# Quick tagging Energy, Genre & Mood (with customized foobar) **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** genre, energy, organizing, mood, tagging\ **Created:** [August 4, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371 "2018-08-04T21:55:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bascurtiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bascurtiz/32/10387_2.png) [@bascurtiz](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bascurtiz)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/1 "2018-08-04T21:55:08Z")
**Quick tagging Energy, Genre & Mood (with customized foobar)** Ever felt like the genre of d/led tracks are simply not right? Ever felt like energy-level on auto-pilot using MIK for ex. are not doing it right? Ever felt like u wanted the mood of a song in your tag too? Ever felt like u wanted the characteristics of a tune showing in your DJ app? …But there was no simple easy fast solution? **PROBLEM** Genre tags in audio files are simply not correct. Whether downloaded from popular source like iTunes, Beatport or d/led elsewhere, It seems due marketing they intent to put a different tag, a less explicit genre in there. If you google on this topic, u will see there is no real solution. Scripts try to grab the genre based on last.fm tags or on lyrics, which doesn’t lead anywhere solid. People may even have a different opinion what kind of genre a track is. And what about Energy level? MIK seems to be the only automatic software out there and does a so/so job IMHO. What about mood? To listen to them yourself and right-clicking them \> edit id3-tag, and fill in the right genre, energy & mood is a tedious job. What if this could be semi-automated by providing an app that provides a straight-forward method to do this? **SOLUTION** An app that lets the user (and therefor the whole DJ community + music lovers) quickly tag pre-defined tags to the Metadata of a music file, preferably in Comment tag, since all mediaplayers can handle it. In the fight of getting my music-collection in shape, I found out about foobar and its cool plugins. I’ve made a demo + tutorial, how to quickly tag genre, mood and energy to your music in 15 seconds per track! [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/f/1/f18949b948dc09f639a77c6adfee98f7489ecbf4.jpeg "Quick Tagging - Energy, Genre & Mood (with customized foobar)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaMbf268BL0) Download foobar quicktag themed (Portable): > **[MEGA](https://mega.nz/#!xdh1BYxB!Ro5BRHKQwg9m2AYxsqVj9IOOVv4HC4zbjVksRP3zcGg)** > > MEGA provides free cloud storage with convenient and powerful always-on privacy. Claim your free 20GB now **0)** **_ENTER_** to Play; **_SPACE_** to Pause/Play; **1)** using **_LEFT & RIGHT_** to skip backward/forward in the track; **2)** Using custom buttons made in Photoshop; **3)** Energy-wise using **_1_** , **_2_** , **_3_** for Low, Mid or High; **4)** Using shortkey ‘ **_G_** ’ to open Genre tag; **5)** Mood-wise using ‘ **_D_** ’ for Dark , ‘ **_C_** ’ for Chill, ‘ **_H_** ’ for Happy, ‘ **_S_** ’ for Sad; ‘ **_A_** ’ for Aggressive **6)** Using **_CTRL-DEL_** to delete file; **7)** Starrating will be automatically filled in based on amount of energy; **8)** **_CTRL-S_** to save; **9)** Using foorbar2000 only. How to make your own customized version? See tutorial: [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/a/4/a4b8c1d843bec81ee7edb9a8020fae26777cfbac.jpeg "Quick Tagging - How to setup (in 20 mins/from scratch)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Woo3w9FjXJc) Let me know what you guys think 🙂 Need any help? Just ask! ---
**Author:** ![bascurtiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bascurtiz/32/10387_2.png) [@bascurtiz](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bascurtiz)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 1:07pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/2 "2018-08-11T13:07:02Z")
I changed my mind and decided to use dedicated fields (instead of putting all info to the comment field). Since not every field is read the same in the Big 4 (Traktor, VirtualDJ, Serato, Rekordbox) I had to make 4 portable variants, each pre-themed and pre-configured so it works out of the box. Also added CHARACTERISTICS (like Vocals, Instruments, Vibe…) but you can add your own descriptions too. All are fully MP3 compatible, with a bonus, Traktor variant is fully FLAC compatible aswell. Others are partly FLAC compatible, see also: > **[VirtualDJ - Changing (Star)Rating FLAC & MP3 using ext. program](https://www.virtualdj.com/forums/225000/General_Discussion/Changing_(Star)Rating_FLAC ___MP3_using_ext__ program.html)** > > With over 100,000,000 downloads, VirtualDJ packs the most advanced DJ technology. Both perfect to start DJing, and perfect for advanced pro DJs. > **[Library & File Issue: Flac "Comment, Label, & Remixer" Tags Not Being...](https://serato.com/forum/discussion/1688020)** > > The Serato forum is your space to discuss all things Serato DJ, Serato Studio and more with other users in our community. Get your questions answered, learn something and pass on advice of your own. [https://forums.pioneerdj.