Many people re-rip lo-quality versions of albums to higher quality versions. It is possible to completely copy the tagging information from the lo-quality versions to the hi-quality versions so that you do not have to re-tag your music.
In order to use the Action>Copy Metadata function to facilitate this, you must open both copies of the albums. Typically the Open Mode would be Album, Add. Album mode because the default album sort is more than likely what you want. Add mode because it makes it easier to successively open two albums. It is advisable to display the Path column so that you can see which files are in which folder.
Note that with the exception of a one to many copy function, all copy functions work on all displayed files. ie. which files are selected is ignored. A one to many copy function works on selected files. The Copy Metadata menu has the following items:
- Copy All Metadata>Top to Bottom
Copy all metadata in files at the top of the list of loaded files to files at the bottom of the list. While it may seem obvious, in order for this function to work, both copies of the albums must contain exactly the same number of tracks. Remember that you can drag and drop files in the main window if you want to change the order. There is a canned sort called Sort by Path Extension available on the main window's table's column header context menu. This sort will assist you if the files already have the same Album metadata. The Standard Sort sorts by Album, Disc Number, Track Number and File Path. Sort by Path Extension sorts by the path extension followed by the standard sort.
- Copy All Metadata>Bottom to Top
Copy all metadata in files at the bottom of the list of loaded files to files at the top of the list. The Copy Top to Bottom description applies to this function as well.
- Configure Copy Metadata...
This item displays a panel allowing you to configure which metadata gets copied. The Copy Metadata Configuration Panel topic provides information on the panel.
- Copy Configured Metadata Top to Bottom
- A menu will be displayed allowing you to specify which configuration set (or default) should be used when copying top to bottom.
- Copy Configured Metadata Bottom to Top
- A menu will be displayed allowing you to specify which configuration set (or default) should be used when copying bottom to top.
- Copy Configured Metadata One to Many
- This function copies metadata from the first (topmost) item in the list of selected files to all other selected files. A menu will be displayed allowing you to specify which configuration set (or default) should be used. Unlike the above two functions which work on loaded files, this function works on selected files.
example: Copy All Metadata>Top to Bottom and the following list of files:
- file1.mp3
- file2.mp3
- file3.mp3
- file1.flac
- file2.flac
- file3.flac
- metadata will be copied as follows:
- file1.mp3 -> file1.flac
- file2.mp3 -> file2.flac
- file3.mp3 -> file3.flac
example: For the same list of files and Copy All Metadata>Bottom to Top:
- file1.flac -> file1.mp3
- file2.flac -> file2.mp3
- file3.flac -> file3.mp3
Note that the copy operation never copies Unhandled metadata or track variables.
Note also that when copying a metadata field which supports multiple items, all items will be copied. When copying Comments, User Defined Text Info and User Defined URLs item, exclusion/inclusions can be specified , limiting what gets copied.
