Dj's United > Database recommendations ...

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Dj's United > DIGITAL D.J'ING USING A PC or CONTROLLER > Digital D.J'ing Discussion

RezN8

Oct 1 2006, 03:05 PM

Hi all ...

Just wondering what software everyone is using to catalogue their collections.

I'm using an Access database that I've written, which gives me the tags that I need and prints CD sleeves for my wallets ... But now I'm now looking for MP3 integration and wondering whether to write my own ...

RichardP

Oct 1 2006, 05:57 PM

I too made an Access-based database to catalogue mine

Probably sounds like a thick question, but out of interest, what would having mp3 integration do exactly?

RezN8

Oct 1 2006, 06:12 PM

Good question Richard ...

I'm looking to link an MP3 file with a physical location, but this needs to dynamic as I might re-sort the hard drive, as I do from time to time with my CD wallet.

Therefore, the question I'm asking myself is should I use the MP3 tags to store my data in, or should I store the data and file location in a seperate database?

I'm leaning towards the former, in that after re-sorting my hard drive, I could easilly re-catalogue everything by iterating through the folder structure in my application, reading in the data from the MP3 tags as I go.

Another reason is that I could also hook into the api of the software used for playback to load my selected track.

haggis

Oct 1 2006, 07:44 PM

If you're just looking for a good cataloging systen then you could consider MP3 Collector and/or MJusic Collector (for CD's) from collectorz.com.

MP3 Collector will search your hard drive(s) and create a database listing that you can manipulate and export in several formats. It handles tags as well.

I've used both and they're great for producing printed listings.

Hope this might be useful

Haggis

RezN8

Oct 2 2006, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the suggestion haggis ... I've just had a quick look at their "Music Collector" program but couldn't see any way of getting my own tags in there (custom tags allowing me to catalog and search my tracks in a way that is meaningful to me).

bigMCben

Oct 2 2006, 05:26 PM

I have just purchased this software and there is the facility to rename fields, (Tools/Field Names) so perhaps you could use this feature to customise it to your requirements. You can download it for a 15 day free trial. I did and bought it after 2 days.

bluejools

Oct 2 2006, 05:39 PM

Catraxx - cheap, supported and far more powerful than i can use

apparently you can associate MP3's with the DB records.

just google catraxx

otronics

Oct 2 2006, 07:51 PM

If you want something very basic and free, use a command to store the contents' of your mp3 folder to a text file.

It will store the filename, so most likely Artist - Title.

RezN8

Oct 3 2006, 07:17 AM

Thanks again for the suggestions ... Rather than peering at screenshots, I'll download the trial versions and have a play.

I'm still considering writing my own (as I'm also looking to synchronise with my iPAQ that I can take with me) but Catraxx and the Collectorz offerings are a great starting place.

Eskie

Oct 3 2006, 09:03 AM

QUOTE (RezN8 @ Oct 3 2006, 08:17 AM)

... but Catraxx and the Collectorz offerings are a great starting place.

I can certainly vouch for Catraxx. I've been using it since 1999 and am probably responsible for quite a few DJs on this forum and also many friends now using the programme. It is excellent and their support is first class. They have a users forum which the main developer of the programme regularly visits and virtually every question anyone posts about the programme is answered very quickly either personally by him or one of the many very experienced users.
There are regular updates that add new features (the most recent update was last week!) and they are also receptive to new feature requests. I sent in a couple of queries around 4 years ago which ended up being implemented in an update a couple of months later.
The programme is extremely powerful, I probably use less than 5% of it's capabilities and it is also very flexible as you can customise it to your own requirements.

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