Random Mix Tape Maker v1.0.4.38

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Please read the "Limitations" section first!


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


What is this?
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Random Mix Tape Maker is a random MP3 playlist generator.


What can it do? (Overview)
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By selecting a directory, Random Mix Tape Maker will search that directory
(and recursively search sub-directories if you choose) for all mp3
files and build a playlist based on the criteria you select. You
may also specify files any 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?
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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 mp3
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!


Black List
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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 :)


Limitations
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1)	When using a playlist file (*.m3u), all entries in that file must
	contain a full path to the file and not just the filename alone.

	i.e.:
		C:\MyMusic\Song1.mp3

	NOT:
		Song1.mp3

2)	It has been observed that when dragging files/songs from
	Random Mix Tape Maker to a Nero Burning Rom Audio Project, Nero goes into
	a never ending loop, rendering Nero unusable. This has been, so far, the
	only application I have see this behaviour with.
	
	Workaround for Nero users:
	Nero accepts playlist files (*.m3u) as a source when creating an
	Audio Project. Simply create your playlist with Random Mix Tape Maker and
	save the playlist file. Then use that file as the source inside of Nero.

3)	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.

4)	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.


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


1.0.4.37 02-May-2006
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	+ 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
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	+ 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
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	* 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
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	* 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
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	+ 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
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	+ 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
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	+ 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
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	* Initial public release