------------
recorders that simply stop when
a file size of 2GB is reached
--------------------------------------------

Zoom H2, H4

Edirol R-1

Tascam DR-1

Olympus LS-10

Sony Hi-MD (1GB limit for Hi-MD disc)

Nagra ARES-M (1GB built-in memory only)

[69mako]

I believe that the 1st gen MT2496 is not seemless....

Mako

[jonohull]

Rockboxed iRivers also start a new seamless file at 2gb.

[petur]

Rockboxed iRivers also start a new seamless file at 2gb.

yup

[aaronji]

The Marantz PMD620 does record 4GB files, like you said, but it also has the feature you list for the 671 (start new file after specified time).  Increments are 1, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes and 1, 2, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours.  The 2 hour is close to 2GB for 24 bit files (2:08 for 44.1 kHz and 1:52 at 48 kHz).

[cybergaloot]

The H2 does not stop at 2GB, it starts a new file.

[Ozpeter]

... after about 20 seconds.  So "seamless" it ain't, but indeed it doesn't just stop.

If you want seamless and long running times, think high bit rate mp3.  Some kind of recording of the whole thing is better than a great recording with one or more holes in it, IMHO.

[Belexes]

If you want seamless and long running times, think high bit rate mp3.  Some kind of recording of the whole thing is better than a great recording with one or more holes in it, IMHO.

I'd deal with gaps then ever have to resort to MP3, IMHO. To each their own.

[petur]

If you want seamless and long running times, think high bit rate mp3.  Some kind of recording of the whole thing is better than a great recording with one or more holes in it, IMHO.

I'm sure my h340 with 80GB disk and rockbox can record a few days in WAV until that disk is full (without missing a single sample)
(battery might be an issue - bring your ac adapter or external battery pack)

[cybergaloot]

... after about 20 seconds.  So "seamless" it ain't, but indeed it doesn't just stop.

If you want seamless and long running times, think high bit rate mp3.  Some kind of recording of the whole thing is better than a great recording with one or more holes in it, IMHO.

Yes, you do get a "tape flip" type gap. But it belongs in the same area of Flintstone's chart as the R-09. That was all I was saying.

So, a related question. I also run a DAW setup. I have a 100GB HDD in my laptop so space isn't an issue (except for some of those marathon P-Funk shows ;-) ). I currently use Audacity as the recording software. Does it have a file size limit beyond the physical restraints of the HDD + the space Windows needs? So far I haven't recorded anything with it that reaches 2GB so I don't know what happens when I reach that spot. For file handling reasons I would rather not go above 2GB but for some acts like John Lisi,  who doesn't take a break all night, it would be nice to go over that limit.

[darby]

you can do over 2 gigs with Audacity

[cybergaloot]

you can do over 2 gigs with Audacity

Thanks! +T

[evilchris]

--------------------------------------------
recorders that simply stop when
a file size of 2GB is reached
--------------------------------------------

Zoom H2, H4

 

I had seriously considered the H2 or H4 instead of my R-09, but I'm glad I didn't go with either of those.  That's a deal-breaker for me.

[flintstone]

Thanks everyone for their input. 

Can anyone confirm that the Microtrack 2496
automatically starts a new file after 2GB,
but that it is not a seamless operation?

Flintstone

[willndmb]

I believe that the 1st gen MT2496 is not seemless....

Mako

TRUE
it has about a 6 sec gap between the 1st and 2nd file