[JoshK]

So I am finally starting to really organize my music collection.  All my CDs have been ripped to a vortexbox to be streamed to various systems in my house.   That leaves me with just LPs.

Many years ago I had used collectorz's database to try to keep track of my collection.  It was somewhat convenient but still there wasn't an easy way to compare with my ripped CDs collection.    However, I might work well for LPs.  The real killer app part was the barcode scanner which immensely reduced the time it took to input data.    Nowadays it looks like there might be an app for your phone that will scan barcodes for you.   http://www.clz.com/barry/    I haven't seen/read if it will work for vinyl as well.

Just wondering what you use.   I have on a few occasions bought multiples of the same LP as I had forgotten I already have it.  Trying to avoid that in the future.  Or look at the quality of the one I have to see if it is worth getting a better one.

[guest4954]

Hi,

I started using discogs.
There are a few iOs based apps so you can carry your collection around and add titles. When the vinyl cover has a barcode the app I use scans and finds the right release.
I have entered around a 100 records now, in ,y experience the database has a better coverage of my non-classical collection.

My 2cts.

Regards

Michiel

[JoshK]

Thanks, it seems others agree.  What app do you use to scan?

[JoshK]

So I am a bit more than half-way through cataloging my collection on discogs.  I found that the barcode scanner, barry isn't worth a darn for LPs, even new releases.   I usually used the code on the spine or on the rear to catalog my collection.   Thankfully my collection is 500-600 LPs, so it is doable.

Holy cow though can the figuring out which release you have be a bugger!  I had one still sealed release of White Light, White Heat that looked and felt like the original except for one very subtle tip off of one extra character in an elusive place.   Otherwise my version would have been worth a whole lot!  Instead its still a good reissue of the original pressing. 

[machine]

Discogs is the way I solved this problem.
5000+ records and still many to go...
Once you get in a groove you can enter fast, but it still takes a bunch of time.
A barcode scanner seems nice, but I don't think it would have helped me much.

I like the feature where you can see the value of your collection:

Collection Value Range
Minimum:  $11,211.85 Median:  $22,081.00 Maximum:  $45,117.43

Helps me feel better about the shitload of $$ I've spent over the years...

[dminches]

So you are looking each record up in discogs and hitting "add to collection"?

What are the reporting capabilities in discogs?  I guess you can only get as CSV file?

I have my entire record collection in a spreadsheet with all the relevant information including artist, album, label and catalog #.

[machine]

Yup, looking up and entering.

Sometimes I've had to add a record to the Database... that can be a pain.

You cab get a csv file with the following info:
Catalog#   Artist   Title   Label   Format   Rating   Released   release_id   CollectionFolder   Date Added   Collection Media Condition   Collection Sleeve Condition   Collection Notes

The Notes field is nice to add additional info.
I use it to put things like price paid.

[Letitroll98]

I have a big pile of records and cds, each on their dedicated racks, shoved into various general categories.  Then I dig through them as my mood strikes me.  Sometimes I find an old gem I haven't played for ages, sometimes I can't find what I'm looking for, but I find something else.  It seems so much more organic and natural this way, like great music was intended to be enjoyed, not planned out.  I often think I should be more organized, I once had everything in perfect order, then I remembered how much I stressed if something wasn't put back exactly in its proper place.  I like it much better this way.  I have no idea how many recordings I have, but their value is priceless.  YMMV.

[Guy 13]

Hi all.
Since I only have about 85 LPs and about 100 CDs,
maybe less than 100 since I just made some kind of cleaning in the CD
that I don't like or that are badly recorded.
it's easy for my to find what I am looking for,
however, they are separated under different categories.
Mainly by type of instruments, (Sax, trumpet, bass, solo guitar, etc...
then all the classical are together by composers and vocal by signers.
So it's pretty easy for me to find what I want.

Guy 13

[ACHiPo]

I have a big pile of records and cds, each on their dedicated racks, shoved into various general categories.  Then I dig through them as my mood strikes me.  Sometimes I find an old gem I haven't played for ages, sometimes I can't find what I'm looking for, but I find something else.  It seems so much more organic and natural this way, like great music was intended to be enjoyed, not planned out.  I often think I should be more organized, I once had everything in perfect order, then I remembered how much I stressed if something wasn't put back exactly in its proper place.  I like it much better this way.  I have no idea how many recordings I have, but their value is priceless.  YMMV.

Reminds me a bit of John Cusack's character in High Fidelity--reorganizing his album collection into different categories in reaction to changes in his life.

[dminches]

Good call!

[Letitroll98]

And I should apologize to Josh for the slight redirect of his thread.  I do admire the completely organized and didn't mean to say otherwise.  Yes, quite like that Hi Fidelity character.  Even my digital files are a hodgepodge of play lists in various programs.  In another time of his life he would have been obsessively organized.  It would be nice to have every selection right at hand, just that for myself, at this time, the collateral damage would be too great.  All the best to Josh and others on your project(s).

[JoshK]

well, I am seriously disorganized by nature, mad scientist type.  I need organization to keep me on target.  I have bought a lot of duplicates cause I can't remember which is part of the motivation.

[SteveRB]

Discogs has been well worth the effort. I also use Discollector app on iPhone to look up titles in-store.

At home, I have one stack of new LPs that are the "to be uploaded" pile. I do it once every 6 weeks or so. No big deal. Once I add them to Discogs I put a new outer sleeve on and file it  on the shelf. I've done 1800+ now. Just takes a tiny bit of discipline to not mix the titles that are catalogued and the ones that are not.

Also, I submit the CSV list to my house insurance every year at renewal. At least there is a record of them for the unspeakable event of fire...

The great thing is that Discogs is ground-up data entry. If there is a title that you have that is not in the database, just wait a month and check back. More often than not, someone else does all the work for you...!

[JoshK]

Discogs has been well worth the effort. I also use Discollector app on iPhone to look up titles in-store.

This is my motivation.  Keeping track of which LPs I own.   For whatever reason I am better at remembering which CDs I have.  I typically only buy LPs if they are 1) a favorite album/artist of mine, 2) include CD or download code.    I still do the majority of my listening to my ripped flac colleciton.

[SteveRB]

I've purchased a few too many duplicates. Discollector is decent -- not perfect. But at least it allows me to check up on my collection while I'm out.

[JoshK]

I've purchased a few too many duplicates. Discollector is decent -- not perfect. But at least it allows me to check up on my collection while I'm out.

Wish they had an Android app.   I have a Samsung phone.

[MaxCast]

Buying duplicates.  Bring your kid along to the record store.  My sons have saved me from buying the same record twice...a number of times.   
kids have great memories.