You should at least keep backups of the original, raw, unedited files.  These sound recordings are scientific data.  You may analyze and process them for use, but raw data are always valuable should you or anyone else want to examine the original data capture for verification or further analysis. Personally, I keep all my raw, unedited files and all my edited files.  I have a folder on my computer for each species, with two subfolders inside:  one for the raw originals and one for edited versions.  Each original capture (or "cut") goes into a separate folder with a number starting at one. In the edited versions folder for each species, I place the components of each edited recording: all the edited and normalized cuts, normalized voice announcements, and the final version that pastes them all together.  I throw nothing away!  Each folder containing an edited recording is named with the cut(s) from which the recording was taken, as well as the ML catalog number once I've uploaded it. It's work, and it's an ongoing process, but I've invested 3 1/2 years into this, and my collection is important to me.  I have the entire collection stored on my laptop and a second copy on an external hard drive. I am a scientist by training, so this may seem excessive for some, but I came perilously close to losing my entire Ph.D. dissertation as a graduate student, so I have really learned the importance of backups!