I display my music within all playlists by grouping by %album%
I would like to display/croup by "album" and "year" problem is with albums that have more than one year in the tags, like various albums, these then displayed fractured, i.e. by tracks with the same album name. very untidy and annoying.
Can someone help me with the syntax to create a way of displaying/grouping by "albums" with the "year" and to ignore the year if there are multiple years in the tags ?.
Thank you.
I'd use an additional tag RELEASE DATE, which should the same across all tracks of a VA album, and then group by $if3(%RELEASE DATE%,%YEAR%,%DATE%) or similar.
I'd use an additional tag RELEASE DATE, which should the same across all tracks of a VA album, and then group by $if3(%RELEASE DATE%,%YEAR%,%DATE%) or similar.
Thanks for your reply.
I really don't want to create another field in my big collection.
Besides the various albums which I have compiled I have also compiled my best of for a single artist, So I'd really prefer the group scheme to ignore the "year" if there's more than one year within a album.
to display for intact album;
-----------"Lou Reed Did LSD" (1969)-------------------------------------------
and for various or best of;
-----------"Various Album or Best Of Shyte Artist" ()--------------------------
how would I do that ?.
thanks
that's not possible.
that's not possible.
ok, so there's no way of saying...
[If, Year is more than 1, display (), else, (xxxx)]
title formatting works on a per track basis so it would be possible to check if it has multiple values.
but you're wanting to look at the dates of all tracks within an album and that's the part that isn't possible.
title formatting works on a per track basis so it would be possible to check if it has multiple values.
aha, so it could be possible.
but you're wanting to look at the dates of all tracks within an album and that's the part that isn't possible.
but but, If it scans each track then it should be possible to manipulate the scanned data with the correct syntax,
and here I thought that anything was possible with 0's and 1's.
Thanks for all your input, I'm in denial about this.....
"Scotty there MUST be a way"
You can use a lot of things as a switch (marked with purple) to toggle the date display. This one checks whether ALBUM ARTIST is 'VA'.
$if($stricmp(%album artist%,VA),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
If you don't want to use that tag (although it would be really efficient) and you have all of your albums tagged as 'Best of ...', you can also validate that instead:
$if($stricmp($left(%album%,8),'Best of ',%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
You can use a lot of things as a switch (marked with purple) to toggle the date display. This one checks whether ALBUM ARTIST is 'VA'.
$if($stricmp(%album artist%,VA),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
If you don't want to use that tag (although it would be really efficient) and you have all of your albums tagged as 'Best of ...', you can also validate that instead:
$if($stricmp($left(%album%,8),'Best of ',%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
Thank you for the explanation and for giving me the correct syntax, I can now "see" how I can manipulate those two If clauses.
Ok, I finally plagiarized and hacked this;
$if($stricmp($directory(%path%),various),$directory(%path%,2) - $caps($directory(%path%)),$if(%album artist%,$if($stricmp(%album artist%,%artist%),$if2(%album%,$directory_path(%path%)),$if(%compilation%,%album% '[by]' %album artist%,%album artist%)),$if2(%album%,$directory(%path%))))
EDIT;
I simplified it to this;
$if($stricmp($directory(%path%),various),$directory(%path%,2) - $caps($directory(%path%)),$if(%album artist%,$if($stricmp(%album artist%,%artist%),$if2(%album%,$directory_path(%path%))))))
it groups my Various just fine with no year, but no year after intact albums either.
Can someone be so kind as to try and decipher why it doesn't display the year with my intact albums.
I'm really lost in this syntax...
I have no idea what that’s meant to be, but it’s no wonder it doesn’t show the year, because it doesn’t have %date% anywhere in it…
Did you actually try what Daeron suggested? Change “VA” there for whatever you actually use, e.g. ‘Various Artists’.
I have no idea what that’s meant to be,
a syntax illiterate has stumped the pros, nah....
but it’s no wonder it doesn’t show the year, because it doesn’t have %date% anywhere in it…
I'll randomly insert %date% until it works, (stopped trying that, madness is not my objective).
