Metadata

Metadata consists of attributes that describe the audio contents, for example, the title of the track, the author, or the date the track was recorded. 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, select Tool Windows > Metadata and click the Edit button.

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

  • .aac

For MP3, the following metadata types are available:

  • ID3 v1 and ID3 v2, including picture support, and ReplayGain standard

AAC is used for MPEG-4 (iTunes compatible) and 3GPP containers.

Note

  • AAC 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

  • 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 (BWF, Basics 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, ID3 v2 tab)

  • USID (BWF, Basics 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.