# Artist vs. Contributing Artist vs. Album Artist
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [March 6, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294 "2023-03-06T19:53:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@GreggT](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GreggT)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 7:53pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/1 "2023-03-06T19:53:35Z")
So sorry for my stupidity.
Just coming up to speed on this great app & obviously missing alot of things.
Yes...I've read the 3 threads that already addressed this but I'm so ignorant I can't make sense of what they're trying to tell me.
Using MP3tag and pulling up one of my FLAC file directories I'm able to get both columns (Artist and Album Artist) to be the same....fine.....but when I go back to my actual FLAC folder files, all I see is "Contributing Artist". Where did that come from??....and where is my Artist and Album Artist columns?
Also....the reason I'm making both Artist and Album Artist columns the same is I'm trying to cover all bases on future sorts on my Music Mgnt server. With my ineptness I was unable to make the Converter function in MP3tag work so I'm just Copying and pasting individual line entrees to make both columns the same. Great but then neither column is making it to my actual music file.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/2 "2023-03-06T19:59:03Z")
To copy the contents of the field ARTIST to ALBUMARTIST, see
> [@Actions and batch-operations](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/actions-and-batch-operations/967/15):
>
> How to copy one field value to another field? Example how to copy the content of the ARTIST field to the ALBUMARTIST field: Create a [new action](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/actions/967/2) in an existing action group or make a new action group. Action type: Format value Field: ALBUMARTIST Format string: %artist% Note: If you want to copy all possible values of a field (in case you have multiple artist fields), the internal scripting function [$meta\_sep](https://docs.mp3tag.de/scripting) can be used in the format string, e.g., $meta\_sep(artist,\\\\)
MP3tag has no influence how other programs label their output.
The Windows Explorer uses teh contents of ARTIST to show as "Contributing artist".
The overall artist of an album is named ALBUMARTIST in MP3tag.
Please note that the support for FLAC files is somewhat spurious in the windows explorer.
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 8:44pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/3 "2023-03-06T20:44:47Z")
> [@GreggT](#):
>
> Also....the reason I'm making both Artist and Album Artist columns the same is I'm trying to cover all bases on future sorts on my Music Mgnt server. With my ineptness I was unable to make the Converter function in MP3tag work so I'm just Copying and pasting individual line entrees to make both columns the same. Great but then neither column is making it to my actual music file.
In general, the `AlbumArtist` field is the same for all tracks associated with each `Album`. However the `Artist` field can change from track to track, such as on a compilation `Album` or even just a guest artist appearing on a single track of an `Album` that otherwise does have all other `Artist` fields that match the `AlbumArtist`.
On a compilation `Album`, the most common `AlbumArtist` used is typically "_Various Artists_" but this can vary based on your personal preferences and library requirements.
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### Author:  [@GreggT](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GreggT)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 9:20pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/4 "2023-03-06T21:20:06Z")
Appreciate your trying to help......Thank you.
With your comment referring to albums and album tracks, sorry I probably should have mentioned.....all my tracks are rips from any of many different albums (to a library of 10" R-to-R tapes)......So, all entries, in all fields, in all columns, on MP3tag are manual entries by me. In my project of archiving this library I'm just trying to do what I can to help facilitate any future sorts or manipulation of tracks, artists, or original album names.
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### Author:  [@GreggT](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GreggT)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 9:41pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/5 "2023-03-06T21:41:46Z")
MP3tag has no influence how other programs label their output.
The Windows Explorer uses teh contents of ARTIST to show as "Contributing artist".
The overall artist of an album is named ALBUMARTIST in MP3tag.
OK....so, if I'm understanding that correctly......I'm kinda wasting my time expecting an "Artist" column to stick in my saved FLAC file 🙂. My Sony HAP ES player can sort by 'Artist', among other things, and so that was the reason for me wanting that convention. It remains to be seen if it will recognize ALBUMARTIST or 'Contributing Artist'.
If it recognizes none of the above, well, maybe someday my entering all.....will be of some use 🙂 .
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/6 "2023-03-06T21:44:01Z")
Music players will recognize the correct tag fields like Artist, Album, AlbumArtist, etc. Windows Explorer is not a good source for checking these tags though.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/7 "2023-03-06T21:44:04Z")
I can assure you that
> [@GreggT](#):
>
> Contributing artist
will be a user-defined field that hardly any player knows to display.
Use the MP3tag fields ALBUMARIST and ARTIST and you will be fine
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### Author:  [@GreggT](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GreggT)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/8 "2023-03-06T22:09:55Z")
Yep...thanks. As I said in my 1st post, I had no idea where the 'Contributing Artist' column came from in my FLAC file (and where my 'Artist' column went).
I'll work with it.....& try to get just Artist and ALBUMARTIST columns to make it to my FLAC files.
