They can display a lot of related information for each played track: title, artist, album, genre, etc. This data is the tags of MP3 files. They are also useful when sorting music into a playlist or library.

But it happens that audio files are distributed with incorrect tags, which may be missing altogether. In this case, you can easily change or supplement this information yourself.

You will have to deal with ID3 (IDentify an MP3) - the language of the tag system. The latter are always part of the music file. Initially, there was an ID3v1 standard, which included limited information about MP3, but ID3v2 soon appeared with expanded capabilities, allowing you to add all sorts of little things.

Today, MP3 files can include both types of tags. The main information is duplicated in them, and if not, then it is first read from ID3v2. Let's look at ways to open and change MP3 tags.

Method 1: Mp3tag

One of the most convenient programs for working with tags is Mp3tag. Everything is clear in it and you can edit several files at once.

After this, the file will be opened in the default player. This way you can see the result.

By the way, if the specified tags are not enough for you, you can always add new ones. To do this, go to the file's context menu and open "Additional Tags".

Click the button "Add field". You can also add or change the current cover.

Expand the list, select a tag and immediately write down its meaning. Click "OK".

In the window "Tags" click too "OK".

Method 2: Mp3 Tag Tools

This simple utility also has good functionality for working with tags. The disadvantages are that there is no support for the Russian language, the Cyrillic alphabet in tag values ​​may not be displayed correctly, and the possibility of batch editing is not provided.

In the tab "Picture" you can open the current cover ( "Open"), load new ( "Load") or remove it altogether ( "Remove").

Method 3: Audio Tags Editor

But the Audio Tags Editor program is paid. The differences from the previous version are a less “loaded” interface and work with two types of tags simultaneously, which means you don’t have to copy their values.

In chapter "Advanced" there are several additional tags.

And in "Picture" You can add or change the cover of a composition.

In Audio Tags Editor you can edit data from several selected files at once.

Method 4: AIMP Tag Editor

You can also work with MP3 tags through utilities built into some players. One of the most functional options is the AIMP player tag editor.

Method 5: Standard Windows Tools

Most tags can also be edited using Windows tools.

The sound quality of a music track often leaves much to be desired. The problem can be various kinds of noise and hiss associated with poor recording conditions or excessive file compression. Sometimes you just want to trim the audio in one place or another, apply an echo effect, or change the volume. To help users realize these desires, a large amount of special software has been developed for audio processing. The optimal solution in this case is AudioMASTER, a new product from AMS Software.

Now we will tell you how to edit MP3 or any other audio file using the AudioMASTER program. Just a few steps and you will learn how to do it quickly and easily.

STEP 1. INSTALLING THE PROGRAM

Before you start, you need to visit the official website of the developer company. Immediately after this, double-click on the downloaded distribution. Following the instructions of the opened Installation Wizards, you can easily install the utility on your computer.

STEP 2. LOAD AUDIO

The next important step is to download the audio file that you want to edit. To do this, in the main window of the audio editor, click "Open file" and select the desired entry. Various audio formats are supported. Please allow some time for it to download and be available for processing.

STEP 3. TRIM AUDIO RECORDING

If you need to cut a specific fragment from the audio, select it with the mouse. The selected area will be marked in blue. You can also enter the trimming time in the line below. Then go to your control panel and click on crop button(scissors icon). The cut piece of the file will be displayed on the graph. It can be edited in the program itself and saved in the desired format.

STEP 4. CONNECTING FILES

In order to, in the main menu of the program you should select Edit > Join Files. You can add music tracks using the green cross in the upper corner, and remove them using the red dash. Click "Apply" after all tracks have been added. Their automatic conversion will begin. In a couple of minutes, the finished file will open in the program and you can continue working with it.

STEP 5. CHANGING THE VOLUME

If you need to change the volume of a song, in the control panel, press corresponding button(“speaker”) A window will appear in which you will need to move the slider from the initial “normal” mark to the “quiet” / “loud” values. To preview the audio track, click "Listen", to save - "Apply".

STEP 6. IMPROVE THE SOUND

To eliminate unwanted noise from audio and improve its overall sound, you need to use an equalizer. In the action bar, click "Equalizer" and change one or more ready-made settings. To listen to the result, click "Listen", and to save the settings – "Apply".

Original value reflects the current sound level.

Speech intelligible allows you to make obscure speech with interference intelligible.

Noise reduction designed to remove extraneous noise in the track.

Bass suppression can remove low frequencies that stand out from other instruments.

STEP 7. ADDING EFFECTS

AudioMASTER will not only teach you how to edit MP3, but with its help you can also add interesting effects to your audio recording.

