Configuration and customization

Home » Support » Help and tutorials » Configuration and customization

Album sorting and grouping

You can control how you want your albums grouped and sorted in the Album view by defining sorting and grouping criteria, as well as specifying the fields to be shown and in what order they should appear.

Album Sorting and Grouping Tabs

Click the required tab to select one of:

• Sorting & Grouping
• Visual Fields
• Active Field

Sorting & Grouping

The Sorting & Grouping page contains three drop down lists to define the sorting criteria for the Album view and one drop down list to define an optional grouping.

Select the desired fields to sort on in the first three drop down lists and choose between Ascending or Descending order.

Select an optional field to group on from the Group By drop down list. Grouping can be used to reduce the number of albums shown at once in the Album view. Instead of showing all albums at once, they can be grouped together using one of the available fields in the Group By drop down list.

Visual Fields

The Visual Fields page contains a number of drop down lists where you select which fields to show in the Album view. Depending on the thumbnail size you have selected to use in the Album view, different number of fields are available. These fields are grouped together to display which fields will be shown using a specific thumbnail size.

The Active Field

The Active Field is the field that the Album view will search on when you type text directly into the Left Sidebar of the Album view. Typing the first characters of an artist for example can make the Album view scroll down to that artist immediately, if you have set Artist as the Active Field. Typically the Active Field should be the first field used in the Visual Fields page.
 
Note:

• By clicking the Save button, you can save a predefined Album Sorting and Grouping template to easily switch to later.
• Click the Load button to load a previously saved Album Sorting and Grouping template.
• You can choose an Album Sorting and Grouping templates to switch to from the context menu in the Left Sidebar of the Album view.

 

 

Artist Grouping

Artist Grouping enables you to group the entries in the Artist view various ways.

Grouping artists

1. Open the Artist Grouping dialog by right-clicking an artist in the list and then select Artist view Tools > Grouping...
   or selecting Grouping... from the context menu in the Left Sidebar of the Artist view.
2. Select the field you would like to group your artists on from the drop-down control in the Grouping group panel.
3. Select the field you would like to group the sub entries for an artist on from the drop-down control in the Sub Grouping group panel.

Note

• You can select whether entries should be grouped in ascending or descending order using the radio buttons within each group panel.

Auto Enqueue options

The Auto Enqueue feature in Helium Music Manager is able to define how the replaying of songs from the Play Queue works. It's possible to automatically enqueue new tracks at the end of the Play Queue to ensure that your music keeps playing.

Using the Auto Enqueue function

The Auto Enqueue function is by default set to Stop when the Play Queue reaches the end. Show the Auto Enqueue configuration dialog using any of the methods below:

• Hover the mouse over Auto Enqueue button in the Internal Player user interface and select Configure Auto Enqueue... option from the hover menu.

• Right click in the Play Queue and select Play Queue tools > Configure Auto Enqueue... from the context menu.

The options available are explained below:

• Auto Enqueue Enabled controls whether Auto Enqueue is active or inactive.

• Add random album
  This will keep adding a random album to the end of Play Queue, based on the filter criteria set in the Options box.

• Add random track from same artist
  This will keep adding a random track to the end of Play Queue, from the same artist as the artist of the last track in the Play Queue. This option can have an optional minimum rating set.

• Add random track from same genre
  This will keep adding a random track to the end of Play Queue, with the same genre as the genre of the last track in the Play Queue. This option can have an optional minimum rating set.

• Add random track from same release year
  This will keep adding a random track to the end of Play Queue, with the same release year as the release year of the last track in the Play Queue. This option can have an optional minimum rating set.

• Add random tracks
  This will keep adding adding random tracks to the end of the Play Queue, based on the filter criteria set in the Options box.

• Add tracks from Smart Playlist
  This will add tracks from a Smart Playlist to the end of the Play Queue.
  
  Click the Browse... button to load a previously saved Smart Playlist. Smart Playlists can be created from the Playlist Browser.

• Add tracks from Last.fm
  This will add new similar tracks to the end of the Play Queue, based on information from Last.fm and the track currently being played.

When using any of the options above that automatically enqueue tracks to the Play Queue (that is all options except Stop and Repeat) there are two additional options available:

• Automatically maintain at least [x] upcoming tracks in Play Queue
  This option ensures that the number of tracks specified in the [x] spin edit will always be placed ahead of the currently playing song. Each time a new song is played, the Play Queue will be reviewed to see if more tracks need to be added to the end of the list.

