Anyone keep any kind of computerized database or listing of your records? What software do you use? What things do you keep track of? I'm thinking of starting a database. Aside from artist and title, I'm thinking of tracking the date acquired, new or used, the cleaning history (date and method), and perhaps some general notes or comments. Maybe even some notes on the deadwax markings in case I ever figure out what they mean. I don't think I want to track when I've played it, because that might interfere with the ease and spontaneity of putting on a record.

Any thoughts?

I think Microsoft Excel would be a very simple and easy-to-maintain option. You might want something a little higher-up, but I'd suggest staying with spreadsheet programs.

If you're Mac, Eagle Data.

Very customizable and easy to use.

I track: artist/title/label/catalogue number/year/pressing/cover-vinyl grading/comments

Pencil and paper. That's how anti-digital I am. LOL Kidding, of course.

Good idea. I'm on a Mac as well.

I'm on a Mac. I'd probably use Numbers over Excel because it is more attractive and it's easy to add graphics and things like pull down menus and checkboxes.

I've not heard of Eagle Data. I'll look into it.

Anyone try Bento? I haven't used a database program in about 15 years. Q&A was the one I used then. I think it was a Borland product, ran under DOS.

I've got over 5,000 LPs cataloged in EXCEL, and another 3,000 or so to enter data on. My 45s and 78s are unfiled and disorganized. This is the time consuming part of the hobby.

I'm seriously thinking of switching to a database so that I can perform searches by genre, label, year, title, soloist, composer, etc.....

Can't you do that with Excel?

Can't you do that with Excel?

I know it's possible to resort the entire Excel file according to different parameters. Not the same as a search function in a database is it?

Another Excel user with just under 1000 LP's logged. My 45's are a mess and need to be looged but it was a pain to get the LP's started. I don't track much info. Name of group, Album, pressing date, Record Label, number of albums ie 1, 2, 3. and Notes like orange pressing or 45 rpm 12" disc etc. I do perform searches in Excel and does a great job of finding what I am looking for.

I used to use Excel for my database, but converted it into Google Docs. That way I have access to it on my phone. You can sort however you need to with either program. But given the Google Docs are free, I prefer it. :)

I have about 10,000 pieces of racing diecast on an Excel spreadsheet and I just change the sort parameters when I'm doing something with the entire spreedsheet or just looking for one particular driver, car #, manufacturer etc. Works great.

it's too bad there isn't an app that would allow you to type in the artist and then do a search for "vinyl". I know there is one for CDs.

If you have a vinyl column and artist column you should be able to sort like that. Using Excel that is.

I just typed up and printed a book that lists my LP's and CD's about the size of a Moleskin Notebook it currently lists about 1200 LP's and 350 cds I have the files for printing it out in the puter. BUT since additions are written on ruled pages at the back of each section Reprinting involves a LOT of editing.

As to all the details personally I have a different system.

If it's in a Plastic Jacket cover it's been cleaned
As to special versions etc. even with over 2200 LP's I don't need more then a little asterick or note in the book for something like a 1st Pressing or MOFI copy.

It's main function is to keep me from buying soemthing I already have.

I'm not trying to rain on anybody's parade, but since I bought the vast majority of my albums one at a time, I know what I have and have them organized alpabetically.

Of course, for those who have acquired large portions of their collection 5, 10, 20 or more at a time, it might be problematic. For those who have this issue and love playing with their computers, I see how it could be both useful and fun!

Well just call me a "lone wolf"

I use MS Access...I decided if I was going to take all that time typing in all that data I wanted to have the power of a data base...

(Ok no MS bashing...I am the first in line to bash MS).

And actually Access is quite easy to use and very powerful...

I can keep track of things like date of album, date acquired, multiple copies and condition of each, last cleaned, price paid and price willing to pay when looking for albums, labels of albums where the music exists on different labels and a rating system among other things...

And when I made the date base I was not sure how may "fields" I might want so I added a bunch of blank fields (about 100) that can be used in the future if I decide I want another piece of information about an album.

Only selected fields are displayed on the data entry screen...But I can run a report using any field(s) in the data base and I can add and delete displayed fields at any time and still not loose the data in the field.

And the data base allows me the track vinyl, tape..cassette and R2R and CDs and the type of CD...Redbook, SACD and such.

And with the report generator I can just select what I want to print in the report..And just print the pages with updated information to update my binder.

I just toss the binder in the car when I go "looking".

And I always run a report for my current want list and just a simple list of the music I already have and print in to size for a small Franklin organizer.

And it is easy to update..I only have to print the pages that have new information.

And by the way if you already have your data in Excel it can be imported into Access then you can add any additional fields for details if needed.

I use MS Access...I decided if I was going to take all that time typing in all that data I wanted to have the power of a data base...