Echo. In the action bar, select Add Echo. From the number of presets that are in the dialog box on the left, select the one you need. If you wish, you can change existing settings.

Reverberation. Select Add Reverb from the action bar on the left. Among the ready-made settings are a robot, an empty hall, a full hall, an old telephone, a gorge, and a mantra. If you feel the need to change the amount of sound bounce or volume, use the arrows in the box on the right.

Creating atmospheres. Click the “Create Atmosphere” option located in the action bar. On the left side of the dialogue a list of atmospheres will be presented, and on the right side there will be a field where the sounds you select are placed. To add atmosphere, click "Add". You can adjust the volume of both the background itself and the recording as a whole.

You can preview the resulting recording by clicking on the appropriate button. Click "Apply" to lock your selections. Don't forget to save the edited audio track on your computer.

When choosing a program for editing audio files, each user already knows what exactly he wants to do with this or that track, therefore, he roughly understands which functions he exactly needs, and which ones he could do without. There are quite a few sound editors, some of them are aimed at professionals, others - at ordinary PC users, others will equally interest both, and there are also those in which audio editing is only one of many functions.

In this article we will talk about programs for editing and processing music and any other audio files. Instead of wasting your personal time choosing the right software, searching it on the Internet and then studying it, just read the material below, you will definitely make the right choice.

AudioMASTER is a simple and easy-to-use audio editing program. In it, you can trim a song or cut a fragment from it, process it with audio effects, and add various background sounds, called atmospheres here.

This program is completely Russified and, in addition to visually editing audio files, you can use it to burn a CD or, even more interesting, record your own audio from a microphone or other device connected to a PC. This audio editor supports most well-known formats and, in addition to audio, can also work with video files, allowing you to extract an audio track from them.

This audio editor is slightly less functional than AudioMASTER, however, all the basic and necessary functions are present in it. Using this program, you can trim tracks, cut fragments from them, and add simple effects. In addition, this editor allows you to edit information about audio files.

You can't burn CDs in mp3DirectCut, but such a simple program doesn't need it. But here you can also record audio. The program is Russified and, most importantly, is distributed free of charge. The biggest drawback of this editor lies in the truth of its name - besides the MP3 format, it does not support anything else.

Wavosaur is a free, but not Russified, audio editor that is noticeably superior to mp3DirectCut in its capabilities and functionality. Here you can also edit (cut, copy, add fragments), you can add simple effects such as smooth fading or increasing sound. You can also record audio in the program.

It is also worth noting that with the help of Wavosaur you can normalize the sound quality of audio, clear any audio recording of noise or remove fragments of silence. A distinctive feature of this editor is that it does not require installation on a computer, which means it will not take up memory space.

Free Audio Editor

Free Audio Editor is a simple and easy-to-use audio editor with a Russified interface. It supports most current formats, including Lossless audio files. Like mp3DirectCut, you can edit and change track information here, however, unlike AudioMASTER and all the programs described above, you cannot record audio here.

Like Wavosaur, this editor allows you to normalize the sound of audio files, change the volume and remove noise. In addition, as the name implies, this program is distributed free of charge.

Wave Editor is another simple and free audio editor with a Russian interface. As befits such programs, it supports most popular audio formats, however, unlike the Free Audio Editor, it does not support Lossless audio and OGG.

As in most of the editors described above, here you can cut out fragments of musical compositions and delete unnecessary sections. A couple of simple effects are available, but necessary for most users - normalization, fading and increasing volume, adding or removing silence, reverse, invert. The program interface looks clear and is easy to use.

Wavepad Sound Editor

This audio editor is noticeably superior in functionality to all the programs we reviewed above. So, in addition to the banal trimming of songs, there is a separate tool for creating ringtones, in which you can choose the quality and format based on what mobile device you want to install it on.

Wavepad Sound Editor has a large set of effects for processing and improving sound quality, there are tools for recording and copying CDs, and audio extraction from CDs is available. Separately, it is worth highlighting the tools for working with the voice, with the help of which you can completely suppress the vocal part in a musical composition.

The program supports VST technology, due to which its functionality can be significantly expanded. In addition, this editor provides the ability to batch process audio files, regardless of their format, and this is very convenient when you need to edit, convert or simply change several tracks at once.

GoldWave is similar to Wavepad Sound Editor in many ways. Although different in appearance, these programs have an almost identical set of functions and each of them is quite a powerful and multifunctional audio editor. The only drawback of the program in question is the lack of support for VST technology.

In Gold Wave you can also burn and import Audio CDs, edit, process and modify audio files. There is also a built-in converter, and batch processing of files is available. Separately, it is worth noting the advanced tools for audio analysis. A distinctive feature of this editor is the flexibility of customizing its interface, which not every program of this kind can boast of.

