Any of you guys use databases to keep track of your records?

M

MusicDirector

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I only have about 400 records or so (yeah and I'm already getting close to pushing the envelope) and I use Music Collectorz to keep track of them. I mainly got it to stop me from buying duplicates which was a real problem with me. It's helped a lot, but it's also proven fun in other ways too. What's really neat is sitting down and listening to a record and while doing that you update that album info in the database with as much detail as you want. You can even rate how much you like the album and all that type of thing. The fields, info you can put in, sorting, views, etc are almost limitless. This has actually led me to more research sometimes, finding other bits of info.
I recently upgraded the program and it has addressed a number of things kind of buggy and added new fields too (as if it didn't already have too many).
That got me to wondering about some of you other guys that records number in or near the four digits, what you use to keep track. Just curious. Thought it might be a somewhat interesting subject.

~Eric
 
I have a list of my cds arranged by artist for popular, jazz and broadway and by composer in classical.

When I look at it, the list prevents me from purchasing duplicates of what I already own.

It isn't a database, just in MS Word. I also rip everything into iTunes so I can play all my music in my office. I guess the iTunes could also double as a database.
 
Hey Gary, yeah I was first thinking about doing something in MS Excel because I wanted to include certain info and such, but then thought to myself that what I wanted was more of a database. So I thought I'd make something in MS Access, that turned out to be a daunting task as I was familiar with using that program, but not building anything from scratch with it.
Then I started poking around on the web and ran into the program I use today (Music Collectorz). It had everything I was after and more and it had a great trial period. You had full access to every function for up to 100 CDs, vinyl records, MP3s, whatever and then you had to purchase the program if you needed more.

For the first year I just used the free trial as I did not have 100 LPs yet, but I did have a boat load of CDs and growing. When I hit the 101 mark I purchased the program and have been using it since. I also put all my CDs in it because they number in just about 50 shy of 1000 now, but slowly growing. I never had a problem with duplicate CDs due to the slow pace at which I was collecting. Vinyl on the other hand was getting nasty with dups because of the quicker pace and looking through bin and box after bin and box not remembering what I picked up a month ago.
Now I just print out my wish list and take it with me. Yeah, I could put it on my tablet, but I find that to be more cumbersome than using a 4 page list.
 
I just checked the website... nice you can store your data in the cloud. I suppose you could also add data to the DB of music you want to purchase, just tag it. I suppose you could also put metadata of collectables you hope to find in the bargain bin somewhere. Then if you can access your cloud DB with the mobile app it would be a very handy app. It would sure help when you stop at some garage sale - to remind you what you're looking for.

Thanks for starting the thread Eric. I can see some real value to the app/DB.
 
Bobvin said:
I just checked the website... nice you can store your data in the cloud. I suppose you could also add data to the DB of music you want to purchase, just tag it. I suppose you could also put metadata of collectables you hope to find in the bargain bin somewhere. Then if you can access your cloud DB with the mobile app it would be a very handy app. It would sure help when you stop at some garage sale - to remind you what you're looking for.

Thanks for starting the thread Eric. I can see some real value to the app/DB.
Click to expand...

Your welcome. Glad my little curiosity casual conversation starter thread actually helped someone.
I love the program. Yes, you can create a wish list just as you describe and I do that very thing as well. I print it out and bring it with me to record shows and whatnot. I print it because 1. I'm old school and 2. carrying around a tablet and trying to dig through records with lots of other people is a recipe for a broken tablet by me dropping it or something. However, if you have a one of them fancy or smart phones, you can put it in there.
To do the wish list just use the auto-add album like you normally would if you were adding one to your collection then once you find the one you want, check the box and at the bottom of the screen check or click the circle next to "add to wish list" or it may just say "wish list" and then click OK. You can also transfer it to your collection if you get it just by going to it in your wish list, right click and select "edit album" and then in the first tab there is a box near the lower left of the screen where you just select "in collection" and hit ok...all done, the whole thing is now in your collection list, no need to re-enter.