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### Author:  [@GreggT](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GreggT)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/9 "2023-03-06T22:19:59Z")
Yep...thanks. As I said in my 1st post, I had no idea where the 'Contributing Artist' column came from in my FLAC file (and where my 'Artist' column went).
I'll work with it.....& try to get just Artist and ALBUMARTIST columns to make it to my FLAC files.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 6:34am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/10 "2023-03-07T06:34:02Z")
> [@GreggT](#):
>
> try to get just Artist and ALBUMARTIST columns
Have a look at this section in the documentation:
> **[File List – Mp3tag Documentation](https://docs.mp3tag.de/customization/file-list/)**
>
> Customization options for the File List, including adding, removing, hiding, and rearranging of columns. Mp3tag is the universal Tag Editor.
The visible label of a column may say something different from the field contents it displays.
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### Author:  [@GreggT](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GreggT)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/11 "2023-03-07T18:01:04Z")
I apologize and I'm probably not being clear......all looks fine when I view the files on the MP3tag screen (i.e. Title, Artist, Album Artist) with all my tag work entered. I am entering the same info in both the Artist and Album Artist columns.
When I go back and view the FLAC file, to check my work, there is no Artist column and for some reason there is now a "Contributing artists" column. "Artist" is not available in the drop-downs as a detail.
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/12 "2023-03-07T18:39:04Z")
> [@GreggT](#):
>
> When I go back and view the FLAC file
Sorry, it is not clear to me where you go back to.
If MP3tag shows everything allright - which program causes the problems?
(And if it is the Windows explorer - then there is not a lot that can be done about it)
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### Author:  [@MotleyG](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/MotleyG)
#### Post date: [March 7, 2023, 7:23pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/13 "2023-03-07T19:23:57Z")
From what you are describing, it appears you are referring to the Explorer window when you say
> [@GreggT](#):
>
> When I go back and view the FLAC file, to check my work, there is no Artist column and for some reason there is now a "Contributing artists" column. "Artist" is not available in the drop-downs as a detail.
Here is one of my albums in Windows Explorer.
The "Contributing Artists" column here is exactly what is in the `Artist` field in mp3tag. That is the only field I have this specific data saved in any of my audio files. But as has already been stated, the column headers here have little bearing on the actual contents, as Windows itself is not a music library manager or player.
You haven't yet stated what music manager software you are currently using, or at least are planning to use. This is usually the most important factor when making decisions on how to lay out the data structure, but almost all of the good ones use the same principles when it comes to the standard Title, Track, Disc, AlbumArtist, Album, Artist, Composer, Genre, and Year fields. There are many, many more, but filling in these are a good start to best keep things under control.
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### Author:  [@GreggT](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GreggT)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2023, 1:20am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/14 "2023-03-08T01:20:14Z")
OK guys....thanks for your patience with me, really.
Yep, I've been preoccupied with what I see in a normal Windows Explorer view. My bad.
All through this project, I've been crazy trying to think ahead, trying to anticipate future function, and hopefully not having to back-track and re-do stuff....which I've already had to do 🙂 .
Anyway, I get it now.....really loving the Mp3tag software and how it fits what I'm trying to do. Thank you!
MotlyG, I was on a path to use either Monkey or Bee for a music manager, but I took stock and decided I've accomplished a lot already by archiving all my 10" R To R's, and with the laptop in my sound room w/all the music accessible there....I'd decided to take a sidestep an app + server for now, just load everything on a Sony HAP-Z1ES. It has reasonably good sort/select/play capability and I'm drawn to the fairly good remote app for my iPad that's good-to-go and gets the work I've done to the rest of the house. I know, there's many ways to do this but, right now I just need to get to enjoying the music.
Again....thanks for your help. I'll be around and hopefully I can help few like you've helped me.
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [March 8, 2023, 7:31am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/15 "2023-03-08T07:31:40Z")
> [@MotleyG](#):
>
> The "Contributing Artists" column here is exactly what is in the `Artist` field in mp3tag
"Contributing artists" is another case, where the Windows File Explorer misleads people with his strange column and tag descriptions:
> [@Additional research results for the topic "Make tag fields readable by Windows Explorer"](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/additional-research-results-for-the-topic-make-tag-fields-readable-by-windows-explorer/54062/4):
>
> This are the english Windows file Explorer column names for the ID3 tags he can read from a mp3: Note: Some column names were translated really bad into German: crazy_face 246 - Initial key -\> Ursprünglicher Schlüssel (should be something like "[Vorzeichen](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vorzeichen_(Musik))" in german music language)
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### Author:  [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)
#### Post date: [April 7, 2023, 7:31am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/artist-vs-contributing-artist-vs-album-artist/60294/16 "2023-04-07T07:31:40Z")
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