How to Add ID3 Tags to Your Digital Music Collection in Windows Vista

Modern mp3 players are steering away from the plug and play devices of the past and instead using DRM, proprietary software, and tagging. Tagging involves adding data to a song and album so that the mp3 player knows how to list it and what information to display.

Tagging music can be time consuming and tedious, but it generally only needs done with music that you rip from your CD collection. The software you use to rip the CDs can likely tag them also, so be sure to check as you rip. If you forget to tag them, or if you get your music from an alternative source and need to tag them yourself, then read on.

Below is a tutorial on how to add ID3 (tags) to your mp3s and other music files so that they will be recognized by modern mp3 players. This tutorial assumes you own a Windows computer, but there are software alternatives for Mac and Linux.

Items Needed:

PC
Internet connection
Music collection
MP3 player

Step 1: Make sure you have an mp3 player around to test the first song on. You don't want to tag a large collection of music, only to discover that something went wrong and you player doesn't display it correctly.

Step 2: Download the newest version of Windows Media Player if you don't already have it. The newest version currently available is WMP 11, but 10 will work also - you can download the update from Microsoft.com.

Step 3: Update the music into the Library. You can do this by pressing F3, and then choosing the files or folders in the browse box that appears. Wait for all the audio files to be uploaded into the system.

Step 4: Once all the files are uploaded into the Library, right-click on one and choose 'Advanced Tag Editor' from the menu that appears. In here, add the title of the song, choose the genre from the drop down list. Add the album name also. This is all that most mp3 players need, but you can also add BPM, track number, lyrics, language, and even mood. Once finished, choose Apply, and then OK.

Step 5: Add this song to your player and make sure that it works correctly according to your player. If it does, then you can repeat the process for the rest of the songs. If it doesn't, either make sure you filled in all the necessary fields, and if that doesn't work, consult your players manual to see what other info it is looking for.