Tagging & Metadata
The Naming View is the core of Sonidata. It's where you assign UCS-compliant metadata to your recordings using the industry-standard Universal Category System (UCS v8.2) — ensuring your files are named consistently and compatible with any sound library manager.
UCS Filename Format
Example: ANMLDog_Bark-Close_GI_MKH8060_Park.wav
Metadata Fields
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Primary UCS category | ANIMALS |
| Subcategory | Specific sub-type | DOG |
| CatID | Short UCS code (auto-filled) | ANML |
| FX Name | Descriptive name for the sound | Bark-Close |
| Creator ID | Your initials or identifier | GI |
| Source ID | Microphone or source used | MKH8060 |
| Location | Where the sound was recorded | Park |
| User Category | Custom category tag (optional) | — |
| Vendor Category | Vendor-specific prefix (optional) | — |
| User Data | Any extra info (optional) | — |
| UID | Unique identifier (optional) | — |
How to Tag a Recording
- 1Search for a category using SmartSearch — type "dog" and it finds ANIMALS > DOG even if you don't know the exact name.
- 2Select from the dual-wheel picker (Category on left, Subcategory on right).
- 3Fill in the FX Name, or use Voice Slate to dictate it.
- 4Add Creator ID and Source ID — enable "Remember IDs" in Settings to save across sessions.
- 5Add Location — tap the location button to auto-fill from GPS, or type manually.
- 6Attach a Photo if desired (tap the camera icon at the top).
- 7Preview the filename in the bottom bar, then tap "Rename File".
Auto Title Case
An optional setting in Settings → Naming automatically capitalizes the first letter of each word in the FX Name field. This works seamlessly with live typing, pasting metadata, or using Voice Slate.
FX Name Presets
Speed up your naming workflow with reusable FX Name templates. Swipe right on the FX Name row to see your saved presets, including a "Last Used" shortcut. Create and manage custom templates in Settings → FX Name Presets. Templates support smart placeholders — use <Location, State> and it will be auto-filled with your actual GPS location when applied.
Tap the ☀️ button to append the current solar period (Dawn, Morning, Day, Evening, Dusk, Night) to your FX Name — localized in all 21 supported languages. In Voice Memos mode, recordings are auto-named using your GPS location (e.g., "Berlin 001.wav") so nothing stays unnamed.
SmartSearch
The category search uses Apple's Natural Language framework (NLEmbedding) for semantic understanding — not just text matching. Type "rain" to find WEATHER > RAIN and related categories. Synonym matching means "puppy" finds ANIMALS > DOG. Exact category matches score highest (×20), followed by subcategory, synonyms, explanations, and semantic neighbors.
Metadata Clipboard (Copy / Paste)
Prepare metadata while a recording is still running and apply it to the finished file in one tap. During recording, fill in Category, FX Name, Creator ID, and any other fields, then tap Copy. After stopping, open the Naming View for the new file and tap Paste — all fields are populated instantly. The Paste button only appears when there is metadata in the clipboard.
The Metadata Clipboard is ideal for back-to-back field sessions where the category and location stay the same between takes.
Batch Rename
Rename multiple files at once: enter Edit Mode, select files, tap "Rename". The Naming View opens in batch mode. All selected files receive the same metadata and are renamed sequentially with unique indices to keep filenames distinct.
Batch Delete
Quickly remove multiple recordings at once. Enter Edit Mode and select the files you want to remove, then tap the red trash button in the batch action bar. Confirm in the alert and all selected files are moved to trash. Batch delete works across All Files, Folder Contents, and the Record View — and it's free for all users.