Custom Fields

Custom fields provide a flexible way to store additional data with your tracks and enhance search filtering and reporting.

CONTENTS

Custom Fields Overview

In this lesson, you'll learn about:

Custom fields setup and supported plans
Common field types
Attributes and settings for each field
Searching custom fields
Fields traveling between DISCOs

Custom Field Set Up

‍Custom field configuration is unique to every DISCO. Once you are on a Pro plan or above, contact our Support Team to create custom fields in your account.

Create a list of field names and field attributes to share with our team.
Each field has a range of attributes that specify search, editing, visibility, and more.
Data can be imported via CSV if it can be matched to files in DISCO via file names and/or DISCO Track IDs.
Note the “Custom” tab will be grayed out and inaccessible until your custom fields are set up, with the assistance of our Support Team.

Example of a Custom Tab Setup

Custom tab with examples of different field types

Common Custom Field Types

Check Boxes (Boolean)

One Stop (track tags with color indicators are now a better option)
Restricted (track tags with color indicators are now a better option)
Lyrics Missing (to filter for all songs without lyrics)
Never Released

Codes

ISWC (Text)
UPC (Number)
ISRC* (Text)
PRO Work Code (Text)

*Note: ISRC is already a standard field in the main Metadata tab, but will auto-fill in both the Custom fields and Metadata tabs, as provided.

Helpful Sync Clearance Info

Repped Song Owners (to list song owners you rep - could be writers or publishers)
Song Control % (total sum of song splits you rep)
Non-Controlled Song Owners
Repped Master Owners
Master Control %
Non-Controlled Master Owners
Territories Included
Territories Excluded

Dates (YYYY-MM-DD)

Date Composed/Created
Date Registered (at PRO)
Date Agreement Started
Date Agreement Expiration

Single & Multi-Dropdown Menus

Internal Catalog Name
Client Name
Label
Publisher

Custom Field Attributes

Type: How will each field be used?

Indexable - Search bar queries will scan the field to return results

"0288" is part of the ISWC field on this track:

Editable - the field contents can be edited in DISCO (we can populate fields to be "read only")

Visible - the field is visible on the Custom tab in DISCO (sometimes data needs to be stored, but not visible)

Visible in Client Libraries - the field is visible on DISCO Catalogs (originally called Client Libraries)

Custom fields appearing on a track page on a DISCO Library

Searchable - the field appears in the Advanced Search Filters with other metadata options:

Advanced search filter for custom fields

Searchable in Client Libraries - Search bar queries in DISCO Catalogs will scan for text in this custom field and return matching tracks:

Searching text in a Custom field on DISCO Libraries

Importable - Data can be imported to this field via CSV

Exportable - Data in this field exports on a DISCO CSV

Order - Custom fields can be arranged according to order preference in the Custom tab in DISCO

Field Size - How wide should the field appear in DISCO.

Size options range from 1-12, across the width of the Custom tab.
12 would create a single field across the width of tab in DISCO.
Usually they are set up 2x6, 3x4, 4x3, 1x12 – or in combinations.

Write to ID3 Comment Field - Field content writes into the Comments metadata field as the track is downloaded

Allow Add Values - Users can add additional options to the drop-down menus

Values - The values available in the drop-down menus. Enter them as comma-separated values, without spaces after the commas.

The options in the screenshot below were set up like this: Buzz Records,Cloudy Music Group,Direct Signing,John's Publishing

Searching Custom Fields

Open the Advanced search filters to choose the field you'd like to query:

Advanced Search drop down with custom field filters highlighted

Example Search Queries:

Find all songs composed before or after a specific date:

Find all songs missing Lyrics:

Search missing lyrics boolean tick box is true

Queue all agreements that expire next year:

List all songs where we control 100% of publishing:

Advanced search in a text field for songs controlled 100%

Display all songs controlled Worldwide:

Can Custom Fields Travel Between DISCOs?

Yes. If two businesses have the same custom fields set up in their DISCOs, the data in those fields will transfer over when shared directly through DISCO.

For example, if two DISCOs both contain a custom field called “Sounds like,” the metadata populating that field will transfer between DISCOs if/when files are shared between the two accounts.

You can stop custom fields from traveling as described above by selecting "turn off any other metadata fields not displayed here" (Save Playlist Alias Metadata):

Playlist Save area Alias metadata tab highlighting checkbox to turn off other metadata fields not displayed in DISCO

You can also set your default metadata settings tab to include metadata that DISCO does not automatically display.

Selecting “No” should prevent custom fields from traveling to other DISCOs that have an identical custom field name.

Metadata Tab in Settings highlighting option to turn off metadata that DISCO does not display

Wrap-Up

Custom fields can greatly enhance the organization and accessibility of data in DISCO. With a variety of field types and attributes, you can tailor the platform to your specific needs. While setting up custom fields is unique to each DISCO, the process is simple and can be executed with the help of DISCO's Support Team.