Adding music to the library: Difference between revisions

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Scanning Music}}
{{MusicLibraryCreate}}
{{mininav|[[Music library]]}}
{{mininav|[[Music library]]}}
{{cleanup}}
<section begin="intro"/>Kodi adds music to the library by [[Adding music to the library#Scanning Your Music Into the Music Library|scanning]] music files to extract identifying information from tags in the files.  In order to be able to include information on your music collection in the '''[[music library]]''', Kodi needs your music to be tagged. When your collection is scanned, Kodi stores all the tagging information (artist, album, year, genre, etc) in the database which allows you to efficiently search and manage your music collection.<section end="intro"/>


Your audio files '''MUST''' have a valid ID tag for them to work properly in the Kodi music library. There are third party applications available for download from the internet that allow you to add and manage ID tags in your music files.
= Introduction =
<section begin="intro"/>This page details the following:
*Adding and removing Sources
*Scan (import) your music collection into the Music Library.
*Troubleshooting common problems <section end="intro"/>


== See also audio streams ==
A reminder of the following:
{{see also|Internet_video_and_audio_streams}}
*Ensure the setting ''[[Settings/Media/Music#Fetch_additional_information_during_updates|Fetch additional information during updates]]'' is disabled
*Ensure you have taken care to correctly tag your music and set up your [[Artist information folder]]


== First Time Music Library Setup ==
 
 
= Adding Music to Library =
*'''Populating the music library is a two step process.'''
**The first step reads the tags embedded in the music files. This is referred  to as '''scanning'''. If there is any embedded artwork, this will also be scanned and cached.
**The second optional step fetches additional artwork, artist and album information. This information and artwork can be downloaded from either online sources or fetched from local nfo files. This is referred to as '''scraping''' and is covered in detail in the next step of the guide.
{{-}}
 
 
== Initial Set Source & Scan ==
<section begin="First Time Music Setup" />
<section begin="First Time Music Setup" />
<gallery widths=500px heights=313px>
This process achieves the following:
File:Estuary_home_music.png|'''Step 1:''' On the Home menu select '''Music''' from the menu itmes, then select '''Enter files section'''
*Sets your music '''source(s)''' in {{Kodi}}. Simply explained, this points {{kodi}} to your music files
File:Estuary_music_file_browser.png|'''Step 2:''' In the '''Music File Browser''' select '''Add music'''.
*Allows {{kodi}} to '''scan''' the tags in the music files and import that data into the library
 
