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[RonB]

I'd like to treat multi-disk releases as a single album. Does using the same album-name tag and filling in the disk number when you rip do that?

In my first try on a two-disk set, I ripped both, tagged as Disk 1 and 2. The automatic tagging generated different album names indicating separate disks. I didn't notice until after I'd ripped, so the disks appear as separate in an albums display. I re-tagged to make the two names identical. The disks still appear as separate albums. I'm sure there's an easy way to change that without re-ripping (I'd also like to understand that way).

FWIW, and I hope this is taken constructively. The response on this forum has been superb--but.

I've spent over a half hour googling and wikiing to research multi-disk without finding a clear, much less simple answer. I've had similar experiences researching other questions. MC is infinitely superior to iTunes (which I literally hate), but it will never take a significant piece of Apple's pie as long as documentation is in its current state.

There is already enough capability to make MC the best package for managing digital media. If J River wants to broaden its market beyond techies and audio specialists (maybe it doesn't?), as a former software developer, I think it's time to hire a tech writer.   

[Matt]

I'd like to treat multi-disk releases as a single album. Does using the same album-name tag and filling in the disk number when you rip do that?

Yes.  That's exactly the recipe.

[adamt]

Make sure when you're re-tagging that each track has the exact same value for Album and Album Artist.  Sometimes half of my album doesn't have Album Artist filled in, so it shows up as two albums. 

[RonB]

Thanks for both replies. If I've already ripped, is entering identical album names and album artist's names sufficient to merge two into one? Also, when ripping a disk set, should I rip one and tag or rip both and tag, or doesn't it matter. Seems like it shouldn't matter if matching album and album artist is sufficient.

[MrC]

Before you rip, set the Album name to the same value that you'll use across the discs.  Also, set the Disc # in the Tag Action Window.

You can do likewise after the fact, but do so on the ripped tracks, and not just the CD entry itself.

Setting the values before you rip allows both the physical CD entry (in the normally hidden CD database) to have the same values as the ripped tracks. It also allows submitting corrections back to YADB.

Setting the tags on the ripped tracks only affects the ripped tracks - the CD entry would not have the same values, but that won't matter unless you specifically care to manage the hidden CD database (and there is likely little reason for you to do this).

[RonB]

Thanks MrC. If I have it right based on all previous posts, the least effort for tag entry, and the least error prone would be: 1. Rip all disks. 2. Select all tracks from the set as shown in Recently Ripped. 3. Right click and select Tag. 4. Tag Album Name, Album Artist--the keys to creating a single album entry. 5. Make entries as desired for other tags that may be common to all disks such as Genre, Orchestra, Instrument, etc. 5. Select tracks for disk 1. 6. Assign Disk Number 1, and other tags common to that disk only. 7. Select tracks within the disk, if desired, to tag soloist, date, etc. 8. Repeat 2-8 for each remaining disk, being sure to tag appropriate Disk Number.

If I understand correctly, this method would have the disadvantages of not synching with the hidden data base, and not allowing registering corrections with YADB.

[MrC]

I won't comment on which method is optimal or the least error prone - that's probably best left for each user to discover and determine what works best for them.  I tend to make sure the info is correct prior to ripping, but you can do it afterwards.

You don't need to tag Album Artist unless Artist tracks vary and you want a single name to be used for the album; otherwise, leave it empty and tag Artist instead.  See Album Artist and Album Artist (auto).

These are the things that make an album "complete":

    http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Multiple_Artist_Albums#Complete_Albums

and they are also the key fields or rules that are used to determine what constitutes an "album".

If you are interested in getting additional metadata, you might be interested in my amg or discogs scripts:

   amg.pl
   discogs.pl

You might find working in small batches best, since you'll discover new ways to work in MC.  There are plenty of shortcuts and tricks to facilitate tagging.