Mirrored Synchronization

[Clevelandkid]

Hello All,

I am getting ready to do a synchronization of my Desktop MMW to my S10 + cell phone, (which I haven't done in quite a while) when I realized that it was not as "cut and dry" for folks that are not used to a whole plethora of options and choices leading to variable final outcomes.

Granted, I know that the subject has been discussed in this forum before, but after trying to follow the help knowledge base,
I have found it rather confusing to follow, especially to MM users that are not all that familiar with navigating through all the different tabs and menus.

In my particular case, I am looking for something more direct and an un-complicated instruction on how to navigate through the setting choices I need to make, in order to have the updates I've made to my MMW Library reflected in the MMA phone. (With any of the new songs I added and any accidental "duplicated" songs deleted that I found in the MMW.)

My fear is that I would mis-interpret the instructions from the Help Knowledge base and wind up with double the number of files in my phone.
The goal is to just have the changes I've made in the MMW library (since the last Sync.) and to have those changes applied to the MMA phone Library.

A simplified instruction on how to achieve this process would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
CK

[IanRTaylorUK]

Sync device using a USB connection first! Be clear whether you are synching to the Phone's storage or a Micro SD card in the phone. A 256 GB Micro SD card should hold a few thousand tracks; a 1 TB card can hold 20,000 or more tracks - obviously depending on what else in stored.

You might want to synchronise your device by Playlist using MMW. Create a Playlist and under the Devices and Services node, check you device is present and select Sync List (Library ---> Device) and just choose a single playlist.

Once the device has been synchronised, you can check things like the folder structure on the device, how the files display in MMA. You can then change something minor in MMW5 (e.g. Genre) and then check to see when you re-sync, whether the changes carry over from MMW to the device.

Repeat until you get everything just how you want and everything looks right for you in MMA. Now add a few more Playlists and repeat. Once you have some confidence etc., try a WiFi sync. WiFi sync is considered by many to be better / faster

Also, don't forget to listen to the music on the device / speakers / headphones to make sure the quality is to your liking. In the device sync profile you can set conversion and change the file format and quality. This can be used to optimise the file size on the device and thus maximise the number of tracks.

Always try to let the sync finish!! This is why I think it is good to start with a few tracks and build up...

Check the artwork shows well for every Playlist / Album / Artist. Some choices in MMW5 might be specific to the devices e.g. maximum resolution of artwork; supported formats.

Hope this is useful.

[Clevelandkid]

Ian, and Admins.

Thank you much for your reply. Some valuable information that I will keep in mind when I do the synchronization.

My Main issue is with the actual execution of the process, and what selections I should make from the menus, drop downs and options (and something called a sync list?) I should make, in order to be able to mirror the changes (i.e. added and deleted tracks since the previous Sync.) that were made to the MMW Library and have them then reflected on my MMA phone's library.

I understand that in this case, if the selections are not configured right, the changes (added or deleted tracks) that are made in the MMW Library may not be carried over (updated) into the MMA Phone's Library.
Again, the objective is to have any of those changes (modifications) made to MMW's library, be reflected (mirrored) on my MMA's library after the sync.
I guess a "step by step" layed out instruction would be helpful and appreciated.

Kindest regards,
CK

[IanRTaylorUK]

Hi CK,

If you sync using Playlist then things will be kept up-to-date between you MMW library and the MMA device. A specific outline of the steps:

1). Place new files (CD Rip or download) into a separate Download location. Currently, I am using E:\Download.
2). Make any edits to the Album Artist / Artist / Disc # / Track # / Title whilst the files are in this location.
3). Analyse the volume / BPM (e.g. using Foobar) etc. and perhaps listen to the tracks. This should complete the tagging as lyrics will be added when a track is played.

n.b. a number of Add-Ons can help here e.g. Date-To-Year / Replace String / Set Tempo / Spell Check / Split Mult-Values

A). Organise the files using CTRL+R to move them from "Downloads" to the final location. I use the destination mask:
M:\$if(<Type>=TV, <Type>\<Series>\<Season #>\, $if(<Type>=Video, <Type>\, <Type>\<Album Artist>\<Album>\))\<Title>
I have a M: drive specifically for MEDIA files! The mask is used because the folder structure I use is different for the various <TYPES> of file:

VIDEO
TV = M:\TV\Series\Season #\Title
Video= M:\Video\Title

AUDIO
Audiobooks = M:\Audiobooks\Album Artist\Album\Title
Clasical Music = M:\Classical Music\Album Artist\Album\Title
Music = M:\Music\Album Artist\Album\Title

B). Once the tracks are in a location corresponding to the Album Artist and Album, then add the cover art work. I tend to add only a single cover - ideally 600 x 600 pixels {or a bit above this} - to BOTH the tag and as a file (folder.jpg or album.jpg).