Did you actually try what Daeron suggested? Change “VA” there for whatever you actually use, e.g. ‘Various Artists’.
yes I did try what Daeron suggested but his syntax doesn't keep my Various albums grouped as one album irrespective of year, it groups identical years by track with album title, that's why I went "hunting" and found that syntax above.
Well at least it groups my various stuff correctly now, I'm grateful for that.
Thanks for all your assistance.
I have no idea what that’s meant to be,
a syntax illiterate has stumped the pros, nah....
Heh, thanks – it was just too early in the morning Nah, I don’t have very advanced knowledge of title-formatting. Chances are, members who do can help you out with something that both is simpler and actually works for you!
yes I did try what Daeron suggested but his syntax doesn't keep my Various albums grouped as one album irrespective of year, it groups identical years by track with album title
Hmm, I’m not sure why this is. It might help Daeron or someone else to figure this out if you specify which UI you’re using and where you’re entering the grouping string; mentioning things like that is usually a good idea.
and here I thought that anything was possible with 0's and 1's.
0s and 1s yes; foobar's query and grouping scheme, obviously not.
You can do anything with metal and wood; you can't do everything with a hammer.
yes I did try what Daeron suggested but his syntax doesn't keep my Various albums grouped as one album irrespective of year, it groups identical years by track with album title.
I highly doubt that, unless you messed up either the tags/syntax.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3164833/random/VA.png (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3164833/random/VA.png)
Also I highly recommend using the %album artist% (http://wiki.hydrogenaudio.org/index.php?title=Foobar2000:Title_Formatting_Reference#.25album_artist.25) tag instead of %path%, which is really clumsy. You don't even have to re-tag most of your files as if %album artist% is missing, it auto-completes with %artist% (check the wiki). After that you'll be able to use %track artist% as well, available if %album artist% differs from %artist%, which happens when you are dealing with VA albums (and does not require any additional tagging).
You can try other methods too, but really, there is a reason why these exist and that is efficiency.
You can do anything with metal and wood; you can't do everything with a hammer.
Err wrong.. Engineers maxim, "The Bigger The Problem The Bigger The Hammer"
You can try other methods too, but really, there is a reason why these exist and that is efficiency.
My music is immaculately tagged (ID3 v2.3 only), so I don't know why your syntax doesn't work, but I'll keep at it.
Thank you kindly for all your help.
You can use a lot of things as a switch (marked with purple) to toggle the date display. This one checks whether ALBUM ARTIST is 'VA'.
$if($stricmp(%album artist%,VA),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
yes, but it does not anything else
$stricmp(%album artist%,VA) may return
1 but it never returns
truetherefore you need something along $ifequal($stricmp(%album artist%,VA),1,something,something else)
Try providing further details then. For example a picture would be good about the current results (the VA album being shredded by dates), including the properties view like what I did on mine.
You basically need 3 things for this to work: the grouping pattern, the %album artist% field filled as 'VA' and the album names being the same. If these are correct, it should work regardless of anything else.
$stricmp(%album artist%,VA) may return 1 but it never returns true
1 equals true.
1 equals true.
well, my bad then
it apperantly does, the last time i tried however, i was under the impression 1 was just an integer, must have been a screw up on my part in the title fofmatting then
sorry for interupting...
You basically need 3 things for this to work: the grouping pattern, the %album artist% field filled as 'VA' and the album names being the same. If these are correct, it should work regardless of anything else.
I finally got your syntax to work partially.
Your syntax; $if($stricmp(%album artist%,Various),%album%,%album% '('%date%')') < unable to attain correct grouping >
My syntax; $if($stricmp(%album%,Various),%album%'('%date%')',%album% ) < correct grouping for all, but no date at all >
My Syntax; $if($stricmp(%album%,Various),%album%,%album%'('%date%')' ) < incorrect grouping, with date >
My syntax; $if($stricmp(%album%,Various),%album% ,%album% (%date%)) < correct grouping for all, no date >
Maybe I'm thinking wrong, but why would %album% be Various? Therefore $stricmp(%album%,Various) should always return 0.
