Cd Databases

[robviti]

Hey folks. I'm ready to catalog my cd collection, and I'm wondering what software program you prefer. I've read good reviews about Catraxx, but I'd like to hear from someone like me: a jazz fan that owns quite a few rare and out of print titles. Thanks in advance.

[street singer]

I have been using, for the past few months, a program called MusicCollector with much success. I'm very happy with it. Ofcourse, I have no prior experience w/ a music database such as this, so I have nothing to compare it to.

What features are important to you?

Here's a link to the MusicCollector site:

Music Collector

You can download a trial version and try it out for yourself!

Edited November 19, 2003 by street singer

[couw]

I have my own trusty design and simply type the stuff up in MSExcell. One file holds simple listings of disks and another one (linked through a common number to the first file) lists recording date, personnel, and whatnot.

Sometimes I download song listings from AMG (good with large boxed sets). Otherwise it gives me something to do on long winter nights.

[Brad]

It's a pain but I just type it up in Word. I had a program and didn't like it. I started doing this a long time ago and just update it every few weeks. Plus, I back it up. If I lost it, I'd been in deep trouble.

[Jim Alfredson]

I used Catraxx. It's very customizable so that's nice. I say "used" because I had all my vinyl in it and almost all my CDs when my computer suddenly crashed and I lost it all (this was about 3 years ago).

After that I just couldn't make myself do all the work again.

[rockefeller center]

Otherwise it gives me something to do on long winter nights.

Please concentrate on animated album covers, thank you.

[robviti]

One feature I'm looking for is the ability to pop a cd in my computer and have its data automatically downloaded from the internet via an existing database like CDDB. With approximately 2,000 cds in my collection, the idea of entering each title by hand is inconceivable to me. If I understand the Music Collector webpage correctly, you can download data from three databases (CDDB, Amazon and AMG) by either scanning the cd in your computer or entering the barcode number. That sounds mighty convenient to me. Anyone else use Music Collector?

[Jim Alfredson]

You can do that in Catraxx. The problem is CDDB. You don't know who entered the information about the disc into the database in the first place. And chances are they didn't do a good job with it.

Before my computer crashed I had my entire collection of over 1500 CD titles in there. I would say CDDB had about 75% of them. Of those, 90% had either wrong data, misspelled data, or lazy data (ie, not using capitol letters or correct punctuation) that I had to go back and manually change.

Not very time saving.

[street singer]

One feature I'm looking for is the ability to pop a cd in my computer and have its data automatically downloaded from the internet via an existing database like CDDB. With approximately 2,000 cds in my collection, the idea of entering each title by hand is inconceivable to me. If I understand the Music Collector webpage correctly, you can download data from three databases (CDDB, Amazon and AMG) by either scanning the cd in your computer or entering the barcode number.

That is correct. MusicCollector allows you to search those three databases along w/ a few others which I don't use. As was stated in the previous email, a lot of the info you get from CDDB is either incorrect or sloppy. However, you can set the MusicCollector software up to dowload information for numerous CDs at once and then automatically go into "edit" mode (to fine tune the information to your liking) before adding them to your database. Very convenient.

I would highly suggest downloading the trial version of MusicCollector from their website. It's fully-functional and will allow you a maximum of 100 CDs. If you decide you like it, you can buy it and spend weeks and weeks...probably months... entering the rest of your CDs. It can become a near obsession if not kept in check!

[JohnS]

I keep basic information on MSExcel, artist, title, label, notes + comments. I don't believe I could find the time or the energy to get into more detail like couw. Might be fun to try a favourite artist though.

[street singer]

Hey Jazzshrink,

Did you ever download that trial version of MusicCollector? Just curious about what you thought of it...

[jacknife]

I have been using music collector for about a year now, I love it The feature I use most is the search. It's real handy to be able to type in a name and see every album that I have that that person appears on.

[Jazzmoose]

While I've sneered at this previously, I have to admit that my CD shelves are getting to the point that this sounds like a good idea. Or maybe I'm just getting more anal...

I'll have to check out MusicCollector.

[Chuck Nessa]

Also check out CDTrustee. I'm too lazy to find a link but use it. Might be something better but since I received it as a christmas gift two years ago, I use it and like it.

