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DMRube
04-24-2015, 06:27 AM
I've now spent hours searching, reading, and experimenting, and I'm close to giving up.

I need to know how to batch convert, to a folder of my choice, the EXACT folder layout of the folder I'm converting from. I want the folders of artists with multiple albums to be copied with the artist name, and then if there are multiple albums within that folder, they should then be copied inside that folder.

BUT, if the album is a soundtrack for example, Evita, the folder on my original source is Evita, then simply the album within that folder...simple. But when set in all the various versions I'm seeing in "dynamic", and several I have tried on my own, it is NOT working. It takes a soundtrack, for example, and duplicates as multiple albums if those separate tracks are from different artists.

Example: I have a folder of artist 10,000 Maniacs with three albums in it. I have a folder of "25 Classic Favorites" with one album, and that album consists of multiple artists on each track. My source folder/drive is two folders, one is "10,000 Maniacs" with three sub-folders for the three albums; the other is "25 Classic Favorites, with only ONE album. This should be an incredibly simple process...instead I get 18 new folders! The 10,000 Maniacs copies over intact and just fine, but the compilation album is now broken out into 17 new folders, NONE of which are named the original album.

This is frustrating, and by the way, I've tried every variation of the dynamic folder naming convention I could think of.

In the above example, I'm using "[artist]/[album]/[track] [title]" but I've tried multiple others.

Yes, I'm a registered owner, and I'm simply trying to convert a large folder of (mostly) FLAC to AIFF, and preserve the exact folder structure of the source folder. EXACT

Why is this so difficult, and why am I spending hours. By the way, the example of using the same name of album and artist in Madonna, and Madonna is of very little help in your example.

Anyway, I know this is a simple request, I see many others asking this same question. I don't see anyone that has asked why it doesn't work...please help.

Thank you in advance-

-David

mville
04-24-2015, 06:42 AM
This has been discussed many times on this forum.

First of all you have to be sure that, for all your albums, as well as Artist tag being populated, that Album Artist tag is populated e.g. Various Artists, 10,000 Maniacs etc. and that the Compilation tag is set to 1 if the album is a compilation. You can easily accomplish this, for many albums, using Batch Converter>ID Tag Update>Rule based Manipulation or MP3Tag software.

Then in the dynamic folder naming convention, experiment using Album Artist instead of Artist. On a soundtrack album, more often than not, there are multiple Artists, which is why you are seeing duplicate multiple albums.

garym
04-24-2015, 08:13 AM
I do this with some combination of preserve path and trim folder commands. See

https://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?20469-Trimfolder&highlight=%5Btrimfolder%5D

mville
04-24-2015, 12:24 PM
I do this with some combination of preserve path and trim folder commands.

This is how I do it as well, but I know my tags, for audio library and player/server compatibility purposes, are in good shape.

I am trying to encourage David toward sorting his tags, as, without Album Artist and Compilation tags setup correctly, he will only hit problems further down the line.

garym
04-24-2015, 01:34 PM
This is how I do it as well, but I know my tags, for audio library and player/server compatibility purposes, are in good shape.

I am trying to encourage David toward sorting his tags, as, without Album Artist and Compilation tags setup correctly, he will only hit problems further down the line.

i agree. Get the tags fixed first.

BrodyBoy
04-24-2015, 08:03 PM
I need to know how to batch convert, to a folder of my choice, the EXACT folder layout of the folder I'm converting from. I want the folders of artists with multiple albums to be copied with the artist name, and then if there are multiple albums within that folder, they should then be copied inside that folder.
Have you tried just setting the "Folder" to the desired location for the new files, and then [origpath]\[origfilename] for dynamic naming?

DMRube
04-25-2015, 12:15 AM
This is how I do it as well, but I know my tags, for audio library and player/server compatibility purposes, are in good shape.

I am trying to encourage David toward sorting his tags, as, without Album Artist and Compilation tags setup correctly, he will only hit problems further down the line.
This is just not clear to me. I want to copy over the file structure add it currently is, folders that have multiple albums, albums that have multiple artists like compilations without copying as multiple albums...How do I do it, what are the exact settings I should try?
Thank you in advance-

BrodyBoy
04-25-2015, 01:27 AM
How do I do it, what are the exact settings I should try?
Really? I don't know how to be more exact....

