User profile for user: Kristen Garlans
Kristen Garlans Author
User level: Level 1
76 points

Include Artist in File Name?

I am using the latest version of iTunes. I don't have any problems with stuff importing from a CD into my iTunes library. However, I discovered that the actual file name (id3 tag, I guess) only includes the track number and song name. This hasn't caused any problems before - the artist name shows up in my library, and is listed when I hit cmd-I. But, I recently purchased a Nokia 6681, which has an mp3 player. I thought I would like to put a few albums onto it, for times when I can't carry my ipod with me. And without the artist name in the file name, it shows up on the phone mp3 player as 'unknown artist.'

I know I could just go and edit the file name through the finder, but I don't want to mess with the library if I don't need to. I am also not sure how to edit it so that my phone would recognize what I type as the artist name. So, is there a setting in iTunes where I can tell it to include the artist (and album, if possible) in the file name when I import from a cd? I looked around, and looked through these discussions, but I haven't been able to find anything that addresses this issue.

Thanks!

Posted on Sep 21, 2005 4:35 PM

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4 replies
User profile for user: Lita Kaufman
Lita Kaufman
User level: Level 5
5,317 points

Sep 21, 2005 7:21 PM in response to Kristen Garlans

Kristen:

Don't equate editing ID3 tags with messing up the library - you can always redo the tags after you've downloaded the songs.

If you want change a bunch of songs at once, there is a great batch of scripts that will do all sorts of things with tags: This Tag - That Tag. You can get really creative with these scripts.

If I were you, I would do this:

*Use the "Put This In That" to put the Song Name into an empty field, say "Composer" and DO NOT have the script erase the field when done.

*Then, use the "Put This Before That" to add the Artist Name before the Song Name and DO NOT have the script erase the field when done.

Transfer the songs to your cell phone.

To restore the ID3 tags back:

*Select all of the tracks whose tags you modified (do this by album), and get info. Tick the check box next to song name to remove all of the just edited data.

*Now, run the script "Put This in That" to copy the data from the composer field (or which ever one you selected in step one), to restore the song name data, and let the script erase the composer field.

Hope this helps.

Lita
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Include Artist in File Name?

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