ZOOM H4n Material lost on SD Card

[Stu Gilbert]

Having a slightly similar, but perhaps very different issue…. and different results.
When taping a band yesterday, a drunken reveler knocked the Zoom onto the floor. I picked it up, thankful the mics hadn’t snapped off, when I noticed the impact had knocked the SD card out. I tried shoving it back in, but it wouldnt grab it, so I turned the power off, it took the card, then turned the power back on, and hit record again as fast as I could (this was all mid song, mind you)

So, got the zero gigs on the file, did the disk image, when opening that in Audacity, get the second part, then a different show I recorded later that night……. then parts of shows long since deleted, shows from July. (I use this at least twice a week to tape shows, they were definitely deleted long ago)

Yet, I have a couple of files in a different folder that I KNOW are on the card still, they arent showing up. Changing the settings doesnt reveal any different portions of audio…. and, of course, the missing part before the encounter w/ the clumsy patron isnt showing up either…..

I would think it’s akin to others losing power…… the machine wasnt able to finish writing the WAV and put a header on it…. right?

[Micah Sewell]

Hey all. I’m facing the same problem – power disconnect created a 0kb file on my Zoom H2 – but I was recording in 320 kbps MP3 format. I’ve searched but haven’t found any direct reference to recovering mp3 files in this way. As a compressed file, it doesn’t appear that I can import the disk image into audacity as raw data – are there any other possibilities you’d recommend for me?

Thanks much!

Micah

[Rhys Thomas]

Guys can anyone help me, same problem but using a Tascam DR-07 batteries ran out mid set, file is there but shows as 0 bytes and wont play.

I was recording in 320 mp3 at 48k

following the steps above I can see the recording is on there but can not figure out the settings to get it right, comes out either really fast or really slow and very distorted still.

any help would be massively appreciated!

Thanks

[Rhys Thomas]

Guys can anyone help me, same problem but using a Tascam DR-07 batteries ran out mid set, file is there but shows as 0 bytes and wont play.

I was recording in 320 mp3 at 48k

any help would be most appreciated! I’m not too clued up in these things! It is a recording of a DJ set I played at a festival this weekend, be devastated if its gone for good!

Thanks

Rhys

[Sabereh Kashi]

Hello:

Thanks for posting so many helpful tips. I had exactly the same issue. The Zoom was disconnected and the file showed up as 0KB. I was able to retrieve the audio file following the steps that was described in this thread. Now that I have the file, it sounds like the person who is interviewed is talking very fast. I tried to slow down the audio in SoundTrack Pro but it didn’t help. I would appreciate any suggestion and help.

best,

Sabereh

[Pat Hesse]

I have had the same issue as a lot of you guys.
After going through the steps discribed, I was able to recover my file in audacity and also in audition.

The problem is that the file is “chopped up”. I have 3 Secondes of good sound than about 3 secondes of very quiet sound than again 3 Seconds of good sound and so on. My file is 1 hour long.
Does anybody know how I can put all the good pieces of sound together?
Thank you very much for taking the time!

[Jason Pavey]

Thanks David, you have saved my bacon!!!! At least 5 hours worth of work saved!

[Roberto Llerena]

My problem is that the card won’t mount at all. Copied the contents like stated, as DMG, but the same occurs , it won’t mount. Ran audacity on it , the file made from that just clicks when I play, no useable audio. I hope I can get this audio back, thanks

[Adam Bankhead]

Anton, were you ever able to find a solution to 4 channel audio recovery? I would be extremely grateful for a reply. Thank you!

[Drew Smith]

I had the same issue and switched format from wav to MP3 (196kbps) I pull the card from H4n and place files to desktop. Good to go.

hope this helps