Server Version#: 4.145.1
Player Version#: Windows browser
I have created a new Music library and added one folder with 10 MP3 files. Each file is a custom recording with all relevant metadata. Plex reads most of the info OK but when I add more MP3s it fails to update the Artist/Album, etc.
The only way to fix it is to remove the folder from the library and add it back. All metadata is then read OK.
I’ve tried all the combinations of scanner and agent, always checking “Prefer local metadata” when possible. None work reliably.
Is this a known bug?
Adding completely custom recordings is difficult, but not impossible.
“Prefer local metadata” is a must when using custom files and metadata.
Most important is that you keep in mind that every track in Plex has to be in a “release” (i.e. an album, single, EP, live album etc)
Each release in turn has to be associated with one AlbumArtist.
The AlbumArtist is different from the regular Artist when writing meta tags into your files.
The hierarchy from above is also mirrored in the organization of your files.
https://support.plex.tv/articles/200265296-adding-music-media-from-folders/
If you have recordings, sort them first into subfolders by the AlbumArtist.
Then in each AlbumArtist subfolder create another folder for the release/album.
Now write the meta tags into your files according to the folder structure.
If the recording has other artists involved, you can write them into the regular Artist meta tag.
But the AlbumArtist meta tag has to be populated only with one name. Pick one, which you deem the main artist.
Don’t forget to populate the track number meta tags, even if there is only one track in the album.
Don’t try to apply any other organization hierarchy. It will only end in frustration.
The above explicitly also applies to “sampler” releases which combine works from different artists. The AlbumArtist of such a release is usually tagged as “Various Artists”.
Get a decent meta tag app. Don’t try to get by with the file properties of Windows file explorer. It is not sufficient.
Personally, I recommend mp3tag
Thanks for your swift reply. It’s much appreciated.
I always use MP3Tag, so I’ll address the other factors you mention.
