Importing Audio Files, Don't Need DiscID

[Joe Nieves]

I have a question concerning importing a large batch of audio backing track and don't want to go through the trouble of entering DiscID info to import them into Hoster....I just need them to have index numbers so they could be listed, Played and printed...

2nd question is, they are all m4a files 320bit, I ripped the CD's into iTunes and want them in Hoster, so I can work from one program...


I also copied them all into one folder in my external backup drive....

Thanks

[Roy Dennis]

Hoster does not recognize m4a files, they do not show in any of the folders, the only Audio types recognized by Hoster are wma, mp3 for importing I believe wav can be used in some dialogs like instabuttons.

So unless you can convert them to mp3 or wma first I see no way of importing them, you can check first before importing by trying to load them from the audio tab.

If you just want to bulk load mp3 or wma from a folder just use the add folder option from the build database dialog highlighting either the mp3 or wma button before adding folder. It reads MP3 and WMA id tags headers to fill in the KMH's Song Parameters for each song if the data is found.
Should you decide to do this what I would do before adding the folder is in the box where it shows next book Id, enter a number much higher than your last karaoke import, "Example 30000 " this will then keep the book id for audio well separated from your karaoke book id so allowing you to carry on with consecutive karaoke book ids of 5 digits (3 plus 2 for track)unless you are already up to 999.

[Roy Dennis]

After exsperimenting with an m4a audio file I have found that if I rename it mp4 then load it via the video tab to the playlist it plays.
It does import as In my previous post except it does not read the id tags so will only import as the file name. Also you have to import it as a video type mp4. this is the only way I can get it to import and play.

It may just need MTU to make m4a files show in the folders files of type box and in the import dialog. So I suppose this will be your next New features request.

[Joe Nieves]

Thank you for the reply Roy, I've already made that request long ago and they didn't express any interest in doing that at the time..

I used Mp3 Tag program to make sure all field information was correct in the tags, could you tell me what tag fields will Hoster be looking for in the scan just to double check before I convert them into mp3 format,.... and do I have to deal with this 99 tracks per disc limitation problem if I just want to batch process my entire folder of over 5000 files..?

Very much appreciate your effforts in helping me out,
Thank you Roy...

[Roy Dennis]

It uses the Artist, Title fields so you don't have to define a field order, I'm not sure about Genre & Disc Id, most of mine show a XYZ0xxx for disc id and the genre will be limited to the types allowed in Hoster at the moment.
It does import in disc ID of 99 tracks per disc Id.
Example: if you make as I suggested in earlier post your first Book Id before adding folder 30000 it will import as 3000001 to 3000099 then will automatically go to 30001 which will make the next book id 3000101 to 3000199 and so on.
The 30000 I suggested is just how I do mine, I at the moment am only up to 417 for my book id ie 41701 to 41718 was my last karaoke Book ID, so that I can carry on using 5 digit # in my printed books for karaoke that will give me some years grace, I chose to import my videos starting at 20000 and my audio only at 30000.
It's just a way of keeping them separated and as I don't print audio and video books for the punters the large numbers aren't a problem, you may think different.

I think the best thing for you is to try it with a small amount of imports first to see what suits you rather than go and import them all. Just make a folder up with about 200 files in and import that first to get a better understanding how it will handle the book ids.

[Joe Nieves]

First problem would be the BookID number with too many digits for it to work in line with what I already have in my books, because I need to include them in my Books, though I'm printing them separately because they are in a different language, but the amount of digits can cause a problem in the books..and with customers..

If that 99 track limitation problem was not there, then I could just for example put Hindi or Greek as a DiscID and let it rip all those numbers in a orderly fashion and done....

I went through this headache of a problem some years back with some Nutech, MagicTrack DVD's import delimma and it was not easy..so not looking forward to this again...

[Roy Dennis]

You may find it ok to start with 1000 or 5000 which will only add 1 extra digit in the book Id and with 5000 songs imported in bunches of 99 will only use up 51 Book id's.