OcenAudio is a very beautiful, completely free and Russian-language audio editor. In addition to all the necessary functions that such programs have, here, as in GoldWave, there are advanced tools for audio analysis.

The program has a large set of tools for editing and changing audio files; here you can change the audio quality and change track information. In addition, like Wavepad Sound Editor, there is support for VST technology, which significantly expands the capabilities of this editor.

Audacity is a multifunctional audio editor with a Russified interface, which, unfortunately, may seem a little overloaded and complicated to inexperienced users. The program supports most formats, allows you to record audio, trim tracks, and process them with effects.

Speaking of effects, Audacity contains quite a lot of them. In addition, this audio editor supports multi-track editing, allows you to clear audio recordings of noise and artifacts, and also contains tools for changing the tempo of musical compositions. Among other things, it is also a program for changing the key of music without distorting its sound.

Sound Forge Pro

Sound Forge Pro is a professional audio editing, processing and recording program. This software can be used to work in recording studios for editing (mixing) music, which none of the above programs can boast of.

This editor was developed by Sony and supports all popular audio formats. A batch file processing function is available, CD burning and importing is possible, and professional audio recording is available. Sound Ford has a large set of built-in effects, supports VST technology, and has advanced tools for analyzing audio files. Unfortunately, the program is not free.

This brainchild of a popular developer is much more than just an audio editor. Ashampoo Music Studio contains in its arsenal all the necessary functions for editing and changing audio, allows you to import Audio CDs, record them, and also contains basic tools for recording audio. The program looks very attractive, it is Russified, but, unfortunately, it is not free.

What sets this program apart from all the others discussed in this article is the wide range of possibilities for working with a user’s music library on a PC. Ashampoo Music Studio allows you to mix audio, create playlists, organize your media library, and create CD covers. Separately, it is worth noting the program’s ability to find and add information about audio files on the Internet.

Transcribe! is not an audio editor, but a program for selecting chords, which will clearly be of interest to many beginners and experienced musicians. It supports all popular formats and provides basic capabilities for changing the sound (but not editing), which, however, are needed here for something completely different.

Transcribe! allows you to slow down played compositions without changing their key, which is especially important when selecting chords by ear and not only. There is a convenient keyboard and a visual scale, which displays which chord is dominant in a particular section of the musical composition.

Sibelius is an advanced and most popular editor, although not for audio, but for musical scores. First of all, the program is aimed at professionals in the field of music: composers, conductors, producers, musicians. Here you can create and edit musical scores, which can later be used in any compatible software.

Separately, it is worth noting the support for MIDI - musical parts created in this program can be exported to a compatible DAW and continue working with it there. This editor looks quite attractive and clear, it is Russified and distributed by subscription.

Sony Acid Pro

This is another brainchild of Sony, which, like Sound Forge Pro, is aimed at professionals. True, this is not an audio editor, but a DAW - a digital audio workstation, or, in simpler terms, a program for creating music. However, it is worth noting that in Sony Acid Pro you can quite freely perform any tasks of editing audio files, changing and processing them.

This program supports MIDI and VST, and contains a huge range of effects and ready-made musical cycles, the range of which can always be expanded. There is the ability to record audio, you can record MIDI, the function of burning audio to a CD is available, it is possible to import music tracks from Audio CD and much more. The program is not Russified and not free, but those who plan to create professional, high-quality music will clearly be interested in it.

FL Studio

FL Studio is a professional DAW, which in its functionality is in many ways similar to Sony Acid Pro, although outwardly it has absolutely nothing in common with it. The interface of this program, although not Russified, is intuitive, so mastering it will not be difficult. You can also edit audio here, but this program was created for something completely different.

Providing the user with the same capabilities and functions as the brainchild of Sony, FL Studio is noticeably superior not only in its convenience, but also in unlimited support for everything that may be needed when creating music. There are many libraries of sounds, loops and samples for this program that you can use in your tracks.

Support for VST technology makes the possibilities of this sound station almost limitless. These plugins can be both virtual musical instruments and tools for processing and editing audio, the so-called master effects. In addition, it is worth noting that this program is widely in demand among professional producers and composers.

Reaper is another advanced DAW, which, despite its small volume, offers the user very wide opportunities for creating your own music and, of course, allows you to edit audio. This program has a large set of virtual instruments, many effects, and supports MIDI and VST.

Reaper has a lot in common with Sony Acid Pro, although the former looks more attractive and understandable. This DAW is also in many ways similar to FL Studio, but is inferior to it due to fewer virtual instruments and sound libraries. If we talk directly about the capabilities of audio editing, then this trinity of programs as a whole can do everything that any advanced audio editor can.