My syntax; $if($stricmp(%album%,Various),%album% ,%album% (%date%)) < correct grouping for all, no date >
The reason this 'works' is that you have no '' markers around the () symbols in the red part, therefore that as a whole gets ignored altogether. Consequently, regardless of whether the first part equals true, you end up with the same grouping pattern. The whole syntax literally equals with just: %album%
I also wonder why do you check whether your albums' name equals with 'Various'? Are all of your various albums tagged that way? How do you distinguish between each compilation if they all have the same name? I still highly recommend you getting used to %album artist% tags, which makes a lot more sense. Check the example below.
%album artist% / (%date%) - %album% / %tracknumber%. %title% (%track artist%)
...
VA / (2011) Batman - Arkham City / 01. Mercenary (Panic! At The Disco)
VA / (2011) Batman - Arkham City / 02. Deranged (Coheed And Cambria)
VA / (2011) Batman - Arkham City / 03. Creature (The Duke Spirit)
VA / (2011) Batman - Arkham City / 04. Shadow On The Run (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club)
VA / (2011) Batman - Arkham City / 05. Afterdark (Blaqk Audio)
...
VA / (2006) FlatOut 2 / 01. Nowhere Ride (The Chelsea Smiles)
VA / (2006) FlatOut 2 / 02. Fall Victim (Alkaline Trio)
VA / (2006) FlatOut 2 / 03. Blood Brothers (Papa Roach)
VA / (2006) FlatOut 2 / 04. Road To Rouen (Supergrass)
VA / (2006) FlatOut 2 / 05. Mercy Me (Alkaline Trio)
...
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3164833/random/VA2.png
Nice and clean. If you tag your files this way and use that syntax which I gave you first, you should have zero problems.
I have read the OP's initial post a number of times and his problem does not define itself clearly to me;
For one of these album types, the Tags always define like this:
$directory_path(%path%) is constant (all the tracks live in the same parent folder)
$meta(album) is constant, and always contains the string "Various" .
$meta(date) is variable .
$meta(album artist) is ...I'm not sure !?
$meta(artist) is variable (obviously the track artist names will be different)
$meta(title) is variable (obviously the track title names will be different)
Is this the scope of things ...or is there something else ?
Is this a sorting problem, or is it a playlist viewer grouping display problem ?
So far I understood it like: he has one parent folder, a possible subfolder named 'Various' which may contains all the VA albums. Those also seem to have all tagged as %album% = 'Various' and have no %album artist% tags at all. Other tags change on per-track basis. It's a grouping problem. It would be possible to adjust the code to either check whether the subfolder is Various ($if($stricmp($directory(%path%,2),Various)) or whether the album is 'Various' ($if($stricmp(%album%,Various)), I just don't see the point since its clumsy. Using %album artist% would make much more sense.
This is a playlist grouping issue.
in the file tree I use view by folder, and my self compiled music is in folders as such in the file tree,
Various - Rock (Disc 1) < "album" metadata tag is "Rock (Disc 1)" > [year tag varies for each track]
Various - Rock (Disc 2)
Various - Rock (Disc 3)
Various - Rock (Disc 4)
Various - Reggae I < "album" metadata tag is "Reggae I" > [year tag varies for each track]
Various - Reggae II
Various - Reggae III
etc.....
I also have tons of intact albums in folders as such,
Billy Joel - Glass Houses < "album" metadata tag is "Glass Houses" > [year tag is date of release, so no problems here]
etc....
I want to group by "album" in the playlists as follows
Rock (Disc 1)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TR 1
TR 2
TR 3
TR 4
TR 5
TR 6
etc......
Rock (Disc 2)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TR 1
TR 2
TR 3
TR 4
TR 5
TR 6
etc......
Glass Houses (1991)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TR 1
TR 2
TR 3
TR 4
TR 5
TR 6
I hope that this helps explain what I'm trying to achieve.
Is there a definable structure to all of this or not ?
So far we have this:
For all these types of albums, the following conditions exist:
This expression always outputs YES:
$if($strstr($lower(%path%),'\various'),'YES','NO') $directory_path(%path%) is constant (all the tracks live in the same parent folder)
$meta(album) is constant, and always contains the string "Various" .
