Library structure confusion

[TheLastMan]

Just acquired your software having previously used SpinItAgain and having some difficulty getting my head round where all the data is stored and want to clarify how the "library" system works. Apologies in advance if I fail to explain things properly, I am writing this on another computer so cannot check all the dialog boxes.

A second apology for what is going to be a long post!

Is the following right?

When I make a recording a single WAV (or other format at the user's option) file is created of an LP in a "Recordings" folder which by default is under My Documents \ Recordings (or similar).

When tag data is entered and track breaks defined a data file is saved holding this.

Is there a separate data file for each LP, or just one for all LPs?

The main way I listen to my music is via two Logitech SqueezeBox Duet "Receivers" and a Squeezebox "Radio".  I use Squeezebox Server software which catalogues my music for this purpose.

This music is all in FLAC format and held in a file structure: C:\music\genre\artist\album
Each music file is named "tracknumber - trackname" For instance:
C:\music\pop\The Beatles\Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band\04 - Getting Better.flac

I note that there is a separate file location in your software where I can define the file location using the tag data in your data file to create this file structure automatically.

Are the FLAC files that go into this folder structure created automatically in some way, or do I have to use the "Save Tracks" function to do this?

Is it possible to delete individual albums from the "library" after I have done the conversion to separate FLAC tracks in my Squeezebox music folder?

I also convert my FLAC files to MP3 separately for use in iTunes for my iPod.  This has a mirrored file structure but on a different drive, so I want to avoid keeping three copies of each album, one in your library, one in the FLAc folders and one in the MP3 folders.

As far as I am concerned, once the separate FLAC and MP3 files are created the original recording is disposable.  I might keep it for a week or two while I check that all is well with the saved files, but WAV or losslessly compressed files are pretty huge.

With SpinItAgain I can only save the tracks as WAV and it does not save track break or tag information so my workflow is tortuous as it means saving as WAV files - convert to FLAC format - add tags manually (albeit some are convertable from the file name) - convert to MP3.  If I foul up with the track breaks I have to repeat the whole process again.

If I can get your software to work it will save me a ton of time and effort!

[Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft)]

Just acquired your software having previously used SpinItAgain and having some difficulty getting my head round where all the data is stored and want to clarify how the "library" system works. Apologies in advance if I fail to explain things properly, I am writing this on another computer so cannot check all the dialog boxes.

A second apology for what is going to be a long post!

Is the following right?

When I make a recording a single WAV (or other format at the user's option) file is created of an LP in a "Recordings" folder which by default is under My Documents \ Recordings (or similar).

Correct

When tag data is entered and track breaks defined a data file is saved holding this.

Is there a separate data file for each LP, or just one for all LPs?

One for all LP's - or, to be more accurate, one for each 'collection' you create.  This is the famous MCF file.

The main way I listen to my music is via two Logitech SqueezeBox Duet "Receivers" and a Squeezebox "Radio".  I use Squeezebox Server software which catalogues my music for this purpose.

This music is all in FLAC format and held in a file structure: C:\music\genre\artist\album
Each music file is named "tracknumber - trackname" For instance:
C:\music\pop\The Beatles\Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band\04 - Getting Better.flac

I note that there is a separate file location in your software where I can define the file location using the tag data in your data file to create this file structure automatically.

Are the FLAC files that go into this folder structure created automatically in some way, or do I have to use the "Save Tracks" function to do this?

You have to initiate the operation via the Save Tracks tab.  After that, it is automatic.

Is it possible to delete individual albums from the "library" after I have done the conversion to separate FLAC tracks in my Squeezebox music folder?

Yes.

I also convert my FLAC files to MP3 separately for use in iTunes for my iPod.  This has a mirrored file structure but on a different drive, so I want to avoid keeping three copies of each album, one in your library, one in the FLAc folders and one in the MP3 folders.

As far as I am concerned, once the separate FLAC and MP3 files are created the original recording is disposable.  I might keep it for a week or two while I check that all is well with the saved files, but WAV or losslessly compressed files are pretty huge.

With SpinItAgain I can only save the tracks as WAV and it does not save track break or tag information so my workflow is tortuous as it means saving as WAV files - convert to FLAC format - add tags manually (albeit some are convertable from the file name) - convert to MP3.  If I foul up with the track breaks I have to repeat the whole process again.

If I can get your software to work it will save me a ton of time and effort!

I'm sure you can make it work.  The only hassle will be that you have to change the drive letter tracks are saved to between saving as FLAC and saving as MP3.  You can delete an album at any time without affecting the saved tracks.

[TheLastMan]

Thanks for the quick response. It looks like it will work just how I hoped it would!
Can't wait to try it out properly now  

You got a good write up on the Squeezebox forums
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=87289

A couple of extra customers on the back of it - including me 

[Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft)]

Yes, I saw that.  It was kind of Rick to do that.