"Can't write to recording files. Does directory exist?" when track is named "Aux"

[Mordi]

Hi.

I've come upon an interesting issue here.

I've created a new track. It records input 13/14 from my mixer. I named it "Aux", as it is the input I use for my iPhone and other things. When I pressed record I got the error in the title of this topic. I then spent maybe an hour trying to find out why. Then I found out that if I rename the track to something else, for example "iPhone", it works fine.

These names also work:
"A"
"Au"
"ux"
"x"

The only ones that give me this error are "aux" and varations; "AUX", "Aux", "aUx", etc.

Does this happen to anyone else? I think I've recorded on tracks named "Aux" before. Weird issue!

[whiteaxxxe]

never seen this issue but in an older version of Cubase was a simmilar thing with some namings if I remember right.

I think that probably the term "aux" in whatever capitals or not is used within the programming. and for Reaper being programmed in Python as far as I know that is a thing of the so called "namespace". you are maybe colliding with fixed terms in there. I know that because I do webprogramming in Python and you cant name the things like you want to name them ...

but I dont know for sure if thats the case here ...

[xpander]

Originally Posted by Mordi

The only ones that give me this error are "aux" and varations; "AUX", "Aux", "aUx", etc.

Does this happen to anyone else? I think I've recorded on tracks named "Aux" before. Weird issue!

Surely weird issue. Nothing like that happening here, not now with v4.77 or ever earlier. That nag is given when the project/recording path is invalid.

Can you reproduce that at will or was it an one-off occurrence?

[karbomusic]

You don't have a directory in the path or anything else by the same or similar name do you?

[Mordi]

Originally Posted by xpander

Surely weird issue. Nothing like that happening here, not now with v4.77 or ever earlier. That nag is given when the project/recording path is invalid.

Can you reproduce that at will or was it an one-off occurrence?

I just reproduced it in the project, even after restarting the computer. I can also reproduce it in other projects.

I use the latest Reaper version.

Originally Posted by karbomusic

You don't have a directory in the path or anything else by the same or similar name do you?

No directories in the directory, if that's what you mean?

[karbomusic]

Originally Posted by Mordi

No directories in the directory, if that's what you mean?

Basically I mean anything, anywhere related to that project where "aux" might be used, directory names, wildcards in the render dialog, most anywhere at the project level even if in the project itself.

I wonder what happens if you open the project (.RPP) in notepad and search for AUX?

[GregHolmes]

Historically, names like "aux", com1", "lpt1" have been reserved by the OS for certain input/output devices.

For example:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOS#Reserved_device_names

I'm not sure what OS you are using, but this might be what you are encountering.

[poplomop]

just tried creating a folder called "aux" and Windows wouldn't let me create one with that name. must be a reserved name.

[cyrano]

Originally Posted by GregHolmes

I'm not sure what OS you are using, but this might be what you are encountering.

Since only DOS and Windows have that problem, I'd bet it 's Windows ;-)

Still, Reaper shouldn't be affected. So it's still a bug.

[karbomusic]

Originally Posted by GregHolmes

Historically, names like "aux", com1", "lpt1" have been reserved by the OS for certain input/output devices.

For example:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOS#Reserved_device_names

I'm not sure what OS you are using, but this might be what you are encountering.

True, because I just noticed aux still applies when creating a folder, however... the OP must be doing something else that results in folder creation or similar access because I can name a track AUX and record just fine.

[GregHolmes]

Originally Posted by cyrano

Since only DOS and Windows have that problem, I'd bet it 's Windows ;-)

Still, Reaper shouldn't be affected. So it's still a bug.

Unix-like OSes too. Here's a better explanation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_file

[Amazed]

Using Windows Explorer On Windows XP sp3. I tried to create a folder with the name AUX and Windows just refuses and reverts to 'new folder'. I tried to rename an existing folder as well and it just reverts to the original name.

'LPT1' gets the same result.

using mkdir gets you 'the directory name is invalid' so it seems it can be tested for.

[karbomusic]

Originally Posted by Amazed

Using Windows Explorer On Windows XP sp3. I tried to create a folder with the name AUX and Windows just refuses and reverts to 'new folder'. I tried to rename an existing folder as well and it just reverts to the original name.

Same here. In contrast to the other poster however, in Reaper I have no problem naming a track AUX and recording it which is what makes me think they have some other setting/config/something/somewhere inside or outside of Reaper that is the missing piece that exposes the issue. Searching the RPP and/or Reaper.ini etc. for "AUX" might rule a few things out.

[cyrano]

Originally Posted by GregHolmes

Unix-like OSes too. Here's a better explanation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Device_file

25 years ago, maybe. In CP/M days. Debian/BSD/OSX have no problem with "aux" as a directory name. Unless it's in the device tree directory...

I seem to remember there was a solution for it. But it's been so long since I've seen XP, I can 't remember.

Maybe the error lies in the creation of the directory. If you write your working directory to an (external) FAT formatted drive, it might just work?

[Mordi]

I was on Windows 7 when I started the topic. I am now on Windows 8.1. I can probably open the project again using 8.1, and see if it happens again (though not right now).

[Fergler]

You can't create any files or folders named Aux in Windows, so if Reaper is trying to save a file that begins with aux it may not work.

If this is bugging you, change the way files are saved here:

http://puu.sh/h7RMf/580f05c8a5.png