$meta(date) is variable .
$meta(album artist) is ...I'm not sure !?
$meta(artist) is variable (obviously the track artist names will be different)
$meta(title) is variable (obviously the track title names will be different)
Is there anything else to know?
Is it possible for the OP to define the problem again in a lucid way ?
What exactly needs to be done with all these facts ??
* EDIT * I wasn't aware of the previous post by ~tagtypedisplay while posting this.
The first line: "
This is a playlist grouping issue." means "
This is a Playlist View grouping display issue AND NOT a Playlist Sort issue" ..OK.
The second line: "
in the file tree I use view by folder, and my self compiled music is in folders as such in the file tree," means "
In Windows Explorer details view, for these types of albums, my filesystem is like this:" ..OK.
So what happens if you try using this:
$if($strstr($lower(%path%),'\various'),
$ifequal($len(%album%),0,'%album%',$if2($trim(%album%),'%album%')),
$ifequal($len(%album%),0,'%album%',$if2($trim(%album%),'%album%'))' '$ifequal($len(%date%),0,'(%date%)',$if2('('$trim(%date%)')','(%date%)'))
)
I assume the structure is then:
Library / Artist 1 / Album 1
Album 2
Album 3
...
Artist 2 / Album 1
Album 2
...
Various / Rock
Metal
Classical
...
Artist 3 / Album 1
Album 2
...
...
Therefore all various albums are located at a \Various\ subfolder which can be used as a switch:
$if($stricmp($directory(%path%,2),Various),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
(note: if you have deeper structure, you might want to play with the number, until $directory(%path%,X) equals 'Various')
If you'd fix your tags, you wouldn't have to organize your library manually by the way (as you could use a syntax to do), so I still don't see the point of using this. Also note that this only handles the grouping part, therefore if your sorting pattern is not properly configured, the various albums will be grouped together, but most likely be sorted by years first instead of tracknumbers.
So what happens if you try using this:$if($strstr($lower(%path%),'\various'),
$ifequal($len(%album%),0,'%album%',$if2($trim(%album%),'%album%')),
$ifequal($len(%album%),0,'%album%',$if2($trim(%album%),'%album%'))' '$ifequal($len(%date%),0,'(%date%)',$if2('('$trim(%date%)')','(%date%)'))
)
Nope, lists all the tracks sequentially without album titles separating the tracks.
"
Nope, lists all the tracks sequentially without album titles separating the tracks."
What exactly does that mean?
The tracks are grouping but the Grouping lines are blank, OR the tracks are just in a long flat list and the Grouping lines are not showing?
That is a VERY basic Grouping display scheme; there is no reason for it not to work.
I don't even know if you are using "Default UI" or "Columns UI".
Does the field you are pasting that code into accept multiple lines, or do all the lines need to be joined to one line ...like this:
$if($strstr($lower(%path%),'\various'),$ifequal($len(%album%),0,'%album%',$if2($trim(%album%),'%album%')),$ifequal($len(%album%),0,'%album%',$if2($trim(%album%),'%album%'))' '$ifequal($len(%date%),0,'(%date%)',$if2('('$trim(%date%)')','(%date%)')))
I assume the structure is then:
Library / Artist 1 / Album 1
Album 2
Album 3
...
Artist 2 / Album 1
Not at all
I only use folder view in file tree because my entire collection is in folders in "Artist - Album" format, my self compiled is in "Various - Album" format.
+Artist - Album < f2k click on the plus sign and the folder opens to display contents, e.g.
Aritst - Album
Tr1
Tr2
Tr3
etc
OR the tracks are just in a long flat list and the Grouping lines are not showing?
That one
playlist display
tr1
tr2
tr3
tr1 < no group by album title >
tr2
tr3
tr1< no group by album title >
tr2
tr3
I have literally no idea at this point about your folder structure, but guess I'll just go with derty2's method which should work regardless.
$if($strstr($lower(%path%),various),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
I assume the %date% and %album% field are filled properly, so I don't see the point of using the rest (the patterns if equals true/false).
