Metadata WAV files for PC

[BGmusic]

Hi, does anyone know how to add metadata to WAV files, using a PC (not a MAC). Can accomplish for MP3's via iTunes, can't do using WAV on iTunes. thanks.

[Russell Landwehr]

WAV files do not have Metadata. There is a special type of WAV file (broadcast WAV I believe) that does, but not normal everyday WAV files.

[eeoo]

You can make metadata stick to AIFFs though.

[Elienguitar]

Audacity makes it easy to accomplish this. And the best part is, its free.

http://www.audacityteam.org/

[Tunesmith]

I recently used Audacity. When you export your wave file a data field box pops up and you fill in the details.

[Len911]

And your next question will probably be, "How do I find a program or player that can actually read them?"

[Casey H]

I recently used Audacity. When you export your wave file a data field box pops up and you fill in the details.

Still, it is not recommended that you send wav files expecting that the party receiving them will be able to read the metadata. Very iffy depending on what music player they use. Aiff's and mp3s can reliably hold tags. I've never had a music library ask me for wav format as opposed to aiff and expect to have tags in the music files. IMHO, currently, it is a waste to put tags in wav files unless they are for your own use only.

Casey

[Kolstad]

Metadata in wav. files are possible according to this http://www.robotplanet.dk/audio/wav_meta_data/

The issue seems to be the software that reads the wav. either is old(er), and therefore skip some of the encoded data, or that the metadata is encoded in ID3, which is not both forward and backwards compatible, like the chunks in wav.

Here's a recent list of editors http://wavmetadata.blogspot.dk (Ive read folks on windows have had success with Soundforge)

According to these sources, adding metadata to wav. files does not break the format, but due to the existance of different metadata formats, you cannot be certain that the software in the recievibg end will be able to read it. That also applies if you use ID3 tagging of your wav., though.

So it doesn't hurt to put metadata in your wav. as it is both forwards and backwards compatible (the file can be read no matter if the mediaplayer can read the chunks or not). But if you need to be certain that the reciever can also read it, you need to agree upon a format.

As is now, the lack of standards in this area makes this a compatibility issue which cannot be solved by any one user. Hopefully some smart software developer will solve this puzzle soon. As important metadata is now, theres definitely a need..

[Tunesmith]

When I converted the wav file to mp3 using AVS Audio editor, I saved it to a USB drive and put it in my Chromebook and the meta data, which was my name in this case, was still there. I discovered this all by accident as my trusty laptop with AVS Audio editor and my DAW which is a Roland VS workstation don't like each other anymore. Big kind of like FM frequency hiss. and I have moved them to a different room and isolated everything except the master output wires. (which I have switched) etc...so I am using another laptop with Audacity where there is no hiss, then usb transport that wav file to the other laptop with AVS Audio editor, then editing and converting to .mp3.
I know...really?? I have a lifetime subscription to AVS Audio Editor but they are being stubborn in letting me install it on another system. I use all their products and really like them. Hope to get this resolved soon.

Audacity has an .mp3 export as well, but I didn't bother as I get a message that some kind of compression format needs to be downloaded. So you may be able to enter meta data with the mp3 export with that software, but I don't know for sure!