Ableton Live

Ableton Live is another music creation program that, unlike the DAWs listed above, can also be used for musical improvisation and live performances. This workstation is used by Armin Van Bouren and Skillex to create their hits, but thanks to the simple and understandable interface, although not Russian, every user can master it. Like most professional DAWs, this one is also not free.

Ableton Live also copes with any everyday tasks of audio editing, but this is not what it was created for. The program is in many ways similar to Reaper, and “out of the box it contains many effects and virtual musical instruments that can be safely used to create unique, high-quality and professional musical compositions, and support for VST technology makes its possibilities almost limitless.

Reason is a professional recording studio packaged into a very cool, powerful and feature-rich, yet simple program. Moreover, it is a recording studio both functionally and visually. The English-language interface of this workstation looks very attractive and understandable, clearly providing the user with all the equipment that could previously be seen exclusively in studios and in videos of popular artists.

Many professional musicians, including Coldplay and the Beastie Boys, use Reason to create their hits. This program has a huge variety of sounds, loops and samples, as well as virtual effects and musical instruments. The range of the latter, as befits such an advanced DAW, can be expanded with third-party plugins.

Reason, like Ableton Live, can be used for live performances. The mixer presented in this music mixing program, in its appearance, as well as in the range of functions and available capabilities, is noticeably superior to a similar tool in most professional DAWs, including Reaper and FL Studio.

We told you about audio editors, each of which has its own strengths, similar and radically different features in comparison with analogues. Some of them are paid, others are free, some contain many additional functions, others are designed exclusively for solving basic tasks such as cropping and converting. Which one to choose is up to you, but first you should decide on the tasks that you set for yourself, and also read the detailed description of the capabilities of the audio editor that interests you.

Interesting video of how Enjoykin makes music

A small, free MP3 file editor for direct editing (no decoding), eliminating quality loss and saving time. The program allows you to trim silence, normalize and smoothly reduce sound, combine files, edit ID3 tags and burn MP3 to a disc without decompression in PCM format (ACM and LAME codecs are supported). Supports large files.

Remember the times when we rejoiced at the advent of polyphony in mobile phones? What opportunities opened up: you could put your favorite melody on the call (which, however, could only be ordered at that time on paid services).

And even though it was not a full-fledged composition, but only a polyphonic one, this fashion (putting a melody on a bell) spread everywhere. And even then there were rumors, or perhaps wild dreams, that very soon mobile phones would begin to play full-fledged melodies in mp3 format.

Soon this is exactly what happened. But since those mobile phones had very little memory (only a few megabytes), spending it entirely on just one song, even a favorite one, was completely reckless (after all, you could save a few more photos with a 0.3 megapixel camera!).

It was then that it became fashionable to cut tracks, say, to the chorus or favorite moment in the song. And, oddly enough, now mp3 melodies are cut off no less often than before: new favorite compositions appear, old ones become boring, and we still get to the phone just as quickly, so we have absolutely no need for a long melody.

Why did I remember all this? Yes, because there are a great many programs for editing (including trimming) audio files, and in order to trim a melody several times a year, it is not at all necessary to learn to use professional software, which you most likely do not want to understand. And here is a free, convenient and unusually simple program for any user - mp3DirectCut.

However, trimming melodies is not the only function of the program, but, as it seems to me, it is one of the most popular “light” audio editors in this class.

Main features of the mp3DirectCut program:

• Trimming, splicing and extracting audio, some editing capabilities;
• Record and encode to mp3 with audio input device;
• Editing metadata of audio files.

Program installation

Installation takes place in literally two clicks: just unpack the archive and run!

Interface

When you first launch the program, you will be greeted and asked to select an interface language, fortunately, Russian is present.

The main window of the program: the central part is given to the graph - a standard situation for such programs. However, this graph is not the actual waveform of the "audio object"; it is intended to be used for navigation rather than to obtain frequency information from visual perception.

As you can see, almost all the buttons are inactive until the audio file to be edited is opened.

Now let’s add a full-fledged composition in mp3 format; this can be done by clicking the “Open” button in the upper left corner of the window, or the corresponding item in the “File” menu.

I have a problem: I really like this album, but its penultimate song ends with a long “silence” in my headphones (probably as intended by the artist - the end of the main part of the album before the bonus track, which has a slightly different style). And when this divine sound in my head ends, I have to return to the real world, where it is not always comfortable. =)

Therefore, I want the next track to immediately start playing after the end of the penultimate song.

