HDX - how do I add metadata to downloads?

Hiya,

The simple answer is that you can't - the extended metadata is handled by the HDX when it rips a CD and is pulled from the lookup service.

You cannot add extended metadata to music that wasn't ripped on the HDX.

Thanks

Phil

Depending on the file type (e.g., FLAC), you may be able to edit the tags to append additional information (composer and conductor come to mind), using third-party editors (Max, MediaMonkey, etc.).

However, you will not achieve the same (relational) degree of depth found, as Phil indicates above, when ripping a disc with a Naim server using AMG as the metadata provider-this is stored as an XML file within the album folder, not as tags within the (untagged WAV) file. No effort is required on your part!

This is especially true with classical titles where one might have multiple solo performer or engineering credits within the same track.

From memory I have on occassion moved the Album directory off the HDX to a NAS location and edited the XML file to correct some incorrect information.

I'm assuming the UnitiServe (SSD) will work in the same way as the HDX (SSD) with regards storage of music i.e. folder structure and XML files?

What sort of constraints/limitations does that imply for someone who is considering a Serve but has already ripped a large music collection to a NAS (FLAC and WAV)

I'm guessing the FLAC would be OK (as files have embedded tags) but the WAVs would either need to be re-ripped via HDX/Serve or an appropriate XML file created (manually I assume) for existing WAVs

Could anyone confirm?

Thanks

Jack

I have another problem. And that is CD:s when the HDX cannot find any metadata (russian electronic music, various soundart and so on). The first three CD:s that gets named with a string of hexadecimal digits and no tracknames is kind of o.k. But now this number is growing.

First I thought the Desktop Client would help me once I located a laptop running Windows. But looking through the documentation it seems you cannot edit the metadata with the Desktop Client.

If I (to be safe :-)) move these albums to a separate Music Store (I have everything on a NAS) and use an XML-editor and edit the XML-file I can fix this right?

I simply have to much obscure and strange music. Should have stuck with Mozart and Diana Krall to be Naim-compatible :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Phil Harris:
Hiya,

The simple answer is that you can't - the extended metadata is handled by the HDX when it rips a CD and is pulled from the lookup service.

You cannot add extended metadata to music that wasn't ripped on the HDX.

Thanks

Phil

quote:

you may be able to edit the tags to append additional information (composer and conductor come to mind), using third-party editors

Tag and Rename is the best thing out there. I dont recall how much it was ($20???), but it is fully worth it.

Easy to batch edit, e.g. take EVERY Bob Marley album and change Artist and Album Artist to "Bob Marley" rather than some having "Bob Marley and the Wailers". You dont want to have to wonder which an album is filed under.

Same goes for Iggy (Stooges), Zappa (Mothers) etc...

There is no "however".

-p

ok but what about export from hdx? (or ns01 here)

given that hdx/ns01 rips to a plain wav file with no metadata on the file (its stored seperately per directory/album), how do I export these files to other systems -- eg to iTunes for ipod sync?

if I drag and drop, I get an unholy mess.

quote:

Originally posted by jon honeyball:
ok but what about export from hdx? (or ns01 here)

given that hdx/ns01 rips to a plain wav file with no metadata on the file (its stored seperately per directory/album), how do I export these files to other systems -- eg to iTunes for ipod sync?

if I drag and drop, I get an unholy mess.

you could use the feature of MP3Tag or dBPoweramp (and probably Tag&Rename will have it as well) to add tags based on filename (usually equals trackname) and directory structure which contains Artist and Album.
This way have the basic tags in place and can try to complete it elsewhere. MP3Tag can do a lookup on the internet and try to complete the other tags.
-
aleg

ok, but thats going to inevitably introduce errors. Really needs a naim app or branded config for something like T&R to do this for the user

quote:

Originally posted by jon honeyball:
ok, but thats going to inevitably introduce errors. Really needs a naim app or branded config for something like T&R to do this for the user

I guess even I might be able to do it, would I have access to the XML that the HDX has made.

