Help - file thinks it is zero length

[TexaCali]

I'm trying to import some stems from a live show into reaper (flac files). Show is 1:36:46 long, and all the stems show the correct length in their file properties, except 2 that show zero length.

The two "zero" length files actually have 1:36:46 of audio and will play fine in Windows Media player but import as 1 sec files in Reaper. Is there a way to edit the file properties or get Reaper to ignore this property so it will import?

BTW - the stems were not recorded with Reaper, but straight off a console that records multitrack to flash drive. No idea why 2 channels have an invalid length in their properties, but they appear to be fine otherwise.

Thanks in advance,
Mark

[chriscomfort]

Did you check the size of the files (in Mbs)? How do they compare to the others?

[TexaCali]

file sizes are approx the same as the others. And again, I can play the files (using Windows Media Player) and they are the same length as the others. All the audio is there, but the file properties is incorrect (with zeros in the length field) so Reaper won't import it.

BTW - I understand now why this happened. The flash drive filled up during the recording process, and since the drive was completely full, not all the files were closed out properly.

[Philbo King]

Try importing them into an audio app, then resaving them to disk. VLC or Audacity might work.

You might be able to do something similar in Win media player - IIRC, there is an option buried in it somewhere to stream its output to a file.

[hopi]

good idea to import to some other player and resave...

suggest Irfan View.... usually thought of as an image viewer but it will also play audio... at least some
and I suggest it because it does good resaves that correct problems...

it is free but watch out and don't let it install other 'things'...

[TexaCali]

Thanks guys!

I was able to use WinAmp to write the audio back out as a wave file (though only 16 bit unfortunately).

Thanks for the tip on Irfan View. I already use it as an image viewer, no idea it did audio.

Real lesson learned here is to double check the flash drive before recording to it. I could have sworn it was an empty drive.