• Automatically retain at most [x] previous tracks in the Play Queue
  This option removes previously played tracks from the Play Queue to keep a clean Play Queue. You can select from the following options in the drop down list:
  
  0 - this will remove all previously played tracks from the Play Queue.
  1 - this will retain one previous track in the Play Queue.
  2 - this will retain two previous tracks in the Play Queue.
  3 - this will retain three previous tracks in the Play Queue.
  5 - this will retain five previous tracks in the Play Queue.
  10 - this will retain 10 previous tracks in the Play Queuet.
  25 - this will retain 25 previous tracks in the Play Queue.
  50 - this will retain 50 previous tracks in the Play Queue.
  100 - this will retain 100 previous tracks in the Play Queue.
  All - this will keep all previous tracks in the Play Queue.

Change Track Details columns

The columns in the Track Details can be configured to show the specific tag information you are interested in. You can create multiple column templates which you can easily switch between.

Configuring the Columns in Helium Music Manager

To configure the columns for the current view, follow the steps below:

1. Click on View > Columns > Change Columns... from the main menu or by right clicking on the Track Details column headings and selecting Columns > Change Columns... from the context menu.
2. Select the columns that you want to see in the track list by selecting the check boxes in the list.
3. To change the order of the columns, you can select one or more columns and move them up or down by clicking the Move Up or Move Down buttons. You can also move the selected columns to a new position by using drag 'n' drop. To do this, click a column in the list, hold down the mouse button and drag it to the new location and release the mouse button.
4. Optionally select columns and set their width in the box below the column list.
5. Click OK to accept the changes made to the columns.

Note:

• Click the Select All or Clear Selection buttons to select all columns or none.
• Each browser view in Helium Music Manager (except for the Music Browser) uses its own set of columns.
• Click the Load button to load a stored set of columns from a stored template
• Click the Save button to save the current column layout as a template

Customize toolbar

The main toolbar can be customized so that you can have your favorite actions readily to hand.

Each view in Helium Music Manager can have its own list of toolbar actions (except the Music Browser).

Customizing The Main Toolbar

1. Start Customize Main Toolbar by clicking View > Toolbars > Customize Toolbar... from the main menu or by right clicking on the Toolbar and selecting Customize Toolbar... in the context menu.
2. To add a new action button to the main toolbar, select the action from the Available Fields list (the list on the left) and click the Add button.
3. To remove an action from the main toolbar, select it from the Selected Fields list (the list on the right) and click Remove.
4. Click the Copy To all Views button to make all views have the same customised toolbar settings.

Note:

• To force a specific toolbar action to show or not show its caption, select or deselect the Show Text check-box.

Customizing a Music Explorer node

A majority of the nodes in the Music Explorer can be customized to select the fields you want them to include.

By default all nodes in the Music Explorer come with a predefined order and child nodes.

The following nodes (and child nodes) are customizable:

• Artist

• Album

• Title

• Genre

• Rating

• Release Year

• Recording Year

• Mood

• Situation

• Release Type

• Collection/Volume

• User Defined 1 thru User Defined 5

• Quality

• Series

• Grouping

• Publishers

Customizing A Music Explorer Root Node

1. To customize a node in the Music Explorer, select the node, right-click and select Customize... from the context menu.
2. To add a new field, select the field from the Available Fields list (the list on the right) and click the < Add button or to add all fields click the << Add All button.
3. To remove a field, select it from the Selected Fields list (the list on the left) and click Remove or to remove all fields click the Remove All >> button.
4. To change the order of the fields in the Selected Fields list, you can select specific field and move it up or down by clicking the Move Up or Move Down button.

Equalizer

Helium Music Manager's Equalizer enables you to alter how your music is played back by boosting or cutting different frequency ranges.

Configuring the Equalizer

Show the Equalizer configuration dialog by hovering the mouse over the Equalizer button in the Internal Player user interface and select Configure Equalizer... option from the hover menu.

Adjust the frequency sliders to adjust the levels in the Equalizer to suit your listening requirements and the preamp slider to alter the overall effect.
You can also choose from various preset equalizer settings by clicking the Choose a preset button and selecting a preset from the list. The settings from the selected preset will be immediately applied to the user interface as well as the currently playing music (if the Equalizer is active).

You can also turn the the Equalizer ON or OFF by pressing the relevant button to activate/deactivate the Equalizer.

Your current settings will be stored when you exit the Equalizer window by clicking X in the top right.

Library management

Helium Music Manager's libraries can be stored in a Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server or MySQL database.  This wide choice accommodates different users requirements in terms of database preference and music collection size. You can switch between different databases, select the type of database to use and perform different tasks on the active database.

Database Types

Access Databases

This is the default database type for Helium Music Manager, you do not have to install any third party software to use it. It is suitable for smaller music collections.

Microsoft SQL Server Databases

To use this database type you have to install one of the following third party software:

• Microsoft SQL Server 2005
• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express

Microsoft SQL Server 2005/2008 Express Edition versions are free. This database is suitable for larger libraries with thousands of files and with a lot of pictures.

For information about how to download and install Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express look at the guide on Installing Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express.

