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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: sickrick43 on January 02, 2006, 06:36:24 AM

Title: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: sickrick43 on January 02, 2006, 06:36:24 AM

So I got my replacement MT from Doug (first one had an issue witht the backlight) and go run the first night of Panic @ the Philips.

Usually, I put the card in, format it, power the unit down & up, then write a quick file and check it in FILES to make sure it wrote.  At that point I then record the set, write the file, check in FILES to make sure it's there, power down the unit & pop the card.

I get back to the hotel, and put the card in my reader (which works fine on all recordings made on the previous MT, and all my camera stuff) and the folders/files are gobbledygook.  I attempt a chkdsk (probably a BAD MOVE) and it converts everything to filexxx.chk (the total size of all the .chk files is the correct size for the .wav file that should be on there).

1 - there any way to recover the .chk files?
2 - It did it AGAIN, first set of the CodeTalkers in Gadsden, NYE.
3 - Any way to recover the corrupt card I HAVEN'T RUN chkdsk on yet?

Anyone have this happen to them yet?  Of COURSE I was running without a backup deck, as the previous MT worked like a charm.

Needless to say, I'm about FED THE FUCK UP with this thing, and I'm ordering a 722 this week...

Rick
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: Weazel on January 02, 2006, 07:42:54 AM
and iof you read it from the mt it self it is good?
try another usbport for your external reader.

else rename the .ck files to wav and cdwav can repair the header i believe,
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: udovdh on January 02, 2006, 07:57:18 AM
I don't know how many chk files were created but maybe you can find the one containing the recognisable RIFF headers?
That is the start of the file, which could be valid.
Then use the other files as raw to listen and see where they fit.
Was it a 16 or 24-bit recording? (in case of offset issues)
What samplerate? (maybe it is a bug?)
How long did you record?
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: sickrick43 on January 02, 2006, 10:43:45 AM


Never tried it from the tracker.  I have a thunder reader that I've used numerous times.  It read the 2nd sets, and all my photo cards without an issue.  I haven't chkdsk'd the card from the codetalkers, I'm hoping there's a recovery utility that I can read it with.

Rick
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: Todd R on January 02, 2006, 10:52:17 AM
Yea, I have no idea how to recover the files at this point, but if you keep with the MT you might try reading the files thru the MT.  I have several times put my CF card in my reader and it only comes up saying "format card now?" or something -- can't read them at all.  Then I put the card back in the MT and it reads them fine. 

Also, I think I'm leaning towards only taking out the CF card when really necessary -- longer shows, festivals, etc when I need to use more than one card to record the show.  Otherwise, I'm just planning on leaving the CF card in there.  Record with it in, transfer the files back thru the MT.  That way I minimize the possibility of somehow bending those pins in the CF slot.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: JasonSobel on January 02, 2006, 11:18:40 AM
Yea, I have no idea how to recover the files at this point, but if you keep with the MT you might try reading the files thru the MT.  I have several times put my CF card in my reader and it only comes up saying "format card now?" or something -- can't read them at all.  Then I put the card back in the MT and it reads them fine. 

Also, I think I'm leaning towards only taking out the CF card when really necessary -- longer shows, festivals, etc when I need to use more than one card to record the show.  Otherwise, I'm just planning on leaving the CF card in there.  Record with it in, transfer the files back thru the MT.  That way I minimize the possibility of somehow bending those pins in the CF slot.

I really don't think the card reader is the issue.  to date, I have never hooked up the MT directly to my computer, I have always used my USB 2 card reader.  I see Todd's logic, in that, the less you put the card in and out, the less chance you have to bend the pins, but that is a seperate issue altogether.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: sickrick43 on January 02, 2006, 11:31:02 AM
Yea, I have no idea how to recover the files at this point, but if you keep with the MT you might try reading the files thru the MT.  I have several times put my CF card in my reader and it only comes up saying "format card now?" or something -- can't read them at all.  Then I put the card back in the MT and it reads them fine. 

Also, I think I'm leaning towards only taking out the CF card when really necessary -- longer shows, festivals, etc when I need to use more than one card to record the show.  Otherwise, I'm just planning on leaving the CF card in there.  Record with it in, transfer the files back thru the MT.  That way I minimize the possibility of somehow bending those pins in the CF slot.

I really don't think the card reader is the issue.  to date, I have never hooked up the MT directly to my computer, I have always used my USB 2 card reader.  I see Todd's logic, in that, the less you put the card in and out, the less chance you have to bend the pins, but that is a seperate issue altogether.

Not a pin issue at all.  I swap cards in all my devices 1,000's of (cameras, etc.) and have never screwed up a pin.  I also used a number of different cards, and it did this on 2 different ones.

As mentioned earlier, all cards were formatted in the MT, and a test file was written to make sure it was working.  This MT also started on a freshly formatted card, started recording the first set (after it showed the card was blank) then ran out of space within 3 minutes.  I had to reformat the card AGAIN, and then it wrote the set.

