# \[X\] No artist/title tags displayed if empty APE-tag is being read next to ID3v2
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/x-no-artist-title-tags-displayed-if-empty-ape-tag-is-being-read-next-to-id3v2/12751
**Category:** No Bugs
**Created:** [November 29, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/x-no-artist-title-tags-displayed-if-empty-ape-tag-is-being-read-next-to-id3v2/12751 "2011-11-29T14:24:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@bartgrefte](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/bartgrefte)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/x-no-artist-title-tags-displayed-if-empty-ape-tag-is-being-read-next-to-id3v2/12751/1 "2011-11-29T14:24:12Z")
Hi,
This afternoon I noticed something weird. When I had Mp3tag load all of my (to mp3) ripped cd's about one 3rd showed empty title and artist tags (those are the only 2 tags I use). After checking with WinAmp I noticed that the files that did not seem to have contents in those tags actually did have an ID3v2 tag with the artist and title in it.
So I kept looking and I found the cause of this weird issue. I've set Mp3tag to read all tags but only save ID3v2 and APEv2 tags. The files that appeared "tag-less" in Mp3tag did have the artist and title stored in the ID3v2 tag but not in the APE tag.
Apparently, because of the empty APE-tags, Mp3tag does not show the contents of the artist/title tags even though they are available in the ID3v2 tag that also is being read.
The solution is simple though: disable read for APE-tags, open the folders with the mp3's that didn't seem to have tags, they show up now after disabling the read APE-tag setting. After that I've selected all files and hit save so now the APE-tag also contains the artist and title info, just like the rest of the files.
Since I don't think this should happen I'd like to report it as a bug.
With regards,
Bart Grefte
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [November 29, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/x-no-artist-title-tags-displayed-if-empty-ape-tag-is-being-read-next-to-id3v2/12751/2 "2011-11-29T16:28:18Z")
> [@Bart Grefte](#):
>
> Since I don't think this should happen I'd like to report it as a bug.
>
> With regards,
>
> Bart Grefte
As APE tags overrule MP3 tags an empty string in APE overrules a filled one of an mp3 tag. So, it looks like it's not a bug - it's a feature ;-).
As there are frequently posts in this forum that state the problem with APE tags, the general advice is to get rid of them altogether unless there is a decent reason to keep them.
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### Author:  [@bartgrefte](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/bartgrefte)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2011, 6:34am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/x-no-artist-title-tags-displayed-if-empty-ape-tag-is-being-read-next-to-id3v2/12751/3 "2011-11-30T06:34:54Z")
Ow okay, is there a specific reason for this behavior?
I use MP3Gain, which uses APE-tags...
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### Author:  [@DetlevD](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/DetlevD)
#### Post date: [November 30, 2011, 7:04am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/x-no-artist-title-tags-displayed-if-empty-ape-tag-is-being-read-next-to-id3v2/12751/4 "2011-11-30T07:04:03Z")
> [@Bart Grefte](#):
>
> Ow okay, is there a specific reason for this behavior? I use MP3Gain, which uses APE-tags...
Reason? Hmm .... yes, the Mp3tag developer did it this way.
Regarding MP3Gain see ...
[Anzeigeformat in Spalte "Tag" (revisited)](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/12026/4)
... avoid MP3Gain, if ever, then use it with the optional ID3 switch.
Better use the ReplayGain calculator of foobar2000 in the non destructive mode.
DD.20111130.0904.CET
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### Author:  [@Florian](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/Florian)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2018, 2:31pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/x-no-artist-title-tags-displayed-if-empty-ape-tag-is-being-read-next-to-id3v2/12751/5 "2018-12-28T14:31:45Z")
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