It’s good that I now have the mp3DirectCut program, with which I can easily cut off the silence at the end of a composition without making any changes to the encoding, without changing its quality or any other parameters except timing. Moreover, the program itself recognized “silence” in the audio track.

Right in the middle of the screen, as you probably noticed, there is a vertical dotted line (1), which does not change its centered position, being a kind of “sight” on the diagram. With its help, you can very simply and accurately select a fragment. You can do it the other way (using mouse buttons), but this will be more accurate and clearer. So, let's begin.

Using the slider at the bottom (4), which scrolls the diagram, we move the vertical marker (1) to the beginning of the area that the program has selected as not having audio frequencies (move the slider with the mouse, holding it with the left button). The marker will conveniently “stick” to the line, making it clear that you will not make a mistake. Now click the “Start selection” button (2).

Now drag the slider to the right again – until the very end of the composition (it won’t let you go any further). And this time press the “End selection” button (3).

All that remains is to “cut out” the fragment I don’t need, which I do by pressing the “Delete” button on the keyboard.

Unfortunately, I don’t know why, when selecting this area, the program does not highlight it in a different color (apparently the colors are the same), if you select to the left - where the “frequencies” are visible on the graph - the selection is perfectly highlighted.

That's it, the fragment has been removed - admire it for yourself.

Now you can save the file. To save in mp3 format, leaving it unchanged (except for timing, of course), select the “File” and “Item” menu. Now we save the file in mp3 format - in principle, the program did not provide me with any other option.

That's all. The program can do something else, but no more than is necessary for an inexperienced user in this matter. Still, in order to work more deeply with sound, you need knowledge, and for this there are more powerful programs, usually paid. Well, for starters, this one will do!

Believe it or not, one of my favorite artists (whose track I cut) once created his first “beats” using cassette recorders, re-recording mixes with fragments of different tracks onto cassettes. And these compositions were played on the radio! And even with this simple program you have more possibilities! So, perhaps some of you will start your long journey with this program ;-), who knows...

Uninstalling a program

This is the first time I’ve included such a clause in the manual, but there are reasons for this. The fact is that the program cannot be removed using standard methods. That is, neither standard Windows tools nor third-party programs will help you with this.

A special feature of the program is that it does not create entries in the registry and system folders. All configuration is stored in a file mp3DirectCut.ini, which is located in the program folder ( Program Files\mp3DirectCut).

By deleting this file, you will delete all settings. If you run the program again after this, the updated file will appear again. Therefore, to completely remove the program, delete the mp3DirectCut folder in Program Files, the desktop shortcut (if there is one), and the links in the Start menu.

Advantages and disadvantages of the program

• The program is simple, functional, will work even on the weakest hardware (tested on a 2005 computer and Windows XP), weighs only 400 kb - you can download from your phone =);
• Fast and easy navigation even through large files – up to 4 GB;
• A very good translation into Russian, there are localizations into other “rare” languages ​​(even into Ukrainian), I counted 26 languages.

• There are simply no obvious disadvantages. One could name a lack of functionality, but everyone already understands that one cannot demand too much from this type of program.

conclusions

The program is made, as they say, “for humans.” The interface, no matter how trivial it may sound, is truly intuitive. I didn’t even bother reviewing the settings, since anyone can figure them out. It is not for nothing that such programs are very loved by users. You will quickly fall in love with it if you often do simple operations with audio files, and it will not interfere with your computer or generally affect the system in any way if you use it only occasionally.

P.S. Permission is granted to freely copy and quote this article, provided that an open active link to the source is indicated and the authorship of Vyacheslav Protasov is preserved.

P.P.S.. If the functions of this program are not enough for you, try the full-fledged free...

Etc.), there is a preview of the results. When renaming files, you can specify directory paths, apply conditions and regular expressions regexp.

Experience with the Mp3tag editor suggests that when working with tags, “all means are good.” Manual editing is only one of the available methods, and first of all, you should pay attention to tools for batch editing tags. Here, all possible assistance is provided by online services that contain in their database data that eliminates information gaps in metadata.

This review will cover both fairly well-known solutions and little-known programs. The characteristic features of each editor, strengths and weaknesses, and capabilities for editing tags will be identified. Attention will be directed to the following key points of the software:

• Interface: working with a list of files, tags panel, user-friendly interface
• Support for audio and metadata formats: The editor should recognize popular audio formats, allow editing of metadata and save them in the same or different version compatible with media players
• Batch work: functions related to renaming tags and files in various directions, support for regular expressions, placeholders, scripts
• Import functions: receiving tags using services, adding covers, lyrics, integration with a local database
• Export: saving playlists and reports in various formats, working with templates, having a settings wizard.

