tutorials:mairlistdb:getting-started
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tutorials:mairlistdb:getting-started [2014/10/14 09:17] – [SQL database] tw | tutorials:mairlistdb:getting-started [2018/02/03 11:18] – [Audio folders] tw | ||
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* **Local database**: All data is stored in a single '' | * **Local database**: All data is stored in a single '' | ||
- | * **Networked database**: Uses a regular SQL Server, either [[http:// | + | * **Networked database**: Uses a regular SQL Server, either [[http:// |
Note that the SQL database only stores the **metadata** of the audio items in your library, not the actual audio files - the files will be located in a regular harddisk folder or network share. | Note that the SQL database only stores the **metadata** of the audio items in your library, not the actual audio files - the files will be located in a regular harddisk folder or network share. | ||
==== Audio folders ==== | ==== Audio folders ==== | ||
- | mAirList | + | Unlike other radio automation products, mAirListDB does not organize your audio files in a cryptic folder structure, or reencodes them to any particular audio format. Instead it works on existing audio folders located on your harddisk or a network share. (Future versions might support additional storage locations such as HTTP servers or cloud services - that's why we use the general term " |
+ | |||
+ | === How mAirListDB handles your audio files === | ||
+ | |||
+ | Once registered as a storage, mAirListDB can '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Unless explicitly requested, mAirlistDB will never perform any write operations on your audio folders (delete, change or copy files). It tries to be as unobtrusive as it gets - it just scans (" | ||
+ | |||
+ | mAirListDB also doesn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | So when you're migrating from another radio automation software to mAirList, you can usually just add the existing audio folder as a mAirListDB storage and use it. This makes the migration very easy. (In fact it should be possible to use both products at the same time.) For some third-party automation software, we have also import filters available that import the existing metadata from the third-party database once the files have been sync'd into mAirListDB. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Recommended folder layout for new libraries === | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you plan to start a brand new audio library, we recommend that you set up a network share, say '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | M:\Music | ||
+ | M: | ||
+ | M:\News | ||
+ | ... | ||
+ | |||
+ | (For a local mode mAirListDB installation, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Each of these subfolders will then be registered as a storage in mAirListDB and can synchronized with the Library. Inside the subfolders, you can organize the files however you like, e.g. create a subfolder for each artist in the '' | ||
+ | |||
+ | However it is very important that you do not rename or move the files around once they have been added to the Library, otherwise the file will show up as missing (under the old name) and new (with the new name) at the same time. (Note: The Sync dialog has a //Fix renamed files// function to handle this situation, but generally all files should stay in their location and keep their names all the time.) | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Setup ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | As mAirListDB is an optional add-on for any mAirList installation, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== SQL setup ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | First of all, you must install and prepare the SQL datatabase (or SQLite database file for local mode), and add the database connection to your mAirList configuration. Please see the instructions for the particular SQL backend you are going to use: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [[setup-sqlite|SQLite backend setup (local mode)]] | ||
+ | * [[setup-postgresql|PostgreSQL backend setup (networked)]] | ||
+ | * [[setup-mssql|Microsoft SQL Server backend setup (networked)]] | ||
+ | * [[setup-mysql|MySQL server backend setup (networked)]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | Once the SQL backend is set up, and the database connection has been added to mAirList, you will be able to run the // | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Prepare audio folders ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Next, you must decide where to store your audio files (local harddisk and network share), and which folders to use as storages for the mAirListDB Library. Please see the comments on audio folders above. The audio folders should also be populated with a couple of audio files so we can try the synchronization function. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Add audio folders as storages ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Open the mAirListDB app and and go to // | ||
+ | |||
+ | Do not add individual subfolders of another storage! mAirListDB will automatically scan all subfolders! | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | You will be able to enter a name and description for each storage that will later appear in the menus - by default, the name is just the folder name. | ||
+ | |||
+ | When you're done, click OK - you will be prompted to restart mAirListDB. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Synchronize storages ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Now we are ready to scan your hard drive (the registered storages) for audio files. Click the // | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | When the scan is complete, the list of new files (not yet part of the Library) is displayed on the left hand side. By default, all new items are selected, but if you don't want to import everything at this time, you can select individual items or a range of items with the mouse (hold down Ctrl or Shift and click). | ||
+ | |||
+ | It's a good idea to set the type of these files to " | ||
+ | |||
+ | When ready, click //Import Selected Files//, and mAirListDB will open each file, analyze it (read tags, perform Auto Cue etc.), and add it to the Library. | ||
+ | |||
+ | When you add more files to your audio folder, you can return to the Synchronize dialog at any time and repeat the steps. If you happened to delete files, they will appear in the right-hand side list, and you have the option to remove them from the Library. | ||
- | This makes mAirListDB a very unobtrusive tool, because it does not touch, rename, reencode, delete, ... your audio files unless explicitly requested. All files stay where you put them. | ||
- | As mAirListDB only stores the names of your files in the SQL server, it is very important that you do not rename or move the files around once they have been added to the Library, otherwise the file will show up as missing (under the old name) and new (with the new name) at the same time. (Note: The Sync dialog has a //Fix renamed files// function to handle this situation, but generally all files should stay in their location and keep their names all the time.) |
tutorials/mairlistdb/getting-started.txt · Last modified: 2021/05/28 13:06 by tw