robviti Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
street singer Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
couw Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockefeller center Posted November 19, 2003 Report Share Posted November 19, 2003 Otherwise it gives me something to do on long winter nights. Please concentrate on animated album covers, thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robviti Posted November 20, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
street singer Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted November 20, 2003 Report Share Posted November 20, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
street singer Posted November 23, 2003 Report Share Posted November 23, 2003 Hey Jazzshrink, Did you ever download that trial version of MusicCollector? Just curious about what you thought of it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacknife Posted November 23, 2003 Report Share Posted November 23, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeway Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 Here's what I found, Chuck... CDTrustee link Same one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robviti Posted November 24, 2003 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 (edited) 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted November 24, 2003 Report Share Posted November 24, 2003 Here's what I found, Chuck... CDTrustee link Same one? Here's the correct link: http://www.base40.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec Posted November 25, 2003 Report Share Posted November 25, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
street singer Posted November 25, 2003 Report Share Posted November 25, 2003 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: ----------------------------------------------------------------- "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" ------------------------------------------------------------------ Hope this info is helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted November 26, 2003 Report Share Posted November 26, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kh1958 Posted November 26, 2003 Report Share Posted November 26, 2003 What do the Mac users use? The only one of these that seems to have a Mac version is Readerware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.W. Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quincy Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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