[Leeway]

I have been using, for the past few months, a program called MusicCollector with much success. I'm very happy with it. Ofcourse, I have no prior experience w/ a music database such as this, so I have nothing to compare it to.

What features are important to you?

Here's a link to the MusicCollector site:

Music Collector

You can download a trial version and try it out for yourself!

Two features that would be really important to me are:

1) keeping track of vinyl LPs, as well as CDs;

2) portability; that is, being able to download the data into a PDA and take it with me when I go to a record show, CD store, etc.

Which program can do this? It's time for me to get better organized

[Jazzmoose]

Here's what I found, Chuck...

CDTrustee link

Same one?

[robviti]

I've been pretty busy the past few days, so I haven't had a chance to try out the different demos I downloaded. I've narrowed my search to five programs. Here they are, with the appropriate links in case anyone else is interested:

Cattrax

Cd Trustee

Music Collector

Music Label

Music Library

My plan is to scan the same 10-15 titles into each one, play around with them, and then decide which one is right for me. That might seem like a lot of work to some folks, but I want to do this only once. And with 2,000 or so titles...well, you know. I appreciate everyone who's shared their opinions so far, and I look forward to hearing from more of you. Feel free to email me if you like.

Edited November 24, 2003 by jazzshrink

[Chuck Nessa]

Here's what I found, Chuck...

CDTrustee link

Same one?

Here's the correct link: http://www.base40.com/

[Alec]

Have you looked at readerware? Readerware with the ability to use a cuecat barcode reader as well as drag-and-drop entry I have found it to be great to catalog my collection (2,500+) It is portable and relatively easy. You can also download it and try it out if you want. The CueCat reader is readly avail on ebay, and readerware sells it as a bundle with the program. Check it out. I have been very happy with it.

Note: I have no connection with the company or anyone who works for Readerware.

Claypone

[street singer]

Two features that would be really important to me are:

1)  keeping track of vinyl LPs, as well as CDs;

2)  portability; that is, being able to download the data into a PDA and take it with me when I go to a record show, CD store, etc. 

Which program can do this?  It's time for me to get better organized 

Hello Leeway,

Yes, MusicCollector does offer both of the features you asked about.

1) You can add any type of format, be it CD, LP, MiniDisc, SACD, etc, etc. CDs, ofcourse, are the easiest to add. You simply put the disc in the drive and, if you're connected to the Internet, the program automatically searches for information. The other formats can be searched for by barcode or by Artist/Title. They can also be added manually, if you so choose.

2) Your database can be downloaded to a PDA - however, I am not familiar with the process involved. It does require integration with another application (ListPro). Here is the information from the MusicCollector manual regarding this:

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"This feature lets you export album lists in a format directly compatible with the Music Collector template for ListPro. ListPro is a list manager for use on your Palm or Pocket PC device. You can use the Music Collector template for ListPro to view your Music Collector data on your mobile device. More info about this, including a discount for buying ListPro, can be found here: http://www.collectorz.com/music/listpro.php"

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Hope this info is helpful!

[Shawn]

I've been using CaTraxx for about 2 years now with no complaints, plus I just bought the upgrade which now makes it even more compatible with Windows XP and it's easier to use than before. The program is very powerful with lots of settings you can change (custom fields, etc) if you're into that sort of thing..or you can just use it as is. A great bargain for the price I think.

[kh1958]

What do the Mac users use? The only one of these that seems to have a Mac version is Readerware.

[J.A.W.]

Up.

[Quincy]

What do the Mac users use? The only one of these that seems to have a Mac version is Readerware. 

I quickly checked at an OSX apps site and found 4. There are probably more out there.

I just downloaded the Cocoa freeware Shiidiideetabeesu 1.0. It seems to cover the basics OK. I'm sticking with my Appleworks database as I've already invested some time with it, but if I was just starting out and didn't have any database experience (or a lot of extra time) I might consider it. Not bad for free software.

[chris]

I've been using Music Collector for quite a while now. I recommend it... but I was curious if there was something that catered more to the needs of a jazz collector, who is often interested in the kinds of details that many pop/rock/mainstream collectors are not...

I have heard a lot about the Beyond Category software from a few erudite jazzfans-- does it offer some particularly compelling features?

What do Classical collectors tend to use? Seems like they are often as obsessive as we are