 
<gallery mode="packed" widths="500px" heights="283px">
File:Estuary_home_music.png|'''Step 1:''' On the Home menu select '''Music''' from the menu items.
File:Estuary_music_file_browser.png|'''Step 2:''' In the '''Music File Browser''' select '''Add music'''. In some cases you may need to select '''Files''' to access this.
File:Estuary_add_music_source.png|'''Step 3:''' In the '''Add music source''' window select '''Browse'''.  You can also manually add your source by selecting the box with '''<None>''' then typing in your path.  If you chose to do it this way skip to '''Step 5'''
File:Estuary_add_music_source.png|'''Step 3:''' In the '''Add music source''' window select '''Browse'''.  You can also manually add your source by selecting the box with '''<None>''' then typing in your path.  If you chose to do it this way skip to '''Step 5'''
File:Estuary_music_browse_source.png|'''Step 4:''' In the '''Browse for new share''' window, navigate to where your music is stored, select the folder and then select '''OK'''.
File:Estuary_music_browse_source.png|'''Step 4:''' In the '''Browse for new share''' window, navigate to where your music is stored, select the folder and then select '''OK'''.
File:Estuary_music_name_source.png|'''Step 5:''' You will now be taken back to the '''Add music source''' window where under '''Enter a name for this media source''' you can name your media source.  If you don't enter a name then, by default, Kodi will use the folder name as the name for your source. You can then select '''OK'''.
File:Estuary_music_name_source.png|'''Step 5:''' You will now be taken back to the '''Add music source''' window. Under '''Enter a name for this media source''' you can optionally name your media source to replace the suggested name. Select '''OK'''
File:Estuary_music_scan_source.png|'''Step 6:''' You will now be asked if you wish to add your media source to the library.  If you do, then select '''Yes''', if you do not, then select '''No'''.  By selecting '''No''' you will only have the option of accessing your media though the '''Music file browser'''.
File:MusicScanSource01.jpg|'''Step 6:''' You will now be asked if you wish to add your media source to the library.  If you do, then select '''Yes''', if you do not, then select '''No'''.  By selecting '''No''' you will only have the option of accessing your media though the '''Music file browser'''
File:Estuary_music_scanning_library.png|'''Step 7:''' If you selected '''Yes''' Kodi will begin scanning your source to the library.
File:MusicScanSource02.jpg|'''Step 7:''' Choosing '''Settings''' in the previous step allows fetching additional info, setting up the scrapers and adding the Artist Information Folder if these have not been done yet. For the first scan, leave these disabled.
File:Estuary_home_music_library.png|'''Step 8:''' Once your library is scanned you will be able to see & access '''Recently added albums, Random albums, Random Artist & Unplayed albums''' on the Home menu.
File:Estuary_music_scanning_library.png|'''Step 8:''' If you selected '''Yes''' in step 6, Kodi will begin scanning your source to the library. Once finished, you can back out to the Main Menu. There is no ability to queue processes so wait until the first scan is finished before adding more sources.
File:Estuary_music_albums.png|You will also be able to view your entire music library by selecting '''Music''' from the Home menu, then selecting the appropriate category.  Or from the Home menu, navigate to '''Categories''' at the top of the '''Music''' menu item and then selecting the category you wish to view.  '''Example: Category''' → '''Albums'''.
File:Estuary_home_music_library.png|'''Step 9:''' Once your library is scanned you will be able to see & access '''Recently added albums, Random albums, Random Artist & Unplayed albums''' on the Home menu.
File:Estuary_music_artist.png|'''Example: Category''' → '''Artist'''.
</gallery>
</gallery>
<section end="First Time Music Setup" />
<section end="First Time Music Setup" />
<center>{{green|'''At this point you should have a functioning Music Library'''}}</center>


== Adding Additional Music Sources ==
== Adding Additional Music Sources ==
<gallery widths=500px heights=313px>
<gallery widths=500px heights=313px>
File:Estuary_home_music_files.png|To add additional sources to your library, from the Home menu select '''Music'''.  Then navigate to the to the top of the page and under '''Categories''' select '''Files'''.  Then follow the directions from '''Step 2''' in [[Estuary:Adding_music_to_the_library#First_Time_Music_Library_Setup|First Time Music Library Setup]]
File:Music-CategoryList.jpg|To add additional sources to your library, from the Main Menu enter '''Music'''.  Navigate to the to the bottom of the page and select '''Files'''.  Then repeat the steps from '''Step 2''' in the previous section.
</gallery>
</gallery>


== Sources for Music ==
{{main|Media sources}}
Kodi gives you the ability to listen to music from a variety of sources, click here for more information and examples of [[Types of Media Sources|Types of Media Sources (link)]].<br />
Some examples of sources that allow you to easily access all your digital music collection:
* '''On your computer or a [[NAS (Network Attached Storage)]] device/system, which supports [[SMB]] file sharing'''
* '''Stored directly on the hard drive'''
* '''On CDs/DVDs'''
* '''Streamed from the Internet'''
For information on how to configure remote file shares, please click [[Configuring PC Shares|here (link)]]
== Ripping CDs ==
{{main|Ripping CDs}}
{{#lst:Ripping CDs|intro}}
== MusicBrainz integration ==
{{main|MusicBrainz metadata}}
{{#lst:MusicBrainz metadata|intro}}
== Applications to edit music Tags ==
Your audio files '''MUST''' have correct audio tags to use the Music Library mode. Without tags you're limited to the file view in Kodi. There are several tools out there that will allow you to manipulate music ID tags.
* [[Supplemental tools/Linux#Music tools]]
* [[Supplemental tools/Mac OS X#Music tools]]
* [[Supplemental tools/Windows#Music tools]]
== Technical Explanation: File tags ==
''Skip this section if you're not interested a technical explanation of this subject. You don't need this information to use what is explained in the previous section.''




