Mass editing MP3 metadata across many folders

[RetroVGMfan]

I have literally hundreds of folders (one for each individual game) worth of retro video-game music rips (all in said MP3 format) that i’ve acquired from the emulation news site Zophar’s Domain. Since i’m possibly transitioning to an iPhone (due to Android OS restrictions that are more likely than not happening in September) from Android, I need to edit a TON of metadata if I want it to look ‘pretty’ in iTunes (and subsequently in my potential iPhone’s media app).

Good thing is that for that source, the metadata is at least (mostly) already there. Bad thing (and the reason for wall of text) is that they’re NOT in the categories that I would prefer.

TL;DR I want to move the ‘text’ (for lack of a better term) of the metadata in Category X to Category Y across every audio file a specified folder. I assume that this program is capable of that, but even after reading the FAQs and documentation and such i’m lost as to where even begin.

[ohrenkino]

@RetroVGMfan

I want to move the ‘text’ (for lack of a better term) of the metadata in Category X to Category Y across every audio file a specified folder.

Moving is easiest to be done to first copy and then delete the source.
To copy one field contents to another, see the FAQs:

Actions and batch-operations

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 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 can be used in the format string, e.g., $meta_sep(artist,\\\\)

For more detailed suggestions, it would be nice if you could follow the

Hints for asking Support Requests

If you need support using Mp3tag, you can help the community members that are about to support you in finding a solution or workaround to your problem, by following these simple guidelines. Be descriptive, also in what you’ve already tried Please give a short explanation what’s not working as expected or what you’re trying to achieve. It’s best to know any details about the problem at hand and especially, what steps you’ve already tried to solve it by yourself. Helpful information also includ…

PS: what could the

@RetroVGMfan

Android OS restrictions

be?

[MotleyG]

@RetroVGMfan

Since i’m possibly transitioning to an iPhone (due to Android OS restrictions that are more likely than not happening in September) from Android, I need to edit a TON of metadata if I want it to look ‘pretty’ in iTunes

There are better player options for iOS than the stock Apple Music app. A while back I put together a short list of some that I have used personally with my take of the pros and cons of each. Feel free to consider these as the metadata used in your current tracks may not need to change.

iOS Media Players

While the Music app that Apple has included on all of their iOS devices is functional, it isn't one that meets the expectations for many music fans with deep libraries with curated metadata. From a design perspective, of course it follows Apple's key structure. It is fully integrated into the previous iTunes (Windows) and current MacOS Music for handling the process of getting local media from your home computer to your device. But it is clear that their direction is to push to the subscription …

[astrohip]

@RetroVGMfan

(due to Android OS restrictions that are more likely than not happening in September) from Android,

Same question: What are you referring to?

[RetroVGMfan]

WARNING: Incoming wall of text about stuff outside of the context of metadata…

Google is likely going to significantly reduce the ease with which one can sideload APKs from sources outside the Play Store (like github or a dedicated site). It’s a big concern with people who use emulators for retro gaming on their Android devices (like me). Very closely related to that issue is the forcing of ALL program authors to use their REAL names in direct association with their apps, which is extremely scary to an emulator (or homebrew in general) author.

This ‘walled-garden’ move eliminates one (of two) primary reasons for me to have the preference that I do. The directly relevant issue is that the iPhone ecosystem (the other BIG option for a general purpose media player) lacks an equivalent of the ‘Music Folder Player’ app on Android, which has a ‘organise stuff into a folder hierachy’ that I’ve long taken for granted to avoid the ‘metadata tweaking’ issue entirely.

Thus I’m trying to prepare to edit my metadata for a near-future scenario that’s not (directly) related to metadata, but still affects it significantly.

[ohrenkino]

So - and what is it that you want to do with the metadata and which role should MP3tag play?

[MotleyG]

@RetroVGMfan

the iPhone ecosystem (the other BIG option for a general purpose media player) lacks an equivalent of the ‘Music Folder Player’ app on Android, which has a ‘organise stuff into a folder hierachy’

All three of the iOS players I have reviewed can use folders to play. Although they all perform better with real metadata.

[RetroVGMfan]

I didn’t know that, as I am completely new to the iPhone’s particular way of doing stuff. Would appreciate a lead to the players with the functionality you’ve implied.

The folder thing is all I really want, and even if just one app can replicate that (in the very particular, metadata dodging way I’m desiring), then it’ll be gravy.

In case it’s not clear, the metadata situation is the whole reason I signed up here and proceded to bother you good ladies and lads.

[ohrenkino]

@RetroVGMfan

Would appreciate a lead to the players with the functionality you’ve implied

The link to a list has already been offered by @MotleyG here:

Mass editing MP3 metadata across many folders

There are better player options for iOS than the stock Apple Music app. A while back I put together a short list of some that I have used personally with my take of the pros and cons of each. Feel free to consider these as the metadata used in your current tracks may not need to change.

I think it is not asking too much that you try those suggestions to see which one is best for you.
You would also have to find out how to transfer files to the iPhone and if that includes folders or whether you have to add tags to get a decent separation.