All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes 11

[ripadeedoodah]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

OK, all good, thanks garym.

[garym]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

Sorry, I hadn't seen this post when I posted my previous post.

Two things:

1. You say you deleted the tag named CONTENT RATING. Garym talks about this tag name, too. But when, in Windows 7, I use MP3tag to view the extended tags on all my files ripped with dbpa, I do not see this tag name on any of them. This includes music files that have never been sent to my iMac or iTunes - only copies of them have been sent and the originals are still in Windows. The tag I DO see on them is ITUNESADVISORY and this is the one with the 10 rating which appears to be causing all the trouble. I changed the rating to 0 and now the tag has disappeared altogether. So I don't really understand the references to a CONTENT RATING tag - unless of course it's the same tag as ITUNESADVISORY but MP3tag simply gives it a different name. I think this must be the answer.

2. Like you, I'm also puzzled as to why dbpa creates a content rating and even more puzzled as to where it gets its values from. I think it's helpful to be able to add a content rating but I agree, I think it's something that should be controlled by users, not by self-appointed censors. The trouble is, I suppose, children may be using iTunes so it's a well-intentioned attempt to protect them.

I think for the time being I'll use the latest official release of dbpa and use MP3tag to check the tagging before passing on the files to iTunes. My guess is that this will be fixed in the not too distant future, if it hasn't already, so it'll only be a small and temporary inconvenience.

I think content rating is same as itunesadvisory. There are lots of itunes tag names that are not the official tag name (which is what mp3tag uses). Based on what I've read, all these problems were caused by unintentional bug in dbpa. This is evidently solved in 14.4beta (and of course will be solved in 14.4 official when it comes out).

[ripadeedoodah]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

I have never used MP3Tag. Years ago, possibly before MP3Tag existed, I bought a tool called Tag&Rename for this purpose. It does not allow you to edit metadata it does not understand. There are two basic design choices: provide a means to edit tags a tool does not understand, or ignore such tags. There are valid arguments for either choice; Tag&Rename chose to ignore these tags. So there was no way to use it to get rid of the ratings. But ID Tag Update does allow you to make such edits.

I used ID Tag Update as described above, to delete the tag named 'Content Rating'. I have not used this codec except to delete this specific tag, so I don't know how its modify and add features work. I got the name of that tag from Spoon's earlier post. I did not do anything with a tag named ITUNESADVISORY.

Inside iTunes I deleted the songs. Because iTunes does not manage my folders (I found the design choices its developers made irritating), deleting the tracks has no effect on the underlying files. Then I dragged the folder containing them back into iTunes, which as you may know causes iTunes to scan the folder and add any compatible tracks to its library. If iTunes is managing the media folders then it will likely ask if you want to delete the associated files. I did not have to delete any part of the iTunes library, so I can't offer you good advice on how to do that successfully.

I am a little puzzled as to why dbPoweramp would even create any sort of content rating. First off, where would it get the correct values? Second, I'll handle the censorship, thanks! Maybe that's the bug that's why Spoon says you need 14.4Beta?

Sorry, I hadn't seen this post when I posted my previous post.

Two things:

1. You say you deleted the tag named CONTENT RATING. Garym talks about this tag name, too. But when, in Windows 7, I use MP3tag to view the extended tags on all my files ripped with dbpa, I do not see this tag name on any of them. This includes music files that have never been sent to my iMac or iTunes - only copies of them have been sent and the originals are still in Windows. The tag I DO see on them is ITUNESADVISORY and this is the one with the 10 rating which appears to be causing all the trouble. I changed the rating to 0 and now the tag has disappeared altogether. So I don't really understand the references to a CONTENT RATING tag - unless of course it's the same tag as ITUNESADVISORY but MP3tag simply gives it a different name. I think this must be the answer.

2. Like you, I'm also puzzled as to why dbpa creates a content rating and even more puzzled as to where it gets its values from. I think it's helpful to be able to add a content rating but I agree, I think it's something that should be controlled by users, not by self-appointed censors. The trouble is, I suppose, children may be using iTunes so it's a well-intentioned attempt to protect them.

I think for the time being I'll use the latest official release of dbpa and use MP3tag to check the tagging before passing on the files to iTunes. My guess is that this will be fixed in the not too distant future, if it hasn't already, so it'll only be a small and temporary inconvenience.

[garym]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

In dbpa 14.4Beta, I selected Options, then under Meta Data I clicked Options next to Meta Data & ID Tag. You have to click it twice; the interface is odd. The first click turns it from a word to a button, and the second click operates the button. This brings up 'Meta Data & ID Tag Options'. Near the bottom is 'Custom and Fixed Value Tags'. I clicked 'Add Custom Tag' (twice, as above) and typed 'Content Rating' and hit Enter. Then I put '0' in the value field that appeared. I don't know if this is strictly necessary or not. When I fly over a track ripped with this setting. 'Content Rating' appears in the 'Tool Tip' window with a value of 'None'.

