Which method (waveform or multi-track) continually writes to disk while recording?

Report · Dec 26, 2017

Please correct me: I'd been led to believe that recording in waveform mode does not write the recording to a disk until recording stops and file is saved, but recording in multi-track mode WILL write the recording to disk as the recording progresses.

Are both of those statements true? The manual states: "In the Multitrack Editor, Adobe Audition automatically saves each recorded clip directly to a WAV file." Is that what this means?

I frequently record material in excess of 20 minutes or more and need to be confident that at least a good portion of a recording can be retrieved if something stops the recording process without my knowledge (I record away from the computer).

Thanks.

Report · Dec 27, 2017

Yes, essentially you are correct. In waveform view, Audition records to a temp file, and when you go to save your recording, it's the temp file that's translated into whatever format you save it in. In Multitrack, recording is what's referred to as 'direct to file', which does exactly what it says on the tin. Even if the headers aren't saved correctly, there's an extremely good chance that you will be able to open the data as a .raw file and retrieve it.

That said, recording gets a very high priority in terms of machine resources, and the only 'normal' thing that will bring it to a complete halt is a power cut. There are a couple of sensible solutions to this - one is to use a UPS, if it's a desktop machine you are using, or alternatively, record on a laptop with a charged battery.

Report · Dec 27, 2017

Thanks, Steve.

Yes, I've been using a back/UPS for almost 20 years and, while I don't believe Audition has ever stopped recording mid-session, that did happen with a previous DAW. It may have even been Pro Tools. So I've been careful to disable things like the screen saver, a third party reminder app and even an app that logs in to check for incoming email.

So, while recording in multi-track mode is safest, if I were to record in waveform mode and experience an interruption, do you think the temp file would be retrievable?

Thanks again.

Report · Dec 27, 2017

MikeHarrison wrote
So, while recording in multi-track mode is safest, if I were to record in waveform mode and experience an interruption, do you think the temp file would be retrievable?

Back in the Dark Ages (think Syntrillium), I'm aware that some people used to record gigs or concerts that were quite long, and couldn't be bothered to wait for the temp file save before packing up and going home. What they used to rely on (shudders slightly) is simply stopping (it was Cool Edit back then) the software dead in its tracks, and relying on the recovery process to restore the file when they got back home, and save it there...

Okay, I've calmed down now. All I can say is that if you wish to live by the sword, then at some stage you should expect to die by it too! Stories of recovery of temp files have varied, and I suspect that it depends rather on what caused the cessation of recording as much as anything, as to your chances of a successful recovery.

I would not like to rely on any form of backup other than a file saved in parallel at the time of recording. If it matters (which for me is most of the time, as what I record is usually expensive), then I won't even record using software - everything I do is recorded by two instances of tested reliable firmware in the form of HD recorders, and backed up by a UPS.

Report · Dec 27, 2017

Brilliant!

Thanks again, Steve.