Question for archivists

[MopTopMike]

I've been going thru my CD's that were recorded over 10 years ago, all were recorded from original 45s from either myself, or other collectors. I'm surprised to find that many will no longer read in my CD Recorder unit (Tascam) or on any computer (have 3 laptops). So, I have been making new dubs on hi-quality blank CDs from the 45s I have in the collection.

Question - I want to add appropriate tags for each track, however, I do not want to use the commonplace standardized tagging options one finds with programs designed to "batch" tag tracks (like downloading info from various on-line sources to save time and work) or use the categories that are common, like "album", track number, etc.

I want to have my own categories - is there anything out there that will allow a user to create their own tag categories? Or do I have to come up with my own code?
I only require the following tag categories for my tracks:
Group / Artist; Songtitle; Label & Number ; Release Date (month/Year), TBM Rating (decimal number, not a star rating) and image (for the label scan)

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[13th Floor Garage]

I'm not sure if this is possible or not.

After receiving Teenbeat Mayhem, I spent the next eight months or so updating the tag history (location, month and year) to over 2000 of my favorite songs. I placed the info in the "comment" section. If, let's say that I wanted to hear bands from RI, this would be problematic because any song that had "RI" in its group or song title would also appear in my search. However, if I'm listening to a song and want to know more about it, I can view the tag info.

If so, this software appears to be the most flexible. It's possible to add fields, but I'm not sure how this works or if this would work to your needs. It's free, but the author also accepts donations.

https://www.mp3tag.de/en/

Below is an example. I do a lot of driving. Sometimes I want to hear a certain style of garage and so, I make my own personal comps. My DAP doesn't have fields where I can quickly access additional info - such as music history. However, If I'm at home I view the below.

 

[bosshoss]

I'm sure you have probably already googled something like this yourself Mike. However, in case you haven't, here is a link to a list of possibilities, all reviewed. I haven't used any of them myself.

https://listoffreeware.com/free-mp3-tag-editor-software-windows/

 

[AZ54]

I use MediaMonkey to play and tag the files. In the comment I put location, label and nr, MTM-score, members and source of the file. The listing in the MTM-list is in the number-field, in the score I put my personal stars (not always corresponding with the MTM-score). They scan is also in the file and is shown when playing.

 

[AZ54]

But, Mike, maybe you could also do it the other way around: instead of putting all the info in the soundfile you could create a relation between your database with the soundfiles. Don't know how exactly, but there maybe some whizzkids who could make it happen. Just a thought :)

 

[MopTopMike]

Thanks for the responses.

I am still doing the analog to digital process for the 45s. This is for my planned TeenBeat Mayhem radio station, as well as archiving tracks for digital storage. TBM radio will play all available songs listed in both books. There are only two other stations worthy of mention currently in operation streaming (mostly) obscure '60s garage/teenbeat music. However, neither one has the scope and depth that TBM radio will offer listeners.

The streaming station will be automated; the hourly playlist track selection is based on the song's TBM rating. Songs awarded a TBM rating of 1 or 2 are potentially selected once every 8 or more hours, 3 and above being selected via the weighted algorithm selection program I developed. A listener would hear a bit more songs rated 6 or higher than those rated 3 to 5 in one 24 hr suite, the next suite would alter the percentage, and so on. There will also be songs that have no TBM rating (performers from Canada, Australia, etc.) scattered here and there (the 'wildcard' category). As there are almost 18,000 songs now rated to date, I am recording tracks per the hourly song selection process and loading them in preparation for the project. Them the tagging part of the process will be undertaken.

I want to have the pertinent information displayed in any audio player of a user that can be used to listen to a streaming source. This would be group/performer, title, release month/date TBM rating (shown in decimal form), and record label. I also want to use the scans that Mark provided for the JPEG "LP cover" image to display when the track is playing. I would provide the missing label scans.

