How to Number Multi-Disc Albums in Mp3tag

At a glance

Learn to number multi-disc albums in Mp3tag by sorting your files, configuring the Auto-numbering wizard’s track and disc counters, and auditing a sample before batch processing. Optimize your workflow with best practices for total count fields, reset rules, and confirmation steps. Sample scenarios illustrate correct setup for albums in separate folders or with disc tags.

In this guide

1. How auto-numbering works (quick facts)
2. Prepare files and sort
3. Configure numbering options
4. Decide reset and increment rules
5. Audit a sample first
6. Example (fictional)
7. Verify and apply batch

Correctly numbering multi-disc albums in Mp3tag involves carefully pre-sorting your files, configuring the Auto-numbering wizard's options, and validating your approach with a small sample. When working with multi-disc sets, the Auto-numbering wizard can apply both track and disc numbers systematically, accommodating common album structures such as separate folders or tagged disc divisions.

How auto-numbering works (quick facts)

Mp3tag’s Auto-numbering wizard (found at Convert → Auto-numbering wizard... or Ctrl+K) allows you to assign consecutive track and disc numbers to audio files. The wizard works according to the current sort order of your file list, so it is critical to organize tracks precisely before numbering. Key controls include:

• Begin at tracknumber / discnumber: Sets the initial index for numbering.
• Save total count of tracks / discs: If enabled, also writes the total number of tracks or discs into the corresponding tag field.
• Leading zeros: Pads numbers for aesthetic consistency. Note that for certain tag types (like MP4), these are stored as integers, so zeros may not persist.
• Next disc on change of directory: Increments the disc counter and (optionally) resets the track counter if a file’s directory changes.
• Next disc on change of field: Increments the disc counter based on changes in a specific tag field; for instance, DISCNUMBER.
• Reset track counter on next disc: Resets the track numbering each time a new disc begins.
• Reset disc counter on change of field: Resets the disc counter whenever your chosen field changes value. The track counter is also reset in tandem.

Prepare files and sort

Before you begin numbering, it’s crucial to confirm your files are ordered as you want them to be numbered. This prevents incorrect numbering across discs or within tracks. Here’s how to prepare:

1. Open your album folder(s) in Mp3tag. Select all files involved in the multi-disc set.
2. Use the column headers—such as Directory, Track, or Title—to sort files. Click once to sort ascending, again for descending order.
3. If separate folders exist per disc, add the Directory column and sort by it so each disc's files are grouped together.
4. If track order is driven by a specific tag (e.g., DISCNUMBER), temporarily display that column to verify correct sequence.

Use View → Tag Panel to inspect selected tags, ensuring the grouping reflects your preferred disc and track structure.

Configure numbering options

With files sorted and selected, access the Auto-numbering wizard (Ctrl+K). Configure the settings as follows:

• Begin at tracknumber: Most multi-disc albums start with track 1 for each disc.
• Save total count of tracks: Enable if you want the TRACKTOTAL tag populated. This applies per disc if using disc segmentation.
• Begin at discnumber: Set to 1 unless your album's first disc is non-standard.
• Save total count of discs: Enable to write the total disc number in each tag (e.g., 1/3, 2/3, 3/3).
• Leading zeros: Enable for consistency in sorting (e.g., 01, 02, ... 10).
• Next disc on change of directory: Enable if each disc is in its own folder.
• Next disc on change of field: Enable if discs are separated using a specific tag (such as DISCNUMBER).
• Reset track counter on next disc: Use when you want track numbers to start from 1 for each disc.
• Reset disc counter on change of field: Use if the disc tag field changes value between files; track reset will also apply.

Decide reset and increment rules

Your configuration depends on how your albums are structured:

• Separate folders per disc: Enable Next disc on change of directory and Reset track counter on next disc.
• Single folder, distinct disc tag: Enable Next disc on change of field, specify the relevant tag, and enable track reset.
• Continuous track numbering across all discs: Leave both increment-on-change options disabled and do not reset the track counter.

Audit a sample first

Before processing the entire album, it is safer to test your settings on a small set of files. This allows you to confirm results and prevent large-scale tagging mistakes. Here’s a sample process:

1. Select a 5–10 file sample that covers different discs and represents varying folder or field values.
2. Open the Auto-numbering wizard and apply your chosen options.
3. Check the TRACK and DISC tags in the Tag Panel or columns for these files.
4. If the result is correct, proceed. If not, use Ctrl+Z to undo, adjust options, and retest.

Testing on copies of your files is recommended before making permanent changes in your main library.

Example (fictional)

Scenario: Suppose you have a 3-disc album with each disc in a separate folder named Disc01, Disc02, and Disc03. You want to number tracks starting at 1 for each disc, and update the disc tag as 1/3, 2/3, 3/3.

1. Sort files by Directory so tracks from each disc are grouped.
2. Open the Auto-numbering wizard (Ctrl+K).
3. Set Begin at tracknumber to 1 and enable Save total count of tracks for track total per disc.
4. For discs, set Begin at discnumber to 1, enable Save total count of discs, and activate Next disc on change of directory.
5. Check Reset track counter on next disc.
6. Test this setup on a select group (e.g., first six files, spanning two discs) to confirm tag values such as TRACK = 1..n per disc and DISC = 1/3, 2/3. Once verified, apply broadly.

Verify and apply batch

Once your test yields the desired result, select all album files and apply the same process. After completion:

1. Re-sort the list as before to confirm consistency in order.
2. Run the Auto-numbering wizard and review the first and last files of each disc.
3. Spot-check tracks at various points across discs to catch possible errors.

If an issue surfaces, immediately use Undo (Ctrl+Z) and adjust your configuration as necessary.

For related methods—such as reconstructing tags from filenames or troubleshooting missing metadata—see Restore Song Tags from Filenames with Mp3tag and Find Missing Song Metadata with Mp3tag Filters. Begin your workflow by trialing the Auto-numbering wizard on a representative 8–10 track sample, sorted as planned, to ensure your configuration accurately numbers multi-disc projects before batch processing.