Random Mix Tape Maker v1.9.38.105
---------------------------------

Please read the "Limitations" section first!


Installation:
------------------------------------
Unzip mixtape.exe wherever you like and run it.


What is this?
------------------------------------
Random Mix Tape Maker is a random audio file playlist generator.


Features
--------

 Reads all kinds of audio formats! Including:
  AAC, AC3, APE, FLAC, MP3, MPEG4 (3G2, 3GP, M4A, M4B, MP4),
  OGG, VQF, WAV, WMA, WV

 Randomly select songs based on genres, title keywords, and more 

 Limit created playlist by total song duration (good for burning audio CDs) 

 Limit created playlist by filesize (good for burning mp3 CDs/DVDs) 

 Limit minimum and maximum durations of songs to include 

 Recursively searches directories; easy to search one or many. 

 Flexible blacklist let's you easily skip songs or directories you don't want
  to include. 

 Full drag+drop support into the program and from the program out to other
  apps. 

 It's fast - just keep hitting the randomize button till you get a playlist
  you like. 

 Can randomize existing playlists instead of directories if you prefer. 

 Output displays audio file tag info or file paths. 

 Creates playlist files or plain text output. 

 Double click to preview a song from the constructed playlist. 


What can it do? (Overview)
------------------------------------
By selecting a directory, Random Mix Tape Maker will search that directory
(and recursively search sub-directories if you choose) for all audio files
and build a playlist based on the criteria you select. You may also specify
files and directories you want to be excluded from the search. On the
flip-side, you may also specify other files and directories to be included
in the search.

Maybe you already have a playlist with all of your favorite songs.
Random Mix Tape Maker is also able to rebuild a new randomized playlist by
accessing the files listed in your playlist file (*.m3u).
[This method has its limitations, see "Limitations"]

Once a playlist is created you can save it or drag the files listed
into your app of choice (like a CD burning app, mp3 player, etc).
You can even sample the playlist directly from Random Mix Tape Maker by
right-clicking on the list and selecting "Play Created Playlist" or
simply double-click a song to listen to that particular song (in case
you forgot what it was, to see if you want it in your list).

All settings and search lists are saved when you exit the application.
So you will have your own custom criteria already selected each time
you use Random Mix Tape Maker. The created playlist is not auto-saved.
if you like particular playlist created, then simply save it using the
'Save Playlist' button.


Why would i ever use this?
------------------------------------
Face it, we all love our music. But it's a hassle to take our complete
music collection of CD's with us wherever we go. Even if you put the
time into making a 'mix-tape' CD, you'll eventually want to change that
one out as well.

Random Mix Tape Maker allows you to make quick, on-the-spot compilations based
on time, song length, and for those of you with mp3 players: complete
size of files as criteria to build your playlist.

Picture this:  You're getting ready to go to school, a business trip, or
just out to run errands for the day. You want to listen to a sampling of
your favorite artists while you're "out and about".
Start up Random Mix Tape Maker, select the folder/drive containing your audio
files. Click "Create Playlist". In a few moments you'll have your
customized/randomized playlist. Drag the files to your mp3 player or burning
application, burn your CD or just unplug your mp3 player when files have
finished copying and you're done! Enjoy the day with a fresh, randomly picked
compilation of all your favorites!

A new mix audio CD or compilation for your mp3 player is just a click away!


Must Have List
------------------------------------
The Must Have List is there for you to add songs that you always want in your
finished playlist. You can add songs or folders to this list. If you choose to
add a folder to the list, it will be populated by all the files in the folder.

This songs in this list are only limited by the following filters:

excluded keywords (i.e. -someband)
(a song in your must have list will be excluded
if it contains an excluded keyword)

or

the redundancy limit
(only the number of songs from any specific artist defined in the redundancy
limit will be randomly selected from your must have list and placed into your
playlist)


Black List
------------------------------------
The black list is used to keep songs or directories with songs that you
want to exclude from your playlists. It can contain individual files or
folders which can be manually added by dragging/dropping the items
directly on to the list itself. There is also a right-click menu item
that allows you to add directories.

If you make a playlist and see a song you want to add to the black list,
then simply drag it from the playlist and drop it on the black list.
You'll never be bothered by that song again :)


Keywords
------------------------------------
Keywords can be used to further include or exclude song titles by searching
file names and ID-Tagged Author/Title fields. You may use keywords either in
addition to or exclusively as criteria when you're searching through your
audio library. Keywords are comma delimited and you may use as many or few as
you want.

If you want to incorporate keywords with a normal search, simply check
'Use keywords'.

If you want results that only meet your keyword search criteria, simply check
'Use keywords exclusively'.