(Ok no MS bashing...I am the first in line to bash MS).

And actually Access is quite easy to use and very powerful...


Although I haven't actually made a database for my records yet, I would second the use of MS Access. And this is coming from another person that doesn't like Microsoft. Go figure!

Of course Mac users that don't run Bootcamp/Parallels/VMWare can't run Access. Even though I have a Mac for a laptop I still have a PC for a desktop, so I'm not really familiar with the Mac options.

You know, I never thought of doing that, but I think I'll just use a notepad.

I use an excel spreadsheet because its cheaper than buying the same record twice.

I use an excel spreadsheet because its cheaper than buying the same record twice.

Oh fuck I hate that... and when you come across an album and you can't remember if you allready have it or not...

But what's worse is when you spend the fortune on a holy grail of an LP that happens to be in shit condition and later you find a much better copy for much cheaper...

I catalog mine in a word document. It is easy to edit as more orphan lp's come to live with me. I also have the file on a zip drive so I can easily bring it to work and print a hard copy on a much faster printer than I have at home. It works for me!
Tom

It's not free.. but CATraxx is really nice...

http://www.fnprg.com/catraxx/

Oh fuck I hate that... and when you come across an album and you can't remember if you allready have it or not...

But what's worse is when you spend the fortune on a holy grail of an LP that happens to be in shit condition and later you find a much better copy for much cheaper...

I hate that too. I bought a James Gang ~ Miami and Billy Cobham ~ Spectrum off the auction site only to get another copy of each - the Cobham in a collection of 1,000 for $100 and the James Gang in another collection of 400 for $45. Not to mention the numerous duplicate Beatles and Stones mono albums that I have acquired from buying collections. Really sucks! :thmbsp:

...oops! I had too many tabs open and posted to the wrong thread!

What Similost said. CATraxx is probably the best music cataloging program you'll find anywhere. I've said this before several times on here, over the past 20 years I've used a plain text file, a Word doc, an Excel spreadsheet, an Access database, and a FoxPro database application I wrote myself. Then I spent a couple of weeks several years ago checking out various cataloging programs until I settled on CATraxx. He uses standard Access database tables, so you don't have all your data stuck in some proprietary format, and he has great service. Plus a helpful and active user forum.

Do yourself a favor, go to Fredrik's website, download CATraxx and demo it for yourself. Don't get hung up trying to enter something into every single field for each CD or piece of vinyl, just put in the info you think you want to have.

I keep my list in a Word Table. That's all I need to keep track of LPs or CDs. You can add columns to the table as you see fit.

I'm not trying to rain on anybody's parade, but since I bought the vast majority of my albums one at a time, I know what I have and have them organized alpabetically.

Of course, for those who have acquired large portions of their collection 5, 10, 20 or more at a time, it might be problematic. For those who have this issue and love playing with their computers, I see how it could be both useful and fun!

Despite having close to 8,000 LPs, I have a good memory of what I've got and it's easy to retrieve anything I want to listen to at a particular moment as the bulk of them are alphabetized on the shelf.

The exception is my 2,000 Classical and Opera LPs which are not currently organized. I'm seriously considering shelving these records by label and cat. number, which seems the easiest method given the quantity and the particular difficulties of categorizing Classical LPs. However, this would require an easily searchable database in order to find particular records. For example, if I wanted to find all ten copies of Stravinsky's "Rite Of Spring", which are on different labels and in different locations.

I'm also documenting the records for insurance and resale considerations. If my house were to burn to the ground, I'd like to have a record of what was actually lost, not just a vague "thousands of records". I'm not going to live forever and at some point, I'd want my wife (if she outlives me) or heirs to be able to sell my collection as easily as possible at the best possible price. Or perhaps I'll sell it as I age and my lifestyle and intersests change. A thorough list with all relevant information including grading is essential.

I have 99.9% of my CD's on a program called CDTrustee. Works great for cd's as it goes to the web to download all the info about the particuler cd that you've inserted into your computer. Having said that, it will track LP's as well, it's just that you have to enter the info manually rather than having the computer/web do it for you. Has some very useful ways to categorize your music. Its not freeware, but as I remember the cost wasn't outlandish for what it provides.

I have my 450 in a google docs spreadsheet. I can access it from any computure and share the listing with anyone.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rvrDyrxdLqJODlGY1w75pVw&single=true&gid=0&output=html

Steve

I'm waiting for someone to come out with LPDB...kinda the same site they have for LaserDiscs (http://www.lddb.com), but for vinyl.

Jerry Osborne used to sell something called Collectorware which was a record cataloging program.

Jerry Osborne used to sell something called Collectorware which was a record cataloging program.

It was called Music Tracker. That is what I use. I do have to copy and paste to get it in an excel file. I have over 5000 in excel at this time. It makes things a bit easier for me.