Music Cataloging software advice for Vinyl with no barcodes

Posted by: mutterback on 16 September 2011

The last thread I can see on this topic - at least in my searching - was from 2005, so figured an update was in order.

 

I've tried Music Collector/Collectorz, Readerware and Rate My Music.  Music Collector works very well for CDs (stick them in and it catalogs it automatically) and LPs with barcodes. Readerware is a bit easier to enter a set of barcodes, but not nearly as nice as Music Collector overall and Music Collector's search is much better.

 

Still, Music Collectors is difficult for LPs without bar codes.  It provides an Artist and Title search, which results in a huge set of hits and goes nuts for classical recordings.  I tried searching for the famous EMI release of Elgar's Cello Concerto and Sea Pictures and it becomes a task of hunting through 100s of hits from their database. Turns out the "artist" is stored as "Jacqueline Du PrĂ©; Janet Baker; The London Symphony Orchestra; Sir John Barbirolli; Sir Edward Elgar."

 

My main goal here is to know what LPs I already have - particularly classical ones - so I can fill in some gaps and not buy duplicates.  Off the top of my head, I know I own OK Computer and all of Dylan (and then some), but knowing which Beethoven piano concertos I'm missing is something that I'd like to find easily.

 

Any advice? Many thanks

Posted on: 16 September 2011 by EJS

With a large catalogue of classical, I found that none of the pre-developed database programs met my criteria. I went with Bento (which I believe is Mac only) and built a simple non-relational database with key information and a large part of the screen devoted to a picture of the album cover. All manual input, of course.

 

EJ

Posted on: 17 September 2011 by mutterback

Thanks for the reply EJ. I was afraid that nothing would work.

 

Digging deeper, Music Collector, even for CDs with barcodes, doesn't list the composer on a track level.

 

Have you tried auto cataloging software for the basic data, then exporting to Bento?

 

Would love to see your field list if you're willing to share it, or even the Bento template if that's possible.  Did you choose not to do a relational database for any reason other than simplicity?

 

Thanks again

Posted on: 18 September 2011 by EJS

 

mutterback,

 

I've attached a screenshot of one record. Note the table to the right which allows me to add track information (CD#-track#-info). I've chosen to file under a single 'composer' field but obviously it would be easy to add more fields. The various tick boxes relate to where I store the CDs.

 

It's the digital equivalent of a library card system - no need for relational database.

 

EJ