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In the Forum: Musical Discussions
In the Thread: Software for collection classification
Post Subject: Software for collection classificationPosted by Antonio J. on: 5/13/2007
I've been searching the net looking for some music cataloguing software that allows as much as possible of the following features:

- It can look for CD data online avoiding extensive typing of information. I know, there's no such thing for LPs but in a growing CD collection it's interesting. If it can handle DVD performances and our own radio broadcasts, even better.

- Includes some transfer utility to export the database to a Palm or Pocket PC device in order to know what you already have when shopping out there or travelling.

- Can manage extensive information for conductors, soloists, recording venues, dates, engineers...

- Can handle advanced search features, so you can easily find out which pieces were sung by a determined contralto, on which recordings plays Art Blakey, or what recordings were live taped between 1950 and 1960.

- Allows to introduce your own filing system, so you can find a CD or LP easily in the growing number of shelves. Sometimes, specially for recitals, you have a tough time to decide if you file it for the soloist, the conductor, the orchestra or the main composer of the pieces played, then you go to "Beethoven" looking for that nice Michelangeli concert, and after twenty minutes you remember that you filed it for Celibidache.

- Allows several entries for the very same album and admits comments about the pressing quality or any useful info that reminds you about what copy is the one you want to play.

- Has some graphics tool to include a cover scan or get it through internet.

I've spoted several programs like CATraxx, Orange CD, Music Collector (plus List Pro allows to transfer data into a pocket PC), CD Trustee, Music Catalogue Master, ClassiCat, and many others that seem less powerful. None is completely freeware, so you have a trial term or some limited features that won't let you know their full potential.

I'd be very thankful if you could comment about those programs or add some other interesting ones to the list. I'd like to avoid the hassle of downloading them all and trying for myself which is "the one".

Thanks and regards,

Antonio

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