Audio · exFAT recorder card
PCM WAV: recover after deletion
How can I recover PCM WAV recordings after deletion?
Short answer
Yes, often: a deleted PCM WAV stays on the recorder card until new takes overwrite it, and its uncompressed samples are easy to validate. Stop recording, remove the card and scan it read-only. Note sample rate, bit depth and channel count so you can check that each recovered header matches the recorder settings.
The situation
PCM WAV recordings no longer appears in its recording folder even though the storage device is still detected.
A deleted take stays on the recorder card until new recording claims its space, and uncompressed PCM is the easiest material to judge afterwards: the samples lie in order, so a recovered file either plays clean audio or reveals its damage the moment you listen to it.
01 / Diagnose
Work out what actually disappeared
The recorder deletes by releasing the directory entry in the exFAT structures, and removable media have no recycle bin to fall back on. The audio data keeps its place until the next take is written. Because PCM carries no compression, a complete file is usable straight away, while a partly reused one turns to noise where other data begins.
Deletion can release a directory reference before later writes reuse every block that belonged to the file. For PCM WAV, this matters because RIFF, fmt and data chunks describe channels, sample rate and payload length
Check the last known path, trash and backups without writing to the original device.
02 / Protect the source
Preserve the best recovery chance
- 1
Stop the recorder, take the card out and keep it out of the slot until the recovery is finished.
- 2
Write down sample rate, bit depth and channel count from the recorder settings, so recovered headers can be checked against them.
- 3
Read the card in a card reader, scan it read-only and export to an internal drive rather than the card.
- 4
Listen to each recovered take from beginning to end and compare its length with the session notes.
Do not record anything else on the card, not even a short test take, and do not let the recorder rebuild its folder structure. Exporting back onto the same card covers the very area the remaining takes occupy and turns a simple case into a lost one.
03 / Choose the method
Match the tool to the source
For stable, readable exFAT, NTFS and FAT16/FAT32 or uncompressed IMG, DD, RAW and BIN images.
Unconfirmed exports are marked .UNVERIFIED.
File Recovery Hero reads exFAT, NTFS and FAT16/FAT32 cards read-only on macOS and Windows and exports whole files; a take whose blocks were partly reused comes back damaged and cannot be mended here. Scanning is free, exporting needs a one-time licence at 50 EUR.
04 / Verify
Check the recovered content, not just its name
A good recovery opens with the sample rate, bit depth and channel count the recorder used, plays from start to end and reports a length that matches the session. Noise, clicks or a sudden switch to a different room tone mark the point where another file took the space.
Keep the source until two verified copies exist. One working preview is not enough.
Sources and technical references
FAQ
Questions about this recovery case
Can exFAT recorder card be recovered in this situation?+
A deleted take stays on the recorder card until new recording claims its space, and uncompressed PCM is the easiest material to judge afterwards: the samples lie in order, so a recovered file either plays clean audio or reveals its damage the moment you listen to it. The result still depends on what remains readable on the source.
What should I avoid before scanning?+
Do not record anything else on the card, not even a short test take, and do not let the recorder rebuild its folder structure.
Does scanning write to my memory card?+
Your memory card is only read. Nothing is saved to it.
How do I know whether the result is complete?+
A good recovery opens with the sample rate, bit depth and channel count the recorder used, plays from start to end and reports a length that matches the session.