DMRube
04-25-2015, 03:55 AM
This is how I do it as well, but I know my tags, for audio library and player/server compatibility purposes, are in good shape.

I am trying to encourage David toward sorting his tags, as, without Album Artist and Compilation tags setup correctly, he will only hit problems further down the line.

Thank you. My tags are pretty solid. But please elaborate when you say "without Album Artist and Compilation tags setup correctly, he will only hit problems further down the line."

DMRube
04-25-2015, 04:12 AM
Have you tried just setting the "Folder" to the desired location for the new files, and then [origpath]\[origfilename] for dynamic naming?

Thank you. I tried that before starting this thread. [origpath]\[origfilename] that convention starts THREE layers above, in other words starts with 'USER', than "my name', then 'MUSIC', and only then the folder of the actual artist or album, and imbedded in that are the tracks, but it otherwise converts it correctly, by the way, BOTH the compilation folder and an artist folder that would have more than one album. So I then removed the [origpath] leaving only [origfilename] and it copied all tracks individually, all on same level, without folders for artist or album.

That tells me we're on the right path, using both terms is too much, and using just the one is too little, but with the right code it should work correctly.

By the way, if you could post the 'code" in terms like these to try, e.g.:[artist]/[album]/[track] [title] ; [origpath]\[origfilename] ; it would help me quite a bit, I may not be as fluent in this program, so if you could "spoon-feed me" that would help :)

I hope I've adequately explained why I'm still running into difficulty.

Thanks guys-

mville
04-25-2015, 07:37 AM
Thank you. My tags are pretty solid. But please elaborate when you say "without Album Artist and Compilation tags setup correctly, he will only hit problems further down the line."

A lot of media player and server software that you may use to play/stream your music, use the Album Artist and Compilation tags and not just the Artist tag, to organize and display albums.

mville
04-25-2015, 07:42 AM
I tried that before starting this thread. [origpath]\[origfilename] that convention starts THREE layers above, in other words starts with 'USER', than "my name', then 'MUSIC'

Please can you describe exactly, how you have organised your audio library folder/directory structure?

garym
04-25-2015, 08:16 AM
Thank you. I tried that before starting this thread. [origpath]\[origfilename] that convention starts THREE layers above, in other words starts with 'USER', than "my name', then 'MUSIC', and only then the folder of the actual artist or album, and imbedded in that are the tracks, but it otherwise converts it correctly, by the way, BOTH the compilation folder and an artist folder that would have more than one album. So I then removed the [origpath] leaving only [origfilename] and it copied all tracks individually, all on same level, without folders for artist or album.

That tells me we're on the right path, using both terms is too much, and using just the one is too little, but with the right code it should work correctly.

By the way, if you could post the 'code" in terms like these to try, e.g.:[artist]/[album]/[track] [title] ; [origpath]\[origfilename] ; it would help me quite a bit, I may not be as fluent in this program, so if you could "spoon-feed me" that would help :)

I hope I've adequately explained why I'm still running into difficulty.

Thanks guys-

Did you read my post earlier with link to thread?
https://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?20469-Trimfolder&highlight=[trimfolder]

Depending on how deep your folder structure is, you'll need one or more [trimfirstfolder] items in the front of the string. Here's an example with two levels you need to remove. Don't forget that each needs a '[]' at the end to close it.

In your "Output Location:" -> "Dynamic:"

[TRIMFIRSTFOLDER][TRIMFIRSTFOLDER][origpath][][]\[origfilename]

You'd want to put, for example the folder where you want the converted files to end up in the "folder" line: for example, "D:\Music\Apple" in the "Folder" line.
And if you're using this approach, you will NOT also be using artist/album, etc.

