I recently lost a number of audio files while emptying the pool trash. I had created several projects that shared a common project folder and, therefore, the same ‘Audio’ folder. Prior to backing up to an external hard drive I wanted to purge any unused audio files, so I first used the ‘Remove Missing Files’ function, then I emptied the trash with the assumption that I was purging only files that had been created in a given project (.cpr. document). As I now know, I purged all audio files in the ‘Audio’ folder, which included files that belonged to other projects in the same folder.
It would be very helpful to include, in the warning window that appears when emptying the trash, a list of the files to be deleted, or at least a number, i.e, “You are about to delete 52 audi files.” Such a message would have prompted me to verify what I was deleting with the result that I would not have lost a few hours of recorded tracks.
That’s the thing. They were recycled. I simply didn’t want to make a larger external back up than necessary, so I emptied the trash.
What Cubase considers a ‘missing file’ with regard to project ‘x’ , may be an important file in project ‘y’, which, in my case, shared a common ‘Audio’ folder.
In order to keep my track settings thoughout numerous different pieces in a session, I was creating new projects by ‘saving as’ the previous project, thus the shared ‘Audio’ folder. I ought to have created a template from the first project and used that to create each successive project, which would have created individual ‘Audio’ folders for each project.
I know a friend who keeps using the same folder. It’s really not a good idea. I always create a new folder per project.
Another thing to watch for is using render in place. It will use the folder of the project by default but if for some reason you have changed it in another project (I did when I was editing some files for my son and wanted them in another folder) then the setting will remain. I did this once and didn’t realise it was using the wrong folder. I deleted the folder I created for my son’s files and didn’t realise my renders in another project went there also. Luckily the files were in my recycle bin.
Agreed, not a good idea at all. One folder per .cpr from now on. Unless of course there are only minor variations between them, such as alternate mixes of the same track.
Just to make this clear (also for future readers): Cubase does not delete files from any folder on the hard drive that were not referenced in the Pool. This includes files that are in the same folder as files that the user wants to delete.
The problem here is that you referenced files, that were used also in other projects, and then ordered the Pool to delete the files from the hard drive (without actually wanting to delete them).
Yes, and to make it even clearer to future readers, it should be noted that my referencing of files used in other projects was done unwittingly, and was not a deliberate action.
I wish Steinberg would make the wording more clear when emptying the trash. As it reads, you could interpret that as removing files on your hard drive.