2. ID3 Fields

This section explains the ID3 tabs and fields, as used by MP3 files and differences between the versions of ID3. Because of the complexity of ID3, MP3 files can be edited either using the generic Edit Panel or using the ID3 Edit Panel. Usually the generic view is the easiest option, but the ID3 view provides access to fields in a way that maps directly to how they are stored and some fields that are currently not displayed in the Metadata view

2.1. ID3 Fields

These are fields that directly correspond to a field in the ID3v24 Specification, each of these fields can be seen as a column with the View and Edit Panels

2.1.1. Unique File Identifier

The unique file identifier is used by some online music databases to identify a track. In Jaikoz upon a successful MusicBrainz match the MusicBrainz Unique Id is added to this field allowing you to access MusicBrainz Information on the Web.

2.1.2. Artist

The artist performing on the recording.

2.1.3. Album

The album that this recording belongs. More accurately refers to the release that the tracks belongs, for example it may be a single or an E.P rather than an album

2.1.4. Title

This the name of the recording.

2.1.5. Track No

This the track number of the recording on the album.

In the Edit Panel you can enter the track number, there are four accepted formats

  • Zeroed Track Number -

    Are of the form 01,02,03-11,12.. this has the advantage the track number will be sorted correctly. If the Track Number is used to generate the filename this will also be sorted correctly

  • Non-zeroed Track Number

    Are of the form 1,2,3,..11,12 these may not be sorted properly for example 12 would come before 2

  • Zeroed Track Number/Total

    Are of the form 01/10,02/10.... where the Total is the total number of tracks on the recording that this is part of.

  • Non-zeroed Track Number/Total

    Are of the form 1/10,2/10.... where the Total is the total number of tracks on the recording that this is part of

This is automatically populated by the Correct Track Nos Action, using options specified in Track No Preferences

2.1.6. Cover Art

Images can be attached to a recording such as album art. This is a multi value field with multiple attributes, a thumbnail of the first image is displayed in the View Panel

From the Edit Panel you can select Multi Field Count to add new images

An image consists of

  • The Image itself, you can add an image with the Select File button. You should take care to add images of a suitable type and size, only images in JPG format should be added for maximum portability and you should scale the image so that its file size is not too large

  • A name, this is a text field where you can give the image a name

  • A type, this is a Selectable Combo where you select a type from a predefined list

The list on the lefthandside shows all images attached to this audio file. It shows additional attributes than cannot be modified.

  • The dimensions of the image in pixels

  • The size of the picture in bytes

Sometimes you may load an Audio File which contains an Image field but no actual picture because the tagging information was incorrectly created with another application. You can still edit this field with Jaikoz but will not see a preview until you add a new valid image.

If may contain an image field with a picture in a format not supported by Jaikoz, in this case no preview will be displayed but you can still edit the other attributes of the image.

The supported Image Types are:

  • JPEG

  • GIF

  • PNG

2.1.7. Genre

Displays the first genre this Audio File belongs to

In the Edit Panel editing the field will bring up an Editable Combo you can select one from the predefined list or enter your own. Genre support multiple values opening the Pop-up Window allow you to enter additional genres.

This is automatically populated by the Correct Genres Action using options specified in Genre Preferences.

2.1.8. Year

Displays the Year, actually this displays the Recording Time that can be a full date and time, but most players expect it to be just a year. The Valid formats are here

You can Auto Correct the Recording Time with the Correct Recording Times using options specified in Recording Time Preferences.

2.1.9. Comment

Displays a comment description. Comment is a multi value field with multiple attributes but Description is the one you are most interested.

In the Edit Panel you can edit the comment description of the first comment . A comment comprises the language it is written in,a short description of the comment, and the comment itself. Selecting Multi Field Count allows you to edit these other attribute or add extra comments

2.1.10. User Defined URL

Displays a User Defined URL, this should be used to specify a URL which does not fit into any of the other fields. This is a multi value field with multiple attributes

In the Edit Panel you can edit the URL of the first URL. A User Defined URL comprises a short description of the it, and the User Defined URL value itself. Selecting Multi Field Count allows you to edit these other attribute or add urls.

2.1.11. User Defined Text Information

Any other text information not covered by any of the other fields. This is a multi value field with multiple attributes

In the Edit Panel you can edit the text of the User Defined Text Information. User Defined Text Information comprises a description of which categorises the text, and the text itself. Selecting Multi Field Count allows you to edit these other attribute or add extra information. MusicBrainz stores values in this field when there is not a suitable alternative.

