Files Organization

For topics that don't quite fit anywhere else...
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alphabeatles
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Re: Files Organization

Post by alphabeatles »

ORGANIZING one's collection is as much fun as ACQUIRING it!

My OLD way of doing things ("alphabeatles"):

Each individual Beatles song had its own folder (while albums were still redundantly kept whole separately). Each folder had subfolders (pasted here in reverse, sorry):

Remixes
Releases
Mixes
MIDI
Mashups
Isolations
Covers

This set still exists with a lot stripped out in favor of:

My NEW way:

The official album releases are the main structure of the collection (Beatles as well as solo), within which goes everything related to that album. For instance, under "03 A HARD DAY'S NIGHT":

SINGLES
SESSIONS
REMIXES
RELEASES
MULTITRACKS
MASHUPS
ISOLATIONS

Within the RELEASES folder, for example, I have US, UK, JAPAN, EU sub-folders, and within them MONO/STEREO sub-folders as well.

As an example, the AHDN UK>STEREO folder has:

A Hard Day's Night (5.1 mixdown, FAB!)
A Hard Day's Night (1982 sealed MFSL BC-1 The Collection, vinywall)
A Hard Day's Night (1986 sealed BC-13 Blue Box, vinylwall)
A Hard Day's Night (2009 Digital Remaster UNLIMITED-Mirror Spock 2013)
A Hard Day's Night (2009 Digital Remaster, USB Limited Edition)
A Hard Day's Night (2012 remastered US vinyl)
A Hard Day's Night (Demastered)
A Hard Day's Night (MPI home video mix)
A Hard Day's Night (Orig. Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2014 iTunes lossless)
A Hard Day's Night (Remastered 2020, Free Connoisseur)
A Hard Day's Night (remastered 2020, RalseiDeltarune)
A Hard Day's Night (UK tube cut, 10/18 PBTHAL)
Rock Band
You Can't Do That (Tomorrow Never Knows-Apple 5099931975513).flac

Now, whenever somebody releases an individual remix or compilation of remixes and CV or outtakes, etc., I explode them out and put the pieces where they belong.

For example, in the AHDN REMIXES>Various folder I have:

Can't Buy Me Love (instr.) (Tribute To King Mixers-edinsc).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (alt vocal) (Minus One).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (first vocal & guitar solo) (Single Track Minds).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (hybrid of tk2 and tk4) (Pink Litmus Paper Shirt).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (Kenny Saxton remix).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (Minus One).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (mono mix in stereo w/extra hihat, LR).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (reverb stripped off, Dry Baby Dry-LR).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (second vocal & guitar solo) (Single Track Minds).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (second vocal only) (Abracadabra, LR).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (single tracked overdubbed vocal [not live one] & guitar solo, LR).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (Strange Days Indeed, mixerrog).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk1) (LR, MONOLONGER 8).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2,3) (Zero Is Just Another Even Number).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2) (Abracadabra, LR).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk3) (Abracadabra, LR).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk4 first vocal only) (Abracadabra, LR).flac

The point is, any song version that has anything to do with a particular LP is to be found within that LP's overall heading. And by doing it this way, I can easily see where the inevitable duplication is... I do have a "Steaming Pile" folder of items that need to be thinned and filed as described above (for example):