Tag&Rename

Tag&Rename is a universal tag editor that supports almost all popular audio formats (MP3, WMA, OGG, MP4, WAV, FLAC and others), metadata (ID3 and APE of all versions, Vorbis comments). The program allows you to edit main and additional fields (such as song lyrics, cover), in manual and batch modes, use online tools, and export playlists.

The first impression that a user may have when opening the editor for the first time is that the interface is difficult to understand. Perhaps it's all about the Options Bar, which provides quick access to basic renaming functions. However, unnecessary panels can be disabled through the View menu, and the mentioned options panel is hidden by pressing F8.

The second point that can really be disputed is Explorer and its file reading speed. Tag&Rename regularly reads information from directories, and this process takes a long time. In other programs, manually adding a working directory helps, but here constant scanning is distracting. The solution to the problem is to switch to flat file list mode (View > Flat File List), disabling the directory tree.

There are no other significant complaints about Tag&Rename. In addition, this editor attracts with interesting features that are missing in other well-known solutions.

Thus, all tags can be brought to the same version of metadata thanks to synchronization. The interface of the tag editing window is divided into several tabs, where there are general and additional fields. For batch renaming, you can use the Multi File Tag Editor in the options panel. In adjacent tabs, bulk renaming of files and assigning tags based on file names are available. It is possible not only to rename files based on tags, but also folders, which further automates work with the library: files will be sorted into the specified folders.

Renaming is possible using a mask, variables (section Rename variables of the documentation). True, operating with variables like %1 or %rt is not very convenient: you need to check the “cheat sheet” nearby. When renaming, preview is available, as well as canceling changes if the result is unsuccessful.

In addition, metadata can be imported from the Internet, with the support of freedb, Amazon, and TrackType services. In the same way, it is easy to attach cover art to audio files (Amazon, Discogs).

The export functions are very wide; it is possible to save in M3U/M3U8, CSV, XML, HTML, and other text formats. In addition, it comes with an intuitive settings wizard, so you don't have to waste time editing templates and learning their syntax, as is the case with Mp3tag.

Summary

Tag&Rename supports the standards of software and hardware players, there are no problems reading music formats. The main emphasis is on the renaming function, and experienced users will be familiar with working with variables and masks. There are also many quick, advanced features available. A fairly convenient interface, albeit with reservations, but still simplifies the work without forcing you to manually edit configuration files.

[+] Flexible options for renaming tags and files
[+] Convenient export of playlists
[−] Controversial issues in the interface

Metatogger

Metatogger is a free tag editor that works with Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, MP3, Musepack, Windows Media, WavPack, Monkey's Audio and other formats. The main feature of the program is convenient integration capabilities - among them there is support for a local database with MusicBrainz, a function acoustic footprint, search for song lyrics and others, no less useful.

The main window is quite spacious, making it convenient to manage an extensive list of songs, albums, and artists. A wide toolbar allows you to quickly navigate among the options, without the hassle of searching for commands. The side panels, on either side of the center column, are hidden. Using the View menu, it is easy to add the desired column to the work list or remove an unnecessary one. A closer look reveals other possibilities for the columns: by dragging them onto the panel on top of the headings, you can set several levels of sorting for the list. It is enough to experiment with workspace modes (Workspace Configuration on the ribbon) to appreciate this opportunity.

Metatogger provides quick renaming of tags by file and in the opposite direction, with a preview of the result. With the support of scripts, various auxiliary functions are available: search and replace, change case, capitalization, etc. Although not every user will find it necessary to use a new language for the sake of several additional functions.

In addition to standard tag editing capabilities, there are online tools that are designed to automate the filling of metadata. Thus, using the Acoustic Fingerprint function, you can add tag information using a digital fingerprint of an audio file. Metatogger sends a “snapshot” of the audio recording to the service and checks it against the existing database. This method is quite capable and works correctly in typical cases. So it's appropriate to go through the list with Acoustic Fingerprint, along with Disk ID functions and the like. Among other online services, it is worth noting the downloading of covers through the Discogs service, as well as lyrics from Wikia.com. In both cases, additional tags are automatically assigned to the composition.

The local database (which, however, needs to be updated first, and this is about 700 MB of traffic) contains more than 500 thousand albums and 700 thousand covers. The demand for the database depends on various factors and, perhaps, it is faster to find the necessary information via the Internet if we are talking about isolated cases. Response time for local search is even slower than online synchronization.

Summary

Metatogger is a convenient tool for quickly working with tags. First of all, this is possible thanks to integration with web services. In addition to this, there is a very user-friendly interface that is well adapted for working with extensive lists of files. As a result, editing tags in Metatogger is the least manual job.

