MusicBrainz Picard
MusicBrainz Picard recognizes music and complements tags with musicBrainz album data and audio recognition via AcoustedID.
Developer MetaBrainz Foundation
Version 2.13.3 · Open source · Windows · macOS · Linux
Looking for an alternative to MusicBrainz Picard?Compare Kid3, Mp3tag.Compare alternativesPicard helps link your music files to the correct recording and album release. This can be done via existing metadata, CD information or an acoustic fingerprint. You can then update tags, file names and cover images. One recording can be on different editions, so recognition doesn't automatically produce the right edition. Therefore check country, year, track order and any bonus numbers. The scripting and plug-in capabilities give extra control over file names and tags, but starting with the default mode prevents you from unintentionally moving an entire collection.
Compare MusicBrainz Picard with alternatives
With music tags, the main difference is how much you want to automatically recognize. Some programs retrieve album data or use audio recognition; others give you control over fields and file names. With a large collection, make a small trial selection first, so that your existing tag structure is preserved.
| Software | What can it do? | Platform and licence |
|---|---|---|
| MusicBrainz PicardYou are viewing this app | You can connect music to the MusicBrainz database and get recordings recognized with audiofingerprints. This helps with albums whose names or tags are incomplete. | Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source |
| Kid3View this alternative | You edit audio tags on multiple platforms and process multiple files at once. You have direct control over fields and file names. | Windows, macOS, Linux, AndroidOpen source |
| Mp3tagView this alternative | You adjust tags and file names of many music files at the same time, with actions and conversions between tags and names. That's useful if you want to apply your own naming rules. | Windows, macOSFreeware |
Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.
Who is it for?
You use Picard for a music collection with missing or messy metadata. It is especially useful if you want to consistently identify albums instead of just customize single titles.
Getting started
Choose the stable 2.13.3 version if you do not want to use a test version. Open a small music folder and set your desired tag and filename rules.
Privacy
Search and audio recognition send metadata or acoustic fingerprints to linked services. You do not need to upload the full audio file as a music file by default.
Good to know
A found album is not necessarily the right edition. Check disk number, track order and bonus numbers before you overwrite tags and names in large quantities.
Please note
Check the chosen album release before saving. A proper recording recognition can end up with another CD-edition or compilation.
Advantages
- You can recognize music based on audio.
- You can complete album data and cover images.
- You can change naming with scripts.
Things to consider
- The right album requires control.
- Online recognition needs a network connection.
- Move and rename rules can affect many files.
Download MusicBrainz Picard
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Provider’s website · picard.musicbrainz.org
Version history
2.13.3
The stable update fixes an error with Opus cover metadata and SSL conflicts on Windows.
A separate 3.0-release canddate is also offered. For daily use without a test version, this 2.13.3 version remains the stable choice.
Report a new version
Our verdict
Picard is suitable for restoring an unclear collection, as long as you evaluate the proposed links. The recognition is a tool in your control, not a replacement.
Let the agreement with your own release weigh more than an automatic recognition notification. Different editions can have a different tracklist. Start with a copy of one album and review the suggested tags before you enable automatic move. For all well-ordered albums, re-recognition is not self-evident. For missing metadata, the input work can be reduced as long as you monitor the link with the correct edition.
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