C). Now create a Playlist for the album using all the tracks sorted by both DISC # and TRACK #

Finally, once you get to this stage, select (add) the playlist for synchronisation using the Devices & Services node and the Sync List (Library to Device) for each device. If any changes are made to the tracks etc. then the Android device will be updated next time you sync.

Sometimes you may need a couple of "sync's" before everything is in place. Also give the device a chance to update itself and by all means check the Playlist in MMA - does the Playlist Tile show the artwork? do the Playlist tracks also show the artwork?

A bit prescriptive but adapt to your own set-up and what is important to you! Hope this helps.

[Peke]

Hi,
Nice explanation. I think I can try to Automate your process a little eg.:

A). Organise the files using CTRL+R to move them from "Downloads" to the final location. I use the destination mask:

This can be automated using Tools -> Options -> library -> Auto-Organize rules
1. Create Auto-Playlist named "!My Unorganized Downloads" With Criteria Path -> Starts with -> "M:\Downloads\" + Criteria Path -> Doesn't Start With -> "M:\Downloads\!Do_Organize\"
2. Create Auto-Playlist named "!Auto Organize Downloads" With Criteria Path -> Starts with -> "M:\Downloads\!Do_Organize\"
3. Go to Tools -> Options -> library -> Auto-Organize rules and set this Automation rule: Playlists -> "!Auto Organize Downloads", Organize these files .... with mask : "M:\$if(<Type>=TV, <Type>\<Series>\<Season #>\, $if(<Type>=Video, <Type>\, <Type>\<Album Artist>\<Album>\))\<Title>" and in Main setting I would enable "Automatically organize files (during scans or edits)" and left disabled Delete Delete Emptied Folders.
4. Then You can only go to "!My Unorganized Downloads" playlist and do Your 1.-3. [Metadata Edits/corrections] and once you are satisfied with filled info (I would also do your "B)" step at this stage)
5. Finally use Organize (CTRL+R) with mask "M:\Downloads\!Do_Organize\<Auto> <Title>" (Which In my 10k tracks test do this in <5s)

That way you can use MM Manual Auto organize Freely without worry of mask and you can easily Manage/improve destination mask by editing Auto-Organize rule.

EDIT: Please correct Downloads paths to your needs to avoid errors and NOTE that this is my approach to the issue as I use this too for my Media Managing. So be careful as there is no UNDO if you do something wrong.

[IanRTaylorUK]

Thanks Peke, will give that a try.

[Peke]

Hi,
Have you been able to test it?

For me it works great, especially now after tweaking it based on your use case and left it as daily Auto-Organize.

[IanRTaylorUK]

Hi Peke,

Sort of! I was using your steps 1 and 2 - in effect - by virtue of a "Collection" rather than an Auto-Playlist.

Also, my Tool / Auto-Organise and "Ctrl+R" Organise have essentially the same "mask". Meaning I can use either.

I have found that I prefer to use the "Ctrl+R" Organise as there are few quirks to look out for. One of these is "un-packed" CUE / FLAC files! Also, from an editing viewpoint, my Collection has the nodes for Artist / Genre / Album and File to Edit. This allows me to easily make single edit changes using the node plus F2. For example, I might have a Genre of "Electronique" (for the subset of fresh down-loads) that I can edit once to become "Electronic". I typically work on whole albums / compilations (~20-100 tracks) to "discographies"... And sometimes even larger downloads!

One issue I think I have addressed - with an even more complex mask - is the difference between MMW4 and MMW5! MMW5 uses "Audiobooks" whereas MMW4 uses "Audiobook". This may seem trivial but I am looking for "Files To Edit / Unorganised" to have a zero tracks return for the Entire library! Well at least for the Audiobooks / Classical Music and Music <Types>.

I also use some other specific "Collections" that check - for example - check BPM / Bit Rate / <Tags> I would rather be empty etc. So I have perhaps invested a little more time with Collections than Auto-Playlists. It is likely that I will be doing a lot less of this in the future. The reason is that my library (114k) is now >99% high quality FLAC for the music tracks (108k/109k).

I estimate I have around 25 Auto-Playlists out of around 2000 total (number of M3Us created using File / Export / Export All Playlists). So I do use Playlists quite a lot.

Hope this is useful feedback.

[Peke]

Hi,
Yeah sure, it was very useful for me. I revised how I organize things, thx, I improved things a bit.

That is what I like with MM as avid user, is that you can do things in multiple ways and use way you prefer.