For everyone, but especially MP3-jocks, how do you format your ID tags?

Do you use all of the Genres, or do you limit it to a few (like Rock, Rap, Dance, Disco)?
Do you remove the "the" from band names?
How crucial is the year tag?

I just started ripping, and looking for input. Me personally, I get rid of the "the" in band names, just to make it easier to sort.

And, while I usually take freedb's Genre tag, I will adjust to how I see fit. I only use "major" tags, I don't break down into sub-genres. The only thing I'm having a tough time with genre is stuff from the 40's - 50's. I hate to use "Oldies", it's too subjective. Twenty years from now, the 70's will be "oldies".

I use artists names to file mine. Since I mostly play Oldies (from 1966 and back) and classic rock (1967-1984) it is easier for me. Now when I work at the radio station I do it differently I have all my "radio music" on Microsoft EXCEL and when a caller calls in for a request I use the "find" area and type in the title and I know where it is located in my coffin.

the tag is very crucial for any digital DJ, unless you want to give yourself a headache

I simply make sure my artist, name, and 'mix' tags are very exact, and sort everything by style-- as in 'r'n'b', 'hip-hop', 'electro', 'dance-pop' etc

NOt that it helps any:

I don't DJ. But I am rather anal compulsive about organization. CD's are organized alphanetically by artist, and then year of release. All CD's are entered into an Excel database that tracks artist/act, year, Album title, tracks and then some other notes which are usually more for my usage than anything else(explicit lyrics, live, quality of recording). I also have 3 basic categories:

Classical
Compilation(organized by title), which include soundtracks
Everything Else. Yes, rap, hip hop, metal, rock, pop. I do NOT use the alternative label because it's a bogus load of crap marketting label. "alternative" is typically just mis-categorized.

I've also ripped my entire CD collection to 16-bit 44.1K .WAV files, organinized the same way. That hard drive has been backed up to 2 safety drives.

Hey guys. . . .

I'm a n00b, so be patient wit me. . . .

I'm a Dj that just recently got into lighting, but the tags are important, and everyone has their preference. (I still carry vinyl!!)

I use SSL, and I'm slightly "old school". I don't really build a set list, I usually go diggin in my selections to find the song that matches the emotion, harmony, sound, or theme of what I'm doing.

I know a few people that tag their stuff BPM style, so that they can choose the next song within their BPM style, and sound.

I find "digging through vinyl" or even CD's at an event a rather laborious waste of time at an event. Not sure what SSL is, I'm assuming Serrato Scratch live for control.

I see strengths and weaknesses of either method. Since I'm not a DJ, I rely on set lists and pre-done CD's and I simply carry what is needed. My shows tend to be rigid, which is fine. I often get "can you play this, can you play that" and I say that I'm on a fixed set of rules and limited media and so unfortunately no. Then they offer to bring in the CD, and I say "maybe if I can see the CD" and if I don't like what I see(such as a scratched all to hell CD, or even worse: a BURNED CD(typically also scratched all to hell AND from usually stolen and crappy MP3 sources, because after all, why should quality ever matter?). Such offers are typically rejected.

Even coming from the perspective of a DJ, set lists can be nice, maybe give some structure, set a mood. I like your concept of feeling out the room and playing to match, which is also necessary, especially in events that take requests.

BPM tagging seems more oriented to clubs looking for very rigid requirements, but even so, BPM tagging can help someone decided how t speed it up/slow it down.

There's really no single right way. I like the concept of starting with a set list to get rolling. If that just isn't happening, going to things on a song by song basis. Without an active knowledge of the songs(can you memorize your entire library?), then BPM can help you set the pace during portions.

I recently had a show where they got all crappy on me because I couldn't hook up an iPod. First, contract said NO IPOD, second, I'd have to take time out from setting stage/changing stage betwen acts to find my ONE elusive cable for this function PLUS a pair of direct boxes. Just ain't happening at an event! Out of thousands of cables, I have to find a ONE, just doesn't happen under such conditions.

Ideally, tagging, no matter how done, can definately help any DJ do their job better. I suppose the only risk would be tag overload!!! Should make searches nice and easy, but might take longer to find things if not well organized in the first place.

Albums, I could care less about. No one has ever asked for the 5th song on Garth Brooks 4 album.

I tag mine by song title, artist, genre, and year. So I can seach for a 1961 song by Elvis, etc.

I generaly search for a song, so I want that to come up first so I don't have to look thru all the other tags. I also remove all the "The" for all artist, and songs that do not need it.

Of course songs like The Dance, The Chair etc I leave it. You must have the year the song was released. Can't tell you how many times somebody has come up and says what do you have in the 70's. I can search by 70, 71 etc or go to my 70's folder and scroll down. Makes life easier.

True, not aways. Get into a different market, you'll get those sort of requests. Contemporary jazz is a big area of this. But hey, you know your market. For me, I like a bit more control. I'm not into chaos and clutter. I like a spotless stage and a clean FOH and my files highly organized. But I don't do the DJ thing.

The bottom line comes down to any sort of system that helps anyone organize for themselves is a good thing.

I always like it when I'm mixing a band and I get requests. I say "I don't know, ask the band" or I'll feed it to their monitors and see what they can do about it. Ah, the talkback mic!