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360017937246-FLAC-Star-rating-Where-does-it-save-How-to-manipulate-](https://forums.pioneerdj.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360017937246-FLAC-Star-rating-Where-does-it-save-How-to-manipulate-) **The shortcut keys are all the same:** Open **_(CTRL+O)_** Energy low/1 star **_(1)_** Energy mid/3 stars **_(2)_** Energy high/5 stars **_(3)_** Genre **_(G)_** Happy **_(H)_** Sad **_(S)_** Dark **_(D)_** Chill **_(C)_** Angry/aggressive **_(A)_** Save **_(CTRL+S)_** Pause/Play **_(SPACE)_** Skip forward **_(-\>)_** Skip backward **_(\<-)_** Up & Down Select **_(ENTER)_** Select all **_(CTRL+A)_** Delete file **_(CTRL+DEL)_** right-click a picture \> open in new tab \> to zoom in ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/5/a/5a0445ee33a0c55a8b1f704530848560afe2fd07.png) **Traktor themed (FLAC + MP3 compatible)** Download link: [MEGA](https://mega.nz/#!dQZHkaIS!PFPsp00yekNKXYDbsIM2lZVWzWC3PetGE_tILYUt83o) _FLAC:_ **Energy** = RATING WMP **Mood** = MIXARTIST **Characteristics** = ORGANIZATION _MP3:_ **Energy** = RATING **Mood** = REMIXED BY **Characteristics** = PUBLISHER ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/1/9/19e602bc71942cfdaf8e90e2a1c4f95a51b72eef.png) **Traktor Pro 3 themed (FLAC + MP3 compatible)** Download link (Windows): [8.66 MB file on MEGA](https://mega.nz/file/tJxHQYJb#ezE8CtU20lAgE1UFb92a2pXkD3Hu9crSl52uZfAdB0U) Download link (macOS): [10.05 MB file on MEGA](https://mega.nz/file/cQwVBaKK#IFMFyfYrxHJSqFxZr-OHdor1UMO6ulaGqfg8c0IYLbU) _FLAC:_ **Energy** = RATING WMP **Mood** = MIXARTIST **Characteristics** = ORGANIZATION _MP3:_ **Energy** = RATING **Mood** = REMIXED BY **Characteristics** = PUBLISHER See Traktor Pro 3 preconfigured theme in action here How to install on macOS? See here ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/f/e/fe3f94b3ccac795e48d647964c6a68dab7dc4178.png) **VirtualDJ themed (MP3: Set rating to 1,3,5 / FLAC: Set rating to 20,60,100)** Download link: [MEGA](https://mega.nz/#!dBIBGa5b!H1m4Ukh0sczjlZOc64aqTzN8HytjYZKI-zoktNB72hE) _FLAC:_ **Energy** = RATING **Mood** = REMIXER **Characteristics** = COMPOSER _MP3:_ **Energy** = RATING **Mood** = REMIXED BY **Characteristics** = COMPOSER ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/a/3/a3dddbb29e3fb53e8a8993dde1e7b89bb583d765.png) **Serato themed (MP3 compatible)** Download link: [MEGA](https://mega.nz/#!MVJxzAZC!2yqct4GDf49vQfHvEV18W-k4SqsZwkddFQT2Nlgt90Y) _FLAC:_ **Energy** = COMPOSER **Mood** = n/a **Characteristics** = n/a _MP3:_ **Energy** = COMPOSER **Mood** = REMIXED BY **Characteristics** = PUBLISHER ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/b/f/bfc74bdef70785ad94b127283ab94c02628516ab.png) **Rekordbox themed (MP3 compatible)** Download link: [MEGA](https://mega.nz/#!xBYjxAKI!3q2hL2LyUMDhTTpQ_9yYQ4jyf52DwG84XF3n4dz-evM) _FLAC:_ **Energy** = n/a **Mood** = MIXARTIST **Characteristics** = LABEL _MP3:_ **Energy** = RATING **Mood** = MIXARTIST **Characteristics** = PUBLISHER ---
**Author:** ![devs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@devs](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/devs)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/3 "2020-02-23T22:00:55Z")
**Thankyou!** Thank you for this work, what a great idea 🙂 I’m trying to use your portable version for Traktror, my only question is how do I pull up the charecterstics menu, it isn’t on the ride side of my foobar’s window? ---
**Author:** ![bascurtiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bascurtiz/32/10387_2.png) [@bascurtiz](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bascurtiz)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 11:33pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/4 "2020-02-23T23:33:34Z")
> [@devs](#): > > Thank you for this work, what a great idea 🙂 > I’m trying to use your portable version for Traktror, my > only question is how do I pull up the charecterstics menu, > it isn’t on the ride side of my foobar’s window? Thanks 🙂 Strange? What is the resolution of your screen? Just tested it, should show up , out of the box, see: > **[Gyazo Screen Video](https://gyazo.com/f0c6fddc6ea3394340e0bd655e48bd47)** > > Gyazo is the easiest way to record screenshots & videos you can share instantly. Save time with async visual communication that's effortless and engaging. ---
**Author:** ![bascurtiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bascurtiz/32/10387_2.png) [@bascurtiz](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bascurtiz)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 11:48pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/5 "2020-02-23T23:48:41Z")
@devs try this one (optimized for low resolution screen (1280x800): > **[MEGA](https://mega.nz/#!0QQSkawC!1THPY9sTEHTfe7GVIneujtLU8BAoo1gsgO4bsyz_jKI)** > > MEGA provides free cloud storage with convenient and powerful always-on privacy. Claim your free 20GB now ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/patch/32/118_2.png) [@Patch](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 5:22am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/6 "2020-02-24T05:22:17Z")
