McWilliams' World » Music

Favorite MP3 Tagging App: QMP

mcwilliams — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:10:01 +0000

I’m a tad anal-retentive when it comes to my MP3 collection (over 20gb). I like to have everything tagged properly and the file name formatted in the right way. How do I do it? I use QMP. To me, it’s simply the best solution for tagging and renaming my media files.

Recently I tried a few tagging applications; MP3Tag and MediaMonkey thinking I might find a stand-alone tagging app that may be better than QMP. Although they do an okay job of tagging, the interfaces and options are over complicated and results aren’t always a lock.

QMP, although it’s primary role is a media player, it has a killer tagging utility. Extremely easy to use and has all the features you need; multi-edit, file rename + formatting options, etc… What I like is its integration with GraceNote. It’s very rare that GraceNote won’t match the track I’m trying to tag – unless the file name or initial tags are completely wrong.

I used QMP for years as my media player but since buying a Zune, I now use the Zune software to play my music. Why not utilize the Zune software for my ripping and tagging needs? #1. I have a wide variety of music and some times the Zune app does not recognize the CD or tracks. #2. There a little to no customizing options when ripping and near zero for tag/filename options. It’s a love hate relationship with the Zune software. I like how it’s laid out but I hate that it doesn’t have certain features built in. It’s a bit dumbed-down. Not to mention that it frequently misdiagnoses an album or track or ignores tag changes. That last one bugs me. 98% of the time the Zune software will recognize changes to a file’s tags right away, but when it doesn’t, there’s not much you can do other than wipe the Zune’s “meta database”; which causes it to re-catalog your entire library. Very annoying.

Typically I follow these rules when managing my music library:

Always start with a good rip; I use either QMP, or CDEx to rip my CD to MP3 format, tag the files (at rip time) and name the files properly.
If #1 is not an option, then I utilize QMP to re-tag and rename.

Following those rules make for a neatly managed library and the Zune typically follows suit.

So if you’re looking for a good tagging app, look no further than Quintessential Media Player.

New Favorite CD: Supershine

mcwilliams — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:24:27 +0000

I’ve been on a bit of a new music quest. I’m getting tiered of my current music collection and need to add some new blood to the mix. I’ve been trying to buy all the Trouble CD’s and managed to pick up three of them (Psalm 9, The Skull, Plastic Green Head). I’ve been watching eBay for the others but every time I do find them – bidding continues to go over and above what I’m willing to spend – even if they are rare/hard-to-find. I also managed to snarf up a few older CD’s I’ve been meaning to pickup; Wish For Eden, Sometime Sunday, and Jacob’s Trouble.

In my search for Trouble CD’s I stumbled upon Supershine; a cross between King’s X and Trouble and that’s exactly what you get. It’s a 2000 release; a collaboration/side-project between Doug Pinnick of King’s X (bass, vocals) and Bruce Franklin of Trouble (guitars). It’s a great listen with a lot of heavy grooves and driving guitars. I think its overall sound/production is similar to King’s X’s Dogman CD; fat and heavy. If you’re into either of those bands, you owe it to yourself and pick it up – got mine for under $5 off Amazon.com.

Reflescent Tide found on “The Ultimate Rock Album”?

mcwilliams — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 14:26:41 +0000

I was just perusing around on Amazon.com looking up my old band Reflescent Tide (Google search) and after seeing our first two albums (self titled & Spring Catalog) listed I noticed a compilation called Solid Rock: The Ultimate Rock Album.

This was surprising because I had no idea our music was being used in this way. After disbanding in ’97 and the record company that signed us, Rugged Records, closed it’s doors, I have no idea who holds our music. But to be included with the likes of Christian rock greats like Petra, Bride, Jars of Clay, etc… it’s pretty cool. For the most part we weren’t very well known to the general public but our music was well received within the industry.

From what I know this is the list of albums we can be found on:

Reflescent Tide (self titled)
Spring Catalog
Monuments and Markers (self released – very limited copies – mostly between the band and friends)
The Mother of All Tribute Albums (compilation)
Solid Rock (compilation)
Rugged Cuts (compilation)
Social Commentary (compilation)

Fun stuff and great memories. One of these days I need to get our video transfered and posted on YouTube or something.

Review: Radiohead – In Rainbows

mcwilliams — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:37:08 +0000

I jumped on the “pay what you want” bandwagon and ordered Radiohead’s new album In Rainbows. I payed $0.00 for it. I’m not a Radiohead fan by any means, but I liked their song Creep from a few years ago.

I just listened to it and… it’s okay. Nothing stood out to me. It’s very atmospheric. Nothing too catchy – so you won’t walk around with a song stuck in your head for 3 days but it’s easy to listen to for the most part. Lots of percussion.

After listening to it, I can say I wouldn’t buy it (ha! I didn’t) - unless I was a die-hard Radiohead fan – which I already stated that I’m not; but I’m open to most music.

Nice thing is… if I’m sick of it - I can delete it and let it fade from my memory and not be out anything. Thanks Radiohead!