Output ID3 tags from a group of MP3 files as a CSV file

Question

I would like to export all ID3 tags (both ID3v1 and ID3v2) in a group of MP3 files as a CSV file or something similar. I currently use Mp3tag for tagging, but its export feature requires that I specify which tags I want to export; I'd simply like to export all tags that exist (and ideally only those that exist) in any of the MP3 files (including user-defined "TXXX" tags). For "APIC" tags storing embedded images, it would be enough to output that the tag exists (or even better, a count of the number of embedded images).

I'm using Microsoft Windows and I'm looking for a freeware solution. I'm happy to use command-line tools (indeed I often prefer them).

Thanks

Answer 1

I would suggest taking a look at EyeD3 which is both a command line tool and a python library for doing exactly the sort of thing that you are looking for. On it's own it will do a lot of what you need - with a trivial python script it should be able to do exactly what you are looking for using pythons built in csv library.

Both EyeD3 and python are free, cross platform and command line.

First install python on your system then use pip install eyeD3 to get EyeD3.

For Future Reference, (captured from comments):

The OP being more experienced in Perl than Python used the perl MP3::Tag library to perform the task, there are also similar libraries for a number of other languages, e.g. taglib-ruby

Answer 2

Command Line tools to batch output ID3 tags

Here is my collection of ID3 tag viewers. I collected them over the last couple of months for another project I'm currently working on. You can manipulate the PowerShell script to process as many files as you want. But for easier understanding I demonstrated it with a single input file in a first step.

1. taglib » Example output

   • Pro: shows all tags including non-standard ones
   • Contra: no cover dimensions

2. Exiftool » Example output

   • Pro: shows all tags including non-standard ones
   • Contra: no cover dimensions

3. FFProbe » Example output

   • Pro: shows all tags including non-standard ones, shows cover dimensions
   • Contra: Cannot read Comment tag

4. FFMpeg » Example output

   • Pro: shows all tags including non-standard ones, shows cover dimensions
   • Contra: Cannot read Comment tag

5. HandBrake » Example output

   • Pro: shows all tags including non-standard ones, shows cover dimensions
   • Contra: Cannot read Comment tag

6. Mediainfo » Example output

   • Pro: shows all tags including non-standard ones
   • Contra: no cover dimensions

7. MetaMP3 » Example output

   • Pro: shows all tags including non-standard ones
   • Contra: no cover dimensions

8. gettags » Example output

   • Pro: shows all tags including non-standard ones
   • Contra: shows TXXX tags without contents

9. Tagger » Example output

   • Pro: Can read comments tag unlike some others
   • Contra: no TXXX tags

10. mpgtx » Example output

    • Pro: Shows TXXX and replay_gain tags
    • Contra: no Album, Genre, Comment tags

11. tag » Example output

    • Original source is down. I uploaded a backup
    • Pro: Shows TXXX and replay_gain tags
    • Contra: no Album, Genre, Comment tags

12. sox » Example output

    • You need do download 2 additional DLL files and place them in the same folder as sox.exe
    • Contra: no Albumartist, Composer, Performer, Comment or TXXX tags

13. MP3info » Example output

    • Contra: no ID3V2 tags at all

---

The following Powershell scripts demonstrates the most useful syntax for each tool to only view ID3 tags. You have to download all tools and change all paths in the script, or course.

Syntax

# Choose mp3 file to view ID3 tags from
$input     = "D:\_input\musicfile.mp3"
$outDir    = "D:\_output"

# Set correct paths to downloaded ID3 tools
$taglib    = "D:\tag-lib\taglib-sharp.dll"
$exiftool  = "D:\exiftool\exiftool.exe"
$ffprobe   = "D:\ffmpeg\ffprobe.exe"comment)
$ffmpeg    = "D:\ffmpeg\ffmpeg.exe"
$handbrake = "D:\handbrake\handbrakeCLI.exe"
$mediainfo = "D:\MediaInfo\MediaInfo.exe"
$metamp3   = "D:\metamp3\metamp3.exe"
$gettags   = "D:\gettags\gettags_mingw.exe"
$tagger    = "D:\Tagger\TaggerSharp.exe"
$mpgtx     = "D:\mpgtx\mpgtx.exe"
$tag       = "D:\Tag\Tag.exe"
$sox       = "D:\sox\sox.exe"
$mp3info   = "D:\mp3info\mp3info.exe"    

# Load taglib library, read ID3 tags and save output to specified folder
[void][system.reflection.assembly]::loadfile($taglib)     
$media = [taglib.MPEG.file]::create($input)    
[TagLib.Id3v2.Tag] $Id3v2 = $media.GetTag([TagLib.TagTypes]::Id3v2)
$Id3v2.GetFrames()                                                 | Out-File "$outDir\taglib.txt"

# Run all external CMD utilities and save their output to specified folder
& $exiftool -ee -e -a -f -g1 -s  $input 2>&1                       | Out-File "$outDir\exiftool.txt"
& $ffprobe -loglevel quiet -show_streams -show_format -print_format flat=h=1 $input 2>&1 | Out-File "$outDir\ffprobe.txt"
[string](& $ffmpeg -hide_banner -i $input -f NULL nul 2>&1 )       | Out-File "$outDir\ffmpeg.txt" 
[string](& $handbrake -v0 --scan --input $input 2>&1)              | Out-File "$outDir\handbrake.txt"
& $mediainfo --full $input 2>&1                                    | Out-File "$outDir\mediainfo.txt"
& $metamp3 --info $input 2>&1                                      | Out-File "$outDir\metamp3.txt"
& $gettags $input 2>&1                                             | Out-File "$outDir\gettags.txt"
& $tagger $input 2>&1                                              | Out-File "$outDir\tagger.txt"
(& $mpgtx -i $input 2>&1 ) -replace "`0"                           | Out-File "$outDir\mpgtx.txt" 
& $tag --test $input 2>&1                                          | Out-File "$outDir\tag.txt"
& $sox --info $input 2>&1                                          | Out-File "$outDir\sox.txt"
& $mp3info $input 2>&1                                             | Out-File "$outDir\mp3info.txt"

My personal favorite is taglib-sharp since it outputs the most information. After it comes ExifTool and ffprobe

Answer 3

I am a little late to the game but my answer may help someone else.

I think that you are selling Mp3tag a little short for this task. Its export function is quite robust and will allow you to create almost any text-based format you choose: html, xml, csv, tsv, and json to state a few.

For example, I use the following to dump all fields from all files on a per album basis. Go to File > Export > New (button) > enter a meaningful name > replace the standard with the following:

$filename(%_folderpath%__Tags, All.txt,utf-8)$loop(%_path%)^%_parent_directory%|%_directory%|$regexp($list(,:'',''|),\r\n,U+000DU+000A)$$$char(13)$char(10)$loopend() Created: %_datetime%

Select the "one file per directory" checkbox and run. You will get a csv with pipe "|" as the delimiter in each directory processed. And one may process thousands of directories in one go.

The forum there has other examples (search is your friend) and folks there are willing to help you help yourself.