Can’t believe I missed this first time round… Amazing work, mate. Why on earth did Serato choose to save RATING in the COMPOSER tag? ---
**Author:** ![bascurtiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bascurtiz/32/10387_2.png) [@bascurtiz](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bascurtiz)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 10:48am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/7 "2020-02-24T10:48:50Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > Can’t believe I missed this first time round… > > Amazing work, mate. > > Why on earth did Serato choose to save RATING in the COMPOSER tag? Thanks bro 🕶 Alternative would be something like Beatport Pro for Desktop, but it doesn’t have these handy keyboard shortcuts built-in + it’s not customizable to your own values/likings. Regarding Serato: Serato using its local database for certain values. This way the rating value for example, can’t be written directly to the file through any other program. Hence I had to use a standard field (like Composer) in order to write the value to the file, as a work-around. You can change where to write those values to, field-wise though. ---
**Author:** ![devs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@devs](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/devs)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 1:42pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/8 "2020-02-24T13:42:43Z")
> [@bascurtiz](#): > > Thanks 🙂 > > Strange? > What is the resolution of your screen? > > Just tested it, should show up , out of the box, see: > [Screen capture - f0c6fddc6ea3394340e0bd655e48bd47 - Gyazo](https://gyazo.com/f0c6fddc6ea3394340e0bd655e48bd47) Ahhh, it was a resolution thing! Changed to a lower res and now it’s there haha… Thanks dude 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![devs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@devs](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/devs)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 9:09am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/9 "2020-02-25T09:09:26Z")
One other bug I seem to have is that when I save a genre, it minimizes foobar. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Col1990](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Col1990](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Col1990)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 2:22am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/10 "2020-02-27T02:22:14Z")
This sounds good, is it available for Mac? ---
**Author:** ![bascurtiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bascurtiz/32/10387_2.png) [@bascurtiz](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bascurtiz)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 11:15am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/11 "2020-02-27T11:15:03Z")
> [@Col1990](#): > > This sounds good, is it available for Mac? It is it seems 🕶 Check this out: > **[Reddit - The heart of the internet](https://www.reddit.com/r/DJs/comments/c3o2jk/my_ultimate_track_tagging_system_the_little_data/)** ---
**Author:** ![bascurtiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bascurtiz/32/10387_2.png) [@bascurtiz](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bascurtiz)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 12:12pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/12 "2020-02-27T12:12:31Z")
> [@devs](#): > > One other bug I seem to have is that when I save a genre, it minimizes foobar. Any ideas? Good catch @devs. It seems when you got more windows open (a folder in explorer, a browser etc.) it tends to shift to such window, when hitting ENTER. However, when you close these (…make a shortcut of this .exe to your desktop) all works fine. In other words, hitting ENTER when you typed in your genre, won’t minimize Foobar. Way to use it proper: Make sure to close all other windows, so you can really focus on the tagging itself. …+ this way it won’t shift to the other window. ---
