UnitiServe MetaData Correction Issues

If you look at the album you ripped in NServe, you will see that it will show the Artist as "Various Artists" (this will be equivalent to Album Artist) but it will also list the "performers" of the individual songs (this will be the artist).   In the Naim app, it will only show the titles and will not show the performers, which is very unsatisfactory.  I ended up editing every song title to include the name of the artist so that I know who the singer/.performer is.  This is something that can easily be rectified so that the Naim app shows the performer but it looks like Naim is not interested.

I thought the Naim app would show whatever the server tells it to show. Is there not a setting within the Unitiserve configuration to ask it to show the "performers"? just a thought.....

It does show the performers but all it does is list all the performers in the database and if you tap one, it shows the albums and if you tap the album it shows the track listing of the album.  It doesnt tell you which track that performer sang in.  And in my case, I have a lot of unknowns because when I ripped them, it could not find metadata.  

In NServe, it does list the performers but then the info cannot be edited.  But the point is that the performers are not shown in the Play Queue screen on the app and so when playing a compilation, the performers of the individual songs are not known unless one refers to the CD liner notes.

Thanks TN - Yes, you're right, I can see the performers listed in the detail of the album.

Chrissu - Your suggestion makes complete sense, which I tried to do after reading TN's post, but, when you right click on the menu bar to add data, performer is not one of the ones that can be added.

This would be a very simple feature for NAIM to correct in both n-serve and whilst playing...

As far as I know, there is no solution to this issue. I have around 600 compilations and the lack of response from Naim on this issue was the primary reason for switching from a Unitiserve-SSD to Asset on a QNAP NAS (secondary was the limited ability for metadata editing in the nserve app).

The Unitiserve-SSD is a great bit of kit and very easy to use, I never had any reliability issues similar to those reported here but after 5 years of living with the problem it was time for a change.

This is how it looks using MinimServer, and assume it's what you are after. I used to have a serve, but found that a Synology running Minim sounds better. It's certainly a lot more flexible. 

I am a relatively new UServe owner too, with a large classical CD collection,  and am also hugely disappointed by the same inflexible metadata tagging issue when ripping. More so since Naim's own Knowledge Base said that tags such as Performer, Composer and Conducor were user editable. But they aren't.  When the online metadata is missing or frankly wrong, there is no way to put it right.

I raised this last week with Phil Harris at support. He said

The ability to edit the detailed metadata is in our future enhancements wishlist so will be looked into as time allows.

Make of that what you will!

Andrew Lea

Have a look in the DTC - it may be that you do not have all the tags enabled. Once enabled you should be able to edit them via the nServe iPad app. 

Halibut - Did you do that with Minimserver on tracks you had ripped from the US?  As I now storing my newly ripped WAVs on the NAS, can I overlay Minimserver and edit the MetaData? I assume that you are using FLAC though?

Hi Mike - this was ripped from a cd with dbpoweramp. If you want to use the serve, Minimserver becomes irrelevant. The issue with your rips is that they are UnitiServe rips so I don't know what you can control. The best thing I ever did was sell my serve - life is so much simpler without it. 

I've just had a chat with Phil Harris myself and unfortunately, there is no way round the way that the US handles compilation CDs, you can only have one artist for the entire CD!  It is on the list of "requests" but it all comes down to prioritisation and I didn't get a sense that this was high on the list...

What to do??? I only picked up my US on Saturday and I have 14 days to return it.  It was an ex-demo at a keen price, but still significantly more than a very High end Synology/QNAP/Minimserver/DBPowerAmp  combo would be...

Problem is, I love the convenience of just loading CDs in and it takes care of everything for you...hmmmmmm

The UnitiServe neatly divides opinions into those who swear by it and those who swear at it. For me, the key reasons for sticking with it are convenience and sound quality. My professional life required staring into a computer screen for eight hours a day, so it was a huge relief not to have to faff about on a computer at home ripping and managing my music collection. I don't mind paying for that convenience.

The US, especially when powered by a well-designed linear power supply, is a top-notch digital source and one that has seen me through several DAC and preamp upgrades. I run mine directly into a DAC and I've not yet encountered a better sounding source.

Naim's lack of interest in further developing the US' firmware is certainly disappointing, but if we all ditch the unit and stop grumbling here, the device's future can only look dimmer...

If only it didn't sound so good...

Jan

Nice to know that someone at the factory is at least conscious of there being a request list. 

As an HDX user I am familiar with the convenience and ease of use these products bring - not to mention sound quality - but the lack of ongoing development - even to iron out bugs like this - is a major concern and frankly raises questions as to my ongoing commitment to the brand. Once bitten etc.