So far I have ripped two albums this way, and neither has shown up with Explicit tags. That could be because of what I described above, or it could be that 14.4Beta corrected a bug. I don't know. I just think of it as the 'Belt and Suspenders' plan...

I haven't had to deal with this, but I'd be surprised if your steps were required. I got the idea that 14.4 would simply not add these erroneous content rating fields by default. It would be very strange if every user had to use the steps you outline to keep explicit tags from being added in itunes. Perhaps you can test the next rip without the custom tag steps to see if they are really needed. Thanks.

[Balok]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

In dbpa 14.4Beta, I selected Options, then under Meta Data I clicked Options next to Meta Data & ID Tag. You have to click it twice; the interface is odd. The first click turns it from a word to a button, and the second click operates the button. This brings up 'Meta Data & ID Tag Options'. Near the bottom is 'Custom and Fixed Value Tags'. I clicked 'Add Custom Tag' (twice, as above) and typed 'Content Rating' and hit Enter. Then I put '0' in the value field that appeared. I don't know if this is strictly necessary or not. When I fly over a track ripped with this setting. 'Content Rating' appears in the 'Tool Tip' window with a value of 'None'.

So far I have ripped two albums this way, and neither has shown up with Explicit tags. That could be because of what I described above, or it could be that 14.4Beta corrected a bug. I don't know. I just think of it as the 'Belt and Suspenders' plan...

[garym]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

YES! Thanks to you, garym, and others that helped, I have FINALLY got rid of the "explicit" ratings! I just took a deep breath and deleted every damn thing and then used the "Add to library" feature to add the newly edited folder like you said and everything seems to be in place, sans the "explicit" tags.

Best Christmas present ever! (Well, a slight exaggeration, maybe, but still a big relief.)

My only question now is, how can I stop this happening again? Presumably I need to download a new version of dBpoweramp but is it only the beta version that will work without the "explicit" tags or can I go with the latest official release?

Many thanks again to all for your patience and especially garym.

Great news. I'm glad you persevered and it is working. I'm pretty sure (but not positive) that you need the dbpa 14.4 beta to avoid this happening again. You can either install it now (if you want to convert files for itunes now), or wait until the 14.4 becomes official (but in the meantime, don't convert any files with 14.3 for use in itunes).

[ripadeedoodah]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

YES! Thanks to you, garym, and others that helped, I have FINALLY got rid of the "explicit" ratings! I just took a deep breath and deleted every damn thing and then used the "Add to library" feature to add the newly edited folder like you said and everything seems to be in place, sans the "explicit" tags.

Best Christmas present ever! (Well, a slight exaggeration, maybe, but still a big relief.)

My only question now is, how can I stop this happening again? Presumably I need to download a new version of dBpoweramp but is it only the beta version that will work without the "explicit" tags or can I go with the latest official release?

Many thanks again to all for your patience and especially garym.

[garym]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

As Balok points out, you may want to use the ID TAG UPDATE within dbpa to delete the tag CONTENT RATING. But install the 14.4 beta of dbpa first.

[Balok]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

I went back into Windows again and checked once more with MP3tag to see what it reported. Previously, when I extended the tags, there was a field between GENRE and LABEL named ITUNESADVISORY. All files ripped with dBpoweramp were marked with a 10, which presumably means "the dirtiest song ever recorded, do not listen under any circumstances." I replaced this with a 0 ("suitable for new-born babies"). On checking the tags again with MP3tag, I now find that the ITUNESADVISORY field has completely disappeared. I don't know if this is relevant.

I have never used MP3Tag. Years ago, possibly before MP3Tag existed, I bought a tool called Tag&Rename for this purpose. It does not allow you to edit metadata it does not understand. There are two basic design choices: provide a means to edit tags a tool does not understand, or ignore such tags. There are valid arguments for either choice; Tag&Rename chose to ignore these tags. So there was no way to use it to get rid of the ratings. But ID Tag Update does allow you to make such edits.

I used ID Tag Update as described above, to delete the tag named 'Content Rating'. I have not used this codec except to delete this specific tag, so I don't know how its modify and add features work. I got the name of that tag from Spoon's earlier post. I did not do anything with a tag named ITUNESADVISORY.

Inside iTunes I deleted the songs. Because iTunes does not manage my folders (I found the design choices its developers made irritating), deleting the tracks has no effect on the underlying files. Then I dragged the folder containing them back into iTunes, which as you may know causes iTunes to scan the folder and add any compatible tracks to its library. If iTunes is managing the media folders then it will likely ask if you want to delete the associated files. I did not have to delete any part of the iTunes library, so I can't offer you good advice on how to do that successfully.