Yes, the cloud thing (which is a new feature by the way) will assist me in syncing between my laptop and my tower along with other uses.

Plus, the really great thing is you can change most of the fields and all the "in field" selections. You can also add to them.

Also, it is one of those programs where the standard version is just as good as the higher priced Pro version, very little difference between them that makes any real notable impact.

Like I said, I've been using this program for the past 3 years and love it.
 
Eric, I might have missed this in your posts but do you recommend the standard or pro edition? I was looking at this program awhile ago but forgot all about it until this thread. :)
 
Essentially my whole collection is digital or ripped to digital; all data are store in the files metadata. I use the FLAC format or ALAC format which formats store a large, optional selection of metadata tags.

To access any of these files I just use my computer music player, Foobar2000, to locate by any of the tags or combinations of tags that I want. Most often I'm wanting classical music, so my preferred sort is Genre/Composer.

To tag the files unfortunately I have to resort to a tagging program because services such as AMG, et al., just don't have sufficiently complete, consistent information for classical music. I use mostly Tag&Rename for this purpose. With Tag&Rename it is possible to export metadata information in various formats such as CSV and HTML; these formats can be loaded and printed off in Excel or Open Office Calc, or loaded to an actual database programs such as Access for analysis.
 
Matt715 said:
Eric, I might have missed this in your posts but do you recommend the standard or pro edition? I was looking at this program awhile ago but forgot all about it until this thread. :)
Click to expand...

There is not anything real notable between the two versions. You can compare the two here:Music Collector Standard vs Pro feature comparison
Pay no attention to the Euro price it's the same in US currency. They had it in US currency until today for some reason.

I recommend the Standard edition as it does everything and then some and is pretty much just as flexible. (Unless there is something with the PRO version only that you simply can't live without).
 
MusicDirector said:
There is not anything real notable between the two versions. You can compare the two here:Music Collector Standard vs Pro feature comparison
Pay no attention to the Euro price it's the same in US currency. They had it in US currency until today for some reason.

I recommend the Standard edition as it does everything and then some and is pretty much just as flexible. (Unless there is something with the PRO version only that you simply can't live without).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I looked at the chart and didn't see anything other than the barcode scanner which isn't a must have for me. I wasn't sure if by your upgrade in the first post you meant standard to pro or just an update to the program.
 
Matt715 said:
Thanks for the info. I looked at the chart and didn't see anything other than the barcode scanner which isn't a must have for me. I wasn't sure if by your upgrade in the first post you meant standard to pro or just an update to the program.
Click to expand...

Just an update to the program. They call it "upgrade". It's a Swedish company. Buying it now for the first time you would not have to worry about for perhaps a year or more. Even then, they announce updates in detail and let you know exactly what it contains and it's usually not bug fixes believe it or not. This program is robust. It's usually just added minor features that may or may not be even worth reading about. This time (3 years later for me) I had to upgrade as my version while still working was just too old and very hard to support when something did not work right for me. I actually like this latest version, it has some great improvements.
The program will work forever, fully functional no matter what. The license you are purchasing is a Lifetime" license. The upgrades used to be $24.95 each. Now they have a new pricing which I think is great. They don't come out with upgrades too often and a lot of them are so minor, it doesn't effect anything. What they have is a tier system. You purchase upgrades in time tiers. $7 for 3 months, $12 for 6 months and $24.95 for 12 months. For example, say you go the 3 month, you pay the $7 you get the latest version and your good for any other updates for the next 3 months that may happen. Then the tier expires, but the software and your version and everything keep going until you die or decide you don't want to use it anymore, which ever comes first. It's not vaporware or a ticking bomb software.
I just did the $7 deal given my experience and all with the program. I'm probably good for at least 3 more years plus.

I actually got a barcode scanner right after I bought the program 3 years ago for doing my CDs, far too many to do manually. I just got a $25 LED barcode scanner, works fine most of the time. You don't have to use the one they advertise. Pretty much any USB barcode scanner will do. Hell, they even have a $7 app style one for the phone or tablet.

~Eric
 
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