[78-L] Software for cataloging AND listening to record collections ??

[Rodger Holtin]

Good advice on iTunes.  I had all that crap turned off and had to have my machine worked on when I lost a heat sink, and the techie reloaded iTunes for me and I had to go back through all that again.  I think I covered everything that article listed just by being selective about the stuff when I loaded up front.  I now have retro experience, too.  There's no 'cover art' for files I made for myself from 78s unless I have a label scan, and that just takes more time than I want to spend.  The prepackaged playlists and rating stars are for kids and tyros, says I.  A one-star tune ain't gonna make it to a playlist!
Usually I use Windows Media Player and I find it much easier to use than iTunes anyway, but the iTune thing will easily load stuff to my i-Pod for portability.  I hope to inherit another used mp3 player from one of my kids and do away with music on the i-Pod anyway.  It leaves a lot to be desired in terms of user-friendliness, at least that's my take on it.  The erstwhile mp3 player did all I wanted it to do and much easier, but like a faithful old hunting dog, he did of old age, too.  If dogs are seven-to-one, computers are about 12 to one - they age quickly.
I create playlists in Excel from file names of mp3 or wave so I can use sort feature of Excel.  I open a second window for Media Player, drag and drop the files into Media Player then save the playlist as M3U file, which is then stored separately in the my documents but is readable by either iTunes or Media Player.  I create the playlists for my radio show that way and it works great.

Rodger



For Best Results use Victor Needles.



.

--- On Fri, 7/5/13, Mark Bardenwerper <citrogsa at charter.net> wrote:

From: Mark Bardenwerper <citrogsa at charter.net>
Subject: Re: [78-L] Software for cataloging AND listening to record collections ??
To: "78-L Mail List" <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
Date: Friday, July 5, 2013, 10:23 PM

On 7/5/2013 7:01 PM, Doug Caldwell wrote:
> I posted this on TONY with not a single response. Maybe its an odd topic. Ihought I'd give it a shot here.
>
>   
>
> I've been using iTunes basically as an audible database for many years. I
> have detailed discographies on Excel, but for listening, the audio files are organized in Playlists in iTunes with info on each tune:  artist, date, issue #, mx, comments etc. It is very helpful and satisfying, but iTunes
> seems only half-meant for this function, and I get nervous about glitches - especially when asked to  upgraded versions  or when it comes to moving files.
>
> Anyone have suggestions for (playable) cataloging software.
>
> I did experiment with adding links in Excel so each entry could be heard. It
> worked, but was very time consuming.
>
> Doug Caldwell
>
Two concerns about archiving. First, you will have to  weigh file size 
and sound quality. Second, saving on your own hard drive is plenty safe 
as long as you don't delete the actual files. Removing things from the 
playlist does not mean you are deleting the file unless you tell it to. 
If you are nervous about your files, just back them up.
One annoying thing about these players is their dependence upon online 
activity and their add ons, which hog computer power. Here are ways to 
turn some of them off.
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/23480/10-tips-to-make-itunes-for-windows-run-faster/

Other than that, you needn't worry. MP3's are going to be around for a 
while. The nice thing about listening to old records is you don't get 
too uptight about high fidelity once the sound is lifted from the 
record. Still it's better to use high resolution files.

-- 
Mark L. Bardenwerper, Sr.

Technology...thoughtfully, responsibly.

Visit me at http://citroen.cappyfabrics.com

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