Unknown artist issues

**phil321** · 03-01-2013, 03:06 AM

I'm sure that this has been done to death in the past on this forum but here goes anyway...

I have imported a ton of music from my Blackberry to my Samsung S2 using Windows and by dragging and dropping the music folders straight from the computer hard drive onto the Galaxy SD card. So far so good.

All the tracks have gone over no problem but the main issue is that most of the albums have 'unknown' artist under them so don't appear on the artist list. Looking back at the folders in Microsoft, each album has its own folder but it's those that say 'file folder' that seem to be the ones showing up on the phone as unknown artist. Some of the problem albums contain WMA files and some mp3 - it seems to pretty arbitrary which ones come through OK and which ones don't.

What would be the most straightforward fix for this? Some past posts seem to suggest making the changes in Microsoft Media Player or itunes but as this is a new computer, none of my music is on either of these players, just in Microsoft folders. Is there anything people would recommend as a good fix that covers both mp3 and wma. Perhaps some external software/app?

Phil

**EvilMonkey** · 03-01-2013, 09:31 AM

This probably just means your music files aren't tagged appropriately. You're going to have to go through them and tag them. I had to do this a couple of years ago, and used MediaMonkey at the time since it was pretty easy (if not time consuming)

**phil321** · 03-01-2013, 09:46 AM

Thanks for the tip but you'll have to help me out here. What's tagging and do I download media monkey onto my S2 or PC? Thanks

**Shadowriver** · 03-01-2013, 01:39 PM

If you using Windows 8, 7 or Vista you can edit IDv3 tags just by using file menager, right click and propeties. Too add same artist for many files just select all of them and edit same way. Also most players support IDv3 editing, Winamp, iTunes or foobar2000 (i think)

**B. Diddy** · 03-01-2013, 01:57 PM

Be aware that Android has always been bad about reading ID3 tags correctly, specifically with WMA, possibly with AAC. I have seen this unknown artist issue discussed in multiple forums, and unfortunately it's never been fixed. I think Android reads MP3 tags correctly, but it's a real pain when most of your music is in WMA format (like mine). I've tried editing the tags for my WMA files using various programs like MediaMonkey, but it still doesn't make Android read it correctly.

The best workaround that I've found is to use a music player that uses folder hierarchy rather than ID3 tags. MortPlayer is decent, although the GUI isn't particularly slick. I think PowerAmp goes by folder hierarchy as well.

**Shadowriver** · 03-01-2013, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by B. Diddy

Be aware that Android has always been bad about reading ID3 tags correctly, specifically with WMA, possibly with AAC. I have seen this unknown artist issue discussed in multiple forums, and unfortunately it's never been fixed. I think Android reads MP3 tags correctly, but it's a real pain when most of your music is in WMA format (like mine). I've tried editing the tags for my WMA files using various programs like MediaMonkey, but it still doesn't make Android read it correctly.

The best workaround that I've found is to use a music player that uses folder hierarchy rather than ID3 tags. MortPlayer is decent, although the GUI isn't particularly slick. I think PowerAmp goes by folder hierarchy as well.

Or just convert to MP3

**B. Diddy** · 03-01-2013, 08:37 PM

True, but if you convert your WMA to MP3, you're going to lose some fidelity. It'd be better to re-rip the tracks directly to MP3, if possible, but if you have a huge music collection, that could take a while.

**phil321** · 03-02-2013, 07:23 AM

I'll give all of these a go. While we're here, I have bought some music from Google Play. It hasn't appeared anywhere - not on the regular Android 'music' app, Google's 'Play Music' app, not anywhere. Does anyone know where I can find it? Thanks

(I can't believe android struggles so much with music. My Blackberrry had none of these problems. it all worked perfectly first time. I've had hassle with email as well, and the BBC iPlayer won't let you download files to an Android phone. I'm beginning to regret buying one).

I really do appreciate all your help. Further help on the missing music would be gratefully received.

Phil