heddwyn1
Level 1 (4 points)
iTunes

Q: Vinyl download codes

I like to buy records from bands. Most come with download codes so you get mp3s to go with your vinyl.

While I've successfully added the files, itunes does not seem to be able to retrieve the artist/album/etc. information as it would for a CD.

 

These artists and albums are on the itunes store (eg Crab Day by Cate LeBon) so the information should be there, and in older incarnations of itunes it was possible to retrieve info for mp3s legitimately purchased elsewhere.

Has this changed or am I just looking in the wrong places?

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Aug 13, 2016 10:13 AM

by ed2345,Apple recommended
ed2345 ed2345
Level 7 (24,933 points)
A:

While I've successfully added the files, itunes does not seem to be able to retrieve the artist/album/etc. information as it would for a CD.

Hedwyn,

 

Yes, that is correct.  iTunes retrieval of track info for a CD is via the Gracenote Media database, and requires the presence of the physical CD.  iTunes has no similar capability for MP3 files.  This has always been the case.

 

What you may be remembering is that if a CD was previously ripped in iTunes, iTunes "remembers" the CD and can do the Gracenote retrieval:

How iTunes remembers audio CDs - Apple Support

 

To manually edit the tags on MP3 files in your library, right-click in iTunes, Get Info, and make your edits on the Details tab.

Posted on Aug 13, 2016 11:18 AM

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heddwyn1

Q: Vinyl download codes

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Aug 13, 2016 10:17 AM in response to heddwyn1
    Level 7 (20,795 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 13, 2016 10:17 AM in response to heddwyn1

    CDs contain identifying codes, that are not present on vinyl records.

  • by ed2345,Apple recommended

    ed2345 ed2345 Aug 13, 2016 11:18 AM in response to heddwyn1
    Level 7 (24,933 points)
    Aug 13, 2016 11:18 AM in response to heddwyn1

    While I've successfully added the files, itunes does not seem to be able to retrieve the artist/album/etc. information as it would for a CD.

    Hedwyn,

     

    Yes, that is correct.  iTunes retrieval of track info for a CD is via the Gracenote Media database, and requires the presence of the physical CD.  iTunes has no similar capability for MP3 files.  This has always been the case.

     

    What you may be remembering is that if a CD was previously ripped in iTunes, iTunes "remembers" the CD and can do the Gracenote retrieval:

    How iTunes remembers audio CDs - Apple Support

     

    To manually edit the tags on MP3 files in your library, right-click in iTunes, Get Info, and make your edits on the Details tab.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Aug 13, 2016 11:34 AM in response to heddwyn1
    Level 9 (54,272 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2016 11:34 AM in response to heddwyn1

    If there is some sort of download code and you are getting these as mp3 downloads I am really, really surprised they do not already have the data in the files you are downloading. Note, ripping from a CD is not the same as "downloading" which is only done from the web.

     

    The free XLD utility has a feature letting you open a folder of files as a disc and will try to identify track information on that basis.

  • by Jimzgoldfinch,

    Jimzgoldfinch Jimzgoldfinch Aug 13, 2016 3:26 PM in response to heddwyn1
    Level 6 (9,300 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 13, 2016 3:26 PM in response to heddwyn1

    Hi,

    You may find this app useful https://picard.musicbrainz.org/

     

    Jim