Topic: Do you have to reformat your 4GB compact flash card before every show?

[gewwang]

The reason why I ask is because my R-1 stopped recording mid-show last night even though I had less than 2 GB written to a 4 GB card. But the night before, I was able to create a 1 GB file followed by a 1.5 GB file. The only difference was that I reformatted the compact flash card before the show on Tuesday and only deleted the 2.5 GB files from the card and didn't do a reformat before the show last night.

[mmmatt]

can it record more than 2 GB at a shot?  I suffered through that problem with my 24bit multitrack rig.  The limit of a basic wav file is 2GB.  I have however never used a flash card, but it may be a wav size issue.

Matt

[Govt Mule]

Not on my 671, but it auto-splits at 2 hours.

[Nick in Edinboro]

The reason why I ask is because my R-1 stopped recording mid-show last night even though I had less than 2 GB written to a 4 GB card. But the night before, I was able to create a 1 GB file followed by a 1.5 GB file. The only difference was that I reformatted the compact flash card before the show on Tuesday and only deleted the 2.5 GB files from the card and didn't do a reformat before the show last night.

How did you delete them last night?  Windows machine?  It could be that you sent them to the "trash can" instead of a full delete which may simply dump them into a temporary file on your CF card until you "empty your trash can".

[gewwang]

How did you delete them last night?  Windows machine?  It could be that you sent them to the "trash can" instead of a full delete which may simply dump them into a temporary file on your CF card until you "empty your trash can".

This is in line with what I was thinking when it happened. 2.5 GB in the trashcan and I got about 1:45 at 24/44 when it stopped letting me open a new file.

And for those that don't know, the R-1 is limited by the 2GB file limit so I have been starting a new file at the encore break if not before. The only time I screwed up a show because of this was when the band's main set exceeded 2 hrs and I didn't start a new file at 1:45 when I had the chance.

[lds490]

Yes, definitely reformat before every show.  I don't know about the R-1, but with my PDA rig it is best to format FAT16 w/64kb clusters.

Also, I don't know what the origin of the 2 GB limit for wav files is, but it is not inherent in the wav format.  The max file size on my rig (using the Live2496 software) is 4 GB.  I routinely make recordings larger than 2 gig.  However, I have found that Wavelab won't open files larger than 2 gig.  Other software, like Goldwave and CD Wave, have no problems with wav files larger than 2 gig.

[Nick in Edinboro]

Next time use SHIFT-DELETE instead of just pressing delete.  That will delete them directly without a trip to the trash can.

They still might exist as "ghost" temporary files until the garbage collector comes so to be safe I'd configure Windows Explorer to show hidden files.  It will then appear as a sort of transparant file and may have a ~filename.ext naming to it (~ or $ or something in front of the real filename).  You can then delete this temp file as well to ensure it's "gone for good"

(from windows XP) --->    Tools > Folder Options > View  make sure that "Show hidden files and folders" is checked.   

[MattD]

In the wave header, the maximum "size" information that it can hold to describe the data is 4 bytes (32-bits). A 32-bit value can address up to 4 GB worth of data:  (2^32) / (1024^3) = 4.

However, many programs interpret this 4-byte (32-bit) number as a signed number, meaning that one bit is used for the sign (or 2's compliment, not sure how they're written). In that case, there are only 31 bits to address the file (half as many as before. (2^31) / (1024^3) = 2.

[BobW]

Reformat your media before hitting the field.
The FR-2 has two options, Optimize media and Reformat media.
I've always done both prior to use and I can record 24/96 without difficulty on Toshiba 5GB PCMCIA drives.

Use any native utilities on your recorder first. 
The manufacturer should know their box best.