For many categories, such as genres and artists, Kodi supports multiple values in the one field.  By default it uses the character sequence " / " to divide the entry into multiple values.  This divider may be changed via [[advancedsettings.xml]].
== Scan to Library ==
In step 6 above, you were asked ''Do you want to add the media from this source to your library?''


=== Artist Tags - Resolving Compilations and Multiple Artists ===
Click the below link if you selected '''No''' and would now like to add the music files into the library
Kodi reads the ''Album Artist'' tag in ID3, Ogg, APE and MP4 tags and uses it if available to assign an artist to the album (independently of the track's artist information).  This is the "Album Artist" tag (in ID3 this is represented by the "TPE2" tag; in vorbiscomment (ogg) files "ALBUMARTIST", "ALBUM ARTIST" and "ENSEMBLE" are all supported).  Multiple artists for either a track or album artist can be specified in "Artist1 / Artist2 / Artist3" format.


If no ''Album Artist'' tag exists, Kodi will use the first (primary) artist from the tracks as the ''Album Artist''.  Essentially we do a string comparison of all the track artists, and assign the common artists as the ''Album artist''. This is generally the TPE1 tag in ID3.
:'''See: [[Update_Music_Library#Scan_Source_to_Library|Scan Source to Library]]'''


As many users don't yet use the ''Album Artist'' tag, Kodi has an additional filter system for identifying compilation albums, where each track normally has a different artist.  As Kodi scans a folder, it does the following:


# Identifies albums based on ''Album'' name alone in the folder and groups the songs that have the same ''Album'' name together as an album.
# Runs through each album's assigned songs.  If there is 2 or more tracks with the same ''Track'' number, the group of songs must come from 2 or more albums, so the ''Album'' name is ruled out as a possible compilation.
# If any of the songs assigned to the ''Album'' name have an ''Album Artist'' tag, then Kodi assumes the user knows what they're doing, and this album is also ruled out from being a compilation.
# If two or more songs assigned to the ''Album'' name then have different primary artists, then the ''Album'' name is considered to be a group of songs from a compilation, and the ''Various Artists''" tag is assigned as the album artist.
# Otherwise, if all the songs have the same primary artist but don't have the same full artist list (eg a song or two has an additional artist) then the album is assigned the primary artist as it's ''Album Artist'', and we assume the additional artists are guest artists.


=== Ratings in ID3 tags ===
= Troubleshooting =
Ratings in ID3 tags are read via the POPM field, and (if this doesn't exist) in a custom (TXXX) field named "RATING".  For the RATING field, we accept 1-5 as valid ratings.  For the POPM field things are more complicated, as there is no established standard in place.  We currently most closely respect what Mediamonkey does, and also have some support for what Windows Media Player 11 does.  The POPM tag takes a value from 0..255, with 0 meaning no rating, 1 the worst, and 255 the best.  We currently map these as follows:
{| width="100%"
 
{{FAQ|
{| class="prettytable"
| BGcolor=WhiteSmoke
|-
| Question=Library contains random or duplicated entries
|  
| Answer= This is a result of errors in tagging.
'''POPM value'''
#Take note of the errors and correct them by following the recommended procedure in the previous step of the guide- Music Files and Tagging
|  
#Once errors are corrected follow the steps detailed in '''Remove A Source'''
'''Star rating'''
#Re-add the source using the '''Initial Set Source & Scan''' procedure detailed above
|-
}}
|
0
|
|-
|
1
|
'''*''' This is a special case for Windows Media Player
|-  
|
2-8
|
|-
|
9-49
|
'''*'''
|-  
|
50-113
|
'''**'''
|-
|
114-167
|
'''***'''
|-
|
168-218
|
'''****'''
|-
|
219-255
|
'''*****'''
|}
|}


== Embedded Album Art ==
Kodi supports embedded album art in files with ID3 tags, WMA tags and MP4 tags only. It does not support embedded album art in APE, Ogg or FLAC tags currently. To have album art for these formats, see the [[Thumbnails]] portion of the manual.


