Thread: MP3 Tagger Help

Okay then people, after my VDJ software was reading a few of my tunes as "Track No.4" or "nice oldskool tune", in a fit of rage I downloaded a bit of software that deletes all mp3 tags.

Not the biggest mistake I've ever made with my tunes (like deleting an unretrievable 40Gb worth in April 09 ), but VDJ now reads the whole tune in just the 'title' column whereas the 'Artist' column is blank - not the best way to organise and select tunes, I know.

So I've decided upon a task that I think will take me about a year - to tag every tune I have in meticulous detail (cat. no, year, etc.).

Few questions:

• I'm worried by the time I've finished tagging everything, mp3 will either old hat or a super-duper new audio format takes over the world?
• I might find a quicker way to tag tunes (no idea how that would come about?) and it might be just a waste of time. The way I can counterpoint this argument is that I tag them when I'm at work, therefore I'll be getting paid for it and won't neccessarily be a waste of my time
• there's obviously thousands of mp3 tagging software out there, I'd like an opinion on a free, simple interface bit of kit?
• Is it really all worth it in the long-run, considering that in reality it's just about a bunch of electronic files looking neater? (I think ease of mind may come into this though)
• I'm a bit dubious about this as I indexed all of my vinyl on an alphabetical card system 15 years ago, then decided to rearrange my vinyl order to coincide with this system, but playing a certain style of set was a nightmare - all very laughable now but at the time I was deadly serious and anal about it... I think tagging the mp3s might be the same, i.e. a few years down the line I'll laugh at how much time I put into tagging every single one of my tunes - think I've got about 10,000 now

Thoughts people?

Well, i started doing exactly this a while back - and yes it's bloody time-consuming. Wouldn't like to say how many hours i've put in but i'm only up to F - but i'm being pretty fussy about it.

I get all my tagging info off Cogs (including artwork) and the only thing i mess around with is genre - they seem to make it up a bit over there.

I don't think you've got too many worries regarding MP3 diappearing any time soon.

I've been using Media Monkey - and apart from the occasional crash its pretty good. It loads tunes from within the database real quick, lets u tag a ton of info and seeing as it saves itself as it goes along, even the crashing isn't a problem.

The biggest pain in the arse i've found is when u upgrade a tune, as u then have to go back in, delete the old one & tag the new one. Not an issue for single tunes but if u upgrade a few at a time you can easily lose them within your database.

As for the anal thing - depends on how bothered you are - only you can answer that

Gimme a nudge if you're interested in playing with my Monkey............

Had a quick gander at Mp3tag this morning, have to say it does exactly what it says on the tin.

Will have a look at your monkey and give it a spanking if need be

I'd also be careful with 'Cogs mate, as they are users' contributions; when you think about it it's the same as Youtube, and that can be a complete f*ck-up on IDs, although admittedly the users on 'Cogs are as passionate about record-logging as you are with the colour burgundy
I always cross-reference with rolldabeats - online dance music discography resource

mp3tag is the one i used and never had a prob with it....

i tag all my vinyl rips now using wavelab........


talking of cogs though.........

i asked this question quite awhile ago on another forum and was told that there is some waht of tagging using cogs.......

cant remember how or anythin, but seems a great way of doin it if ya wanna go that far.

horses for couses

There is a way of tagging with Discogs, and a one-click multiple files function so that theoretically, you select all, click the import tag and it retrieves all the info off 'Cogs as well as album art, you sit back and let it do it's magic

Of course, it's too good to be true

Two things here - I went on the forum (which is in English & German) and you either need to be an expert coder with loads of little zip file attachments in certain folders running all kinds of script

OR

There's a firewall on my work's PC that's preventing Mp3tag from connecting to 'Cogs, so I'm pissing myself as I can't wait to get home and try it there

Will let you know, but I will work the bastard out.

If you can tag from Discogs - i will do it so it will be interesting if you get it to work Swipezster

I'm working flat out at the moment on this... think it might just work, but it's a bit complicated

Sorted - can only do individual files at the mo but I can import loads of tag data from 'Cogs for each mp3, including album art

Initially it's a bit of a bugger to set up, and to import data for each mp3 you have to do a bit of copy & pasting... but I think it's worth it.

Once I've done my own collection, I'll post up an idiot's guide with lots of pretty pictures and stuff in the VIP

I need an idiots guide Swipezster

Originally Posted by msprim

I need an idiots guide Swipezster

you're not the only one, I do too

Completely forgot about this 'project'... will post up in general section week in between xmas & new year

Originally Posted by swipezster

Completely forgot about this 'project'... will post up in general section week in between xmas & new year

Nice one Swipezster - look forward to that