HRockefeller

Thanks for the info guys. What I'm hearing is that basically, don't worry too much about specific file naming, and let iTunes do the music organization based on the metadata tag. That makes sense. The fact is we're quite limited with space in what to name the folder and the actual file, so just do your best with that. However, with the capabilities of modern metadata file tags, given that iTunes will read those, just let that info guide how the files are organized. My concern was how to name files in a robust way in case I ever stopped using iTunes. However that seems unlikely to happen given its popularity, and my recent discovery that network music players can in fact read a NAS-located iTunes library which is great. Also, I think I was overlooking the importance of the info contained in the metadata tag not listed in the file name. These pieces important to include could include: Composer, orchestra, soloist, etc. I will probably stick with relatively the same method as I have been using, except change [artist] to [album artist] which might be "various artists." I may also stop ripping also in FLAC, as I don't forsee ever using that considering I can covert from ALAC. Thanks again! Any further tips, please post! Philip

Hey Guys, I have been a longtime reader of Computer Audiophile before joining and starting to post. My equipment list should be listed here somewhere, and I have already ripped several hundred discs using the suggested ripping strategy to both ALAC and FLAC with good results. I use DBPoweramp on my iMac running in Bootcamp in Windows 7. After ripping by DBPoweramp, I return to Mac and import my ALAC files into iTunes, which then sorts them according to its own library. I am waiting for DBPoweramp, or another program of its metadata abilities to be released for Mac, but that's another story altogether. I have done searches through CA pages and on the forum for how to name files and place them into folders, but cannot find a good answer. I am hesitant to rip even more discs if I don't have this sorted. Please direct me if there is a thread which covers this. My question is, what is the recommended nomenclature / storage strategy for output files when ripping with DBPoweramp or another program? What I have used so far is: [artist] : [album] : Artist - Song *Where [ ] is a folder and : represents entering a subfolder My concern is that the above practice, which on the surface is simple, can propose difficulty when it comes to a) classical artists performing works by composers, as well as b) albums with multiple artists e.g. starbucks compilations. How do people address these issues? In general, my philosophy is to view music in terms of an album, as if I was looking at an LP, and so to sort by LPs, and have for instance music from one Frank Sinatra be placed in the folder of the particular album from whence it came, rather than simply being listed as a particular song even if the same song is found on multiple albums. What do people recommend? Is there one particular nomenclature that is recommended? Thanks, any direction is much appreciated HRockefeller