match second cd data to another

[seneca]

I loaded the first cd of a 2 disk set and the first cd got pretty much all the data correct and I liked the layout. I loaded the second cd of the set and all the data was different and different artwork was added. What is the best method to match the format as the first (obviously tracks are differently named by artist, album etc are different.)

Also, what is the correct method for ripping a 2, or more cd set? Should each cd be 1/1, 2/2 or should I change the details the database found to 1/2 and 2/2. I'm moving from Apple Music and there it would naturally group the cd set under one work and put all the cds into it. I'm ripping in ALAC, as I want to play everything from my iPhone in Apple Music and would like a 3cd set to come in one folder with all 3 cds in it and be played in one continuous flow.

[Dat Ei]

To be true - there is no correct method - it's up to your liking, how you want to organize your music files. But there are several best practises and suggestions, which are not unambiguous always. I prefer to tag my multi disc sets that way, that each disc has its unique disc number followed by the total count of discs (i.e. 1/3, 2/3 and 3/3). I store all files of one album in one directory. If it is a multi disc set I use the actual disc number as a prefix for the filename, which contains the track number too (i.e. 1-1 firstsongonfirstdisc, 1-2 secondsongonfirstdisc, ... 3-10 tenthsong ond thirddisc).


Dat Ei

[garym]

This is my naming string to do what you want in terms of naming and folders/subfolders. If using a Mac, you may need to change the backslashes to forward slashes. This assumes that one has given a multidisc album the exact same album name and included disc number tag field (1/2, 2/2, etc.)

[MAXLENGTH]240,[IFCOMP]Compilations\[album]\[IFMULTI]\[disc].[][track] - [title] - [artist][][IF!COMP][IFVALUE]album artist,[album artist],[artist][]\[album]\[IFMULTI]\[disc].[][track] - [title][][]

[seneca]

Ok, that's helpful, but I'm technically illiterate and new to computers in general, so need it explaining in simpler terms (Groucho's one about "simple enough for a 3 year old kid, now go out and find me one as I can't make sense of it!) Here's what I'm stuck on, it's my test case:
I want to put all my opera boxes onto my external drive. I have set up the folder (Opera) and then composer (Wagner) then title (Parsifal) and then which version it is, as I have several from different conductors and eras (Kubelik: Bavarian Radio Orchestra 1980)
It comes on 4 cds and each one I put in comes up with almost the correct track names to an extent, but different names in all the album, artist and title fields (some have dates, some are back to front - all correct but different. Some use different artwork.) I want to standardise all the fields for the one Opera, but just have the tracks named as they come up. Also, I would like the same artwork. Then if possible, they all get recognised as one opera and all under one folder. I understand I'll have to tell it what's what, but some of the way's the tags and fields are represented confuse me. If someone could pick an example and use the names of an artist, title, album etc I'd find it easier to understand. Is there a webpage that simply explains what all the fields and tags are? I only have sets by single artists and not compilations. Thanks

[simbun]

I loaded the first cd of a 2 disk set and the first cd got pretty much all the data correct and I liked the layout. I loaded the second cd of the set and all the data was different and different artwork was added. What is the best method to match the format as the first (obviously tracks are differently named by artist, album etc are different.)

It sounds like the table of contents (disc layout) of the second disc matched with another release. If you open the 'Menu > Manual Metadata Search' window it'll show you all available matches, and allow you to paste MusicBrainz/Discogs URL's directly.

I know nothing about ALAC or Apple Music so can't help on that front, but generally it's good practise to store both discnumber and totaldiscs.

[garym]

You can make the tag fields anything you want by manually entering the information you want to use in the tag fields before you rip . This is often required for classical music, as the online databases are typically terrible with classical/opera.

[simbun]

Is there a webpage that simply explains what all the fields and tags are? I only have sets by single artists and not compilations. Thanks

It's not specific to dBpoweramp or classical, but a good tagging guide is available on the Navidrome site (Google Navidrome tagging guidelines).

For classical tagging you might want to take a look at SongKong.