With either of the above options, you can choose your keyword hits to use the
ID Limits you have specified for your general search (only date and genre
apply. time limits are independant of these settings). If you choose 
'Ignore ID Limits', a keyword match will be included/excluded into/from your
playlist regardless of the ID limit settings.

To avoid sub-word matches, check 'Exact keyword search' to ensure you get the
matches you want. (i.e. love and NOT lovely). If you don't mind sub-word
matches the simply leave 'Exact keyword search' unchecked.

You may also use an excluding keyword to filter out terms. To do this, just add
a '-' before the keyword.  Doing this will not allow any song with that
specific term in your list.

here's an example of a mixed included and excluded keyword entry:

love,-hate,peace,-war

The above entry will allow song filenames or Author/Title with the words:
love
peace

And will exclude song filenames or Author/Title with the words:
hate
war

Keywords are NOT case-sensitive!


Keywords (part 2... Lyrics!)
------------------------------------
If you have audio files that are properly tagged with lyrical content, you are
now able to include or exclude songs based on keywords.

Using the same method as above:

love,-hate,peace,-war

will allow songs containing the lyrics:
love
peace

and will exclude songs containing the lyrics:
hate
war

NOTE:
Songs that are allowed under the 'song keywords' option can be blocked
if excluded by the 'lyrics keywords' option.



Linked Songs
------------------------------------
The purpose of using the linked songs list is to make sure that if a specific
song is added to your playlist, it will be followed always by the song you
choose.

Why use this?
On quite a few albums there are so-called "intro" songs which lead or crossfade
into other songs that when separated or at least played by themselves, sound
awkward and out of place.  By setting up these "intro" songs and linking them
with the song that, on the original album naturally plays next, you'll end up
with a much more pleasant compilation.

How does it work?
Either drag a file onto the list (you'll be prompted for the file (song) for it
to be linked to) or right-click the list and add it manually (you'll be
prompted twice:  once for each file.)

When either song is found by Random Mix Tape Maker it will add both in their
proper order (song1 then song2).


Redundancy
------------------------------------
So many songs and sometimes randomizing the placement of those songs seems a
bit unfair.  Even with all of the steps Random Mix Tape Maker takes to give
you a unique and blended playlist, you still may end up with a disproportional
amount of one artist in your created playlist.

In order to allow further variety in your playlist you can now specify the
number of times any one artist will be allowed to appear in your playlist.
In a new box labeled "Redundancy Limits", simply check the "Limit Artists..."
and specify the number of times you'd like to allow an artist to appear in
your playlist.

That's it! pretty easy, huh? :)

Here's some things you should know when using this function:

1) Your files MUST be properly tagged in order for this function to do anything
   worthwhile.

2) This does not employ the same technology as a the keyword function, it only
   looks inside of the file's tag for an artist name

3) The "Must-Have" list is also affected by this limitation.
   Consider the following scenario:

   Your "Must-Have" list contains 10 songs by Artist1
   You have limited the redundancy to 3

   Only 3 songs by Artist1 will be RANDOMLY added to your playlist.
   (it will not always be the same 3)

4) This does not alter the "Must-Have" list that you have created.

5) When used in conjunction with keywording AND you have both tagged and
   non-tagged files, you could still end up with more occurrences of an artist
   than the amount you have specified.  This is because where keywording will
   allow files that possess EITHER the keyword in the tag OR in the filename,
   the redundancy check will ONLY check the tag for an artist name.  There
   simply isn't any good way to create a one-size-fits-all rule to try and find
   an artist name from within the filename itself.


Limitations
------------------------------------
1)  The internal ID3 reading component incorrectly returns the duration of
    MP3Pro VBR encoded files. I don't think this is a huge problem as most
    people either don't use MP3Pro, or if they do, do not use the VBR method
    of encoding.

    There seems to be no problem calculating duration of a MP3Pro CBR encoded
    file.

2)  If you choose to use ID3 limits like "Limit by year" or "Limit by genre"
    make sure your mp3 files are properly tagged with such information or they
    will be excluded from your playlist. In other words, if you do not have
    properly tagged files, these modes are NOT for you.

3)  Both linked songs may not make it onto your playlist if restricted by user
    defined limits.


Release History
------------------------------------

1.9.38.105 19-Sep-2008
----------------------
  * Options are now in their own separate window.
    Simply click the "Show Options" to access them.

  * Songs from the created playlist must now be right-click-dragged out of
    the playlist area. This fixes a potentially disastrous situation where
    songs dragged to another location would be moved instead of copied.
    This also now fixes the locking up issue with Nero Burning Rom.

  * Fixed Excluded keyword logic
  
  * Removed the Randomize Playlist only option.