I just think I have (another) screwed up MT.  I'm calling around looking for a 722 now (or mebbe even a 744, for those matrixes).


It WOULD be nice to recover the Panic 1st set, as I liked the way the 2nd set came out.  The 1st set of CodeTalkers, I also had the sbd patch, and they were doing a mult-trak at the club, so I have a copy of that also (but I REALLY like they way my stage pull sounds, even when compared to the multi-track.)

Rick
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: jcrab66 on January 02, 2006, 11:59:22 AM
if the files are already on your puter then try opening them as raw files with CEP then resave them as wavs...if they arent on the puter then put the card back in the mt and transfer via usb to puter and do the above...
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: macdaddy on January 02, 2006, 12:43:21 PM
"That way I minimize the possibility of somehow bending those pins in the CF slot."

is this really an issue (it is not on pda devices)..? are the pins exposed in the microtracker..?

as for the messed up files, hopefully it is simply a header issue, and those you can repair without harming the wav data...

good luck

ps - i still wanna buy that c-s card from you (when you have the time)...

Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: Todd R on January 02, 2006, 03:45:31 PM
Sorry Rick, didn't mean to imply it might be the pins -- separate issues.  I just feel like the less I pull the card in and out, the better.  But as I said, I have several time had my card reader (that I use all the time for dumping files from my Digital Rebel) not be able to read my 4gb card from the MT, even though the files have been completely readable thru the MT.  Jason -- I don't understand it, but it seemed my reader doesn't like the MT .wav files, even though the files and the reader  both seem to be fine.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: mmedley. on January 02, 2006, 09:41:17 PM

Needless to say, I'm about FED THE FUCK UP with this thing, and I'm ordering a 722 this week...


Exactly what I did. I didn't encounter as many problems as you though.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: sickrick43 on January 02, 2006, 09:58:43 PM

Needless to say, I'm about FED THE FUCK UP with this thing, and I'm ordering a 722 this week...


Exactly what I did. I didn't encounter as many problems as you though.


Actually, I think as many acts as I get patches for, and run the stage rig to do post-matrix's - I'm getting a 744.  A friend in Atlanta had an engineer buddy of his compare the pre&A/D of the 722 with the V3 and told him there was no reason to keep the V3.  I have a buyer for me V3 and that will almost offset the difference between the 722 & 744.  I'm ordering Tuesday from whoever has one in stock to ship.  Maiden voyage will be ARU in Boulder.  I ran my mics thru the snake (not the most preferable cable) so I could run both decks at the board NYE (instead of running back & forth all night).  Doing it that way with a 744 ought to be cake.

Really wish the MT would be more consistant.  The first one (with the backlight issue) was nearly flawless after I figured out the minor issue.  I'm not into running a truncated backup "in case" my main recorder screws up.  I've heard enough good things about the 722/744's consistancy in operation (and have the extra $4 right now) to make the move...

Rick
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: MattD on January 02, 2006, 11:11:38 PM
A friend in Atlanta had an engineer buddy of his compare the pre&A/D of the 722 with the V3 and told him there was no reason to keep the V3.

While I'm a 722 fluffer and love 402x>722, I did hear a small, but noticeable improvement the one show where we did a direct comp with a pair of 722s, one taking the analog out from the V3 and the other taking the digital out. To me the improvement wasn't worth an extra box, cables, and battery, but you may disagree. At this level, we're mostly splitting hairs here.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: Brian Skalinder on January 03, 2006, 12:17:47 AM
I'm getting a 744.  A friend in Atlanta had an engineer buddy of his compare the pre&A/D of the 722 with the V3 and told him there was no reason to keep the V3.

I know you already know this, Rick, but I'm gonna say it anyway (if only for others' sake):  you really should listen before making your decision.  They're both excellent pres/ADCs, but that's a lot of cash to chuck into gear without listening for yourself.  There's a distinct, but fairly subtle, difference between the two boxes, IMO - both great boxes, but different sonic characteristics.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: sickrick43 on January 03, 2006, 12:27:53 AM
I'm getting a 744.  A friend in Atlanta had an engineer buddy of his compare the pre&A/D of the 722 with the V3 and told him there was no reason to keep the V3.

I know you already know this, Rick, but I'm gonna say it anyway (if only for others' sake):  you really should listen before making your decision.  They're both excellent pres/ADCs, but that's a lot of cash to chuck into gear without listening for yourself.  There's a distinct, but fairly subtle, difference between the two boxes, IMO - both great boxes, but different sonic characteristics.

In a recent (tonight) phone conversation with someone else here - he related a sit-down with the guy from SD and Nutter, where the premise was that they were shooting for a V3 "clone" type situation on the 7 series pre's.  While I love the V3, I already have a buyer for it, and that will make up more than 1/2 the difference in price between the 722 vs the 744 - $$'s I can spend to get the flexibility of the extra 2 channels.  I don't REALLY have to sell the V3, but the prospect of going with a 1-box solution is very appealing.  The only downside is the more generous amount of LED's on the V3 in the -12 to 0dB range, allowing for finer peak adjustments.

