Why the numbers in "comments" field?

Question

Level 1

10 points

Why the numbers in "comments" field?

I don't know why, but sometimes, in some MP3 files, in the comments text field appear strange and long numbers.
Does anyone know why are these numbers here?
What software create this numbers?
What they mean?
Why can't I change them using MP3 Rage (the most complete IDTag editor)?

thanks a lot.

gui

Posted on Sep 27, 2005 8:07 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Dan White

Level 6

9,446 points

Sep 27, 2005 8:12 AM in response to kowalski

The numbers are Sound Check normalization information placed there by iTunes.

More details here
About Sound Check
I would not recommend editing them as it might mess up the way iTunes would play the track.

Reply

Answer 2

kowalski Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 27, 2005 8:25 AM in response to Dan White

Thanks Dan.
Anyway, I have the sound normalization feature OFF.
Does it matter if I replace this information (this numbers) with other information, much more useful for me? (i mean, artist, file name, track duration, year, review of the album or anything else)?

The files where this numbers appear used to be files encoded by friends instead of files encoded by me.

gui

Reply

Answer 3

Dan White

Level 6

9,446 points

Sep 27, 2005 8:42 AM in response to kowalski

It has been my experience that if you remove it, iTunes puts it back.

The ID3 spec allows for a track to have multiple comment tags, so unless it is getting in the way, I'd suggest leave it alone and just make another comment tag for your information.

Reply