iTunes

[WMarkJ]

I synced several CDs into iTunes. When i begin to play Random tracks, iTunes removes the tag for the total number of tracks on the cd and adds a string of random characters to the comments field. Also the artwork has been removed from random tracks.

[Cold Irons]

I used to see this problem a very long time ago; I think I finally tied it to using the iTunes volume normalization (sound check), which I no longer use. Haven't seen it for a very long time. Finally cleaned up everything by using a smart playlist to collect all the songs with the garbage in the comments tag.

Here's a thread where folks discuss this:
http://forums.ilounge.com/itunes-mac...ck-number.html

[kornchild2002]

I remember running across that issue too when I first started using Sound Check. That's one of the reasons why I used AACGain instead. Now I'm back to using Sound Check along with iVolume as it is much more accurate and converts all ReplayGain values to Sound Check numbers that iTunes and iDevices can read.

Oddly enough, I haven't come across this issue but that might be due to my switch to OS X (about a year ago). I haven't been able to reproduce previous iTunes issues I experienced in Windows with iTunes for OS X. I guess the old saying is true: Apple's software is better under Apple's OS.

[WMarkJ]

Appreciate the replies. I looked and i already have sound check turned off. Any other ideas?

[kornchild2002]

That seemed to be the root of the problem. I suggest creating a smart playlist and fixing the problematic tracks. Is it happening automatically with every single song you play or just a select few? Has Sound Check always been turned off? Are these songs just in your library or are they in a playlist? Are they mp3/AAC/ALAC files that you made or are they purchased songs from the iTunes Store?

[WMarkJ]

Sound check was off and hasn't been touched so I assume it always has been off. These are MP3 files that are in a play list but also are accessed through the music tab in iTunes. The MP3 files were imported from CDs. I can easily correct the files but the next time I play them the issue recurs. Seems to be happening with only a select few albums.

[Cold Irons]

Try an experiment; fix the tags, then force a re-write of the ID 3 tags by right-clicking the song & selecting "convert ID3 tags...". Convert to version v2.3. See if the problem is permanently fixed.

Originally Posted by kornchild2002

...Now I'm back to using Sound Check along with iVolume as it is much more accurate and converts all ReplayGain values to Sound Check numbers that iTunes and iDevices can read.

Exactly what I'm doing now, based on yours & others experiences here on the forums.

[kornchild2002]

The version of ID3 tag that is being used might be the culprit. ID3v2.4 is extremely buggy and very few programs support it. Actually, iTunes is one of the few mainstream programs that works with it but support isn't solid. It's not completely Apple's fault as the ID3v2.4 standard is buggy as-is. Something that messed up isn't going to receive perfect support. Converting to ID3v2.3 should fix any issues with ID3v2.4. Additionally, if you were using something older (per v2.2), that also might be causing problems since previous versions cannot house all of the information that iTunes amends to track tags.