Set SoundItem Names from a List

Locator: Sound List Editor > Edit Sound Item > Update Attributes .

When Useful

This feature can useful if you have media files with no embedded Mp3 tags and odd filenames (ex computer generated filenames). For example, when importing a custom made CDrom disk, Sounditem Names will default to Track1, Track2, etc (Figure 3). Also some downloaded internet files may have computer generated file names. If you have access to a text list of the song names or have the associated media files, you can set the Names of multiple Sounditems with just a few clicks.

How It Works

All SoundItem Names are set from a list of names or filenames that you provide. SoundItem Names are set in sequential order starting at the current selected SoundItem. You paste the names into a popup dialog (Figure 1). Each name must be on a separate line. You can set all SoundItems or just a subset of SoundItems depending on how many Names you provide.

Note

If the media files contain Mp3 tags with song title, it is easier to just reacquire the tags to set the Sounditem Names. Click Edit Sound Item > Media File Information > Reacquire Info . Audio CDrom disks never have Mp3 tags embedded.

Figure 1. Set SoundItem Names from a List

Accepted Inputs to 'Set SoundItem Names from a List' (Figure 1)

Listing 1 -4 inputs can be provided enclosed in double quotes (as in Listing 1) or without double quotes. Each name must be on a separate line. Any line that starts with a pound sign ("#") is ignored (see listing 4). "..." indicates lines removed from the listing example for brevity.

Filenames with full paths. (Listing 1)
Filenames with no path. (Listing 2)
Song Names. (Listing 3)
M3U Playlist file contents. (Listing 4)

Listing 1, file paths with or without double quotes are accepted.

Listing 1. Filenames with full paths

"C:\7-JDs_Picks\Party Mix Vol3\Banana Pancakes.mp3"
"C:\7-JDs_Picks\Party Mix Vol3\Broken Bird.mp3"
"C:\7-JDs_Picks\Party Mix Vol3\Howlin' For My Baby.mp3"
"C:\7-JDs_Picks\Party Mix Vol3\Into the Mystic .mp3"
...
"C:\7-JDs_Picks\Party Mix Vol3\Werewolves of London.mp3"

Listing 2. Filenames with no path.

Banana Pancakes.mp3
Broken Bird.mp3
Howlin' For My Baby.mp3
Into the Mystic .mp3
...
Werewolves of London.mp3

Listing 3. Song Names

Banana Pancakes
Broken Bird
Howlin' For My Baby
Into the Mystic 
...
Werewolves of London

If you have an M3U Playlist file for a CD, open it with a text editor and copy its contents. Any line that starts with a pound sign ("#") is ignored

Listing 4. M3U Playlist file contents

#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:169,Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes
Banana Pancakes.mp3
#EXTINF:384,Rich Whiteley Band - Broken Bird
Broken Bird.mp3
#EXTINF:405,Jiggle the Handle - Howlin' For My Baby
Howlin' For My Baby.mp3
#EXTINF:410,Rich Whiteley Band - Into the Mystic
Into the Mystic .mp3
...
#EXTINF:276,Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London
Werewolves of London.mp3

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Windows Explorer - Get File Paths

If you have a semi-automated way to get the list of song names on the CD, you can then just use the Set SoundItem Names from a List menu item, to set them in a few clicks.

Below depicts one possible method for getting a list of song names, but any tool you may have that will allow you to get a list in one of the formats shown in Listings 1-3 will probably work fine.

If you have the related MP3 files on your hard drive, you can use them to quickly get a list of the filenames. Instructions below assumes that you have the audio files in a separate folder.

Open the folder in Windows Explorer (Figure 2a). Sort the files by Track Number* order by clicking the "#" column header (outlined in red Figure 2a).
Select all tracks. Left mouse click on the top file. Then hold down the Shift key and Left mouse click on the last file to select a range of files.
Now copy the file paths to the Windows Clipboard. Click the Music "Home" tab (Figure 2b). With all files selected, Right mouse click on the FIRST file, then click the 'Copy Path' button.
Now you can use the Set SoundItem Names from a List menu item to paste the filenames from the Windows Clipboard (Figure 1).

* Note: If your music files do not have Track Number Mp3 Tags, we recommend the excellent MP3TAG tool (free) to quickly set track numbers.

Figure 2a. Windows Explorer - Sort by Track Number

Figure 2b. Windows Explorer - Filenames - Copy Path

Figure 3. View CD Drive (Default CD Names)

Figure 4. View CD Drive (Names applied)

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