[Azol]

Here is the poll to figure out which software do forum members use to track their musical collections. Considering cataloguing classical music (especially opera) is very tricky, every bit of information could be useful!

 

[ptr]

I started building my catalogue/database in 1991-92 and at the time Filemaker was the best database builder software back them, I still use it as none of the pre-made software's I've checked out have given me the flexibility of building with filemaker. The only drawback is that I have to fill in all the information myself, but then, I'm quite OCD about this, not trusting anyone else to do it correctly!

/ptr

 

[Guest]

I just about manage to keep my CDs in alphabetical order. That's as organised as I get!

 

[joen_cph]

I´ve registered the collection in Word documents, one for each letter of the alphabet, and then one section for each composer there. My collection is mainly in the old media of LPs and CDs, but I also have digital files.

The good thing is that one can design it according to one s taste, and add for example Wikipedia- or other biographies and material etc. in the entries, and that it is clear and comprehensible;

the bad thing is that there are basically no search options, no other categories than composers, and that it is overall very time-consuming.

I used to keep a basic listing according to record labels too, but gave it up, since it meant spending more time.

 

[Pugg]

I just about manage to keep my CDs in alphabetical order. That's as organised as I get!

This is my method to, and use the brains :tiphat:

 

[Azol]

Basically cataloguing software allows easily to answer such questions as:

- how many different recordings of Bruckner's Third Symphony do I have?
- how much money I spent purchasing CDs last year?
- which Verdi opera recordings feature Tito Gobbi?
- what are the lyrics of this particular song?
- what is the timing of each Guglielmo Tell recording in my collection?
- how many different sopranos sing Tosca in my collection (including compilations and recitals)?
- which operas were recorded in 1995?

as well as

- listen to full albums as well as individual tracks;
- rate the recordings and tracks;
- attach notes, comments, memos, libretti, cover art;
- use custom fields to store any other information imaginable (limitation No., dB gain etc)

 

[bigshot]

I use iTunes. It does what I need it to do.

 

[jtbell]

I use a DIY relational database in MySQL. This is strictly for inventory-keeping, not for playback.

I also have iTunes which I normally use for playback together with an Apple TV, but it contains only about 15% of my collection.

 

[Albert7]

I use iTunes. It does what I need it to do.

Same here because all of my listening is either vinyl or iPhone.

 

[Krummhorn]

I have created Excel spreadsheets for this purpose.

In fact my entire library of classical organ scores, consisting of some 4,000 or so titles, is in spreadsheet form in a manner that lets me sort it by title, or composer, or arranger.

 

[opus55]

I use My System developed by me using CD shelves - old fashioned method. Simple composer-alphabetical order then small to large ensemble (solo piano, violin sonata, trio, quartet, symphony etc). Opera is separate and mostly unsorted.

Once in a while I have trouble at the store trying to remember if I have the recording or not. I call my assistant - wife.

No, no software. All hardware.

 

[SixFootScowl]

No special software. All is arranged in folders/sub-folders on my computer (Linux Mint OS). All backed up to a 1TB external drive and favorites backed up to Google Drive.

 

[bestellen]

Disclib is a CD collection organizer program. It may be used as a catalogue of CDs. After creating the catalogue, disclib stores file and folder names and tree, allows user to categorize folders and files, and allows searching all the files from the collection CDs without need to place them in CD reader. Disclib may place in the catalogue any windows folder not only folders on CDs. Disclib has a customizable Multilanguage functionality. The program also extracts mp3 info.

 

[Weston]

I use a combination of Excel and Word. Excel is easily sortable and I even have a column with a random number generator to help with randomizing my listening order, although both the iPod and WinAmp do that also. Another column keeps track of the number of deep listens posted on "Current Listening." Why? I have no idea.

The same info is imported into Word for easier reading when I'm shopping.

 

[campy]

I use iTunes. It does what I need it to do.

I'm in this club too..

 

[opus55]

Basically cataloguing software allows easily to answer such questions as:

- how many different recordings of Bruckner's Third Symphony do I have?
- how much money I spent purchasing CDs last year?
- which Verdi opera recordings feature Tito Gobbi?
- what are the lyrics of this particular song?
- what is the timing of each Guglielmo Tell recording in my collection?
- how many different sopranos sing Tosca in my collection (including compilations and recitals)?
- which operas were recorded in 1995?

as well as

- listen to full albums as well as individual tracks;
- rate the recordings and tracks;
- attach notes, comments, memos, libretti, cover art;
- use custom fields to store any other information imaginable (limitation No., dB gain etc)

Some of those features would be interesting/useful to me. Do they all have to be entered manually?

 

[bigshot]

Not if you are ripping into iTunes and using Gracenote to tag. It will add all of the data for you. Sometimes it needs a little touch up, but I do that as I rip and it isn't time consuming at all.

Once you have the files in iTunes, you can sort by just about any criteria you want, and you can set up smart playlists to play specific music that fits your criteria... For instance, Tchaikovsky symphonies not conducted by Karajan that you haven't listened to in the last six months. It's very powerful, and it can change the way you listen to classical music.

When I was disk based, I rarely was ever able to directly compare multiple interpretations. With iTunes, it's easy to line up all of the versions of a particular work and compare.

 

[Azol]

Yes, exactly. But sometimes even Gracenote offers incorrect information (which you can edit and upload back online, so other people would benefit from your input) and some info you have to enter manually or using the software search capabilities to facilitate it (lyrics, for instance).

 

[arpeggio]

ClassiCat. Unfortunately it is out of print.

 

[fjf]

I store music in folders, and I do not like the tagging thing. Too much work and does not keep albums complete (I must be a bit OCD). The only solution is to find a good file cataloging software. I used before CDCat, but it is old, not maintained and hard to install in MAC. Now I am testing the trial version of Neofinder. So far I like it. Works very well and finds you everything fast.