I'm losing file names and metadata!

[WilliamsRDan]

I lost over 1300 song titles and metadata! The file names were changed to "unknown."
I switched to this from iTunes because this actually manages metadata.
However, the default settings for importing and organizing files screwed up. It took the Title metadata and changed the file names, and when organizing with multiple files with the same name, with the addition of parenthesis and a number, it decided to erase the file name, changing it to unknown, when I said don't replace files with the same name.

I think I've figured out all the settings to prevent this from happening again, mostly, but I still have 1300 mystery songs that I have to go through and identify...

I've been making AI music for nearly a year, working on several fake bands and albums to upload, a huge amount of work was lost and has to be redone, and my music releases will be greatly delayed. Though I wasn't yet making much money, this cost me the potential ability to make more.

I mostly really like the program, but it has created a bigger problem than I had before...

[Lowlander]

If you removed both the metadata and the filenames there is no way to recover. If you still have metadata you can rename the files.

[WilliamsRDan]

unfortunately, iTunes didn't save the metadata, so when MediaMonkey imported the files, it used the lack of Title tag to unname the files. So I ended up with neither file name nor metadata.
The default organization settings for MM used the metadata Title (empty field) to rename the files.
So, yeah, the only recovery is manually listening and redoing everything...

[Lowlander]

You can use a Mask like $If(<Title>,<Title>,<Filename>) in Auto-Organize to prevent this, or use manual Organize Files to prevent any unwanted auto-renaming of files.

[WilliamsRDan]

that If statement is huge to learn! Important, vital, life changing, new....
Could you explain how it will order it based on that, I'm sure it's right for what I want, but I want to understand the process the program will take. In case I do want to change it up, or use this knowledge elsewhere.
Thanks!

[Lowlander]

The statement will use Title when it exists, and filename when Title is blank.

[WilliamsRDan]

So,
If Title, use Title,
If No Title, use Filename

First variable is the condition, second is the yes rule, third is the no rule.

?

My programing knowledge is limited to early 2000's html, and a bit of css, and very little java. Nothing else... always learning! occasionally.

[Lowlander]

Yes