help with metatagging

[RustyP]

Hey folks,
Just went to the rally and it was amazing! but ..... BUT ...
I was really looking forward to a class on metadata and it was canceled. I do understand what metadata is, but what is the best easiest way to edit and add it to the files I create?
What software do people use for this purpose, especially those of you who create hundreds of tracks each year?

I don't use iTunes or Windows media player and besides, that seems really cumbersom to have to bring the file across.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks so much!
Rusty

[Unstar]

Do you mean meta-tagging in terms of adding keywords, moods, and other data embedded in the song file? I'm pretty sure there is a lot of software for this kind of thing.

You can probably find one here:
https://www.lifewire.com/free-tools-for ... on-2438490

I personally use a plug-in in my DAW that handles it but one of the above apps is probably fine too.

Cheers

[mrdtman]

[quote="RustyP"]Hey folks,
Just went to the rally and it was amazing! but ..... BUT ...
I was really looking forward to a class on metadata and it was canceled. I do understand what metadata is, but what is the best easiest way to edit and add it to the files I create?
What software do people use for this purpose, especially those of you who create hundreds of tracks each year?

I don't use iTunes or Windows media player and besides, that seems really cumbersom to have to bring the file across.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

I was disappointed that class was canceled too but went to the one on Sunday in the main ballroom. It was pretty informative. I did not know that most meta data did not transfer with a .wav file & that it does with AIFF. Also, the preferred format music supervisors prefer is AIFF, or seems to be. I was intrigued with the demo of the program DISCO which you use to input your meta data along with the files you transfer to the receiver ( per my understanding ). I definitely going to look into it. There should be info in the packet I think but I did stop by the table DISCO had set up & grabbed some info.

DT

[DannyWeber]

Hey folks,
Just went to the rally and it was amazing! but ..... BUT ...
I was really looking forward to a class on metadata and it was canceled. I do understand what metadata is, but what is the best easiest way to edit and add it to the files I create?
What software do people use for this purpose, especially those of you who create hundreds of tracks each year?

I don't use iTunes or Windows media player and besides, that seems really cumbersom to have to bring the file across.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks so much!
Rusty

I use Mp3tag for Metadata in Windows. I like that you can copy and paste Metadata from one track to the next. Convenient and saves time! Especially when entering contact info like name, address, email, phone etc..

If I am not mistaken, you can only metatag compressed audio files like MP3s or AAC etc..

Uncompressed audio like Windows Wav format, is focused around the audio data only and doesn’t have a lot of room for text information and you probably won’t even be able to metatag those files at all with most metadata apps.

Uncompressed audio is better quality but cannot store the amount of text info the compressed audio files can.

Audio compression is a process that reduces the quantity and size of digital audio data, by eliminating useless information like frequencies beyond human hearing , 20 Hz to 20 kHz audio signals, among other techniques for reducing the size of digital audio data while retaining most of the sonic quality of that file.

I am sure you can find a lot more info on the subject with a little research.

I would suggest (for metadata) using an app that you are comfortable with. In most cases, I am thinking about my budget before anything else.

My 2 cents,

Dan

[RustyP]

Yes, I was also at the disco presentation and was also surprised that aiff is a popular choice now. Beth Wernic of Imaginary Friends also mentioned it.

This is all definitely something to learn.
I would really like to find a way to take care of this stuff as painlessly as possible.
I'm imagining some sort of software that saves my contact info in it and can just at a keystroke add all of my contact info to a file or several files.
Anyway, more to learn.

[eeoo]

Keep in mind that different publishers have different requirements for metadata. Almost all of the publishers I have tracks with have you fill out a spreadsheet rather than tag the track itself. And, as was mentioned, metadata does not stick to wav files. But it is a good idea to tag mp3s that you might be sending to people, at a minimum with your name and contact info. If you're sending lots of tracks directly to music supes and such then it's a good idea to be very thorough with your tagging.

[Casey H]

There are two different subjects...

(1) What should your tag words be? e.g. How to describe mood, style, genre, etc.? Name, contact info, PRO info, etc.

(2) How to add tags to a music file.

As others said, MOST libraries have you put the tags into a separate document such as a spreadsheet or on-line form. One library I work with does have you add tags with iTunes.

Also to repeat, wav files do not hold tagging info. Only mp3s and aiff files do. Do not trust any software that says it can apply tags to a wav file as there is always the possibility that those tags won't be readable by the party you send the track to.

If you are applying tags as part of submitting final hi res files to a publisher, follow their instructions.

If you are sending an mp3 for a pitch or submitting to a Taxi listings, you should always tag your mp3 (at the minimum!) with title, your name, email address, and phone number. Files sometimes get separated from emails or other documentation so having your contact info in the music file is critical. You can tag your mp3 with iTunes or some of the software suggested on this thread. If you are a Windows PC user, you can tag an mp3 simply by right clicking on the file name and selecting "Properties".

Best,
Casey

[funsongs]

Only mp3s and aiff files do (ed: can include the data).
Do not trust any software that says it can apply tags to a wav file as there is always the possibility that those tags won't be readable by the party you send the track to.

If you are sending an mp3 for a pitch or submitting to a Taxi listings...
always tag your mp3 (at the minimum!) with title, your name, email address, and phone number.

Files sometimes get separated from emails or other documentation so
having your contact info in the music file
is critical.

You can tag your mp3 with iTunes or some of the software suggested on this thread.

If you are a Windows PC user, you can tag an mp3 simply by right clicking on the file name and selecting "Properties".

Best,
Casey

(ed: emphasis mine)
Pardon my stretching out your reply, Casey - I'm a bit reader-challenged, and need to review instructions slowly, methodically, and often several times.
To that last point - WHEN? - or at what stage of uploading an mp3 file to my TAXI Homepage, do I do exactly that.
Thanks for your info... I've been remiss to remember to learn & do that EACH TIME.
Cheers.

[eeoo]

You would do that before you upload it.

[Casey H]

(ed: emphasis mine)
Pardon my stretching out your reply, Casey - I'm a bit reader-challenged, and need to review instructions slowly, methodically, and often several times.
To that last point - WHEN? - or at what stage of uploading an mp3 file to my TAXI Homepage, do I do exactly that.
Thanks for your info... I've been remiss to remember to learn & do that EACH TIME.
Cheers.

When you have the mp3 on your PC, BEFORE you upload it to Taxi... Go to the folder the mp3 is stored in. Right click on the file name and select "Properties" and then "Details". If you need more help, please give me a shout!

Casey