I rename the files as I download them, adding their creation time as stored=
in the recorder's filesystem. The recorder (M10) only includes the date in=
the name, and the time is changed by Windows when it copies the file, so i=
t'll be lost if I don't do that. I state the time at the start and end of t=
he recordings, but I like a written (searchable) backup of it.=0D
=0D
I use a file manager called Ztree to add the suffix automatically.=0D
=0D
I store each file in a folder named after the date of the recording and loc=
ation, e.g. 2012-09-23BackYard, so there could be several recordings in eac=
h folder. I use the reverse date format so that they'll be sorted into chro=
nological order.=0D
=0D
I then add a more specific description to the end of each filename. Eg 1209=
Message: 23_01_0557BackYardNoiseTest.
Subject: wav.=0D
=0D
I don't use spaces in the names, for the reason you've already encountered.=
I use "camel case" instead to demarcate the words. I avoid punctuation oth=
er than dashes and underscores. Things like apostophes can lead to grief wh=
en other programs don't like them.=0D
=0D
I don't think wav files support metadata, at least not to any recognised st=
andard. Once I've read them into an Audacity project, I add lots of notes i=
n label tracks, including location, coordinates, etc. The project file is p=
lain text, so I can search for these labels with other programs if necessar=
y.=0D
=0D
I dislike separating the metadata from the actual recording like that, but =
what else can you do?=0D
=0D
If the wav files and their Audacity project files ever get separated, at le=
ast I'll be able to find the project file and from that know the name of th=
e wav file I need to find.=0D
=0D
Peter Shute=0D
=0D
=0D
--------------------------=0D
Sent using BlackBerry=0D
=0D
________________________________=0D
From: =0D
To: =0D
Sent: Fri Nov 16 11:49:01 2012=0D
Subject: [Nature Recordists] Filing systems/software=0D
=0D
=0D
=0D
Hello, all.=0D
=0D
Being a newbie, I thought I'd better ask this question before my mess=0D
gets much bigger. The commercial stuff has been easy;=0D
Client,Date,Project and the audio software does the rest.=0D
=0D
For nature and 'found sound', I'm using 2 recorders (661 & HDP2),=0D
numerous mic combinations, and working at many locations. I have no=0D
clients, but would like to keep track of recording purpose and what I've=0D
done to a recording as well as what I do with it. Of course there will=0D
be different situations, species etc., that I'll also want to catalog=0D
and I have no restrictions on what might interest me. Everything from my=0D
refrigerator compressor to beavers under water (and bats eventually) is=0D
fair game. Anyone who witnessed my recent stupidity trying to send Max a=0D
working http link will probably agree that lengthy file names soon cause=0D
more trouble than they are worth.=0D
=0D
Both recorders create unique file names (at least numerically=0D
differentiated) and I think I'd like to maintain those file numbers in=0D
some way.=0D
=0D
I've been using iMatch for cataloging photographs for the past few years=0D
and it's worked well for me (I'm on Windows). I also use Expert GPS for=0D
geographical tracking of photo's. I carry a Garmin 60Csx with me for=0D
all photo and recording excursions. I shoot RAW + JPEG and use the jpegs=0D
for geo-tagging. I only rename copies of the originals.=0D
=0D
I haven't made a decision on software to use for geo-tagging audio files=0D
and I'm not sure if it's really possible to do that with wav's without=0D
messing up the file headers to the extent that some audio software will=0D
balk at them.=0D
=0D
IMatch won't play audio files, but it can catalogue wav's and mp3's,=0D
using buddy files, so I can assign a hierarchical set of categories. I=0D
think I can get it to hold GPS coordinates, too, but before I go too far=0D
with this, I'd like to ask for any advice I can get on directory=0D
hierarchies, better methods/software, the many routes to perdition, and=0D
'best practice'.=0D
=0D
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!=0D
Keith=0D
=0D
=0D
=0D
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