If you decide to keep the US I would recommend storing in flac format. I suspect that in the future you'll be glad you did.

I have just posted a query in Metadata forum, enquiring how to edit metadata when AMG registers a totally wrong disc in boxed sets, for all CDs subsequent to the first, CD1 registers correctly. Now I have found this thread (didn't see the little magnifying glass before posting, expected a Search box on screen). Do I deduce from Andrew Lea on 1/19/16 that there is NO WAY of editing? I was proposing to use MacBook Air to edit, not an iOS device for this.

Update: I have now found Knowledge Base item on editing metadata, deeply buried, and managed to change title of CD2 in boxed set, using iOS device. Am I right in finding no way to change artist's name or track details? This is heavy going for simple users such as myself.

Hi Chopin.  You can edit and change artist name, track details and cover art on an iOS device using the n-serve app that is available from the App Store.

Hi Chopin

What are you using to rip CDs? If UnitiServe, then as per King Size above, you need to now load n-Serve onto your MacBook Air and you can edit artist names etc from there. 

Before you do that though, within in n-serve, you can also right click the album and select CDDB lookup and sometimes, not always, this yields better results and is often an easier way to get the artwork quickly

Used SU to rip CDs to .WAV, 70 albums so far, hundreds more to go, mostly new and well recorded. Yes, do have n-Serve v. 1.4 on MB Air, but not finding Edit capability. Will ditch and re-load app on MB Air.

Meanwhile, have used n-Serve on iPad in 'Edit' mode (now found! disc has to be opened to full-screen) to re-scan problem discs, with some success. Strangely, if at first an edit is rejected, let a few moments go by, try again, and success can follow.  Will now try your CDDB lookup: 'right click' suggests using MB Air, not iOS, for this. Missing quite a few album covers, especially for Australian Chamber Orchestra and other local recordings.

Thanks to you both! Great to have such support.

Chopin

once you have n-serve installed on your MacBook, you can select 'Edit Metadata' also using right mouse click over the album title

it brings up all track names and the artist and away you go! Beware though, you can't have different artists for different tracks on the same album! This is a NAIMism and the reason why I started this post in the first place!

To add to what Mike says above.  In n-serve for OS (i.e. your Macbook).  If you right click on the bold album title you will edit the artist, album title genre and cover art (i.e. info pertaining to the entire album).  To edit individual tracks you need to expand the album using the arrow to the left of the album name and right click on the track list that appears and again select 'edit metadata'.  

As far as rejected/delayededits are concerned, yes that happens to me too.  

Also if you delete a rip (say because it didn't rip correctly) then re-rip it and try and edit the metadata of the new rip, you have to first empty you recycle bin of the old files otherwise the edit won't take effect.

When I right-mouse click on the album title in OS, the menu drops down - but "edit metadata" is greyed out. Not just on the contentious titles, but on every single album on my SU. I'll shut down and try again.

I didn't know I had a recycle bin, must find it. Is there a Book that should have been in the Box for all this? I guess things are constantly evolving, so it would never be up to date.

My next issue, in another forum, is that of Firmware Updates. As I didn't need Spotify capability, I didn't load the last update for SuperUniti, afraid of grinding to a halt. Now I think I probably should, so as not to fall too far behind. 

Many thanks! I'll get there.

Chopin

i think that the reason you are struggling to edit using n-Serve is because you are not using a naim server. I believe nserve only works with a naim HD ripper like Unitiserve of HDX

when you rip, are you storing them on a NAS? If so, you probably need to use a non naim metadata editor. I use one called MusicBrainz Picard - at least I think that's the spelling. 

Apologies, but I've been replying assuming you were using a naim server?

Hmmm, not sure why the 'edit metadata' option is greyed out - i have never had that problem.  You can find the recycle bin in the 'maintenance section of your n-Serve on OS.  Towards the top left hand corner of your screen you will see the name of your uniti-serve (mine is NSSRVxxx) with an arrow pointing to 'Library'. Click on 'Library' and select 'Maintenance' from the drop down menu.  You should find your 'Recycle Bin' around six or seven lines down.

Your unitiserve should have come with a manual, if not you can find a pdf version on the naim website, however the instructions bear little resemblance too the OS version of n-serve.  

Can't help on the Firmware Updates, I just get my dealer to do mine as he is less than 2kms away from me.  Probably won't make much of a difference though - unless you want spotify of course. 

Mike Woodcock posted:

Apologies, but I've been replying assuming you were using a naim server?

Likewise.  What are you using to rip?