Topic: Is it my CF card or recorder??

[Since85]

Hi,

I have an ACM671, which has worked flawlessly for over two years now. I did a recording last week, and there is about a 3 second length (2:19 or so into the concert) of weird skips, kind like digital noise but different. The rest of the recording is perfect. this has never occurred before. I was able to copy the .wav files fine (totally normal) onto the hard drive via the USB cable. When I play the file on the recorder, the deck will freeze, and show a weird # for time remaining. However, when I fast forward over the three second issue, all is perfect (including indications on the time display), and the recorder functions normally on playback.

I suspect one of the following:

1. CF card did not reformat correctly (I reformat card in deck before every new recording)
2. CF card is going bad
3. Recorder has some intermittent issue (not likely)

Has this happened to anyone else? I record 24/48, and was using a Lexar professional 80x 4 gb card. The card is a couple of years old, and has worked fine numerous times.

Any help/suggestions appreciated, thanks!!
 

[deadheaded]

hey evan
don't know about your cf card or recorder.
just wanted to say hi.
ed

[Since85]

Thanks Ed, hello to you!

Karl P. said the Cornell '77 sounded sick during the uphill race!!!! Good going.

Glad to see you are doing well.
 

If anyone has knowledge about this potential CF card issue, I would love some input, thanks!

[Since85]

Any thoughts on this topic?
Do CF cards "go bad", or can formatting screw up occasionally?
Any help appreciated!
 

[esteyes]

from my experience with the 671, i go for CF card first.

i have experienced things like this before.

neil

[Since85]

thanks for the reply!

So, will formatting the card in the recorder help? Should I not use this specific card anymore? Any other suggestions?

thanks!!
 

[gusbud1]

I would set up your rig and make sure the card is formatted and do a test run with your home stereo and see what your results are.  I would try another card during the tests, to rule your acm671 out. I am willing to bet it's the card or a formatting problem. I had an unfortunate incident happen when I didn't format one of my cards and I experienced the exact same problems you listed. I've formatted the card in my hd-p2 every time since and I haven't had a problem. Do some tests and I'll bet you'll find the culprit.

[esteyes]

from my experience, the 671 is relatively particular to the brand of CF card. understand that there are two methods used internally for handling the data write portion. it is my understanding from talking to CF engineers that "slower" cards are more suitable to audio due to the fact that they write in a stream (1 bit at a time) rather than the faster card method of writing two bits in a burst. yet, marantz recommends faster Lexar brand cards...

i did have trouble with Sandisc normal speed cards as well as Acer and a couple of other brands. when i sold my deck, the purchaser had problems with two of the Sandisc cards not being able to be used in the deck despite the fact they would format in a computer and worked fine in other brand CF recorders. i purchased a 133x Lexar 8G card for him, but have not heard back if he is recording w/o issues...

neil