[+] Excellent integration with online services
[+] Local database support
[+] User-friendly interface
[−] Difficulty in mastering scripts
[−] No export

MusicBrainz Picard

Cross-platform tag manager (Linux, Mac OS, Windows), with support for most well-known audio formats - MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, MP4 (AAC), Musepack, WavPack, Speex, The True Audio and WMA. You can search for audio recordings by AcoustID (Acoustic Fingerprint) and Disc ID. What’s important is that an impressive number of plugins have been created for Picard that expand tag editing capabilities.

It should be noted that Picard is not a tag editor in the generally accepted sense, so the user may have difficulty understanding the “ideology” of this editor. However, the situation is saved by a detailed one, which, in particular, explains terms such as lookup, clustering, querying - in translation this means search, segmentation and query, respectively.

To import tags using the MusicBrainz online service, simply perform the following steps: add the album to the list, select the Cluster (for grouping files) and Lookup commands.

First, when adding files to the left panel, the program checks whether the files have been processed previously and whether they contain the MusicBrainz service identifier. In the latter case, the data is displayed in the right panel of Picard, as a disk icon.

The remaining files need to be segmented (Cluster command). During the segmentation process, Picard groups audio files based on metadata, and the remaining files are placed in the Unmatched files folder. Next, in the left panel, the Clusters directory, you need to select the required folder and search (Lookup) in the MusicBrainz service database.

Once the search is complete, the information found will be displayed in the right panel. The process can be tracked in the status line, and the result is displayed on the tags panel, where you can compare the original metadata and those available in the MusicBrainz service. Each of the files in the right pane is color coded, ranging from red to green, indicating the status of the matches found. The user, in case of an “alarm” status, can edit the fields and save new data to a file. If unsuccessful, you can use the search for a piece of music. MusicBrainz supports the following services: TRM, PUID, AcoustID and others.

Additionally, you can configure automatic downloading of covers (previously this feature was implemented as a plugin). Thus, during the Lookup operation, the program will connect to the desired server and download the cover, adding it to the metadata.

From the extensive list of MusicBrainz plugins, the following are worth mentioning:

• Disc Numbers - adding numbering as a separate tag
• Title Case - in the title of the composition, each word is capitalized
• Last.fm Plus - filling out tags using the Last.fm service
• Generate Cuesheet - creating a file with a list of songs in CUE format.

Other add-ons can be downloaded on the page. If desired, the MusicBrainz database can be stored locally or installed on a virtual machine.

Summary

Picard automates tag entry primarily through the MusicBrainz service. In fact, the program is its shell, and such a connection can be attributed to the advantages of Picard. At the same time, not everyone will like such tools, due to the lack of traditional tools and unusual execution of the program.

[+] Close integration with the MusicBrainz service
[+] Automation tools
[−] There are no standard tools for batch renaming

Tagscanner

Tagscanner is a program for organizing a music collection and editing tags. Supports audio formats MP3, OGG, FLAC, WMA, MPEG-4, Opus, Musepack, Monkey's Audio, AAC, OptimFROG, SPEEX, WavPack, TrueAudio, ID3 tags, APE, WMA, Vorbis Comments and others. Also recognizes and reads known types of metadata.Wide possibilities for importing tags from music services and exporting to various formats.

In accordance with the name of the tabs, the following program features can be distinguished:

• renaming files (Music Renamer)
• editing tags (TAG Editor)
• batch work with tags (TAG Processor)
• creating reports and playlists (List Maker).

Music Renamer allows you to rename files based on information taken from tags. The line format is set using placeholders (placeholders) available in the corresponding section, or based on prepared templates (the “File name format” list). Along with renaming, you can reorganize folders by setting the nesting level, and trim file names to a certain length. Among text transformation operations, we can highlight transliteration, which is useful when working with Russian-language names (not every tag editor takes this feature into account).

The editor itself is available in the TAG Editor tab. The editing panel appears on the right, divided into primary and secondary fields, as well as areas for adding cover art and song lyrics (“lyrics”). The "" mark helps manage tags for multiple selections, similar to Mp3tag.

TAG Processor - auto-completion of tags with the support of well-known online services freedb, MusicBrainz, Amazon and others. Along with synchronizing standard tags, you can attach cover art to an audio file. Regarding adding song lyrics, none of the online services supported by TAG Editor are capable of automating the process.

Finally, the List Maker section - creating reports and playlists in the specified format: CSV, XML, HTML, M3U(8), PLS. Export is based on user-defined templates using scripts and placeholders. The situation is similar to Mp3tag: there is no settings wizard, and this complicates the task somewhat. However, exporting lists can be considered a secondary feature of the editor, and the format of the templates is quite simple to understand.