What user interface is the OP using? All my experience is with "Columns UI".
Daeron, I think it is a wiser idea to also add the slash (in red): $if($strstr($lower(%path%),'\various'),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
Does the field you are pasting that code into accept multiple lines, or do all the lines need to be joined to one line ...like this:$if($strstr($lower(%path%),'\various'),$ifequal($len(%album%),0,'%album%',$if2($trim(%album%),'%album%')),$ifequal($len(%album%),0,'%album%',$if2($trim(%album%),'%album%'))'
One line field.
I pasted the one line version, it now groups by album and year, but a new group is started for every different year within the same album
I use Columns UI
I have literally no idea at this point about your folder structure, but guess I'll just go with derty2's method which should work regardless.
$if($strstr($lower(%path%),various),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
I assume the %date% and %album% field are filled properly, so I don't see the point of using the rest (the patterns if equals true/false).
That groups by album and year, but a new group is started for every different year within the same album
All my music is tagged with, artist, album, year
I think it is a wiser idea to also add the slash (in red): $if($strstr($lower(%path%),'\various'),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
Indeed it is, I forgot to put there.
@tagtypedisplay: I think a picture would be good from both of your library (in explorer) and the current state of the playlist.
What is your sort scheme for the Playlist Viewer (NG Playlist I presume) ?
For every column in: File->Preferences->Display->Columns UI->Playlist view->Columns->Column: Scripts (tab): Sort (tab)
Check "Use custom sort script"
and add this as first (and only) operator: %path_sort%
see what happens (refresh your Playlist Viewer by clicking on a column header).
then maybe you can try this group of operators: %path_sort% %album%
I think it is a wiser idea to also add the slash (in red): $if($strstr($lower(%path%),'\various'),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
Indeed it is, I forgot to put there.
@tagtypedisplay: I think a picture would be good from both of your library (in explorer) and the current state of the playlist.
Hip Hip Horay, that works exactly as I want for my intact and for my Various albums.
Outstanding.
Now for albums which are soundtracks e.g. "Footloose (OST)" it displays a new group if the soundtrack album has tracks with different years it displays
Footloose (OST) (1996)--------------------------------------------------------
tr1
tr2
tr3
Footloose (OST) (1997)--------------------------------------------------------
tr4
tr5
tr6
Footloose (OST) (1995)------------------------------------------------------
tr7
tr8
Actually I can live with that as the track order is sequential, it's not to bad.
Many thanks for all your help much appreciated.
So your problem is solved, but you also want to extend the grouping scheme to cover more parts of your music library?
I think Daeron deserves special thanks from you for sticking by you all the way to the end ++++
Now for albums which are soundtracks e.g. "Footloose (OST)" it displays a new group if the soundtrack album has tracks with different years
Are all of those albums tagged the same way/has similar pathnames? Meaning are the last X characters always '(OST)' or something which we can be used as a second switch?
Now for albums which are soundtracks e.g. "Footloose (OST)" it displays a new group if the soundtrack album has tracks with different years
Are all of those albums tagged the same way/has similar pathnames? Meaning are the last X characters always '(OST)' or something which we can be used as a second switch?
Yes all the soundtrack albums are "Movie Name (OST)"
I am truly grateful that you have stuck around to assist.
Something like this should do it: $if($or($strstr($lower(%path%),'\various'),$strstr($lower(%path%),' (ost)')),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
Alternatively, if you feel like your tags are more consistent than your folder names, you can swap the purple part to use %album% as source.
Something like this should do it: $if($or($strstr($lower(%path%),'\various'),$strstr($lower(%path%),' (ost)')),%album%,%album% '('%date%')')
Alternatively, if you feel like your tags are more consistent than your folder names, you can swap the purple part to use %album% as source.
Outstanding.
Thank you for your time, knowledge, and especially your patience.
I use Columns UI
Finally! I only asked that 22 posts before you answered.
At least you got it in the end.
It seems to me that the fundamental issue if that Foobar doesn't have a native way for displaying Albums whose tracks are tagged with different years.