2.1.12. Composer

Defines the composer of a piece of music

2.1.13. Copyright Info

Copyright for the piece of music

2.1.14. Encode By

The name of the application used to encode the track into an MP3. This field can be modified but it will not affect the value held in the Audio tab.

2.1.15. Original Artist

The original artist if this Audio File is a cover version

2.1.16. BPM (beats per minute)

Beats per minute

2.1.17. Encoding Time

The Date/Time when the original music file was encoded to MP3. The Valid formats are here

2.1.18. Playlist Delay

2.1.19. Original Release Time

The Date/Time when the recording was originally released if this recording is a re-release. The Valid formats are here

2.1.20. Release time

The Date/Time when the original music file was released. The Valid formats are here

2.1.21. Tagging Time

The Date/Time when the Audio File was tagged The Valid formats are here

2.1.22. Lyricist

Songwriter of the recording.

2.1.23. File Type

The format of the encoded recording, should always be MP3

The Edit Panel provides a combo box specifying a list of encoded recording file types.

2.1.24. Involved People List

Other people involved in the recording.

2.1.25. Grouping

This allows you to link a number of tracks by giving them the same grouping value.

2.1.26. Title/Songname/Content Description

Further sub categorisation of title

2.1.27. Initial Key

The key the recording is keyed in.

2.1.28. Language(s)

The language the recording is sung in.

2.1.29. Length

The Length of the recording. This is not normally used because normally the length can be accurately determined from the audio header

2.1.30. Musician Credits List

Musicians playing on the recording.

2.1.31. Media Type

The format of the original recording that the Audio File was encoded from such as LP or CD

In the Edit Panel provides a combo box specifying a list of media types.

2.1.32. Mood

The mood of the recording such as 'Sad'

2.1.33. Original Album

If the recording was part of a film soundtrack, the film should be specified here.

2.1.34. Original Filename

Original name of the encoding of the recording.

2.1.35. Original Lyricist(s)

Original Lyricist(s)/text writer(s)

2.1.36. File Owner/Licensee

Who owns this file.

2.1.37. Album Artist (Accompaniment)

The Artist for the album, this is most useful in Various Artist compilations. This field was originally defined by ID3 as the Accompaniment but is rarely used for this purpose.

2.1.38. Conductor/Performer refinement

The name of the conductor on a recording

2.1.39. Remixed

The name of the musician who Interpreted, remixed, or otherwise modified recording

2.1.40. Disc No (Part of a Set)

Identifies that this field is a part of a set grouped with other fields with the same set number. usually applies to a disc number within a multi disc release so is more commonly known as Disc No.

2.1.41. Produced Notice

Produced notice

2.1.42. Publisher

Publisher of the recording

2.1.43. Internet Radio Station Name

This contains the name of the internet radio station from which the audio is streamed.

2.1.44. Internet Radio Station Owner

This contains the name of the owner of the internet radio station from which the audio is streamed.

2.1.45. Sort Album

This defines a value which should be used instead of the album name for sorting purposes. e.g.. an album named "A Soundtrack" might preferably be sorted as "Soundtrack".

2.1.46. Sort Artist

This defines a value which should be used instead of the artist for sorting purposes.

2.1.47. Sort Title

This defines a value which should be used instead of the title for sorting purposes.

2.1.48. ISRC

ISRC (international standard recording code) for the recording

2.1.49. Encoding Preferences

Specific values used in the encoding

2.1.50. Set Subtitle

Set subtitle

2.1.51. URL: Commercial Information

This is a URL pointing at a web page with information such as where the album can be bought.

2.1.52. URL: Copyright/Legal Information

This is a URL pointing at a web page where the terms of use and ownership of the recording is described.

2.1.53. URL: Official Song Web Page

This a URL pointing at a file specific web page.

2.1.54. URL: Official Artist Web Page

This a URL pointing at the artists official web page.

2.1.55. URL: Official Audio Source Web Page

This a URL pointing at the official web page for the source of the audio file, e.g.. a movie.

2.1.56. URL: Official Internet Radio Web Page

This is a URL pointing at the homepage of the internet radio station.

2.1.57. URL: Payment

This a URL pointing at a web page that will handle the process of paying for this file.

2.1.58. URL: Publishers Official Web Page

This a URL pointing at the official web page for the publisher.

2.1.59. Play Counter

How many times has this recording been played.

