Dear Torben,
I do not understand what TAGGING a file does, or why there are options to Tag and to Tag File (???). Does Tagging change something internally in MP3 and WAV files? If not, where is the information stored?
I do NOT want to change my existing MP3/WAV/WMA files in any way: that is one of many reasons why I rejected Ots-DJ as possible playout software.
I have looked in the English manual and it does not tell me this information. Sorry if it is an FAQ!
BFN
CAD
Yes, the files are altered. In case of MP3s, the cue information is stored in a special field inside the ID3v2 tag, which no other software will see or display. Additionally, the standard artist and title fields get overwritten.
Tagging does also work for FLAC files, in the same manner, but for no other file format at the moment (due to the lack of appropriate Delphi libraries).
Cue information is also saved to the playlist files. So if you prepare a playlist for your show and save it, the cue markers will be restored when you open it again. However, as the files are not changed, adding the same file from the directory browsers again will not restore the information.
The only option would be to use some sort of database. Either a “real”, SQL-based one (but these are still under development), or a simple local one. I have introduced the “on the fly” databases a while ago, which work pretty much like the “databases” found in similar software: a local directory is scanned and offered through the database browsers. However, by now, it is not able to store cue information, but it only reads the data already found in the files. But I might add this feature, shouldn’t be too difficult.
Torben
I had a little spare time and implemented the following enhancements to the “on the fly” databases:
In case caching is enabled, you can save the cue markers etc. with the usual “Save (database)” button the Properties dialog or Extra PFL window. The cue data is only saved to the OnTheFlyCache.mlp file, the file itself is not altered.
There’s a new option, “AutoRescan”. If enabled, mAirList automatically rescans the directory and updates the cache file at startup. Existing cue data in the cache file is not overwritten. If disabled, the rescan must be forced by manually deleting the cache file, thus deleting all cue data. If you have a large directory of files that do never change, disabling this option will give you a faster startup.
This will be available from version 1.5.34 on.
Torben
Good thought to store the cue points! I’m all in favour of that.
Storing the cue data in an ‘on-the-fly’ database will presumably mean that one can store cue points for WMAs and WAVs (oh yes, we still use WAVs sometimes!) as well as files (e.g. MP3) where you can store the cue data in an internal ID field within the file?
Incidentally, I think that MP3-TagStudio (another good piece of German software 
) will probably be able to read and display the ‘extra’ tags you’re writing.
BFN
CAD
With hard drive space becoming more and more economical, I’m working with .wav files much more now, and using the BWF format to save tagged information in them, and more information can be sourced here http://www.bsiusa.com/software/info_edit/info_editor.php
With hard drive space becoming more and more economical, I'm working with .wav files much more now
Ah, Chris… I only wish our little volunteer-run station had that luxury! We’re lucky we can scrape up PCs, so HD space is rather a lottery dependent on the age of the (‘junked’) donated PC. I think we’ll be sticking with MP3 format for some time. Also, if our presenters bring in their own music tracks to play, it’s as likely to be a CD full of MP3s as a Proper Audio CD; but I don’t think (?) anyone has brought in WAVs yet.
using the BWF format to save tagged information in them
Hmm… [FX: puts on Cynical Hat] BSI themselves say on their site that this is a tagging format for their own software, so I guess the editor is provided free because they hope to attract you as a paying customer. I note they have numerous free utilities to convert other software’s file tags to BWF format, but apparently none going the other way, as it were. 
BFN
CAD
First, Let me assure you with a grin on my face that I completely understand the philosophy of junked PC’s, wheely dealing, and standing at the back door of commercial stations as they wheel out the outdated gear they’re upgrading, and begging, borrowing or otherwise acquiring equipment to support a volunteer run station… that’s why I frequent sites like this where like minded folks who have a passion for community broadcasting gather.
Seems I’ve spent many years honing my skills in this area of expertise, so, I’m with you there… all the way.
I no longer work for commercial radio, but at 60 years old, am now passing on the knowledge I have acquired, to student and school broadcasters and small rural communities who are extremely disadvantaged in the radio broadcasting field.
I have a double garage full of donated bits and pieces, and just one or two pieces of equipment which are actually valuable so I empathise with you completely.
I use tagged .wav files in both Simian and VUPlayer and have an arrangement with my sons station, also non profit, which also uses Simian, as do a number of small community stations in New Zealand.
Because I have around 2000 tracks in linear PCM, I’d like to be able to use them in mAirlist and furthermore to use the tags which are “Intro” and “Segue” as I’ve taken an enormous amount of time to insert these tags into these files.
As a further aside, having tagged this information into the .wav’s, I use CoolEdit Pro and Adobe Audition to render these tracks down to .mp3 via a batch process.
I realise, however, that the tagging scenario with many formats is non standardised, but this BSI format seemed a good place to start when dealing with .wav’s.
EDIT: and natively supported by CoolEdit and Adobe Audition with reservations.
The tagging problems are only really evident for users who like to try different systems (myself being one of them), and encounter the dreaded issue of all their “standard” tagging not working with xyx playout software. Several of the big-players offer an import/export system where you can convert a database into a readable form… The classic example being a scheduler that would need to “see” all the data regarding the songs/jingles/ads available to the playout system.
Many stations start with a certain software package, and stick with it… The most popular software package in the UK is RCS Master Control, you can’t buy it - You have to lease it (prices start at £70/month)… But the support, features and reliability are almost un-rivaled. Not that I’m saying mAirList is rubbish, simply different!
Perhaps every system out there ought to be required to output a CSV file so you can import all your data into any system… ? Hah, that’ll be the day!
I’m already working on BWF support. However, there’s no third-party Delphi library available, so I’ll have to implement it on my own. Will take a little time.
Torben
For anyone interested, I note that all mAirList MP3 file tagging data is written into a single V2_TXXX ID3V2 field, the text data being a block of XML. (Excellent idea, Torben! It appeals to my tidy, programmer’s mind…)
It should therefore be (relatively!) easy to export/remove/create these fields for those with a few programming tools at their disposal.
BFN
CAD