Removing distortion from very loud recordings
 

I've recorded two tracks with my Creative MuVo TX 256MB (you can download them here).
You'll notice that on very loud passages the tracks are heavily distorted with that awful crackling sound. I'd like to know how I could remove that completely without destroying the music experience. Is it even possible?

If not: How can I prevent that effect next time?

You went to the GC opening concert? By the time I tried to buy some tickets, it was already sold out ... -__-

Anyhow, I think the sound quality of these tracks is so horrible that any attempt at improving them would be futile. Even if you get rid of the crackling, it will still sound awful. I guess the effect is due to your hardware being very limited in recording a full scale orchestra. ;-)

Once you've hit distortion, it's practically impossible to fix it (as far as I know).

Next time, set the recording level lower on your gadget (if possible). I've had to fiddle with my minidisc a lot just to dodge crackling like you've described.

Once the waveform reaches the top of the graph, it no longer contains any musical information in that area, just a bunch of digital 1s. And there is no way to fix it, not really.

There are techniques for restoring clipped peaks, but it will never be the same as a good clean waveform.

Edit: Actually, the recording level seems to have been hard limited to -0.1dB. But it still sounds distorted.

And hey, cool, Dancing Mad! :D

Try to steer clear of the front of the stage or near stage monitors aswell in future, they send distortion mad, you could try and filter it maybe with an eq? All this assuming that you cant get another chance to record em' again of course!

Bwah. Not good.
I know that the overall sound quality is not very good but the biggest problem for me were the partial distortions. Thanks to all your answers.

The MuVo's recording quality isn't very good. I've personally used my Zen Vision:M's mic to record a concert (see here). It also records to IMA ADPCM, but at a higher bitrate (Creative doesn't give any recording options), and sounds decent IMO.