MicroTrack 24/96 Statement from M-Audio

[OFOTD]

Remember that the 2GB file limitation is a result of FAT32 file system and not something that can be changed via a firmware update.  All a firmware update can do is split the files before they reach th 2GB mark or something of that nature.  But having a single file over 2GB isn't gonna happen.

[Brian]

there is a 2 GB file limit because that's how .wav was designed.  back when those two guys(can't remember their names) developed the pcm wave format they had no idea how advanced digital audio would get and how big the files can be.

[spyder9]

Remember that the 2GB file limitation is a result of FAT32 file system and not something that can be changed via a firmware update.  All a firmware update can do is split the files before they reach th 2GB mark or something of that nature.  But having a single file over 2GB isn't gonna happen.

Hmmm.  Good answer OFOTD.  So what you're saying is MT has no chance of eliminating the 2GB split?  So they do need to pattern it after the 722 and make the split seamless.

Is Fat32 a Microsoft thingy?   

[keepongoin]

Remember that the 2GB file limitation is a result of FAT32 file system and not something that can be changed via a firmware update.  All a firmware update can do is split the files before they reach th 2GB mark or something of that nature.  But having a single file over 2GB isn't gonna happen.

Hmmm.  Good answer OFOTD.  So what you're saying is MT has no chance of eliminating the 2GB split?  So they do need to pattern it after the 722 and make the split seamless.

Is Fat32 a Microsoft thingy?   

yes, MS thing... it sucks.

[spyder9]

I wonder, with the new OS next year, if Microsoft is going to improve the file system for stuff like this. 

[mmedley.]

I wonder, with the new OS next year, if Microsoft is going to improve the file system for stuff like this. 

They were. WinFS (Windows File System) but have since dropped that for the time being due to holding up development.

NTFS and all your worries are gone....and so is multiple OS/cross platform support. 

Someone mentioned NTFS has licensing restrictions, could be another reason no one uses it?

Sure would be cool to have the option to format to NTFS in the MicroTrack in a firmware update. Hint Hint!

[spyder9]

I wonder, with the new OS next year, if Microsoft is going to improve the file system for stuff like this. 

They were. WinFS (Windows File System) but have since dropped that for the time being due to holding up development.

NTFS and all your worries are gone....and so is multiple OS/cross platform support. 

Someone mentioned NTFS has licensing restrictions, could be another reason no one uses it?

Sure would be cool to have the option to format to NTFS in the MicroTrack in a firmware update. Hint Hint!

You hit the nail on the head.  If they developed WinFS to replace NTFS, then Microsoft could release the licensing restrictions on NTFS, like they did with Fat32.   

  Sh$t, c'mon Billy, get WinFS going!  Your messing with our recordings!

[nickgregory]

What is the purpose of the 2GB limit for either the 722 or the MT?  Over-heating from  manufacturing test failures past the 2 GB continous record?  Seriously, can someone answer that question? Maybe a safety valve for possible unit failure during a long recording?  Save-as-you go feature?  Nice if your ENG, but as a taper, that would make me nervy, even if the split & restart was seamless.

the purpose of the split is so that you can manage whatever size files you want.  I think you can set it all the way down to .5Gb to a max of 4 Gb....pretty convenient based on the speed of the PC you work with.  As for making me nervous, thankfully it works fine (outside of one bad firmare update that caused a looping problem)...

[spyder9]

What is the purpose of the 2GB limit for either the 722 or the MT?  Over-heating from  manufacturing test failures past the 2 GB continous record?  Seriously, can someone answer that question? Maybe a safety valve for possible unit failure during a long recording?  Save-as-you go feature?  Nice if your ENG, but as a taper, that would make me nervy, even if the split & restart was seamless.

the purpose of the split is so that you can manage whatever size files you want.  I think you can set it all the way down to .5Gb to a max of 4 Gb....pretty convenient based on the speed of the PC you work with.  As for making me nervous, thankfully it works fine (outside of one bad firmare update that caused a looping problem)...

Oh, so you can set it beyond 2GB.  Is the 722's firmware based on Fat32?  If it is, then the theories and assumptions about Fat32 are not correct?

[Scooter]

Using an NTFS file system wouldn't solve the 2gig size limit.  It's a .wav limitation, not a file system limitation.

[nickgregory]

I can make 4 Gb wav files with my 722 that CDWav reads fine....just other programs choke on it...such as wavelab

[it-goes-to-eleven]

You hit the nail on the head.  If they developed WinFS to replace NTFS, then Microsoft could release the licensing restrictions on NTFS, like they did with Fat32.   

  Sh$t, c'mon Billy, get WinFS going!  Your messing with our recordings!

FACT:  FAT32 supports 4 GB files.

Decent audio programs support 4GB wav files.

NTFS and WinFS have nothing to do with 'our recordings' and 2GB issues.  FAT32 already supports 4GB files.  Most windows audio applications don't even support >2GB files.  The Microtrack 2GB limitations are a microtrack problem that have nothing to do with NTFS or any other file system.

[mmedley.]

Drifting off topic, but 2GB is a software limit put in place. The 722 will do 4GB wav files and must split there due to FAT32 limitations. NTFS has no limit unless you are talking in the terabyte range. 

[spyder9]

Nice discussion guys.  I learned more on this thread than any other.  Good read for newbs.  I'm even a newb on stuff like this.   

[onebear]

Drifting off topic, but 2GB is a software limit put in place. The 722 will do 4GB wav files and must split there due to FAT32 limitations. NTFS has no limit unless you are talking in the terabyte range. 

FAT32 has a maximum file size limit on 4 GB and NTFS has in theory a limit on 16 exabytes