I am a little puzzled as to why dbPoweramp would even create any sort of content rating. First off, where would it get the correct values? Second, I'll handle the censorship, thanks! Maybe that's the bug that's why Spoon says you need 14.4Beta?

[garym]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

I don't think you should have to delete any folders in itunes. But you may have to remove the songs from your itunes library (then add them back). The way I do this is select all files (so all are showing in the active itunes window), select all, then right click and select delete. It will ask if you want to remove from library or really delete (forget, maybe it says send to recycle or something). But you just want to remove from library. Then when done, in itunes select FILE > ADD FOLDER tO LIBRARY, then navigate to the upper level directory containing all your music files. Then hit OK. this should then add all these files back to your itunes library. And without the itunesadvisory, they shouldn't show explicit.

you can try to just remove a couple that show as explicit and then add back only those files (FILE > ADD FILES) just as a test to see if this is working.

[ripadeedoodah]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

OK, Balok and garym, thank you very much for that and I understand what you're saying.

After spending another couple of hours on this today I think I may actually have made some progress.

In Windows, I had previously tried to unmark the read-only mark on the music library folder without success. But the clue was in one of the links you posted, garym - I went back to OSX and found the music library was marked read-only there (except for me, the administrator) so I changed that to read-and-write for all. Then I moved the library folder over to OSX again and used MP3tag and this time, for the first time, it reported having successfully re-tagged all the files. I then moved the library back to OSX again and deleted the old music library folder and used "add library" to add the new, edited, library. I then played a couple of tracks - but no dice, they are all still labelled "explicit" so I could use a little more help.

I went back into Windows again and checked once more with MP3tag to see what it reported. Previously, when I extended the tags, there was a field between GENRE and LABEL named ITUNESADVISORY. All files ripped with dBpoweramp were marked with a 10, which presumably means "the dirtiest song ever recorded, do not listen under any circumstances." I replaced this with a 0 ("suitable for new-born babies"). On checking the tags again with MP3tag, I now find that the ITUNESADVISORY field has completely disappeared. I don't know if this is relevant.

I think the solution lies in deleting the iTunes info folder or something like that but I'm a bit wary of deleting these folders without knowing what I"m doing. If you think I should delete another folder, please could you be clear about which one so I don't make any stupid mistakes?

[Balok]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

p.s. Balok is not saying there will not be success, he is saying that removing then readding the files to your itunes will cause you to lose database things like playcounts, ratings, etc. But you may not use that data anyhow and your files themselves and their tags can easily be fixed (maybe not by you it seems, but again this is not a high tech problem....you just need to copy some files, open them, make a few mouse clicks, and move on). But again, I think you may need to seek some hands on help at this point. Good luck.

This is correct. I added that sentence as a warning to people who don't know that iTunes stores certain things in its database, not in the metadata of the file. It isn't the design choice I would have made, but it is the design choice they made (I prefer self-describing data files whenever possible).

Those attributes didn't matter to me because I'd just ripped the disc in question and added it to iTunes. Most of them accrue over usage; you won't generally lose much data if you're talking about files recently ripped. The first time I saw the 'Explicit' tags was after recently upgrading to 14.3. I don't know how long dbpa has been creating them incorrectly. But if this is a recent bug, only recently ripped files should be affected, and you won't lose much historical data. The 'options' I'm talking about are the properties controlled from the 'Options' tab of the property sheet/book that appears when you select Get Info from a song's context menu.

[garym]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

have you googled a bit on how to change files on your Mac so that they are not read only. Stuff like this:

http://www.ehmac.ca/mac-iphone-ipad-ipod-help-troubleshooting/25781-changing-read-only-permisions-whole-folder.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2314896_fix-permissions-mac-os-x.html

Basically, just google "change read only files in Mac"

[garym]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

but I think it might be easier just to rip my entire library all over again, maybe using a Mac-friendly ripper next time.

This would be like rebuilding your house because you can't figure out how to open a stuck window! ;-)

[garym]

Re: All converted files in my iTunes library have been labelled "Explicit" by iTunes

In windows I can simply select all my files and remove the "read only" property. Can't you do this in your bootcamp windows partition? This does seem to be excessive struggling for a fairly trivial task. I don't know how much your time is worth versus willingness to spend money, but at some point you might simply want to seek out a computer savvy person that can be paid to assist. An IT person from your work, geek squad from best buy, etc.

p.s. Balok is not saying there will not be success, he is saying that removing then readding the files to your itunes will cause you to lose database things like playcounts, ratings, etc. But you may not use that data anyhow and your files themselves and their tags can easily be fixed (maybe not by you it seems, but again this is not a high tech problem....you just need to copy some files, open them, make a few mouse clicks, and move on). But again, I think you may need to seek some hands on help at this point. Good luck.