DMRube
04-25-2015, 10:57 AM
Did you read my post earlier with link to thread?
https://forum.dbpoweramp.com/showthread.php?20469-Trimfolder&highlight=[trimfolder]

Depending on how deep your folder structure is, you'll need one or more [trimfirstfolder] items in the front of the string. Here's an example with two levels you need to remove. Don't forget that each needs a '[]' at the end to close it.

In your "Output Location:" -> "Dynamic:"

[TRIMFIRSTFOLDER][TRIMFIRSTFOLDER][origpath][][]\[origfilename]

You'd want to put, for example the folder where you want the converted files to end up in the "folder" line: for example, "D:\Music\Apple" in the "Folder" line.
And if you're using this approach, you will NOT also be using artist/album, etc.

Thank you, I'll try that.

BrodyBoy
04-25-2015, 02:21 PM
Thank you, I'll try that.
It sounds like you're getting close. :) Back where you said you had tried [origpath]\[origfilename], you described the problem as having "too much" of your folder structure carried over ("user"\Music\ etc).

As garym describes, [trimfirstfolder] is the way to remove unwanted file structure levels. For each [trimfirstfolder] you add to the beginning of the [origpath]\[origfilename] string, it will remove a level from the beginning. So if you need to remove three levels, include three [trimfirstfolder] elements. Along with the required closing double-brackets, it would look like this:

[trimfirstfolder][trimfirstfolder][trimfirstfolder][origpath[][][]\[origfilename]

DMRube
04-25-2015, 08:59 PM
It sounds like you're getting close. :) Back where you said you had tried [origpath]\[origfilename], you described the problem as having "too much" of your folder structure carried over ("user"\Music\ etc).

As garym describes, [trimfirstfolder] is the way to remove unwanted file structure levels. For each [trimfirstfolder] you add to the beginning of the [origpath]\[origfilename] string, it will remove a level from the beginning. So if you need to remove three levels, include three [trimfirstfolder] elements. Along with the required closing double-brackets, it would look like this:

[trimfirstfolder][trimfirstfolder][trimfirstfolder][origpath[][][]\[origfilename]

Okay, thanks so much guys for the help, but I'm seriously starting to go crazy.

When I use that exact string, I get only all individual music files with NO folders. It eliminates the users/david/music hierarchy, yes, but loses the folders of artist or album(!)

I have tried a few different versions of this to no avail. I do think we're close, but it's a mystery how this didn't work since the "[origpath]\[origfilename]" worked exactly as I was needing it to, with ONLY the three additional folder layers, so one would think eliminating that would work, but it totally changed the way the folder copying is working, so now I'm lost.

Please help-

mville
04-25-2015, 09:03 PM
I tried to help, but you ignored my question in post no. 12.

DMRube
04-25-2015, 09:21 PM
I tried to help, but you ignored my question in post no. 12.

I thought I did actually in post 10, I thought I described the folder hierarchy. It's "users/davidrubenstein/music".

I think I'm going crazy...

mville
04-25-2015, 09:25 PM
I thought I did actually in post 10, I thought I described the folder hierarchy. It's "users/davidrubenstein/music".

How are the folders organised under this folder? What is the destination folder and what format are you converting from/to?

DMRube
04-25-2015, 09:42 PM
How are the folders organised under this folder? What is the destination folder and what format are you converting from/to?

In the music folder (users/davidrubenstein/music) the folders are organized as either name of artist e.g. Aerosmith, with the various albums as sub-folders, and then the individual tracks of each album.

In the case of a compilation album, where each track is from a different artist, it is largely the same, the name of the ALBUM is the main folder, and then only the tracks, NOT a bunch of separate or sub-folders by artist, but this is only for a soundtrack or compilation album for example. And all tags are absolutely consistent and solid.

I'm trying to convert from FLAC to AIFF.

Thanks so much, I really appreciate your help-

BrodyBoy
04-25-2015, 09:50 PM
When I use that exact string, I get only all individual music files with NO folders. It eliminates the users/david/music hierarchy, yes, but loses the folders of artist or album(!)
I think you removed too many folder levels.

