Identifying tracks on a charity shop CD-R.

Posted by: Nime on 12 June 2005

I was browsing through the CDs in a charity shop.(as you do) The usual garbage was quickly despatched to the "uninteresting" pile. Then boredom took hold and I started to check the home recorded CD-Rs for some reason. There are always loads of these home recorded CD-Rs in every charity shop.

I found one marked "Bastest" in scrawled felt-tip. I couldn't pass this one up for the small charge at the counter. If nothing else it might be bass test tones to try on my subwoofer.

The CD-R turnd out to have 19 music tracks of the rap, dance and techno type. I imagined Media Player would quickly find the authors of the music tracks. But no. "Artist Unknown".

Winamp also responded with "Unknown Artist" for all 19 tracks. I had originally supposed that this was a CD burnt from an original CD. But it might also have been MP3 tracks burnt onto CD.

1) So, how do I discover the artists involved as I would very much like to hear more of their work and would buy their original CDs if possible.

2) Am I breaking the law in owning this CD?

Thanks
Posted on: 12 June 2005 by Adam Meredith
I would have thought that the Charity Shop was completely breaking the law in offering them for sale.

You and the person who passed them on to the shop are also likely to be in breach of copyright.
Posted on: 12 June 2005 by Nime
Thankyou Adam.

There are many hundreds of CD-Rs and home recorded cassette tapes within my usual catchment area of charity shops and flea markets.

Going back to my original question is there some technical reason why home-burnt CDs can't be read for their track info by Media Player and Winamp? I would really like to discover the artists of several tracks on this CD.

I am presently wading through Winamp's free track library in the hope of finding these tracks by accident. But I have found only one track so far.

If the RIAA will sue a 12 year old girl for several thousand pounds (for illegal downloading) one wonders whether they would draw the line at suing charity shops and flea markets? Perhaps I ought to warn these charity shops on my next visit, just in case.

Regards
Nime
Posted on: 12 June 2005 by j8hn
download EAC and use interrogate cddb feature
Posted on: 12 June 2005 by Adam Meredith
I think you should warn them. Copying for your own use is one thing (they don't like that) but converting these discs and tapes into money - pretty blatant.

I don't know much about the track tagging system used for CD but suspect that you copy the whole table of contents when you make a direct copy of a disk. As a result - Winamp and the like are able to recognise the disc and the database gives you the track listing for the album. I do not know if there is the ability to recognise tracks from embedded information when they are away from their original home.

When you make a compilation you break away from this source of track listing and end up with a disc that the database cannot recognise - as it has never seen it before and so has no knowledge of your tracks.
Posted on: 12 June 2005 by Paul Hutchings
If it's a compilation you can't query it through any of the online databases, simple as that.

cheers,
Paul
Posted on: 12 June 2005 by Nime
Thanks for the advice.

Particularly to Adam for the very clear warnings.

This CD never existed.
Posted on: 12 June 2005 by Adam Meredith
quote:
Originally posted by Nime:
This CD never existed.


Eat it - quickly.
Posted on: 12 June 2005 by Nime
quote:
Originally posted by Adam Meredith:

Eat it - quickly.


Burp!
Posted on: 13 June 2005 by domfjbrown
Isn't there a phone number you can ring that, if you put the phone near your speaker, can tell you the track within 30 seconds or so?

I used this about a year ago for a laugh and it WORKED - but I can't remember the number.

It might be worth a shot?
Posted on: 13 June 2005 by BigH47
Try shazam

Howard
Posted on: 14 June 2005 by jason.g
shazam is the best bet. its the middle line of your phone keypad-2580. for a small charge, hold yourphone towards the music after the prompt, then shazam will hang up for you and will text you back the answer. only works with mobile phones i believe. try to find a track which you suspect has been in the charts. i will gladly identify them for you if you can put them on mp3 files and e-mail me. i dont know how you would do this as my music copying skills are limited but i am very good on music identification.
Posted on: 14 June 2005 by Nime
quote:
Originally posted by jason.g:
i will gladly identify them for you if you can put them on mp3 files and e-mail me. i am very good on music identification.


Thanks. But it might be rather frustrating to try and identify an electronic instrumental track where everything happens between 12 and ~100Hz. My computer speakers don't register anything! Cool

Besides, the CD doesn't exist and never did except in my fevered imagination. Roll Eyes

You ain't seen me, right? Winker
Posted on: 14 June 2005 by long-time-dead
Can I get a copy ? Smile
Posted on: 14 June 2005 by Adam Meredith
I'm sure it will all work out in the end.
Posted on: 15 June 2005 by Nime
Originally posted by Adam Meredith:

"I'm sure it will all work out in the end."


Anybody any good at solving cryptic clues? Confused
Posted on: 15 June 2005 by Nime
quote:
Originally posted by long-time-dead:
Can I get a copy ? Smile


Incitement to infringe copyright law? Roll Eyes

CD sales must have slowed even further. The danish libraries have now been told not to lend CDs until four months after release. Frown
Posted on: 15 June 2005 by Adam Meredith
quote:
Originally posted by Nime:
Originally posted by Adam Meredith:
"I'm sure it will all work out in the end."
Anybody any good at solving cryptic clues? Confused


Eat it - quickly.
Burp!
Can I get a copy ?
"I'm sure it will all work out in the end."

Ooh Matron.
Posted on: 16 June 2005 by Nime
Big Grin
Posted on: 17 June 2005 by Andy Kirby
No lyric you can plug into Google? I've picked up several Artist's that way.....

Titter ye not!!!

Andy
Posted on: 17 June 2005 by Nime
Which part of "electronic instrumental" don't you understand Andy? Winker

Regards
Nime
Posted on: 18 June 2005 by Berlin Fritz
quote:
Reply


Der Wibes Maybe ? Roll Eyes