Metadata in the Batch Processor - WaveLab Pro - 12.0

WaveLab Pro Help
Product
WaveLab Pro
Version
12.0
ft:locale
en-US
Document type
Webhelp
ft:openMode
fluidtopics

You can batch-process metadata after setting up the Metadata dialog for batch processes and applying the metadata to the files of the batch process.

In the Batch Processor window, on the Format tab, the following options are available in the Batch Metadata pop-up menu:

  • Ignore prevents the batch metadata from changing the metadata of the files in the batch.

  • Merge merges the metadata of the batch with the metadata of the source files.

    Note

    The Merge option exclusively works for WAV files.

  • Replace replaces the metadata of the source files with the metadata of the batch.

Options on the Format tab of the Batch Metadata menu

Merging Metadata

Let us assume that you have 1000 files, each with a mistake in the copyright information field of its metadata. With the batch option, you can preserve the metadata of the files and exclusively edit the copyright information field.

However, you can also use the Merge option for complex batch metadata. You can process an audio file and specify which metadata to use from the source audio file and which metadata from the batch. In order to do so, use the Merge Codes options in the Metadata dialog for batch processes.

Metadata dialog for batch processes

If you enter #Source# in a value field, the value of the metadata of the source audio file is used when batch-processing. If you enter #Remove# in a value field, the corresponding value of the metadata of the source audio file is removed when batch-processing. To initiate the merging process, you must set up these codes in the value field that you want to merge.

An example on how to merge metadata while using the #Source# and #Remove# options:

  • The batch process contains an audio file that already has metadata.

  • The batch metadata is set up.

When starting the batch process, the metadata is merged in the following way:

  • If value field “A” in the audio file metadata contains the text “Jazz”, while value field “A” is empty in the batch metadata, the resulting output file has the text “Jazz” in value field “A”.

  • If value field “B” in the batch metadata contains the text “Modern”, while value field “B” in the audio file metadata is empty, the resulting output file has the text “Modern” in value field “B”.

  • If value field “C” contains text both in the source audio file and in the batch metadata, further editing in the Metadata dialog for batch processes is necessary to specify which metadata to use.

Examples for using the #Source# and #Remove# codes:

  • No code is used, the source audio file has the text “Piano”, and the batch metadata has the text “Trumpet”. Result: “Piano” is retained, because the source audio file metadata has precedence over the batch metadata.

  • The source audio file has the text “Piano”, and the batch metadata has the text “Electric #Source#”. Result: The resulting output file has the text “Electric Piano”.

  • The source audio file has the text “Piano”, and the batch metadata has the text “#Remove#”. Result: “Piano” is removed from the value field.

  • The source audio file has the text “Piano”, and the batch metadata has the text “#Remove#Trumpet”. Result: “Piano” is removed, and “Trumpet” is added.