Try working with just a small batch at a time, so your experimentation isn't too time-consuming. And delete failed attempts, so you don't get a mixed up mess. First, specify the general location for your new files in the "Folder" section. Then try [origpath]\[origfilename] with just one [trimfirstfolder], like this:

[trimfirstfolder][origpath][]\[origfilename]

Be VERY careful to get all the brackets correct. (Because if you leave out closing brackets, an element will just get ignored.) How close does this get you to what you want?

If there are still too many levels, try adding another [trimfirstfolder]:

[trimfirstfolder][trimfirstfolder][origpath][][]\[origfilename]

How about now?

mville
04-25-2015, 09:59 PM
In the music folder (users/davidrubenstein/music) the folders are organized as either name of artist e.g. Aerosmith, with the various albums as sub-folders, and then the individual tracks of each album.

In the case of a compilation album, where each track is from a different artist, it is largely the same, the name of the ALBUM is the main folder, and then only the tracks, NOT a bunch of separate or sub-folders by artist, but this is only for a soundtrack or compilation album for example. And all tags are absolutely consistent and solid.

I'm trying to convert from FLAC to AIFF.

So, if you convert the following folder:
DriveLetter:\users\davidrubenstein\Music\Aerosmith \Toys In The Attic

from FLAC to AIFF, where do you want the AIFF files created, in the same folder? I am not clear on the destination folder (Output Location).

BrodyBoy
04-25-2015, 10:24 PM
In his original post, he indicated that he wants the folder structure replicated in a new location of his choosing. So it's a different destination folder.

DMRube
04-25-2015, 10:37 PM
In his original post, he indicated that he wants the folder structure replicated in a new location of his choosing. So it's a different destination folder.

Thanks so much guys. I'm out now but will try when I get back.

mville
04-25-2015, 10:39 PM
In his original post, he indicated that he wants the folder structure replicated in a new location of his choosing. So it's a different destination folder.

So:
[TRIMFIRSTFOLDER][TRIMFIRSTFOLDER][TRIMFIRSTFOLDER][origpath][][][]\[origfilename]
should work, as garym suggested, but it is not. I am trying to find out why it is not working.

BrodyBoy
04-25-2015, 10:50 PM
So:
[TRIMFIRSTFOLDER][TRIMFIRSTFOLDER][TRIMFIRSTFOLDER][origpath][][][]\[origfilename]
should work, as garym suggested, but it is not. I am trying to find out, why it is not working.
Yeah, I suspect it's the combination of his "Folder" designation and the "orig" string not quite being in sync yet. I.e., perhaps he was adding too many levels already under "Folder," or something along that line. I think if he just sets the general folder location and leaves it alone, he should be able to work his way toward the correct number of folder levels to copy over (by adjusting the number of [trimfirstfolder] elements). And because naming strings require such precise syntax, a missing or extra bracket anywhere in the mix can also throw the whole thing into turmoil. :(

mville
04-25-2015, 10:53 PM
In post no. 16, the syntax in the string:
[trimfirstfolder][trimfirstfolder][trimfirstfolder][origpath[][][]\[origfilename]

is incorrect. It is missing a right square bracket at the end of [origpath

The string you need to try is:
[trimfirstfolder][trimfirstfolder][trimfirstfolder][origpath][][][]\[origfilename]

BrodyBoy
04-25-2015, 11:00 PM
Ha! See what I mean? ;) Got it right the second time around, at least.

But this does illustrate my point well: You and I have been doing this a long time and it's still easy to type "bracketology" errors..... Thanks for catching it in that post, I'll go back and fix it. To the OP, if you're copying and pasting at all, use my most recent examples!

mville
04-25-2015, 11:06 PM
Ha! See what I mean? ;)

definitely :)

DMRube
04-26-2015, 02:06 AM
Funny. Actually I caught that earlier and added it, but thank you guys, you've been great. There is something else going on however. This definitely DOESN'T work. Now adding the [trimfirstfolder] is adding some kind of corruption as it removes the folder structure being left intact. I've tried, one, two and three, and intellectually, one can clearly see three would be correct, but once the [trimfirstfolder] is added, the folder structure is no longer copied over intact for some strange reason.

I've solved this with a little work-around, although in all honesty, I have to believe what I'm trying to do is extremely common and a solution should be found for what we've been discussing.

