This mode can match by embedded audio tags (Song name, Artist, etc) or by comparing the music data for similarities.
Audio tags (ID3) usually are provided with a song download or created by a CD-ripping program such as iTunes.
Supported file types are:
.mp3
.ogg
.wav
.wma
.flac
.m4a
.m4p
.aac
All other file types in the scan are ignored.
Audio match settings
This menu option controls the type of matching used when scanning for audio duplicates. There are several preset modes:
Match exact audio data (ignore tags)
- Exact audio data is compared, ignoring tags. The audio must match exactly - with identical format, length and compression.
Similar - Compare first 2 minutes
- The first two minutes of audio is compared for similarity. Small differences in length, quality and content are acceptable. Tags are ignored.
Similar - Compare full file (slower)
- The full audio files are compared for similarity. Small differences in length, quality and content are acceptable. Tags are ignored.
Similar - Quick match (compare first 15 seconds)
- The first 15 seconds of audio is compared for similarity. Small differences in length, quality and content are acceptable. Tags are ignored.
Similar audio - Custom - Allows custom settings for similar audio fingerprint matching.
Ignore content - match by tags or attributes
- Files are matched using only their audio metadata (artist, title, etc). Useful on a fully tagged collection. Set the matching criteria in the Audio tags section (see below).
Note:
The similar audio matching settings will not work on audio files of less than 3 seconds.
Match Length
Match the duration of the audio files, within a specified tolerance. (Hours : Minutes : Seconds)
Audio tags (metadata)
Here you can add metadata tags to display (in the results) or match when finding duplicate audio.
For instance, if 'Same Artist' and 'Same title' are set to be matched then two or more audio tracks with matching Artist AND Title tags will be grouped as duplicates.
Available settings for each metadata item:
Display only - Add a column to the results table for this metadata item. No matching is performed.
Exact match - Duplicates must match on this item, and will be shown as a column in the results table.
Similar text - Duplicates must match using similar text matching for this item, and will be shown as a column in the results table.
Exact match - including blanks - Duplicates must match on this item, in addition blank entries will also match each other, and will be shown as column in the results table.
Metadata items shown in the results can then be used with the Selection Assistant to help with marking files.