Food for though though Skilander.  I guess I'll have to go run some back-2-backs before I let the V3 go...

Thanks,

Rick

OTOH - none of the recovery utils I'm trying seem to want to grab the files off these cards.  My matrix of the CodeTalkers set 2 is SCHWEET.  I'd love to be able to pull the 1st set off these fuckers.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: jtessier on January 03, 2006, 11:53:30 AM

Needless to say, I'm about FED THE FUCK UP with this thing, and I'm ordering a 722 this week...

Rick

I totally understand the total frustration (to put it mildly) but I do have one question, how was the media formatted?  There's a now known issue with the MicroTrack that Len Moscowitz discovered where it can't deal with media that does not have a backup FAT on it.  Could this be the problem?  What was used to format the media originally?  Was it a digital camera maybe (since you mention losing photos)?  Or was it formatted using the MicroTrack or Windows XP?

See this thread for the info on the Backup FAT problem:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=55010.0

J.T.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: dallman on January 03, 2006, 04:31:53 PM
I'm getting a 744.  A friend in Atlanta had an engineer buddy of his compare the pre&A/D of the 722 with the V3 and told him there was no reason to keep the V3.

I know you already know this, Rick, but I'm gonna say it anyway (if only for others' sake):  you really should listen before making your decision.  They're both excellent pres/ADCs, but that's a lot of cash to chuck into gear without listening for yourself.  There's a distinct, but fairly subtle, difference between the two boxes, IMO - both great boxes, but different sonic characteristics.

In a recent (tonight) phone conversation with someone else here - he related a sit-down with the guy from SD and Nutter, where the premise was that they were shooting for a V3 "clone" type situation on the 7 series pre's.  While I love the V3, I already have a buyer for it, and that will make up more than 1/2 the difference in price between the 722 vs the 744 - $$'s I can spend to get the flexibility of the extra 2 channels.  I don't REALLY have to sell the V3, but the prospect of going with a 1-box solution is very appealing.  The only downside is the more generous amount of LED's on the V3 in the -12 to 0dB range, allowing for finer peak adjustments.

Food for though though Skilander.  I guess I'll have to go run some back-2-backs before I let the V3 go...

Thanks,

Rick

OTOH - none of the recovery utils I'm trying seem to want to grab the files off these cards.  My matrix of the CodeTalkers set 2 is SCHWEET.  I'd love to be able to pull the 1st set off these fuckers.

Since you said that you did not do a fileXXX.chk on the codetalkers set, have you tried to connect the microtrack directly into your PC? If that worked, at least you would have the set, and it woulld cut down on whee the potential problem is.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: sickrick43 on January 03, 2006, 05:10:06 PM

The cards were formatted in the MT, and test files written & checked in the MT before recording.  Same procedure I used in the previous MT I had, with consistant results in that one.

I ordered a 744 today (what the hell), so it's a moot point for me.  I should have it friday or monday.

As far as the codetalkers set, there's a bunch of gobbledygook in the root folder (bad characters in the filenames) and files that total well over the capacity of the card.  I;ve run the card thru every recovery utility I have on my shop box (which is setup for data recovery of clients hard discs) and nothing wants to pull data off the card.  I'm about ready to write it off.

Since I get to do a bunch of matrix recordings (or stage rig + sbd, and matrix in post) the 744 is gonna work real good for me.  I only need to decide whether I'm going to keep the V3 to run the 170's with, or just run everything thru the 744 pre's.

Thanks for the feedback guys...

Rick
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: mmedley. on January 03, 2006, 08:28:50 PM
trewaudio.com has 744's in stock. You will love it Rick. I won't EVER part with my 722.

I'd keep the V3 for running another set of mics as only 2 channels on the 744 do phantom? Also, the analog out on the V3 is where its at.

I'd also recommend running 4 mono channels unless you are comfortable working with 4channel wav files. Much easier to work with in post. Just a tip from what I've been reading around here.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: branas on January 04, 2006, 10:49:59 AM
I hope this is not too OT, I am wondering if anyone has had success using this card in the MT:

http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Item(1182)-SDCFX3-4096-SanDisk_Extreme_III_CompactFlash_4GB.aspx

Thanks.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: JasonSobel on January 04, 2006, 11:44:15 AM
I hope this is not too OT, I am wondering if anyone has had success using this card in the MT:

http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Item(1182)-SDCFX3-4096-SanDisk_Extreme_III_CompactFlash_4GB.aspx

Thanks.

I use the SanDisk Ultra II 4 gig CF card, with no problems.  I'm sure that you could pick up an Ultra II card for cheaper than the Extreme III series.  That said, I bet the Extreme III series would work, but that's just a guess on my part.
Title: Re: MicroTracker Corrupts Files On CF Card
Post by: sickrick43 on January 04, 2006, 04:53:53 PM
Spoke with Doug today.  Says he's heard of someone else having a similar issue.  He'll take back the MT & full refund - no questions asked.

Returning this week.  744 should be in-hand Monday.  That takes care of that...

Rick