Can't Buy Me Love (tk4 without guitar solo (TIO+AHDNBlu+RB) (Great Scott! It's... The Beatles-MasterJedi).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (2019 stereo upmix, Tex).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (A Hard Day's Night Bluray) (Contemporary Sound).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (A Hard Day's Night MPI VHS).m4a
Can't Buy Me Love (Anthology 2011 remaster).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (Anthology DVD) (Contemporary Sound).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (Around The Beatles 1964 (1+ BD/DVD 2015, The Beatles On Digital Revisions).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (backing).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (Edit of Takes 1 and 2 Anthology CD Mix) (mono) (A Hard Day's Night-Back To Basics, 2014 upgrade, HS).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (edit of tk1+02, Anthology mix) (Complete Recording Sessions-coltturkey 2017).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (IBC 4/19/64) (Anthology Expanded Edition-VooDoo Records).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (Mixomatosis).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (mono mix) (Complete Recording Sessions-coltturkey 2017).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (mono) (A Hard Day's Night-Back To Basics, 2014 upgrade, HS).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (Movie BD/DVD Stereo Remix 2014, The Beatles On Digital Revisions).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (MPI home video) (Contemporary Sound).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (reprise) (A Hard Day's Night MPI VHS).m4a
Can't Buy Me Love (Rock'n'Reel Music-Songs From Their Motion Pictures).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (SI onto tk4 Guitar Overdubs) (TK4) (Various Panning) (mono) (A Hard Day's Night-Back To Basics, 2014 upgrade, HS).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (SI onto tk4 Vocal Overdubs + Lost Guitar Solo) (Centre) (TK2+3) (mono) (A Hard Day's Night-Back To Basics, 2014 upgrade, HS).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (stereo remix-louder hi-hat from mono mix).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (takes 1&2) (Anthology edit) (A Hard Day's Night-Purple Chick).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (The Beatles-Uncovered! Rock Band mix).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (The Making Of AHDN) (Contemporary Sound).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk1 Monitor Mix) (mono) (A Hard Day's Night-Back To Basics, 2014 upgrade, HS).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk1) (Complete Control Room Monitor Mixes).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk1) (Complete Controlroom Monitor Mixes).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk1) (Complete Recording Sessions-coltturkey 2017).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2-3 (TIO+URT) (Great Scott! It's... The Beatles-MasterJedi).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2, Hobnail remix-fixed solo and chords).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2) (Anthology Expanded Edition-VooDoo Records).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2) (Complete Control Room Monitor Mixes).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2) (Complete Controlroom Monitor Mixes).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2) (Complete Recording Sessions-coltturkey 2017).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2) (stereo) NEW SOURCE [HMC ONLINE SOURCE FOR TOP] (A Hard Day's Night-Back To Basics, 2014 upgrade, HS).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2) (Take It Off remaster).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2) (Ultra Rare Trax-2010 Mojo direct transfer from Zonal 675 tape).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2) (Ultra Rare Trax-2010 Mojo remaster).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk2) (URT2+UM7) (Strawberry Fields Forever (YD 2007, a LOT of dropouts repaired, MasterJedi).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk3 And 4) (Complete Control Room Monitor Mixes).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk3, control room mix) (Complete Recording Sessions-coltturkey 2017).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk3) (Complete Controlroom Monitor Mixes).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk3) (Complete Recording Sessions-coltturkey 2017).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk3) (stereo) NEW SOURCE [HMC ONLINE SOURCE TOP AND TAIL] (A Hard Day's Night-Back To Basics, 2014 upgrade, HS).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk3) (Take It Off remaster).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk3) (URT2+UM7) (Strawberry Fields Forever (YD 2007, a LOT of dropouts repaired, MasterJedi).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk4 - Xmas - Love Me Do) (Complete Control Room Monitor Mixes).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk4 Intro only) (stereo) BRAND NEW [FROM HMC SOURCE] (A Hard Day's Night-Back To Basics, 2014 upgrade, HS).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk4 reconstruction).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk4 Rhythm Track) (mono) (80 Left) (TK1) (A Hard Day's Night-Back To Basics, 2014 upgrade, HS).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk4, control room mix) (Complete Recording Sessions-coltturkey 2017).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (tk4) (Complete Recording Sessions-coltturkey 2017).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (Ultra Rare Trax Vol. 2, Drexel Records 1988).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (Videos From Films-Unique LD sources Mix, GA Home Studio).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (vocal iso w/unused solo, Helterskelter).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (with crowd overdubs) (Complete Recording Sessions-coltturkey 2017).flac
Can't Buy Me Love (With Crowd Overdubs) (mono) (Revolver Studio Sessions, Back To Basics-V1 Beta, Helter Skelter).flac
Can't Buy Me Love #2 (A Hard Day's Night Bluray) (Contemporary Sound).flac
Can't Buy Me Love #2 (MPI home video) (Contemporary Sound).flac

Singles-only have their own main folder with similar sub-folders. BBC and live stuff are in their own collections.

The collection is fluid; maybe fan remasters (not the remixes) of entire albums should have their own folder instead of being under RELEASES.

Fun stuff! Sometimes I even listen to the music!
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Lord Reith
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Re: Files Organization

Post by Lord Reith »

I have no organisation at all. It's all just on whatever drive I put it when I first got it. All the stuff I really like is on my phone on a 200gb memory card. But finding the original files can be a huge pain in the arse sometimes. The searchbox at the top of windows is my lifesaver.
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Tex
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Re: Files Organization

Post by Tex »

Alphabeatles is really obsessed with the Beatles. Just hope he has everything backed up. :lol:
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Re: Files Organization

Post by WilliamShears »

Alpha is the alpha of file organization!

