preparing metadata

Here are the steps I go through to prepare media to be scanned by Roadie, processed and added to the system and moved to the library.

• Required Format
  • MP3 track filename must have *.mp3 extension
  • Can be any bitrate - preference is 320vbr.
• Required ID3 tags (and their weights)
  • Artist Name (64)
  • Album Title (16)
  • Release Year (1)
    • Year should be in "XXXX" format.
  • Track Title (32)
  • Track Number (4)
    • Track Number should be in "XX/XX" format.
• Renumber tracks
  • Tracks should be sequentially numbered in same media starting at 1.
  • Tracks should be in "XX/XX" format being current Track number and Total Track numbers.
• Clear comments
• Ensure Discnumber is set on multiple media Releases - not necessary for single media Releases.
• Ensure year is set and consistant for all tracks in the same release.
• Look at Artist name to ensure all consistent for Tracks by the Artist across Releases.
  • Make sure doesn't have "Featuring" and another artist.
  • If another artist add them as "Artist" and set "Album Artist" to release Artist.
• Look at Release title to make sure all consistent for tracks in same release
  • No indicator of the media in the release name, e.g. "CD1"
  • No indicator of release rarity or re-release information, e.g. "Deluxe", "Remastered", etc.
• Look at Tracks
  • Make sure doesn't have Track number in song.
  • Make sure doesn't have "Featuring" and another Artist.
    • If another Artist add them as "Artist" and set "Album Artist" to release Artist.
    • If more than one artist then add them at "Artist" and separate by single forward slash (/).
• Look at genres
  • If more than one than ensure split character is valid (',' or '\' or ';').