Should I wait to reimport

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

To answer #2 first The database will fix itself (add the new fields) the first time rebuild is run.

Even for the ones I just entered as custom, or whatever just to save time? That was my question about waiting for the new database. I should have stated that differently. I was refering to the DB of potential songs provided by MTU. Since I don't put my show machine online, I can't access the free DB. I do this to keep programs and risks to a minimum. I don't even go online for updates, I do those manually as well.
The advantage I was speaking of was the updated DB by MTU to fix all those screw-ups by not having access to current info. ie: mispelled songs, artists. Sometimes I can't even tell you if the name is the song name or the artist.

[admin]

Originally Posted by marklwood

The advantage I was speaking of was the updated DB by MTU to fix all those screw-ups by not having access to current info. ie: mispelled songs, artists. Sometimes I can't even tell you if the name is the song name or the artist.

We have spent many hours updating, referencing Google for what is "correct" on both Artists and Song Titles. These tables are cleaned. We cannot "automatically clean what you already have imported, or at least we haven't thought about doing that. It could be difficult to do, but now that I think about it, there may be a way we can do this. I'll consult with engineering on Tuesday.

However, we are adding what is called "auto-complete editable combo list boxes" into the Import Screens and also Edit Songs. Thus, when you go to "enter" a Artist or Title in the Import Tracks'Files windows, you won't have to type the entire name in most cases. It will scroll (like Brand does now) to matching entries that may be in the list. Same when you go to "edit" a song.

We are now working on adding more DiscIDs to the database. This won't have much progress when we release 4.00. However, the Bucket (import) database can be updated outside of the Hoster install. That is what we are currently planning on doing as we expand the DiscIDs.

I appreciate your comments about our not charging enough. We have to worry about competition, which is why I don't have a price yet to upgrade or for new purchases.

We, and our honored Beta Testers also, have worked very hard to retain the ease of use Hoster is known for, and not changing how you run your shows so it is an "install and continue running". Then, you can look at the new features and see what you want to use in your shows.

Some things, such as the Singers field automatically saving all names you enter, will happen without your doing anything. Having the Intermission screen appear when silence would happen is something you will need to enable, and set up what will appear and play when it does appear.

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by admin

We have spent many hours updating, referencing Google for what is "correct" on both Artists and Song Titles. These tables are cleaned. We cannot "automatically clean what you already have imported, or at least we haven't thought about doing that. It could be difficult to do, but now that I think about it, there may be a way we can do this. I'll consult with engineering on Tuesday.

That would be a pretty small market share unless it was SUPER easy to implement. That is why I was asking about waiting and just re-importing when I get a revised database. The problem I have is there was 4 of us ripping songs/adding to the database. Differences like "CCR" or "C.C.R." or "Creedence Clearwater Revival" or my favorite "The Game" or "Game, The" or an old man like me not knowing the name of a band or song and getting them reversed.

In the past, because I don't keep the machine at home, I have my wife edit the song list before printing to correct these instead of editing the database to actually correct them permanantly. I was just considering starting over, leaving my main and backup comp at the bar, and buying a shiny new copy of 4.0 and starting over. I have all my songs already ripped to MP3+G so that would save a lot of time. I just am absolutely sure the naming problems start with those files. But if I try to re-rip all my files from CD with hoster, I wouldn't get done until Hoster 5.0 comes out. I was looking for some shortcut I may have missed (aren't we always)

Originally Posted by admin

We are now working on adding more DiscIDs to the database. This won't have much progress when we release 4.00. However, the Bucket (import) database can be updated outside of the Hoster install. That is what we are currently planning on doing as we expand the DiscIDs.

I would definitely be a recurring customer for this. Even if you wouldn't make the same choices I did in naming conventions, they would be consistent. This would be invaluable.

Originally Posted by admin

I appreciate your comments about our not charging enough. We have to worry about competition, which is why I don't have a price yet to upgrade or for new purchases.

I just want people to remember how much you have done for so little $$. Unless you just pirate all your music, the price of MTU is a small % of the total investment. Most guys spend more in mic cords than they do on Hoster. Just the protection afforded for my CDs is worth every penny.

PS. As I was witing this I was thinking of another solution. A batch conversion of only the songs that are in the database you provide, leaving the ones with improper naming conventions. Then put those files in a seperate folder and index with google desktop. Then I could quickly search during a show and add only those files to the database that people want to sing.

As a matter of fact, I may just start over with only Sound Choice songs and add the rest as needed. That would free up entries in MY database without losing the ability to have the others available. Then I could copy them to a folder on the desktop and add from zip to the playlist. After the show, I could quickly add those files permanantly to hoster and end up with a smaller overall book list, but only the ones that people want to sing. The only thing I need now is to find a way for people to use their cell phone to search my list over the internet and I could do away with books entirely

[ddouglass]

The only problem I see is when you rip them to MP3 then you have already added the Title and Artist name, so that when you import the MP3s to Hoster it doesn't look them up in the database. Importing directly from the CDs creates the KMA file directly and has as much compression as the MP3 but in a better/less signal loss format and looks up the information in the database. If it was me and even though it would take a while I would re-import them at home, then transport the KMA files to the other computer and start a new folder on there. Once you get all you want in it then rebuild the database using the new folder.

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

The only problem I see is when you rip them to MP3 then you have already added the Title and Artist name, so that when you import the MP3s to Hoster it doesn't look them up in the database. Importing directly from the CDs creates the KMA file directly and has as much compression as the MP3 but in a better/less signal loss format and looks up the information in the database. If it was me and even though it would take a while I would re-import them at home, then transport the KMA files to the other computer and start a new folder on there. Once you get all you want in it then rebuild the database using the new folder.

Thanks for being there Dale. You are always so much help to everyone.
I know that is the right answer, I just don't want to admit it.

I was wondering though, if I re-import and set the import to ignore after the Disk and Track ID, would it then read from MTU database? Possibly run a 3rd party program to strip the artist-title prior to importing? Or is it too late once they are in MP3+G format? I still would like to go to some computer format first to get volume leveling since I have decided to start over anyways. I also would like to include Genre info that I didn't do the first time. I could fix everything going through Hoster to edit song info, but volumes aren't an option.

edit: I could just send a couple of drives to you and have you fix them for me

Seriously though, I have considered hiring someone local to spend the time to fix all these errors.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by marklwood

I was wondering though, if I re-import and set the import to ignore after the Disk and Track ID, would it then read from MTU database? Possibly run a 3rd party program to strip the artist-title prior to importing? Or is it too late once they are in MP3+G format?

That should work for anything in the database. If it isn't then you will have to enter them or allow it to pick up those fields for that group.
Unfortunately to normalize stopped working at least a couple years back and that is why they took it out. Hopefully when everything gets settled in 4.0 they can possible work on it to see if it can be added back in. It would be nice and very useful.

Originally Posted by marklwood

edit: I could just send a couple of drives to you and have you fix them for me

I am afraid you couldn't afford me...it would cost a whole lot to get me to come out of retirement.

[marklwood]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

That should work for anything in the database. If it isn't then you will have to enter them or allow it to pick up those fields for that group.

Do you have any idea how current the database will be in 4.0 at ship date? I'm not in that great of a hurry, but wouldn't want to wait too long. I'm still liking the idea of only importing SC and indexing the rest for quick search with google desktop. That would sure be easier to keep up with the song list for the books and only add what was actually sang from the rest.