I have very basic folder hierarchy (artist/date - release) but try to keep metadata updated and just use Plex to play/organize. I’ve got it on a separate server so I can access it wherever through either the Plex app or browser.
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alphabeatles
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Re: Files Organization

Post by alphabeatles »

Engonoceras wrote: Wed Jun 30, 2021 2:16 am Alphabeatles is really obsessed with the Beatles. Just hope he has everything backed up. :lol:
Oh yes!

Main working drive: 5TB external, backed up regularly to:
An 8TB external (also contains my video collection)
Another 8TB external (copy of the above)
And several old 1 and 2TB formerly internal computer hard drives used as externals via a cradle (additional redundant levels of backup)

I think that's everything... Except the cloud, too much stuff.

We haven't discussed my Various Artists (of many genres) collections yet! They are included on the above drives.
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Re: Files Organization

Post by ToddS »

Believe it or not , all my music collection from internet downloads are on Cassette Tapes ! I keep the tracklists in folders by the name of the artists. If i can't print-out a tracklist for some reason , i just type one up . I still have my LPs,45s + CDs = Legal + Boots and sessionography books for reference .
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mojofilter
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Re: Files Organization

Post by mojofilter »

After several unworkable systems starting with longhand in the sixties (pads of paper, to notebooks, to loose-leaf binders, to bigger binders, to Microsoft Works), I bought CATraxx record collection database in 2008. I'm still adding albums and singles to it. I have a long way to go. It will display in any order you like, with thumbnails of the covers or not, and search by artist, by title, label, date of issue, chart numbers in as many countries as there are listings, producer, songwriter, engineer, studio, musician in the group (all the records Hal Blaine played drums on), running time, take number, remix number, mono, stereo, spectral stereo, edited version, promo mix, extended mix, how many artists I have the same song by, how many albums and singles have "Green Tambourine"... you name it.

As long as I've entered the data, everything is a search criterion. It's been like writing an encyclopedia and a telephone book that lists every name and who they are and what they did. You can enter anything anybody would ever want to know about any record or artist. If for some reason you ran out of places to add facts, there are two tabs of multiple types of custom, searchable fields on each record entry page that you can fill out. Who was in the group for how long. When and where the group was formed. When and where they split up. When and where the members were born and died. Click on an artist's name and see how many other groups he was in. I work on it every day, often for hours. As if that were not enough, you can link every track to a sound file on any drive.

So, like, I can display a list of all the iterations of "Can't Buy Me Love" that are entered in the database, and it will tell me where they are, on what album, in what folder, on which drive, all the details listed about them, and if I've linked it, it'll play the file, too. I have sound files backed up on 7 external drives, with multiple redundancies. I sync pairs of folders about once a week. I've lost so many thousands of files to drive crashes, I'm finished with that crap. Now I'm backed up to the teeth, and if one drive goes, everything is on another set of drives. I had a drive start to die a couple of weeks ago. This time, it was OK because everything on it was backed up on other drives. I'd never put everything in the same place again.

They say that every family has a list-maker. I'm that guy in mine.
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Re: Files Organization

Post by Neal Nollie »

alphabeatles
Hi i have a question for you
What is this vinyl rip
(1986 sealed BC-13 Blue Box, vinylwall)
I have a rip of the 1978 Bc-13 but have never come across 1986 rip thats in your list.
Any info?
Cheers Neal
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alphabeatles
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Re: Files Organization

Post by alphabeatles »

Neal Nollie wrote: Wed Jun 30, 2021 8:10 pm alphabeatles
Hi i have a question for you
What is this vinyl rip
(1986 sealed BC-13 Blue Box, vinylwall)
I have a rip of the 1978 Bc-13 but have never come across 1986 rip thats in your list.
Any info?
Cheers Neal
I don't have art for this one, but here is info on the cut:

A (YEX 126-3-1-3-1 HTM)
B (YEX 127-4 4)
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Re: Files Organization

Post by onemojofilter »

mojofilter wrote: Wed Jun 30, 2021 6:18 am After several unworkable systems starting with longhand in the sixties (pads of paper, to notebooks, to loose-leaf binders, to bigger binders, to Microsoft Works), I bought CATraxx record collection database in 2008. ...
They say that every family has a list-maker. I'm that guy in mine.
It seems the mojos are in agreement :)

I do my best to name my directories meaningfully but I rely on databases to make sense of it all as well in the end.
My opinions are my own, but, my dog tends to agree with everything I say.
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