cataloguing artist names

[DavidHB]

(15-02-2014 15:44)simoncn Wrote:  I agree that reversal from "firstname(s) lastname(s)" to "lastname(s), firstname(s)" can't be fully automated, and a semi-automated approach as you have described in these posts is the best solution. I believe it is possible for MinimServer to provide full automation for the opposite direction, with any unavoidable exceptions being handled by separate ArtistSort and Artist (etc.) tags.

I agree that there is no practical alternative to this approach. I assume that you will take any comma as the splitting point, and names without a comma will be left alone.

Of course, name data collected from online databases is typically in first name - last name format, and so will have to be reversed, ideally using the semi-automated method (dBpoweramp does in fact provide reversed names when it populates the ComposerSort tag, and this will save the user a job in many cases). At the point when the new feature becomes available, it would be helpful to have documentation in place to help users get the best from it. Maybe some sort of tutorial is needed, after all?

Quote:I'm hoping to start work on implementing this soon.

That's good news

David

[simoncn]

(15-02-2014 19:19)DavidHB Wrote:  I agree that there is no practical alternative to this approach. I assume that you will take any comma as the splitting point, and names without a comma will be left alone.

Yes.

Quote:Of course, name data collected from online databases is typically in first name - last name format, and so will have to be reversed, ideally using the semi-automated method (dBpoweramp does in fact provide reversed names when it populates the ComposerSort tag, and this will save the user a job in many cases).

How do I get dBpoweramp to do this? Does it also work for ArtistSort?

Quote:At the point when the new feature becomes available, it would be helpful to have documentation in place to help users get the best from it. Maybe some sort of tutorial is needed, after all?

I'm sure some users would find this helpful.

[DavidHB]

(15-02-2014 22:29)simoncn Wrote:  

(15-02-2014 19:19)DavidHB Wrote:  dBpoweramp does in fact provide reversed names when it populates the ComposerSort tag, and this will save the user a job in many cases)

How do I get dBpoweramp to do this? Does it also work for ArtistSort?

I wasn't actually sure, as the data just started appearing when I enabled the writing of ComposerSort in dBpoweramp. So I paid more attention during today's ripping session, and this is what I think is happening.

There isn't any special processing in dBpoweramp, as far as I can tell. But if you enable the writing of the ArtistSort tag in Options (Options -> Metadata -> click "Options", then the button that appears -> Scroll to "Write ID tags" -> tick the ArtistSort box), dBpoweramp will populate the tag from the on-line databases it searches, if the data is available, which it often seems to be. Of course, if the Composer or Artist data is incorrect, ComposerSort/ArtistSort will also be incorrect ...

ComposerSort and ArtistSort are disabled by default. But if data is available for the disabled tags, it is shown in light grey on the "Metadata for all tracks" tabbed panel at the bottom of the screen.

Incidentally, I think it's a pity that Spoon does not produce proper User Guides for his software (which is so good in other respects). Forum support is all very well, but it is no substitute for properly structured documentation (such as the MinimServer User Guide).

(15-02-2014 22:29)simoncn Wrote:  

(15-02-2014 19:19)DavidHB Wrote:  At the point when the new feature becomes available, it would be helpful to have documentation in place to help users get the best from it. Maybe some sort of tutorial is needed, after all?

I'm sure some users would find this helpful.

I'll bend my mind to it. If you have any thoughts on content or timing, do feel free to PM me.

David

[simoncn]

(15-02-2014 15:44)simoncn Wrote:  I agree that reversal from "firstname(s) lastname(s)" to "lastname(s), firstname(s)" can't be fully automated, and a semi-automated approach as you have described in these posts is the best solution. I believe it is possible for MinimServer to provide full automation for the opposite direction, with any unavoidable exceptions being handled by separate ArtistSort and Artist (etc.) tags.

I'm hoping to start work on implementing this soon.

This feature is now available in MinimServer update 25. For details of how to use the new capabilities to support this style of tagging, see this section of the User guide.