1.9.36.100 29-Jan-2008
----------------------
  + Added a redundancy option to have it affect the Must Have List


1.9.36.99 28-Jan-2008
---------------------
  + Added the ability to drag and drop .m3u files onto both BlackList or
    Must-Have List
  * Adjusted the way Random MixTape Maker reads ID3 info. (It now reads
    from ID3v2->ID3v1. It used to read from ID3v1->ID3v2) This will ensure
    more complete info displayed and referenced from properly tagged files
  * Fixed a startup issue when starting maximized did not fill the screen
    correctly
  * Adjusted the behavior of keyword checked options.
    Only by checking 'Use Keywords' can the 'Keyword Priority' option be used.
    Only by checking 'Use Keywords Exclusively' can the 'Keyword Options' be
    used. Keyword entry fields are only active if one of the above keyword options
    is selected.


1.9.35.97 BETA 21-Jan-2008
--------------------------
  * fixed broken "keyword priority" functionality and keyword usage in general
  * fixed an issue when using linked songs would cause an error


1.9.34.96 BETA 21-Jan-2008
--------------------------
  * fixed broken keyword searches and other problems (or not)


1.9.33.93 BETA 19-Jan-2008
--------------------------
  + Added a Tempo (BPM) filter option
  + Expanded the keyword searching option. It is now possible to search in
    all text tags, lyrics, artists, song titles and/or albums
  * Lots of internal changes including complete re-writes of code.
    This release is therefore labeled as 'beta' until any/all broken bits
    are found and fixed


1.9.32.90 19-Jan-2008
---------------------
  + Added support for all you IPOD folks out there! (MPEG4 files)


1.8.31.85 23-Dec-2007
---------------------
  * Fixed an issue when using Linked Files would cause a minor crash


1.8.30.82 16-Dec-2007
---------------------
  + Added a keyword priority search as an additional option in the keyword
    section.  If used, your playlist will fill up like this:
    1) songs in your must have list will be added
    2) songs that ONLY match your keyword properties will be added
    3) remaining time will be filled by normal random, user-defined methods
    
    Keep in mind that this could drastically slow the overall process since
    it will go through each and every song thru your list (unless your list
    gets filled to your user-defined time/size limits) to try and find all
    matches for your keywords.

  * Rewrote tons of internal code to make this as streamlined as possible.
    Because of this, be wary of potential bugs that may arise. I need feedback
    if any bugs are found.


1.8.29.80 10-Dec-2007
---------------------
  + Added Auto Save-Prompt on Exit option to remind you to save your playlist
    if you hastily close the application.

  * All supported filetypes are now subject to basic keywording rules.

  * Basic keyword option is now only paired with "ignore ID limits"

  * Other minor fixes


1.8.28.77 08-Dec-2007
---------------------
  * Fixed a problem reading WV (WavPack) file tags.

  * Fixed a problem where WAV files were included into a list regardless
    if they meet keyword criteria.


1.8.27.75 06-Dec-2007
---------------------
  + Added a Shuffle Playlist button that will re-sort a created playlist
    with the same songs that are already in that playlist.


1.8.27.74 05-Dec-2007
---------------------
  * Fixed a problem reading WMA file tags (introduced in last build)


1.8.27.73 04-Dec-2007
---------------------
  + Added preliminary support for WavPack (.wv) files.


1.8.26.72 03-Dec-2007
---------------------
  + Added the ability to use keywords filter out songs with specific lyrical
    content. (this only works properly if files are tagged!).

  * Rearranged the interface by putting all options on their own multi-tabbed
    section.

  * fixed keywording to properly support all supported filetype tags.


1.7.25.69 02-Dec-2007
---------------------
  + Added a redundancy option that limits the number of times any particular
    artist can be added to the playlist. (this only works properly if files
    are tagged!). Read above for more info.

  * Fixed the showing of ID song titles in the finished playlist view for
    filetypes other than mp3.

  * Minor code tweaks and versioning to reflect true release number (25).


1.0.6.68 06-Nov-2007
--------------------
  * Fixed an issue where root paths were not accepted as valid search paths.


1.0.6.67 04-Sep-2007
--------------------
  + Double-clicking an item in the 'Additional Directories' list will
    set the main search directory field to that particular directory.


1.0.6.66 04-Sep-2007
--------------------
  * You can now drag & drop directories onto the Must Have list
    (this will fill the list with valid media files from that directory)

  * Fixed an overlooked problem that may have occured which would only
    add mp3 files to certain lists


1.0.6.65 30-Oct-2006
--------------------
  * Playlist time now displays correctly for all types of media files in list

  * other minor internal fixes


1.0.6.62 14-Oct-2006
--------------------
  * Fixed a programming error that wouldn't allow wave files to be added

  * Fixed an issue where linked files were mistakenly flagged as allowed
    when they were specifically not allowed by user criteria. This resulted
    in error when occured.

