Metadata

Metadata consists of attributes that describe the audio contents, for example, the title of the track, the author, or the recording date of the track. Depending on the file format of the selected audio file, this data varies.

When opening an audio file, audio montage, or batch process, the metadata found in the file is loaded. You can create different metadata presets for audio files, audio montages, and batch processes. When creating a new file from a template, this file can inherit the metadata of the preset, if available.

A preview of the metadata is displayed in the Metadata window. To view the complete metadata of a file and to be able to edit the metadata, open the Metadata dialog.

Not all file formats can save metadata. Depending on the output file format, all metadata or only part of the metadata is saved in an audio file. The following file formats can contain metadata:

  • .wav

  • .mp3

  • .ogg

  • .wma

  • .flac

  • .m4a

  • .mp4

For MP3, the following metadata types are available:

  • ID3v1 and ID3v2, including picture support, and ReplayGain standard

    You can add TCMP (Part of a compilation) to the ID3v2 metadata.

Note

  • MP4 is not ID3v2-compatible. However, in WaveLab Pro it uses the same editor.

  • The metadata codes that are followed by an “(i)” indicate the iTunes-compatible fields. Lyrics and pictures are also iTunes-compatible.

For WAV, the following metadata types are available:

  • RIFF

    You can add ITRK (track number), TRCK (track number), and IFRM (total number of tracks) to the RIFF metadata. For compatibility reasons, it is recommended to add the track number to both the ITRK and the TRCK fields

  • BWF markers

  • BWF version 2 (EBU R-128 loudness support)

  • BWF support for USID and UMID standards (Unique Source Identifier and Unique Material Identifier)

  • iXML (with EBU R-128 loudness support)

  • aXML (BWF standard to attach XML data)

  • CART (AES standard, dedicated to broadcast needs)

  • MD5 (Extra tab)

  • ID3, including picture support

When saving or recording an audio file in the Audio File Format dialog, you can specify whether not to use any metadata, inherit the metadata from the source file, or edit the metadata of the file.

Metadata can be entered manually or generated automatically.

The following options can be generated automatically:

  • Unique Source Identifier (USID)

    You can activate USID on the Basics tab of the BWF tab.

  • UMID (BWF, Unique Material Identifier (UMID) tab)

  • Loudness and true peak values* (BWF, Loudness tab)

  • Insert BWF data (iXML tab)

  • Time markers (CART tab)

  • MD5 checksum* (Extra tab)

  • ReplayGain information* (ID3, ID3v2 tab)

(*) These options cause a file analysis while the file is written, which means that the file writing process can take longer.

WaveLab Pro includes several metadata presets. They are used as examples and can be customized to your needs. You can load metadata presets from the Metadata Presets pop-up menu in the Audio File Format dialog, or from the Metadata dialog.