Anyway, my workaround, which worked fine with the small sample-size of folders I've copied over to test this string throughout this craziness, is to use [origpath]\[origfilename], and then to simply move the actual "album" folders three levels up, and then delete the empty "users", "davidrubenstein" and "music" folders, leaving the albums, which seem to only be copied over intact using only [origpath]\[origfilename] convention.

It worked fine doing this with a small sample-size, it will obviously be much more involved with 1,000 albums that I'm converting, but until the code is sourced correctly I can't think of any other way, though this is hardly the most efficient way.

Let me know your thoughts guys-

-D

BrodyBoy
04-26-2015, 03:58 AM
Funny. Actually I caught that earlier and added it, but thank you guys, you've been great.
I'm glad you caught that....sorry for any confusion. :)


I've solved this with a little work-around, although in all honesty, I have to believe what I'm trying to do is extremely common and a solution should be found for what we've been discussing.
Definitely...this is a relatively common operation, since many people make alternate versions of their music library (for portable devices, backup, etc.) I assume that's why dBp has naming elements for copying the structure of an existing library. While we haven't nailed down the cause of your issue...yet, there's undoubtedly a solution.


Anyway, my workaround, which worked fine with the small sample-size of folders I've copied over to test this string throughout this craziness, is to use [origpath]\[origfilename], and then to simply move the actual "album" folders three levels up, and then delete the empty "users", "davidrubenstein" and "music" folders, leaving the albums, which seem to only be copied over intact using only [origpath]\[origfilename] convention.

It worked fine doing this with a small sample-size, it will obviously be much more involved with 1,000 albums that I'm converting, but until the code is sourced correctly I can't think of any other way, though this is hardly the most efficient way.

Let me know your thoughts guys-

-D
Yeah, you're right...that'll get really old doing that many albums manually. I really think this can be worked out and you'll be able to get through them without all that extra work.

So let's say you have your original files....C:\users\davidrubenstein\Music\Aerosmith \Toys In The Attic

When you set are setting up the conversion for these files, what exactly are you putting in the "Folder" section? And what do you want the "top-level" folder to be in the new location? (i.e., should it start with the \music level, or lower, at the \artist level? Or something else?)

mville
04-26-2015, 07:02 AM
There is something else going on however. This definitely DOESN'T work. Now adding the [trimfirstfolder] is adding some kind of corruption as it removes the folder structure being left intact. I've tried, one, two and three, and intellectually, one can clearly see three would be correct, but once the [trimfirstfolder] is added, the folder structure is no longer copied over intact for some strange reason.

Please post a screen shot of the dBpoweramp Music Converter AIFF converter window, with the settings you are using that is causing the problem.

DMRube
04-26-2015, 11:17 AM
I'm glad you caught that....sorry for any confusion. :)


Definitely...this is a relatively common operation, since many people make alternate versions of their music library (for portable devices, backup, etc.) I assume that's why dBp has naming elements for copying the structure of an existing library. While we haven't nailed down the cause of your issue...yet, there's undoubtedly a solution.


Yeah, you're right...that'll get really old doing that many albums manually. I really think this can be worked out and you'll be able to get through them without all that extra work.

So let's say you have your original files....C:\users\davidrubenstein\Music\Aerosmith \Toys In The Attic

When you set are setting up the conversion for these files, what exactly are you putting in the "Folder" section? And what do you want the "top-level" folder to be in the new location? (i.e., should it start with the \music level, or lower, at the \artist level? Or something else?)

I want all the albums to be in "music"folder", as opposed to being copied with the added and unnecessary layers. The good news is removing those layers, bypassing is a better description, is incredibly easy and almost instantaneous.

I select all the music album folders, and "move" them three levels up directly to the root of the folder I want, in this case "music".

Because I'm moving, not copying, it's instant, and by selecting all it was all done in one step.

So, effectively, problem solved. Having said that, it should've worked by removing the unwanted layers using "trimfirstfolder" so I'll send the screenshots when I'm back later today.

Thanks again for all your help guys.