I am finally at the point where I have finished a number of Audacity [music] projects and have the mastered versions ready in mp3 format. I am preparing them for uploading onto my music website and selling them there via downloads, as well as for free listening on the website itself. However, I have run into a very frustrating problem with the properties/metadata tags. I have filled out all the appropriate fields, but I cannot remove certain information there that is sensitive or personal, such as my laptop’s Device Name and the internal pathways to where my files are stored. Numerous internet searches have led me to believe that it is possible (and easy!) to remove any tags that pertain to your computer, etc., but I have not yet been successful, despite the fact that I have followed their directions to the letter (and even used multiple online metadata tag removal/editing tools).
Can someone please explain how I can remove these unwanted (and potentially unsafe) tags from my mp3’s while keeping the rest of the tags intact? Is there a secure and reliable online tool/site where I can perform this task, and WITHOUT losing any of the audio quality?
Thanks evilmrb. I do have mp3tag, but it won’t remove the device name or the file location on the computer. I don’t undefstand it, but it just won’t remove that info. Thanks anyway.
Metadata in the MP3 tag, and the properties of files on your computer are two different types of metadata. They may have some data fields in common, but not all. The file location on your computer will not be on the MP3 tag.
Thanks for the clarification and for the link to MediaInfo. This is definitely helpful in understanding the situation better and it explains why my laptop’s Device Name and the location of the MP3 files on my laptop are still listed under the file’s Properties. What I really need to know is how can I remove my laptop’s Device Name and the location of the MP3 file(s) from the Properties info. on the MP3 file(s). I am concerned about that personal info. being listed under the MP3 files’ Properties when the files are downloaded (for pay/for sale) on my music website (or anywhere else online). What do other musicians do to make sure their audio files (whether MP3’s, WAV’s, FLAC’s, etc.) are cleared of any and all sensitive info. regarding their computers?
Please let me know exactly what to do, as this stage of my overall production work is holding me back from getting my music onto my website, etc.
MediaInfo will show you all the metadata embedded in an mp3 file which could be seen by someone who has a copy of that audio file. [ I’ve never seen a device named in MP3 metadata ].
Free software like MP3Tag can be used to edit/remove any info from the mp3 file
Everything seems fine now. Apparently, what I was seeing was my laptop’s device name and file location, etc. in the Properties tabs for each of my MP3 files. Because they are on the same tabs as the "regular’ metadata tags, I assumed that they too were “regular” MP3 metadata tags. After a simple experiment (where I Emailed one of the MP3’s to my brother), I found out that no one else will see MY laptop’s device name, etc., when they buy my music, but, instead, they will only see the device name, etc. of their OWN computer (if they do a right click on the file and look at the Properties tabs). I didn’t realize before this that it was only showing me my computer’s device name/info. because I was looking at it on My computer. I had assumed, incorrectly, that that info. would be visible to anyone who viewed my file on their computer. So, my files are apparently fine and safe as they are. Thanks again for the help and with clarifying some of this stuff for me.