The most common way of tagging a Album's year field is by release date, the assumption is that all the tracks were released or created in the same year, but what does one do about albums whose tracks were not released in the same year, like Soundtracks, and official compilations where the year that the track was created in is retained irrespective of the albums release date ?.
I guess the answer is to have two year fields, one for the release of the album and another for the creation of the track. I however have no desire to retag my entire collection of music.
It is apparent that most if not all music has as a minimum the following fields, "artist", "year", "album", and "title" tags. this brings me back to my original proposition,
IF "year" is not the same in a album, display the "album" only, else, display "album" and "date".
I think that this should be a native sort string deep within foobars character.
My original playlist group by Album view
[img=http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6963/f2kbefore.th.png] (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/338/f2kbefore.png/)
( I re-tagged many albums with "Hits" and changed the Album group syntax accordingly to retain the integrity of the track year, now my, "Own Compilations" "Various". and (OST) are grouped correctly within playlist view.
My new playlist group by Album view
[img=http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/2390/f2kafter.th.png] (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/f2kafter.png/)
It's not particularly hard to write a workaround with plain titleformatting, so I don't really feel that this is an urgent thing. You will always have a specific trait (without even introducing a new tag) for VA albums which you can use as a toggle. Also custom tags might be a pain in the ass at the beginning, but they can be extremely useful in the long run. I use a few just to make organizing things easier.
You just have to take your time once to fix all of your tags (and maybe introduce a few custom ones as well) then your library will be much more transparent and easier to handle.
> 'I however have no desire to retag my entire collection of music'
Here are more quotes:
> 'I have no desire to refer to the foobar2000 title-formatting syntax help file on a regular basis until it all becomes second nature to me'
> 'I have no desire to refer to the foobar2000 query syntax help file on a regular basis until it all becomes second nature to me'
> 'I have no desire to free myself from myself'
> 'I have no desire to discover if the idealised potential of my consumption is a perfect substitution for actual reality'
It's not particularly hard to write a workaround with plain titleformatting, so I don't really feel that this is an urgent thing. You will always have a specific trait (without even introducing a new tag) for VA albums which you can use as a toggle. Also custom tags might be a pain in the ass at the beginning, but they can be extremely useful in the long run. I use a few just to make organizing things easier.
You just have to take your time once to fix all of your tags (and maybe introduce a few custom ones as well) then your library will be much more transparent and easier to handle.
I have already rolled up my sleeves, and got stuck into my collection, customising the tags for foobar.
As far as music players are concerned I have previously only dealt with Rockbox's folder view and it became my preferred method for music storage and display, and all that was required to make a great "WPS" was album. artist, title, track, and year. I never used the database view introduced into Rockbox, and then came foobar, lots of real estate, and the playlist view....
Your professionalism in dealing with issues is outstanding.
Thank you for all your help.
> 'I however have no desire to retag my entire collection of music'
Here are more quotes:
> 'I have no desire to refer to the foobar2000 title-formatting syntax help file on a regular basis until it all becomes second nature to me'
> 'I have no desire to refer to the foobar2000 query syntax help file on a regular basis until it all becomes second nature to me'
> 'I have no desire to free myself from myself'
> 'I have no desire to discover if the idealised potential of my consumption is a perfect substitution for actual reality'
Would you learn the complete syntax of a new foreign language just so that you could order a "frappo cappuccino laced with mildew, one ice cube, and a frog" ?.
I guess the answer is to have two year fields
Good idea! (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=94344&view=findpost&p=791470)
I guess the answer is to have two year fields
Good idea! (http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=94344&view=findpost&p=791470)
I think I'm going to retag my collection with two year fields, Track Year, and, Release Year, or perhaps Track Year can be "Composed", maybe that would be better for Classical music.
I will group within playlist view by, %album% %date%, (date is the release year) and create a new column to display Track Year, or Composed.
any ideas or refinements to the above are welcome.
EDIT;
I have decided to allocate "Date" as year track was composed, and create "Release" as year album was released.
This has simplified my Album Group scheme syntax considerably for ALL albums to %album% %release%, with the Year or date field in a column displaying the year the track was composed, great for classical too.