Tagging & Metadata (The Naming View)
The Naming View is the core of Sonidata. It's where you assign UCS-compliant metadata to your recordings.
What is UCS?
The **Universal Category System (UCS v8.2)** is the industry standard for categorizing and naming sound effects. It ensures your files are named consistently and can be imported into any sound library management software (BaseHead, Soundly, etc.).
**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 |
| **Description** | Longer text description of the recording (separate from FX Name) | Three barks, close perspective |
| **Creator ID** | Your initials or identifier | GI |
| **Source ID** | Microphone or source used | MKH8060 |
| **Location** | Where the sound was recorded | Park |
| **Mic Perspective** | Recording distance/perspective | CU, MCU, MS, Wide, Distant, INT, EXT |
| **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
- 1**Search for a category**: Use the search bar at the top. Sonidata uses **SmartSearch** powered by Apple's NLEmbedding (NaturalLanguage framework) for semantic search — type "dog" and it'll find ANIMALS > DOG even if you don't know the exact category name.
- 2**Select from the picker**: The dual-wheel picker shows Category on the left and Subcategory on the right.
- 3**Fill in the FX Name**: Type the descriptive name, or use **Voice Slate** to dictate it.
- 4**Add Creator ID and Source ID**: These identify you and your equipment. Enable "Remember IDs" in Settings to save these across sessions.
- 5**Add Location**: Tap the location button to auto-fill from GPS, or type manually.
- 6**Attach a Photo**: Tap the camera icon to take a photo or choose from your library.
- 7**Preview the filename**: The bottom bar shows a live preview of the final UCS filename.
- 8**Tap "Rename File"**: The audio file is renamed, metadata is saved to the database, and the file is optionally organized into a UCS folder.
FX Name Presets *(New in v0.5.0 Build 12)*
Speed up your naming workflow with reusable FX Name templates:
- 1**Quick access**: Swipe right on the FX Name row to see your saved templates, including a "Last Used" option.
- 2**Custom templates**: Go to **Settings → FX Name Presets** to create, edit, and manage your own naming templates.
- 3**Smart placeholders**: Use `<Location, State>` in a template and it will be auto-filled with your actual GPS location when applied.
- 4**Time of Day**: Tap the ☀️ button to append the current solar period (Dawn, Morning, Day, Evening, Dusk, Night) to your FX Name — localized in all 21 languages.
- 5**Voice Memos mode**: Recordings are auto-named using your GPS location (e.g., `Berlin 001.wav`) so nothing stays unnamed.
SmartSearch
The category search is not just text matching — it uses **Apple's Natural Language framework** to understand what you mean:
- 1**Semantic search**: Type "rain" and it finds WEATHER > RAIN, but also related categories.
- 2**Synonym matching**: The UCS database includes synonyms, so "puppy" finds ANIMALS > DOG.
- 3**Weighted scoring**: Exact category matches score highest (×20), followed by subcategory, synonyms, explanations, and semantic neighbors.
Metadata Clipboard (Copy / Paste) *(New in Build 13)*
Prepare metadata while recording and apply it to the finished file in one tap:
- 1**During recording**, fill in Category, FX Name, Creator ID, and any other fields you want.
- 2Tap the **Copy** button to save the entire metadata state.
- 3**After stopping**, open the Naming View for the new recording.
- 4Tap **Paste** — all fields are populated instantly.
This is perfect for field sessions where you know the category and location before you hit record. No more retyping the same data file after file.
The Paste button only appears when there is metadata in the clipboard.
Batch Rename
You can rename **multiple files at once**:
- 1In the file list, enter **Edit Mode** (tap "Edit" or long-press).
- 2Select multiple files.
- 3Tap "Rename" — the Naming View opens in batch mode.
- 4All selected files receive the same metadata and are renamed sequentially.
The batch rename adds a sequential index to each file's FX Name to keep them unique.
Batch Delete *(New in Build 13)*
Quickly remove multiple recordings at once:
- 1Enter **Edit Mode** and select the files you want to remove.
- 2Tap the **red trash button** in the batch action bar.
- 3Confirm in the alert — all selected files are moved to trash.
Batch delete works everywhere: All Files, Folder Contents, and the Record View. It's **free for all users** — no Pro subscription required.
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