Improving metadata on HDX

Posted by: owenzel on 12 September 2017

I would like to share my latest finding on my journey of improving metadata. Some background: Link

The major issues running a HDX is that there is no way to use any software to improve metadata in the HDX MUSIC directory.

I made some test with SongKong (easy to use, designed for automated matching) and Jaikoz (much more complex, allows manual editing). Both apps are capable to read Naim's amginfo.xml and cddbinfo.txt so that data from the HDX rip is not lost. Afterwards the apps are making tag amendments from Musicbrainz and Discogs (considering UserEdits.xml is under development)

I see a light in the tunnel now to finally fix my meta data issues: I am going to move all my music from HDX MUSIC into the DOWNLOADS directory where I can edit metadata with the help of SongKong/Jaikoz.

You might find that useful as it combines the advantages of the Naim ripping engine and other Naim advantages with the advantages that these apps are offering. Demos are available so best you test it yourself.

Regards
Oliver

I do not have any connection to JThink who is developing both apps nor do I have any other advantages...just wanted to share my findings. Would like to hear what other users think.

Posted on: 12 September 2017 by ChrisSU

If you transfer CD rips to the downloads folder, you can edit them with any metadata editor. What's the benefit of using Songkong or Jiakoz over something like Metadatics, for example? 

Posted on: 12 September 2017 by owenzel

I am not aware that any other sw is using tag information that is coming from amginfo.xml and cddbinfo.txt. So basically doesn't remove any tagging that the HDX was adding.

Posted on: 12 September 2017 by Harry

That's because, pedantically speaking, the HDX doesn't add any tags. The Naim tagging model for WAV files is very weird indeed. Best avoided. NAS, dBpoweramp, proper control, proper tags. Job done. The HDX won't know the difference and users can add the tags they actually want.

Posted on: 13 September 2017 by Peter Lambert

I think thats the point, these weird xml files are added as normal tags.

Posted on: 14 September 2017 by Harry

It's disappointing that Naim have insisted on sticking with this proprietary system which is not universally interchangeable and seems of no practical benefit. 

Posted on: 14 September 2017 by owenzel

I tend to agree Harry. However for HDX user who spent a fair amount of $$$€€€, the solution that I am using now is - at least to me - a great way to open this great ripping device and providing best of breed tagging information. 

Posted on: 14 September 2017 by Harry

It sure is. I did. To the tune of about 1K albums. It took me a long time to put proper tags in post HDX-SSD, but on some levels I found it therapeutic.Those external tag files, on closer examination, didn't turn out to be all that accurate in some cases. 

A very happy HDX user, it was only when I started downloading HiRes stuff, and occasional 15/44 stuff, and ripping DVD-As, all of which I had to tag manually, that the Aotonaim model started to look a bit on the dodgy side to me. But it played them just fine. More than fine.

Posted on: 14 September 2017 by owenzel

Absolutely true Harry. I made the same experience ... I tried out many different software, I tried to used my unRAID NAS instead of the HDX and wasted a fair amount of time and money without any significant success.

Now I spent 2 days, embedded my NAIM metadata files that I was used to (apart from userEdits.xml) and SongKong enriched it with what was available from online DBs. That was so much simpler than re-ripping CDs or anything else and was adding much more than just basic metadata opposed to e.g. dbpoweramp which is btw. only availably on Windows :-(

So again, that was only my experience, others might find other ways and the beauty of such forums is to share these different ways.

Thank you.

Posted on: 14 September 2017 by Motel Blues
owenzel posted:

That was so much simpler than re-ripping CDs or anything else and was adding much more than just basic metadata opposed to e.g. dbpoweramp which is btw. only availably on Windows :-(

dBpoweramp is also available for Macs, although historically I think it was Windows-only.