**Author:** ![bascurtiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bascurtiz/32/10387_2.png) [@bascurtiz](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bascurtiz)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2020, 6:18pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/13 "2020-07-12T18:18:41Z")
UPDATE 12-7-2020: **How to install foobar quick tag on macOS (and fix some GUI quirks):** [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/3/c/3ca0dab0c114764702bba078165494bd240a6d97.jpeg "foobar2000 quick tag on macOS (how to install & fix GUI quirks)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgP6ZlybssA) **How to customize it to your own likings (and values):** [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/techtools/original/3X/1/7/17546407dda01ad7cdcdd257bcb76df867a421ee.jpeg "foobar quick tag - customize tips") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvYtkc7Nvps) Containing: 0:00 How to get rid off ugly windows gray theme 1:30 Re-assigning & adding keyboard shortcut keys (handy for mac users to replace ctrl with cmd key) 3:11 Changing mood output value (or make it about when to play: build-up/peak/sustain/etc.) 5:41 Changing toolbar appearance 8:09 Adding mood buttons to toolbar & shortcut keys 11:29 Adding/changing characteristics values 12:52 Changing where to write output of characteristics (for example to comment field instead) ---
**Author:** ![djljnitro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@djljnitro](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/djljnitro)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/14 "2020-08-07T23:08:35Z")
**characteristics..** Great app tweak! Is there anyway to have the characteristics tags populate like the others instead of just showing the ‘?’ I would like to see what I have in there already and choose to add on or subtract from what is already in there. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![bascurtiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bascurtiz/32/10387_2.png) [@bascurtiz](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bascurtiz)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 12:04am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/15 "2020-08-08T00:04:34Z")
> [@djljnitro](#): > > Great app tweak! > > Is there anyway to have the characteristics tags populate like the others instead of just showing the ‘?’ > > I would like to see what I have in there already and choose to add on or subtract from what is already in there. > > Thanks! Thanks =) The moment u have the characteristics tagged, and select a different track (using your cursor or up/down arrows) they’ll show up, for the previous track u tagged. What u prolly want, is tagged tracks to load in, and see if you need to add certain values right? ---
**Author:** ![djljnitro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@djljnitro](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/djljnitro)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 12:16am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/16 "2020-08-08T00:16:27Z")
> [@bascurtiz](#): > > Thanks =) > The moment u have the characteristics tagged, and select a different track (using your cursor or up/down arrows) they’ll show up, > for the previous track u tagged. > > What u prolly want, is tagged tracks to load in, and see if you need to add certain values right? Yes.. have the values pre checked to the right. Then I can go and un check or check values as I need to. I was looking at the beatport pro but I like to work on my windows machine too which it does not offer at this time. I like what you have going on and I can customize it like you said. I wish that you could use the checkmarks to select the genres too but I will just use the other tags for that to add #twerk or #transition and the like. ---
**Author:** ![bascurtiz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/bascurtiz/32/10387_2.png) [@bascurtiz](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/bascurtiz)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/quick-tagging-energy-genre-mood-with-customized-foobar/77371/17 "2020-08-08T00:40:40Z")
> [@djljnitro](#): > > Yes.. have the values pre checked to the right. Then I can go and un check or check values as I need to. I was looking at the beatport pro but I like to work on my windows machine too which it does not offer at this time. > > I like what you have going on and I can customize it like you said. I wish that you could use the checkmarks to select the genres too but I will just use the other tags for that to add #twerk or #transition and the like. I had to hack my way around some limitations, hence u see a ? at first glance - which is a dummy field - that gets deleted when you hit Save. Before it gets deleted, the values get copied over to ‘wherever-u-like’. You could however display the ‘wherever-u-like’ column to compare if u missed a value, or wanna subtract one. For example, if I had the characteristics written to PUBLISHER field before… I can show it by right-clicking the header bar (artist/title/energy/genre/etc.) and hit Edit column. Click New and rename the column under Options. Click Display script and enter %PUBLISHER& & hit Apply. Like this: [Imgur: The magic of the Internet](https://i.imgur.com/15v9RQq.png) I wished we could use the checkmarks for genres too, but we can only set values to write to one certain metafield with the Tagger Panel component. Also most of the times, Genres are filled in but need to be reviewed and sometimes altered. Hence the Quick Tagger component for such isn’t that bad.