Universal Category System (UCS) and Adobe Audition

In this video, I show you step by step how I use the Universal Category System (UCS website) to write and structure my metadata for audio files. This new way to classify metadata for sound libraries is a complete game-changer for sound engineers, sound librarians, vendors, and users around the world!

Follow us along as we demonstrate how I prep my metadata in the recording phase, use UCS to find inspiration, write metadata, export in Audition, and organize my sound files! If you’re new to writing metadata or you’re interested in some day creating your own sound libraries, this tutorial is perfect for you.

WHAT IS METADATA?

Metadata describes data about digital files. In our case, we’re talking about metadata for sound effects and ambience recordings.

If you find yourself with thousands of files, a categorized and organized file naming system helps you to locate your sounds in just a couple of seconds. 

WHAT PROGRAMS CAN READ METADATA?

Using keywords as filename can be searchable on both Mac and Windows. For me, I store many of my recordings on Dropbox and use internal search function to locate the filename keywords.

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PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS THAT CAN READ & WRITE METADATA?

If you want to have in-depth metadata you can use professional online and offline applications that read and revise metadata.  Soundly, Soundminer, Basehead or Soundgrinder, Audiofinder, Reaper Media Explorer or Pro Sound Effects Search provide many custom fields to write metadata. This comes in handy if you are serious about selling sound effects online.

These application search not only the filename tags or keywords, but some of these programs can also provide more in-depth written metadata like geotags, locations, and of course, can read the description.

WHY KEYWORDS IN THE FILE NAME?

Have you ever searched for sound effects or photos online? Without proper searchable terms (ie keywords) can make it an impossible task to find your desired media!

For example you need a relaxing sound at beach when the sun is setting. The keywords or tags could look like calm, ocean, waves, beach, sunset.

You might think why would I use sunset as a keyword in a sound effect, that doesn’t create a sound? It is an important keyword to describe a moment, time, and emotions. Ocean sounds are different in the evening than in the morning.

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THE UNIVERSAL CATEGORY SYSTEM (UCS)

Recently a new way of writing metadata for sound effects came to life. It is called the Universal Category System. 

The Universal Category System (UCS) is an initiative brought to life by many sound engineers, vendors, and other individuals from all over the world. Their purpose is to give guidance and direction about how metadata can be categorized and unified. 

In this video, I talk about how to prepare myself and write metadata and show you how I utilize the Universal Category System in my own workflow. 

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