All of the tagging options have categories I do not need; none have one for the record label. These tagging features are 100% geared towards digital music files from LPs and CDs ,thus, categories that the current tagging programs offer, like track number, album title, category, BPM, songwriter....
As there is nothing created for what I need, or anything that offers cateogry manipulation by the user, I guess I will have to defer the missing category headings for the tag to the 'comment' category.

 

[Hallucalation]

Thanks for the responses.

I am still doing the analog to digital process for the 45s. This is for my planned TeenBeat Mayhem radio station, as well as archiving tracks for digital storage. TBM radio will play all available songs listed in both books. There are only two other stations worthy of mention currently in operation streaming (mostly) obscure '60s garage/teenbeat music. However, neither one has the scope and depth that TBM radio will offer listeners.

Can you name both stations? One as i understand is Beyond The Beat Generation?

 

[MopTopMike]

Beyond The Beat Generation - I sent Hans lots of 45s and acetate dubs but he will only upload a song that HE likes. In his words, he only wants what he considers "killers" for BTBG.
I had a listing of his entire digital collection to compare with my archived tracks. Maybe a third (at most) of Hans' archive is considered for streaming. BTBG also streams songs that are more aligned to classic psychedelic rock.

The streaming station I like to listen to while working is Lance's Philips 66 garage. He used to operate two streaming stations, Philips 66 and another one that featured more pop and soul obscurities. He lost that stream with a switch of providers and now incorporates some pop and soul in the Philips 66 garage stream. Nothing wrong with that, and his obscure '60s song selections are a nice mix with the garage sounds.

Philips 66 Garage

 

[Hallucalation]

Thanks! Unavailable in Russia but will try with VPN.


Yes, that is the problem with Hans station. Plus he still streams in really low quality like it is still 2000 or something. A lot of the same tracks getting repeated too. Got annoying after week or so.

 

[Jim]

Mike may I ask what is considered classic psychedelic rock? Just curious.

 

[Hallucalation]

Mike may I ask what is considered classic psychedelic rock? Just curious.

Airplane, early Dead circa 66-67, Quicksilver, Ultimate Spinach, Pearls Before Swine, Floyd etc. all got rotation on Hans station too.

 

[Frantic]

Mike may I ask what is considered classic psychedelic rock? Just curious.

the 1st Country Joe & The Fish LP.

 

[13th Floor Garage]

I own and operate a local pirate FM radio station. I'm guessing that streaming with ID's is similar to the FM RDS function.

This is probably far too difficult a task, but you could place the group and song in the "Title" section, which would leave the "Group" section open to adding additional info.

I've done a similar form of tag manipulation... when placing compilations on my DAP (this prevents the songs from being scattered all over and instead all fitting under one "album"). Doing this to 80 or so compilations is a lot of work, and so I'm thinking that with all your music, this might not be the best option for you, but thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[MopTopMike]

Thanks! Unavailable in Russia but will try with VPN.


Yes, that is the problem with Hans station. Plus he still streams in really low quality like it is still 2000 or something. A lot of the same tracks getting repeated too. Got annoying after week or so.

The higher streams above 128kps cost a LOT more per month. So, unless you want to suffer thru advertisements every 3 or 4 songs, or you have enough money to afford higher stream options PLUS pay additonal fees for streaming rights thru 5 different required collection services, well, 128 with strreaming rights factored in to the monthly cost is by Live 365 the only affordable option.

Of course, you could just side-step paying any of the streaming license requirements and do it illegally, but then you suffer extreme financial and legal consequences if caught by the authroities. They are now on the prowl 24/7 to find podcasters and streaming radio operations who are not paying required licensing fees. For those unaware, you only had to pay fees to the song publisher in the past (BMI, ASCAP, SESAC...) today, not only do you have to pay them, but you have to pay for the performance rights (the people who made the recording), regardless of whether or not they are "active" or archival.

 

[gpxo]

Hi Mike-do you have an estimated time on when your streaming channel will be available? Also, will you inform us of when it hits the streaming platform?

 

[MopTopMike]

Just saw this post....

No estimated time yet, when it does debut I will announce it here.
My plan is to test things out before unveiling the station so that when ready everything runs and operates smoothly.