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Difference between Compilations and Album Artists

Hello,

I would like to know the exact differences between Compilations and Album Artists.

I know you can use either one to combine different tracks into a group.

I would like to know how each one behaves relative to iTunes and to the Music app on iOS.

Which one do you use? Or do you use a combination of both?

I read that Compilations is being used less and less in favor of Album Artists.

Is there an advantage of one over the other?

Thanks!

Nick

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 11, 2014 9:26 AM

Best reply

John Guo

Level 5

5,353 points

Posted on Jan 11, 2014 9:39 AM

Usually compilations are used to group different artists within the same album. I would only use compilations if you want to group different artists in the same album. If compilations are used, iTunes will group the songs based on the album name and if the compilation option is checked. I would only use album artists if there's only one artist within that album. There is no advantage over the other. It is just another way to group songs.

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20 replies

Oct 19, 2014 12:07 PM in response to turingtest2

I understand what you mean and I apologize for not being as clear as I should.

By "searching / finding" I did not mean the actual "search" function of iPod classic.

I meant using the default "sorting" categories of the main iPod music menu. You know, like choosing "Music -> Artists -> John Smith"

While thinking about this, I actually remembered that iPod Classic, iTunes and iPhone also have a "Composers" category that I could use.

So maybe I could do this for the specific compilations by John Smith:

Album: Blessed and Cursed

Artist: Bel Canto

Composer: John Smith

This way I keep the right tags for Album title and artist, and I just use the Composer field for finding John Smith's compilations?

How does this sound ?

Oh, and do I need to / should I use the "compilation = yes" option in this case?

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Oct 19, 2014 12:15 PM in response to IoannisGR

Using Composer should work. And if you want to keep any original composer info. you could always copy that into Comments. You'll need to use Part of a compilation = Yes to keep the tracks of the album together on the iPod.

tt2

Nov 21, 2014 3:57 PM in response to Nicolas Online

Genres make it far worse.

I like old-time Bib Band music. I have the 1960s-era Time-Life "Swing Era" CD set. Each CD contains roughly 15 songs different Big Bands (well, re-creations, actually). All songs are tagged with genre "Big Band."

When "Group by Album Artist" is on, going into Music and tapping on the "Big Band" item yields emptiness -- No songs. Zero. Nil. Nada. Yet, if I switch "Group by Album Artist" to off, all the songs from all the albums miraculously appear.

Of course, leaving Group turned off wreaks havoc elsewhere. No doubt about it, it's a complete, utter, disgraceful mess.

The Music app in iOS 6.x was far superior. When tapping on an Artist, you could see them listed in a collapsed view, and you could select ALL Songs. No more. Disgraceful.

Dec 22, 2014 4:17 PM in response to turingtest2

Is there any reason why this is happening to me? I've tried making it a compilation, no luck. I entered the same Album Artist for all tracks, no luck. Some other albums, such as this one, with different artists, show up like this too. Any insight?

turingtest2

Level 10

272,795 points

Dec 22, 2014 4:41 PM in response to floppy disk

You'll need a common album artist and for iOS devices switch Settings > Music > Group By Album Artist > On.

tt2

Difference between Compilations and Album Artists