Easy way to recover lost tracks?

[Indellable]

I'm positive that this has happened to many of you so if I botch the description, I'm hoping you'll still understand my question.

I'm running DP5.

I recorded and saved over one of my templates last night. When I realized I did this, I resaved the session in a new folder and a new file name. However, to be safe, I saved it as is beforehand and then just re-made a new template with a similar name. Both sessions loaded up and bounced out fine. I even thought I shut the computer down and was able to load either up but I'm not exactly sure on the timing of that. However, today, I powered up the computer and was not able to load either session. All vocal files (files that were recorded) were not longer in the file. Instrumental files (files that were inputted) were. I see all the vocal files lined up perfectly but rather than the actual .wav its just that black squigly stuff that shows up when it cant find a file. This is the same on both sessions that I saved. I did work on another session and "flushed" its history. Would this or restarting the computer cause a problem? I always thought flushing just flushed the deleted files of the session you were working on but I could definitely be wrong.

My question is - is there an easy way to recover recorded files that the session no longer sees as described above? I will go into the Audio Files folder it automatically created when I first saved over my template but dont think they are still in there and pretty sure the new Audio Files folder that was created when I resaved it under a new name in a new location is empty.

I wont be in front of the computer for a few hours, so I figured I'd at least see if I have any options in the meantime. Thanks for any help.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Let us know if you find the audio in the Audio Files folder. Flushing shouldn't delete those.

[Indellable]

I didnt. In fact - I did a search on my computer and came up empty handed. The only audio files in that folder were the instrumental tracks that are present. Is this just b/c I did the save to a new location after recording? Will that happen everytime or am I missing something? Thanks.

[daniel.sneed]

If this is really valuable data :
- don't touch anything (I mean save any thing else on the hard drive).
- get a copy of Data Rescue 2, and a license.
Some time involved, and some learning curve, but definitely a great mess saver. It has saved my butt.

[buzzsmith]

I didnt. In fact - I did a search on my computer and came up empty handed. The only audio files in that folder were the instrumental tracks that are present. Is this just b/c I did the save to a new location after recording? Will that happen everytime or am I missing something? Thanks.

This has happened to me.

I believe the solution is to do a "Save a Copy" (after your initial save with everything AOK) and make sure the audio files checkbox is also checked.

This will duplicate the present audio to a new folder along with the project.

I think my problem in the past was doing a "Save As", then when I deleted the audio files in the original, they also were deleted in the "Save As".

Might be mistaken, since I don't have DP on the screen right now.

Another solution to prevent it from occurring again is to drag the "good" project to an entirely different location or (if room allows) burn a DVD.

After the fact, I know...

Buzzy

(Would Time Machine help?...go back a few hours or a day, whatever?)

[daniel.sneed]

Sure, this is speaking in favor of Time Machine.
Still on 10.4.11 here.
And, yes, I'll get it with my next computer and OS upgrade.

[twistedtom]

Time machine has saved me from my self a few times, very good idea Apple.

[Indellable]

Small update: All of the Analysis Files are in the new session folder. No audio though so I'm assuming I'm out of luck? Thanks for the replies.

[Frodo]

Also, check the Trash. Some "lost" files are salvaged to the Trash and reside there under some numerical name until the Trash is emptied.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Quick, before he puts the rIng on again...