== Album art and thumbnails ==
{{See also|Thumbnails}}
{|
| valign="top" |
There are a number of ways to get thumbnails to display in Music.<br />
Album art can by obtained via [http://www.allmusic.com Allmusic.com] and described in the [[My Music Navigation and Control#The Context Menu|The Context Menu]] section. Music tags can also contain art for that specific song, as can be seen in [[Preparing your Music]].<br />
If you want a custom thumb, you can add a .jpg file to your music directory. The .tbn file can be either a .JPG or a .PNG file (with transparency) that you simply rename the extension from .jpg/.png to .tbn.<br />
The size of the picture can be anything from 64x64 to 256x256 in pixel-size (you may want to use a larger pixel-size if you use Kodi in 720p/1080i HDTV resolution to get a sharper image).<br />


'''Examples:'''<br />
= Network Sources =
In this example audiofilename.mp3 will use audiofilename.tbn as thumbnail:
Kodi gives you the ability to listen to music from a variety of sources.  
Music\path\'''audiofilename.mp3'''
<br />
Music\path\'''audiofilename.tbn'''
Some examples of sources that allow you to easily access all your digital music collection:
|
* On your computer or a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device/system, which supports [[SMB]] file sharing
[[File:mymusic.jpg|right|500px]]
* Stored directly on the hard drive
|}
* On CDs/DVDs
The same goes for playlists, [[Cue sheets]], SHOUTcast, and [[HOW-TO: Play Internet Streams|internet-stream files]], eg:
* Streamed from the Internet
Music\path\'''audioplaylistname.m3u'''
<br />
Music\path\'''audioplaylistname.tbn'''
Music\path\'''cuelistname.cue'''
Music\path\'''cuelistname.tbn'''
Music\path\'''shoutcastlinkname.pls'''
Music\path\'''shoutcastlinkname.tbn'''
Music\path\'''audiostreamname.strm'''
Music\path\'''audiostreamname.tbn'''
 
If you store each of your music-albums or artists in a separate subfolder to keep things organized, you can also make the folder have a custom thumbnail image. To do this you need to rename your .jpg thumbnail as folder.jpg and place it in the folder (the size of the picture can be anything from 64x64 to 256x256 in pixel size).<br />
 
'''Example:'''<br />
Music\path\album\'''folder.jpg'''
 
Now your album/artist folder will have a lovely custom thumbnail-image.
 
You can via [[advancedsettings.xml]] change the default filename of the image that Kodi uses for music folders. See the [[advancedsettings.xml#<musicthumbs>|<musicthumbs>]] tag. for more information.


== NFO files ==
{{Top}}
{{main|NFO files}}
{{#lst:NFO files|intro}}


== Cue sheets ==
<div style="{{linear-gradient|left|#f5d3ff, #12b2e7}}">{{next|[[Artist_information_folder|Artist Information Folder]]}} </div>
{{main|Cue sheets}}
{{#lst:Cue sheets|intro}}


{{Krypton updated}}


{{updated|18}}
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Karellen]]
[[Category:First time user]]
[[Category:Music library]]
[[Category:Music library]]
[[Category:Quick Start Guide]]

Latest revision as of 19:52, 22 February 2023

Steps to create your Music Library
Nuvola apps kscd.png
1. Guide Main Page
2. Music Settings
3. Music File Tagging
4. Scanning Music Into Library
5. Artist information folder
6. Scraping Additional Music data
7. Update Music Library
8. NFO Files
8.1 Music NFO Files
9. Artwork
9.1 Music Artwork
10. Import-export library
10.1 Music Import-Export
11. Backup & Recover
Zappy.png
Home icon grey.png   ▶ Music library ▶ Adding music to the library

Introduction

This page details the following:

  • Adding and removing Sources
  • Scan (import) your music collection into the Music Library.
  • Troubleshooting common problems

A reminder of the following:


Adding Music to Library

  • Populating the music library is a two step process.
    • The first step reads the tags embedded in the music files. This is referred to as scanning. If there is any embedded artwork, this will also be scanned and cached.
    • The second optional step fetches additional artwork, artist and album information. This information and artwork can be downloaded from either online sources or fetched from local nfo files. This is referred to as scraping and is covered in detail in the next step of the guide.



