Garageband - File Size Limit 2GB Question

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Garageband - File Size Limit 2GB Question

Dear Garageband Users,

I've got a question but I need to set some context before I ask.

I help run live seminar events recording audio from four different input sources. Garageband is connected to an M-Audio Fast Track Ultra Audio recorder. The Fast Track Ultra interface connects with two external speakers, two wireless headset microphones, and a hand-held wireless microphone (received via Sennheizer wireless microphone receivers). There are four multi-track recordings recording, and around the 2 hour mark the software stops, pauses all audio devices, I can't hear any audio in the room, and this error pops up on garageband:

"File size limit reached: Audio recordings are limited to a file size of 2 gigabytes. This recording has reached the file size limit."

This creates a massive disruption in the energy of the room and leaves an awkward moment for the lead speaker.

Once I click on the error 'okay' button, and press record again, I regain sound back in the room. But it's been happening consistently and needs to be resolved.

My question is: Can I extend the garageband file limit any longer than 2 hours? Does compacting the file extend time limit? Or do I need to arrange for breaks every 2 hours during the seminar to restart a new garageband file?

Any support would be massively welcome,

Rory

GarageBand (Mac) '11, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jul 4, 2013 9:01 AM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

200,645 points

Jul 4, 2013 4:25 PM in response to roryhawke

My question is: Can I extend the garageband file limit any longer than 2 hours? Does compacting the file extend time limit? Or do I need to arrange for breaks every 2 hours during the seminar to restart a new garageband file?

It would be safer, to keep the file sizes smaller than 2GB. There has been no definitive answer from Apple with respect to the File Size limits in the current GB version, afaik.

The only reference I could find was valid for GB '08, and it may still apply: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1040

GarageBand stores the audio files in the the GarageBand projects as aiff files, and the aiff standard restrict the the file size to 2GB. If Apple respects this standard, an audio clip cannot be longer than 2GB.

And how is the drive formatted, where your projects are stored? If the drive is not formatted MacOS X extended, the filesize limit would be built into the filesystem. But Mac OS X extended disks should not have this limit.

Are your projects on a drive that is daisy-chained? Then this could be the problem: "File size limit reached" error when recording to daisy chained drive

Regards

Léonie

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