2.2. ID3 Extended Fields

Jaikoz recognises a small number of additional fields that are not part of the ID3 standard, but are in widespread use.

2.2.1. Is Compilation

Defines that this track is part of a compilation, originally used by iTunes but now in widespread use

2.2.2. Sort Album Artist

Defines the sort name for the album artist, this is currently only used by iTunes

2.2.3. Sort Composer

Defines the sort name for the composer, this is currently only used by iTunes

2.3. Tag Field Groups

These are groupings of ID3 fields that are not fully supported by Jaikoz

2.3.1. Not Supported Field

This lists all fields that are found within a tag which are recognised by Jaikoz but are not fully supported, Jaikoz recognises all fields specified in the ID3 Specification. Jaikoz supports all fields that are easy for uses to edit but some fields are very specialized and of limited use. These are the fields recognised but editing is not supported. Jaikoz displays the identifier and try’s to display the field value

Table 8.1. Not Supported Fields

ID3 Identifier Name
AENC Audio encryption
ASPI Audio seek point index
COMR Commercial frame
ENCR Encryption method registration
EQUA2 Equalisation (2)
ETCO Event timing codes
GEOB General encapsulated object
GRID Group identification registration
LINK Linked information
MCDI Music CD identifier
MLLT MPEG location lookup table
OWNE Ownership
PRIV Private frame
POPM Popularimeter
POSS Position synchronisation
RBUF Recommended buffer size
RVA2 Relative volume adjustment (2)
RVRB Reverb
SEEK Seek frame
SIGN Signature frame
SYLT Synchronised lyric/text
SYLC Synchronised tempo codes
USER Terms of use

From the Edit Panel although you cannot edit these fields you are able to remove them. If you select the Pop-up Menu and select Delete all unsupported fields are marked for removal. If you select the Multi Field Count you can elect to delete individual fields. Deleting fields will not effect the encoded recording but they may be required by an application you use to play songs.

2.3.2. Unknown Fields

ID3 allows users and application to define their own fields, this lists all fields that are not standard and hence not recognised by Jaikoz

From the Edit Panel although you cannot edit these fields you are able to remove them. If you select the Pop-up Menu and select Delete all unsupported fields are marked for removal. If you select the Multi Field Count you can elect to delete individual fields. Deleting fields will not effect the encoded recording but they may be required by an application you use to play songs.

2.4. Data Formats common to multiple Fields

2.4.1. Date Time Formats

Date Time fields formats are as follows, you can enter dates in any of these formats

YYYY
YYYY-MM
YYYY-MM-dd
YYYY-MM-dd:HH
YYYY-MM-dd:HH:MM
YYYY-MM-dd:HH:MM:SS

where

YYYY is a 4 digit year
MM is a 2 digit month
dd is a 2 digit day of month
HH is a 2 digit hour
MM is a 2 digit minute
SS is a 2 digit second

2.5. ID3 Tag Compatibility

The Id3 View Merged Tab and ID3 Edit Panel show a view of the tag data as it would be stored in ID3v24. When changes to tags are saved to some other version some conversion has to occur.

2.5.1. ID3v2.4 Compatibility

The rarely used encryption scheme is not currently supported

2.5.2. ID3v1 Compatibility

ID3v1 supports the following fields only, and the fields have maximum fields lengths.

Table 8.2. ID3v1 Fields

Name Maximum Length
Artist 30
Album 30
Title 30
Genre 1
Recording Time 4
Comment 28
Track Number 1

When saving changes the values in the Edit Panel only predefined Genres will be saved. Only one Comment is allowed. Recording Time will only save the Year part of the recording time. Characters that are not part of the Standard European Character set will not be stored

2.5.3. ID3v2.2 Compatibility

ID3v2.2 does not support sort fields, but iTunes does provide extended ID3 Tag fields. So when Sort Fields are saved to a ID3v2.2 the iTunes fields are used.

ID3v2.2 does not support the following fields, they will not be saved.

  • Mood

  • Produced Notice

  • Musicians Credits

2.5.4. ID3v2.3 Compatibility

ID3v2.3 does not support sort fields, but iTunes does provide extended ID3 Tag fields. So when Sort Fields are saved to a ID3v2.3 the iTunes fields are used. Jaikoz also recognizes the alternative fields used by MusicBrainz (XSOP and XSOT).

ID3v2.3 does not support the following fields, they will not be saved.

  • Mood

  • Produced Notice

  • Musicians Credits