Summary

Tagscanner is a functional and at the same time quite easy to understand tag editor. Russian-language and user-friendly interface, a classic set of functions, ready-to-use templates - it’s not surprising that the program has gained popularity in its category.

[+] Flexible options for renaming tags
[+] User-friendly interface
[+] Ready-made templates
[+] Built-in audio player

Ex Falso/Quod Libet

This dual title belongs to a multi-platform organizer and audio player that is also a tag editor. The core of the “universal” was the Mutagen library, which, by the way, is similar to the aforementioned Picard program. The Mutagen library is used in other Linux applications; a Windows port is rare. The following audio formats are supported: ASF, FLAC, M4A, Monkey's Audio, MP3, Musepack, OGG, True Audio, WavPack and OptimFROG.

The program has been translated into Russian, this helps to understand the not very user-friendly interface. The disadvantage is that Quod Libet is based on the GTK+ library, which does not have the best effect on the interactivity of the player, especially dragging and dropping elements is limited.

The tag editor is hidden in the context menu, the “Edit tags” command. In the window that opens, there are tabs related to file renaming (including based on tags), automatic numbering of compositions. When naming, placeholders are used (,

However, Quod Libet is interesting not because of its basic tools, but because of its extensibility based on plugins. You can connect them in the “Music > Extensions” settings section. Search in the CDDB/MusicBrainz database, downloading covers, exporting metadata, converter, advanced tag editing - this is not a complete list of capabilities. True, all operations have to be carried out through the context menu, which, again, is not very convenient. Also, due to the specific architecture of the player, not all extensions work correctly (see “Errors”). To fix errors you need to download the missing libraries.

Summary

Quod Libet is, on the one hand, an interesting solution in the category of metadata editors. On the other hand, for the sake of functionality you have to sacrifice the convenience of an interface that is not “native” for the Windows environment. Not all extensions work. The result is a controversial decision, with many advantages and - alas - disadvantages.

[+] Cross-platform
[+] Support for extensions
[−] Instability
[−] Inconvenient interface
[−] Cyrillic alphabet is not always displayed correctly

Pivot table

Program	Tag&Rename	Metatogger	MusicBrainz Picard	Tagscanner	Ex Falso/Quod Libet
Developer	Softpointer Inc.	Lumisoft / Sylvian Rougeaux	Robert Kaye, Lukas Lalinsky and others.	Serkov Sergey	The Quod Libet Devs
License	Shareware ($29.95)	Freeware	Freeware	Freeware	Freeware
Platform support	Windows 2000+	Windows XP+	Linux/Mac OS X/Windows	Windows XP+	Linux/Mac OS X/Windows
Audio format support	mp3, wma, asf and wmv, aac (m4a), Ogg Vorbis/Flac/Speex (comments vorbis MusePack mpc/mp+, Monkey's Audio, Flac, Wav Pack, Optim Frog, True Audio, Apple lossless, Windows Media lossless, Wav, Aiff, DSF	Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, Speex, MP3, Musepack, Windows Media, WavPack, Monkey's Audio	MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, MP4 (AAC), Musepack, WavPack, Speex, The True Audio, WMA	MP3, OGG, FLAC, WMA, MPEG-4, Opus, Musepack, Monkey's Audio, AAC, OptimFROG, SPEEX, WavPack, TrueAudio	MP3, Ogg Vorbis / Speex / Opus, FLAC, Musepack, MOD/XM/IT, Wavpack, MPEG-4 AAC, WMA, MIDI, Monkey’s Audio
Metadata support	ID3v1-ID3v2.4, APEv1, APEv2, Vorbis Comments	ID3v1-ID3v2.4, ID3 and Vorbis Comments for FLAC, MPC, Speex, WavPack TrueAudio, WAV, AIFF, MP4, ASF	ID3v1-ID3v2.4, APEv2	ID3v1-ID3v2.4 APE v1 and v2 Vorbis Comments, WMA tags and MP4 (iTunes) metatags	ID3v1-ID3v2.4, APEv2
Service support	freedb, Amazon, Discogs, Tracktype	MusicBrainz, Wikia, Discogs, AcustID	MusicBrainz, AcoustID, TRM, PUID, Last.fm	freedb, Amazon, Discogs, Beatport, MusicBrainz, Tracktype	MusicBrainz, CDDB, Last.fm, Amazon, Coverparadise
Export playlist	CSV, HTML, XML, TXT, M3U/M3U8	-	-	HTML, XML CSV, PLS, M3U(8)	HTML, PLS, M3U