EZ CD Audio Converter - General metadata settings

Overview

These options define how track numbers, metadata and ID3 tags are stored in audio files. Correct setup improves compatibility across media players and devices.

Zero-pad textual Track Number metadata

Adds a leading zero to track numbers. This applies only to metadata formats where the track number is saved as text.

When enabled, track numbers are formatted with leading zeros (for example: 01, 02, 03).

Improves sorting behavior in most players and file managers
Particularly helpful for albums containing 10 or more tracks

Write 'Total Tracks' metadata

When enabled, writes the total number of tracks from the audio CD into the file’s metadata during ripping. This information is typically stored alongside each track (for example, “Track 3 of 12”) and helps media players correctly display album structure and track order.

Vorbis Comment

Defines how track and disc numbers are written into metadata:

TRACKNUMBER=n TRACKTOTAL=N | DISCNUMBER=n DISCTOTAL=N (Recommended)
Stores track and disc numbers in separate fields.
- Offers the best compatibility with modern players and tag editors
TRACKNUMBER=n/N | DISCNUMBER=n/N
Combines the current number and total into a single field (e.g., 3/12).
- Older format with reduced flexibility in some applications

ID3 tag setting

Controls which ID3 tag versions are written to files:

ID3V1
- Legacy format with limited metadata support
- Useful for compatibility with very old hardware and software
ID3V2
- Modern format with extensive metadata support
- Supports album artwork, long text fields, and advanced tagging
- Recommended to keep enabled

ID3V2 tag setting

Select the specific ID3V2 version used for tagging:

ID3V2.4 (UTF-8)
- Latest standard version
- Best support for international character sets
- May not work with some older players
ID3V2.3 (Unicode) (Recommended)
- Best balance between compatibility and character support
- Widely supported across most devices and applications
ID3V2.3 (Ansi)
- Limited character encoding support (no full Unicode)
- Only recommended for legacy system requirements

Gapless playback metadata

Write iTunes gapless playback metadata (Apple iTunSMPB)

When enabled, this option writes Apple-compatible gapless playback information into the audio file using the iTunSMPB atom within the MPEG-4 ISO file format (commonly used in M4A files). This metadata stores encoder delay and padding values so that compatible players, such as Apple iTunes and other Apple ecosystem devices, can play tracks seamlessly without audible gaps between consecutive songs. It is especially important for albums intended to flow continuously, such as live recordings or concept albums.