ID3 tags on DJ mixes..

[verbal]

I've been in the habit of putting the DJ as the artist and the producer/track name in the track name spot. Though I've been thinking this might not be the best way. I was thinking about starting to put the artist and track name in the right spots, then putting the DJs name in the composer spot.

I'm just curious how you all label ID3 tags on MP3s that you're putting on an MP3 player. I'm about to put a bunch of mixes on my iPod and was wondering how you all label them.

[Eikman]

i'm not using any ID3 tags at all. i rename all my mp3s after the same pattern, so that when i upload them on my iPod (using ephpod), it can automatically find out the album, artist and tracktitle from the filename.

but if i would use them, i would probably put the infos in the correct spots ;)

[anna]

I do it the same as you are doing. I think that is the standard. But if you like to listen to the individual tracks in a mix by themselves then the composer method is one way to do it, so that you can have the original artist in the artist field. Then you just have to search using composer for dj mixes. But that depends on whether your mp3 player uses the composer field.

The composer field is useful on the ipod as an extra data field for categorising by whatever you want. Unless you listen to a lot of classical music, in which case the composer field would probably be used "correctly".

i'm not using any ID3 tags at all. i rename all my mp3s after the same pattern, so that when i upload them on my iPod (using ephpod), it can automatically find out the album, artist and tracktitle from the filename.
You are using ID3 tags, you're just not inputting them yourself, letting ephpod automatically parse the filenames into ID3 tags for you.

Effectively what you write in the filename format is the ID3 tags. You have a filename delimitation that directly corresponds to the ID3 artist field, etc, so you have exactly the same issue, you just don't know it.


but if i would use them, i would probably put the infos in the correct spots ;)
It is not as simple as that. Which spot is the "correct" one when you have two pieces of information for the same category? There are two artists that relate to the file, and this cannot be properly described under the limitations of the ID3 database.

But if I would use this forum more, I would probably read the question before answering.;)

[Eikman]

yeah, whatever.

still, i don't have the problem because when i have a DJ mix i name the files:
Mix Name - Track Artist - Track Title

no need to mention the DJ, because i know who he is and/or i mention him in the folder name, as in (Mixed by DJ xyz). or just ignore the problem with different artists/tracks by merging the whole mix into one mp3 as it's supposed to be :)

[anna]

No. You DO have the problem. The problem is inherent in the naming/tagging system. It just doesnt matter to you, and your solution to the problem is to just ignore it. Which is what verbal was asking.

Anyway, the problem (for others) with your solution is that folder name is not used by some mp3 players, like ipods, so this is only useful on computer. And ignoring the DJ name because you know who it is is not great, as you will be stuck if you happen to forget, and you won't be able to sort by DJ (to play all mixes by that DJ, etc). And it won't help anyone else listening to your ipod.

And the problem with merging is you are unable to sort by/listen to individual songs in a mix (not something I personally do, so would be fine for me). Effectively, merging is the same as putting the DJ name in the artist field, except one method allows you to listen to individual tracks, and one method lets you have gapless playback.

But it works for you so that's all that really matters.

[Eikman]

No. You DO have the problem. The problem is inherent in the naming/tagging system. It just doesnt matter to you, and your solution to the problem is to just ignore it. Which is what verbal was asking.

well, since i have a solution to the problem i don't have the problem (anymore), right? ;)


Anyway, the problem (for others) with your solution is that folder name is not used by some mp3 players, like ipods, so this is only useful on computer. .

i always upload directories to my ipod and i can very well see them.

[stimpee]

my mp3 player doesnt support ID3 tags and anyway, i find them too much of a pain so I prefer to just organise them with a good naming scheme. having to ID3 stuff is like naming stuff twice with extras.

this looks like a nice tool tho. www.medik.dk

[BrotherLovesDub]

rip as 1 track then set up a smart playlist to store all files over 50mins in length. then title the song name like this: "Today - KOMCD102" artist = "Superpitcher" album = "Today - KOMCD102"

the iPod will only irritate you when listening to dj mixes as seperate tracks.

[anna]

well, since i have a solution to the problem i don't have the problem (anymore), right? ;)
No, again you are incorrect. There is a difference between having a problem (the existence of a problem), and having a problem with something (taking issue with that thing). In this case, the problem still exists, but you don't have a problem with it.

The problem is inherent in the system. Whether you care about it (have a problem with it) or not, it still exists.

Things like this are part of my job. If you would like to continue arguing with me about it feel free.;)

i always upload directories to my ipod and i can very well see them.
Please explain to me exactly how you see the directories on your ipod, when ipods use ID3 tags for file management, and store files in unintelligible directories (f00, f01, etc). The ipod interface does not allow you to view or sort by directory information.

When you say you "see" folders on you ipod, do you mean the folder name comes up as album name? The only way the directories would be "showing up" is if you use folder name as the placeholder for a ID3 tag. eg. Folder name is imported as album title. If this is the case, again you are using ID3 tags without knowing it. Therefore your solution is exactly the same as telling verbal to put the DJ name in the "Album" ID3 tag field. This is not the "correct" place to put it.;)

[anna]

Sorry, the irony of someone being condescending when they don't know what the hell they are talking about is just too good for me to pass up.;)

[verbal]

Anyone else? :)

[frail]

re pedants....err....whatevveerrrr.. glad to see over-education isnt just an epidemic in my part of the world.. carry on!

verbal, do you mean a single file, with multiple ID3? Like on dirtyradio, where its a single stream, but the ID3 updates every so often with the current track. I'm not sure how that works outside of streaming mp3 - i guess shoutcast does all that for you. If you saved the stream as a single file (ahem, I'd never do such a thing.. ;) ) then i guess it would have just the last ID3. Dunno.. gurus?

The thing that really annoyed me about listening to mixes was the click between tracks, if you split them up. Of course, that way you get the proper names..

What MP3 players worth their salt don't support tagging? Pretty cack ones, at a guess...

Interesting topic!

[verbal]

verbal, do you mean a single file, with multiple ID3?

No, I mean a DJ mix that is in multiple tracks. I like looking at the screen and being able to nkow what the track and producer name is as well as the DJ mixing it.

I have a few CDs I've ripped into multiple tracks and I'm just curious how others handle this. But noone wants to share. Oh well.

[frail]

ah i see. well, imo, best way is directory with name of mix, and DJ, and then call the tracks what they are, producer / name etc. Its what the majority of the mixes I see online use, and it makes sense.