With MP3Tag (which BTW tags all type of files and not just MP3) and probably T&R as well, you could create a kind of script that reads the XML-file and based on patterns found in the XML you could assign certain values to tags and store them in the audio file.

But it would be nice if Naim would support users with some application to add, maintain and export tags on audio files (also on those not ripped by the HDX).

-
aleg

Maybe the HDX supports CMI? Classical Music Initiative?

It is a format for adding composer, conductor etc. into existing tags in something like FLAC files.

I think iTunes supports it. Just wonder if HDX decodes this. It would solve a lot of problems, something to try when I get home tonight :-)

Figured this one out myself. Perhaps I can just add these CD:s to FreeDB.

quote:

Originally posted by jlarsson:
I have another problem. And that is CD:s when the HDX cannot find any metadata (russian electronic music, various soundart and so on). The first three CD:s that gets named with a string of hexadecimal digits and no tracknames is kind of o.k. But now this number is growing.

Sorry. I guess I dont know how the HDX works.

I wouldn't use the HDX for anything but a player. Yet another reason to rip with a computer (EAC).

Then you can tag the FLACs any way you desire.

I dont see how tags within the files isn't more robust.

quote:

Originally posted by PureHifi:
From memory I have on occassion moved the Album directory off the HDX to a NAS location and edited the XML file to correct some incorrect information.

We obviously cannot suggest you do this but this would allow for the correction of incorrect information - however it isn't appropriate for *ADDING* extended metadata to non-HDX ripped music.

Remember - if you make an error in the .XML file then this could have some nasty repercussions.

Phil

quote:

Originally posted by jlarsson:
I have another problem. And that is CD:s when the HDX cannot find any metadata (russian electronic music, various soundart and so on). The first three CD:s that gets named with a string of hexadecimal digits and no tracknames is kind of o.k. But now this number is growing.

You can update this using Desktop Client or the units own web-browser based GUI...

quote:

Originally posted by jlarsson:
First I thought the Desktop Client would help me once I located a laptop running Windows. But looking through the documentation it seems you cannot edit the metadata with the Desktop Client.

You can edit the basic data (Artist / Album / Title) but you cannot edit or add extended metadata using Desktop Client.

quote:

Originally posted by jlarsson:
If I (to be safe :-)) move these albums to a separate Music Store (I have everything on a NAS) and use an XML-editor and edit the XML-file I can fix this right?

No - you will only be able to *MODIFY* the data that is there - trying to use that method to *ADD* new data is definitely not recommended and could result in some serious problems. Network stores should not be modified manually.

quote:

Originally posted by jlarsson:
I simply have to much obscure and strange music. Should have stuck with Mozart and Diana Krall to be Naim-compatible :-)

...but sometimes you need real music.

Rammstein and Massive Attack at the moment...

Phil

I have the same problem as Jack (above). I recently purchased a UnitiServe (SSD) and have a large collection of music already in WAV format. Why can't NAIM provide a utility to allow importing of music stored on a hard disk as if it were being ripped from CD, thereby activating the lookup and database creation functionality? It doesn't make sense to force the user to re-rip an entire music collection to enjoy the benefits of the NAIM metadata db.

Also: I agree strongly that an editor along the lines of Tag and Rename should be provided.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill_nyc:
I have the same problem as Jack (above). I recently purchased a UnitiServe (SSD) and have a large collection of music already in WAV format. Why can't NAIM provide a utility to allow importing of music stored on a hard disk as if it were being ripped from CD, thereby activating the lookup and database creation functionality? It doesn't make sense to force the user to re-rip an entire music collection to enjoy the benefits of the NAIM metadata db.

Also: I agree strongly that an editor along the lines of Tag and Rename should be provided.

Bill, feel free to give us a call next week.

Currently enjoying the Unity using Eyeconnect to stream from my Mac. However, the lack of totally reliable Upnp servers leaves me starting to consider a Unityserve type solution. I like the flexibility of straightforward tagging in iTunes and am concerned that I may not be able to add ripped files to the Serve very easily.

A Ripnas would be cheaper - Serve would be nicer and use Naim control software.

I don't want or need highly complex tagging - surely The Unityserve would work?