HI,
Interesting questions. I'll try to answer.
forschi wrote:How will this work if files are renamed and structured differently on, in my case, a USB stick?
Unfortunately, if file is renamed it can't know source of file and will be treated as new file in library.
forschi wrote:I'm using this stick with a DJ Software and there might be changes in the file after its been used in Traktor. The "Traktor tags" are stored in the mp3, but its not an ID3 tag. Will Mediamonkey sync the file back on to the Library?
USB Sticks are REMOVABLE drives and treated by windows like CD/DVDs (with exception that they are writable). On the other hand if you use external HDD which is on other hand in Windows detected as EXTERNAL Drive it can be used in MMW as part of library and treated like that. Will explain that more below.
forschi wrote:As I understand MM will sync the ID3-tags from the stick if it has a more recent timestamp only, but will even this work if the file is renamed when its synchronized to the stick?
Yes, you are right MMW will sync back changed tags on re-scan, but not Traktor tags.
Let me explain bit more both cases:
a) USB Stick
USB Stick can be configured in MMW as Portable Device and then MMW can be used to sync files from library in order to use it in your Sets. Downside of that is that Traktor do not have way to tell MMW sync that file tags are changed which will tell MMW to sync metadata into library. Even if it had way to tell MMW that tags are changed Traktor custom tags will not be transferred as MMW do not recognize them.
NOTE: You can also Scan USB into MMW Library like external hdd, But I do not suggest that as they are slower and prone to fail which would end in loosing loose tracks from library
b) External HDD
When scanning external HDD into MMW library it will became part of library and any changes to files will be permanent and easily updated by scanning them again. Again Traktor tags will not be recognized as they are not supported, but will be contained in files itself.
Here is how I see this working.
1. Add External HDD I use in my work sets to MMW Library
2. Use auto-organize to move tracks that I do not need back to local HDD/NAS/... (MOVE from external Drive)
3. When I need to prepare tracks for my upcoming set on files that I need I would use Auto-Organize to transfer files to External HDD
4. after set is done I would use same Auto-Organize to get them back
Notes:
1. You can use Auto Organize masks to handle destination filename and folder structure you prefer using <Masks> (press F1 in auto organize mask), same goes both ways.
2. Once you Move files on external HDD drive you can't move/delete file or change filename or you will lose them in MMW library along with all your track statistics.
Let me know if you need more.