  * Stopped auto functions from running if the stop button is pressed during
    the playlist generation


1.0.6.60 26-Sep-2006
--------------------
  * Fixed a crash that was caused when using the Must-Have list and linked
    songs


1.0.6.59 26-Sep-2006
--------------------
  * Fixed profile loading from overlapping existing user-created lists


1.0.6.58 19-Sep-2006
--------------------
  + Added manual profile (settings) loading and saving. These features
    are available by right-clicking the main playlist.
    
    NOTE: settings are still auto-saved and loaded on close and startup
          in the default file "settings.ini".


1.0.6.57 14-Sep-2006
--------------------
  * Fixed some internal issues with the linked songs option

  * Fixed an issue that failed to save the linked songs tab height


1.0.6.55 13-Sep-2006
--------------------
  + Added a linked songs option (see above for description)


1.0.5.49 13-Sep-2006
--------------------
  + App now saves the panel sizes of different tabs


1.0.5.45 09-Sep-2006
--------------------
  + Added an AutoPlay option that will play your created playlist when
    finished


1.0.5.44 21-July-2006
--------------------
  + improved the keyword search function to allow excluded terms. an excluded
    term must be preceded by a "-".
    an example keyword search using both inclusive and exclusionary terms:
    love,-hate,peace,-war

  * improved the stop button from needing to re-search your chosen directories
    once it's already searched through them. rmtm will now only perform another
    search if the initial search was stopped or if you choose another base
    directory. this will improve playlist building time if you click 'stop'
    while the playlist is being populated.

  * the keyword options (except for exact search) are now greyed during a
    search/create session to avoid making changes in the middle of a playlist
    creation.

  * other minor fixes


1.0.5.42 20-July-2006
--------------------
  + added much more flexibility to the keyword search function
    you can now not only incorporate or use exclusively user-defined keywords,
    but you can define either to abide by or ignore the global ID limit rules.

    also added an exact match to avoid false positives
    (i.e. when using keyword 'love' you could get a hit from the word
    'lovely' etc)
    you may not want the exact match feature, in which case you can just
    leave it unchecked.


1.0.4.40 19-July-2006
--------------------
  + added a multiple keyword search (comma delimited) function
    which allows you to either:
  
  a) allow songs or filenames that would otherwise be overlooked due to
     other ID limitations such as genre or year.

  b) exclusively include only songs or filenames that match your keywords

    NOTE: if you enable the Must Have List and Exclusive Keyword criteria,
          your list will be filled in with the Must Have files THEN filled
          by your keyword matching songs. if you do not want the Must Have
          entries in your list, then simply disable the Must Have List.


1.0.4.38 03-May-2006
--------------------
  * improved list building performance when scanning MP3 files


1.0.4.37 02-May-2006
--------------------
  + added preliminary support for alternative type (non MP3) files
    tag reading. (once again, I don't have a lot of these files to
    test with. so feedback would be nice)

  + added checkbox option to allow non-tagged files to be included
    in searches where an ID limit has been used (i.e. Year or Genre)
    This really should only be used if you're searching a directory
    where you know you want to include some non-tagged files.
    Otherwise you may just end up with a bunch of files that completely
    throw off your Year and Genre parameters.
    
  * fixed a performance issue when building a list with time and song
    length parameters checked.

  * other minor tweaks and adjustments


1.0.4.36 01-May-2006
--------------------
  + added support to add other file formats to your playlist.
    currently, allowed formats are:
    
    AAC, AC3, FLAC, APE, MP3, OGG, VQF, WAV, and WMA
    
    In this build, it is only possible to use tag limitations
    such as Genre and Year with MP3 files. I plan on making it
    possible to use tag limitations for use with other formats
    that support tags if it is possible to do so.


1.0.3.32 30-Apr-2006
--------------------
  * fixed a bug introduced in v1.0.3.30, where stopping the search
    process while building your list with the Must Have list enabled
    would clear the list when it should have left you with at least
    a partial list.


1.0.3.31 27-Apr-2006
--------------------
  * fixed a bug introduced in v1.0.3.30, where stopping the search
    process while building your list would cause an exception.


1.0.3.30 27-Apr-2006
--------------------
  + added ability to specify up to five genres to include in your list.
  
  * reworked the design to accommodate this new change

  * other minor internal code fixes


1.0.3.25 24-Apr-2006
--------------------
  + added a 'MUST HAVE' list. all entries in this list will be included
    in your playlist. any remaining space as defined by user limits will
    be filled up randomly from your directory/file sources as usual.


1.0.2.23 24-Apr-2006
--------------------
  + added ability to further limit song entries by year and genre as
    specified in an ID3 tag [see limitations]


1.0.2.22 21-Apr-2006
--------------------
  * Initial public release