[Joe Nieves]

Okay, so how will this work, every time the import reaches 99 tracks it prompts you for another DiscID or will it assign it on it's own..?

Thanks Roy..

[Roy Dennis]

Once you set the Book id to a number it will automatically keep going incrementing it after each batch of 99 tracks, The Disk id also increments automatically but looking at mine sets itself with XYZ0xxx the xxx is the same # as bookid.
Example shown in attachment.

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by Joe Nieves

First problem would be the BookID number with too many digits for it to work in line with what I already have in my books, because I need to include them in my Books, though I'm printing them separately because they are in a different language, but the amount of digits can cause a problem in the books..and with customers..

If that 99 track limitation problem was not there, then I could just for example put Hindi or Greek as a DiscID and let it rip all those numbers in a orderly fashion and done....

I went through this headache of a problem some years back with some Nutech, MagicTrack DVD's import delimma and it was not easy..so not looking forward to this again...

Joe, they are looking into trying to break that limit of 99 by breaking the link between DiskID and BookID. This would be to allow SCDG disks to be imported (after extraction) so it would have multiple BookIDs (grouped in 99 song blocks) for 1 DiskID.
ANd to add to what Roy has said, I have my audio song files starting at 5000. If I ever get that many disks then I know it is time to quit...

[Joe Nieves]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

Once you set the Book id to a number it will automatically keep going incrementing it after each batch of 99 tracks, The Disk id also increments automatically but looking at mine sets itself with XYZ0xxx the xxx is the same # as bookid.
Example shown in attachment.

Okay, Thanks for that.. it's more clear now, but on the DiscID I see the XYZ preface, can I change that to AUD for audio and not hurt anything..?

Thanks Roy...

[Roy Dennis]

Joe, the start of this thread you titled it "Don't Need disc Id" now you want to change it.

The true answer is you can start it with Aud but I don't know what happens after the the first 99 if it defaults back toXYZ. You know it's an Audio file because the type column shows HDAUD, after they are imported you can also use the multiple edit dialog to set brand to something of your choice.

[Joe Nieves]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

Joe, they are looking into trying to break that limit of 99 by breaking the link between DiskID and BookID. This would be to allow SCDG disks to be imported (after extraction) so it would have multiple BookIDs (grouped in 99 song blocks) for 1 DiskID.
ANd to add to what Roy has said, I have my audio song files starting at 5000. If I ever get that many disks then I know it is time to quit...

Hehehe, I'm so embarrass.... nah I don't have that many either, but over time including audio CD's, I would venture a yes..

When is the unvail slated for..?

Thanks Dougless

[Joe Nieves]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

Joe, the start of this thread you titled it "Don't Need disc Id" now you won't to change it.

The true answer is you can start it with Aud but I don't know what happens after the the first 99 if it defaults back toXYZ. You now it's an Audio file because the type column shows HDAUD, after they are imported you can also use the multiple edit dialog to set brand to something of your choice.

O'tay that is so cool too, sorry it was just my curious mind at work, thanks for your support...

[admin]

Originally Posted by Roy Dennis

It does import in disc ID of 99 tracks per disc Id.

Example: if you make as I suggested in earlier post your first Book Id before adding folder 30000 it will import as 3000001 to 3000099 then will automatically go to 30001 which will make the next book id 3000101 to 3000199 and so on.

The 30000 I suggested is just how I do mine... It's just a way of keeping them separated and as I don't print audio and video books for the punters the large numbers aren't a problem, you may think different.

I think the best thing for you is to try it with a small amount of imports first to see what suits you rather than go and import them all. Just make a folder up with about 200 files in and import that first to get a better understanding how it will handle the book ids.

Roy is correct, the DiscID is forced to 99 maximum per DiscID, and NO, we will not change that in the foreseeable future. We tried to go to 4 digits, and it affects a core architectural decision we have built on for 10 years. Ain't gonna happen. Moving right along...

Originally Posted by Joe Nieves

Thank you for the reply Roy, I've already made that request long ago and they didn't express any interest in doing that at the time..
Our resources at this time are non-existant to make changes like this. Roy gave you a work-around. Use it.

