As of today I ripped 2047 CD-Albums (years 1984 to 2024) and when doing so, I let fre:ac identify the CD, run CUETools to verify accurip and go straigt to mp3tag Discogs Artist + Album.
Now the one and only way to realy identify the CD I ripped, is it's BARCODE
In some rare cases there are BARCODES without the number under the code or really missing the bars, but I think I had 10-15 max. You'll still find the numbers on the edge of the case, inside the booklet and/or the Disc.
Again, the BARCODE is unique to the CD you hold in your hands, but there can be so, so, so many releases…
Discogs Artist + Album sorted by Country
By now I spot the BARCODE in split seconds, mark the line, preview the cover and compare it to the one in my hands. Good to go 99% of the time (I'm not very picky on cover quality, but it has to match my CD).
I never came here to thank for adding BARCODE feature to mp3tag, untill now so huge Thank You @Florian
Now when it comes to MusicBrainz…if you want more tags… it is as simple as that now:
One thing where freeDB struggles are very recent CDs, so I have added a custom field for BARCODE in mp3tag, which I punch in from the CD cover in no time.
Example, which I could not find in freeDB or DISCOGS, but with the barcode search in MisicBrainz:
To me BARCODES have become the one thing I get right from start and never ever skip, as it is the true ID of the CD I am ripping.
Now, just aqustion to all of you… I also started adding my own tag DISCOGS_ARTIST_ID, which to me, complets the info to a CD.
Useful to you — useful to add to future mp3tag release?