Initial Set Source & Scan

This process achieves the following:

  • Sets your music source(s) in Kodi. Simply explained, this points Kodi to your music files
  • Allows Kodi to scan the tags in the music files and import that data into the library


  • Step 1: On the Home menu select Music from the menu items.

    Step 1: On the Home menu select Music from the menu items.

  • Step 2: In the Music File Browser select Add music. In some cases you may need to select Files to access this.

    Step 2: In the Music File Browser select Add music. In some cases you may need to select Files to access this.

  • Step 3: In the Add music source window select Browse. You can also manually add your source by selecting the box with <None> then typing in your path. If you chose to do it this way skip to Step 5

    Step 3: In the Add music source window select Browse. You can also manually add your source by selecting the box with <None> then typing in your path. If you chose to do it this way skip to Step 5

  • Step 4: In the Browse for new share window, navigate to where your music is stored, select the folder and then select OK.

    Step 4: In the Browse for new share window, navigate to where your music is stored, select the folder and then select OK.

  • Step 5: You will now be taken back to the Add music source window. Under Enter a name for this media source you can optionally name your media source to replace the suggested name. Select OK

    Step 5: You will now be taken back to the Add music source window. Under Enter a name for this media source you can optionally name your media source to replace the suggested name. Select OK

  • Step 6: You will now be asked if you wish to add your media source to the library. If you do, then select Yes, if you do not, then select No. By selecting No you will only have the option of accessing your media though the Music file browser

    Step 6: You will now be asked if you wish to add your media source to the library. If you do, then select Yes, if you do not, then select No. By selecting No you will only have the option of accessing your media though the Music file browser

  • Step 7: Choosing Settings in the previous step allows fetching additional info, setting up the scrapers and adding the Artist Information Folder if these have not been done yet. For the first scan, leave these disabled.

    Step 7: Choosing Settings in the previous step allows fetching additional info, setting up the scrapers and adding the Artist Information Folder if these have not been done yet. For the first scan, leave these disabled.

  • Step 8: If you selected Yes in step 6, Kodi will begin scanning your source to the library. Once finished, you can back out to the Main Menu. There is no ability to queue processes so wait until the first scan is finished before adding more sources.

    Step 8: If you selected Yes in step 6, Kodi will begin scanning your source to the library. Once finished, you can back out to the Main Menu. There is no ability to queue processes so wait until the first scan is finished before adding more sources.

  • Step 9: Once your library is scanned you will be able to see & access Recently added albums, Random albums, Random Artist & Unplayed albums on the Home menu.

    Step 9: Once your library is scanned you will be able to see & access Recently added albums, Random albums, Random Artist & Unplayed albums on the Home menu.


At this point you should have a functioning Music Library


Adding Additional Music Sources

  • To add additional sources to your library, from the Main Menu enter Music. Navigate to the to the bottom of the page and select Files. Then repeat the steps from Step 2 in the previous section.

    To add additional sources to your library, from the Main Menu enter Music. Navigate to the to the bottom of the page and select Files. Then repeat the steps from Step 2 in the previous section.


Scan to Library

In step 6 above, you were asked Do you want to add the media from this source to your library?

Click the below link if you selected No and would now like to add the music files into the library

See: Scan Source to Library


Troubleshooting


Library contains random or duplicated entries

This is a result of errors in tagging.

  1. Take note of the errors and correct them by following the recommended procedure in the previous step of the guide- Music Files and Tagging
  2. Once errors are corrected follow the steps detailed in Remove A Source
  3. Re-add the source using the Initial Set Source & Scan procedure detailed above


Network Sources

Kodi gives you the ability to listen to music from a variety of sources.
Some examples of sources that allow you to easily access all your digital music collection:

  • On your computer or a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device/system, which supports SMB file sharing
  • Stored directly on the hard drive
  • On CDs/DVDs
  • Streamed from the Internet


Return to top


Next step: Artist Information Folder


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