I used Mp3 Tag program to make sure all field information was correct in the tags, could you tell me what tag fields will Hoster be looking for in the scan just to double check before I convert them into mp3 format,.... and do I have to deal with this 99 tracks per disc limitation problem if I just want to batch process my entire folder of over 5000 files..?

Joe, this is answered in the manual in numerous places

Hoster's Songs Database uses 5 primary fields to allow all the main screen "Add Singers & Songs" group buttons to work, but only Title is required. If that is missing, Hoster adds the filename in the Title field as that is all we have to go on. The other primary fields are Artist, Brand DiscID, Track#. If these are missing, you can still search on the Title field.

Only MP3 and WMA headers are opened and scanned for the 5 primary fields. Again, if Title is not found in this scan, the filename is copied into the Title field so you have "all the info" available to Hoster. It does NOT recognize your thought patterns, so if it isn't in the header or filename, it's not there.

Originally Posted by Joe Nieves

1. I have a question concerning importing a large batch of audio backing track and don't want to go through the trouble of entering DiscID info to import them into Hoster....I just need them to have index numbers so they could be listed, Played and printed...

2. they are all m4a files 320bit, I ripped the CD's into iTunes and want them in Hoster, so I can work from one program...

3. I also copied them all into one folder in my external backup drive....

1. You can totally ignore DiscID if you want and Hoster will auto assign XYZxxxx for you, auto incrementing it. If Roy's suggestion to enter a DiscID of AUD0001 will auto increment for the next DiscIDs BEYOND 99 tracks under each, go for it. However, I'm skeptical.

Also, in the Prepare Songbook dialog you can select to print Audio only, Karaoke only, Video only, or any combination of the three. As Roy pointed out, cataloging AUDIO file types will add the HDAUD tag on them, appearing in the Playlist, Edit Songs, Search, etc.

2. Glad to hear Hoster is your "go to" product. However, every month it seems like a new .xxx filename extension appears. We have a large list supported at this time, and I won't commit to researching M4A at this time. We are extremely busy and that will take us days to research and program support for it. Moving right along...

3. Great, you only need to add one folder in the Import Songs > Songs Database dialog > Build Database button, and click the Types to import, then the Add Folder button and select that one folder. That's as easy as it gets. NO... M4A is not there and won't be added soon. Moving right along...l

Originally Posted by Joe Nieves

1. First problem would be the BookID number with too many digits for it to work in line with what I already have in my books...

2. If that 99 track limitation problem was not there, then I could just for example put Hindi or Greek as a DiscID and let it rip all those numbers in a orderly fashion and done....

3. I went through this headache of a problem some years back with some Nutech, MagicTrack DVD's import delimma and it was not easy..so not looking forward to this again...

1. You must accept the limitations Hoster has. You don't see a rank of others making the same request, so it is NOT a high priority for us.

2. I have addressed this above.

3. So... their problems now become ours? Sorry I can't help you there.

The "Golden Rule" of product developers is: "Flexibility is the bane of ease of use." With 41 years of professional product development with 130+ products behind me, and the VAST MAJORITY of users can understand and use all of them. I am very cautious as to what we add, and the complexity it will involve. The "limitations" you are experiencing, are not a stumbling block to 99.999% (correct %) of our users.

Joe, your ideas are appreciated, and have changed my thinking on some features, but we won't become your "custom design house" and modify Hoster to your liking. Submit your new feature requests, preferably in light of not only how you want them, but to take into consideration how the other 99.999% would use it. Then, you will have my attention. Making a pure "my desire" type request isn't going to get us to consider your requests.

Originally Posted by Joe Nieves

Okay, Thanks for that.. it's more clear now, but on the DiscID I see the XYZ preface, can I change that to AUD for audio and not hurt anything..?

I don't know. Try it on a single folder (easily removed from the "Indexed Folders" list in the Build Database dialog) with 100+ files to see if entering "AUD" and a number will auto-increment the numeric part and leave AUD. I don't think it will, but it just might!