MySQL Databases

To use this database type you have to install one of the following third party software:

• MySQL 5.x
• MySQL 4.x
  
  In addition you have to install MySQL Connector/ODBC 3.51.23+

MySQL is free for personal use. This database is suitable for larger libraries with thousands of files and with a lot of pictures.
Note: If you don't have a specific need for MySQL, we recommend using Microsoft SQL Server Express instead.

For information about how to download and install MySQL look at the guide on Installing MySQL.

Library Management

Open the Library Management dialog by any of the methods below:

• Click the Advanced > Library > Management... option on the main menu.
• Press CTRL-D on your keyboard.

Only one library can be active at any one time and its database is displayed in bold.

Database Tabs

Once you have decided on the library database type you wish to manage, select the Access Databases, Microsoft SQL Server Databases or MySQL Databases tab. Then use the toolbar buttons to perform operations for the database type as shown below.

Toolbar buttons

The following descriptions focus on the Access database type. Where there are significant differences, these are highlighted (typically with links to further in-depth instructions for the database type).

• New...
  Clicking this button will open a browse dialog where you can create a new Access database. Browse to the folder location where you want to create the database and enter a filename for the new database. Then click Save to create the new Access database and activate it.
  
  See Create new Microsoft SQL Server database or Create new MySQL database for the other database types.

• Open...
  Clicking this button will open a browse dialog where you can select an existing Access database to open. Browse to the folder location where the database you want to open is and select the database. Then click Open to activate the new Access database.
  
  See Open a Microsoft SQL Server database or Open a MySQL database for the other database types.

• Import
  Clicking this button opens a sub-menu where you can choose what data to import. You can import from iTunes, Media Monkey3, Winamp, Windows Media  Player or another Helium Music Manager Access, Microsoft SQL Server or MySQL database. You can also import Music Browser Data previously exported via the Export menu.

  • Import Helium Access database
    Clicking this menu item will open a choose file dialog, select the database you want to import and press OK.
  • Import Helium MSDE/MS SQL database
    Clicking this menu item will open the Open MSDE/MS SQL database dialog - see Open a Microsoft SQL Server database
  • Import Helium MySQL database
    Clicking this menu item will open the Open MySQL database dialog- see Open a MySQL database
  • Import Music Browser data...
    See Import Music Browser data for the details of how to do this.
  • Import from "iTunes" imports an iTunes database.
  • Import from "MediaMonkey3" imports a Media Monkey 3 database.
  • Import from "Winamp" imports a Winamp database.
  • Import from "Windows Media Player" imports a Windows Media Player database.

• Export
  Clicking this button enables you to export Music Browser Data: Artists, Relations, Albums, Publishers, Styles, Genres and User entered items (this includes data not stored in your music files).

• Tools
  Clicking this button opens an sub-menu with three tools:

  • Compress Databaset can only be used on an Access Database.

  • Housekeep database removes artists, genres, publishers and countries that are not in use and do not have any pictures or biographies added to them.

  • Optimize Database only works when you are using a Microsoft SQL Server Database. This tool will do a few optimizations on the database (index defragmenting) which can result in better performance.

• Remove
  Removes the selected database. You cannot remove the active database.

Options

You can alter how Helium Music Manager works by setting options that alter its behaviour to best meet the requirements you have when working with your music collection.

Click on a section header (below) to read more details about the specific options.

Select Play Queue columns

The columns in the Play Queue can be configured to show the specific tag information you are interested in.

To change the visible columns for the Play Queue, follow the steps below:

1. Right click in the Play Queue and select Play Queue tools > Select Columns... from the context menu or by right clicking on the Play Queue column headings and selecting Select Columns... from the context menu.
2. Select the columns that you want to see in the Play Queue by selecting the checkboxes in the list.
3. To change the order of the columns, you can select one or more columns and move them up or down by clicking the Move Up or Move Down buttons. You can also move the selected columns to a new position by using drag 'n' drop. To do this, click a column in the list, hold down the mouse button and drag it to the new location and release the mouse button.
4. Optionally select columns and set their width in the box below the column list.
5. Click OK to accept the changes made to the columns.

Note:

• Click the Select All or Clear Selection buttons to select all columns or none.

Track List sorting

You can specify how you want your music tracks sorted by specifying the sort criteria for the track list.

You can specify three different sort criterion and choose between an ascending or descending order.

Using the Track List Sorting dialog

1. Enter the Track List Sorting dialog either by clicking the View > Columns > Change sorting... menu or by right clicking on the Track Details column headings and selecting Change Sorting... from the context menu.
2. Select the first sort criterion from the Sort By drop down list and choose between ascending or descending sorting.
3. Optionally select the second and third sort criterion from the two Then By drop down lists and choose between ascending or descending sorting.
4. Click OK.

Note: The sorting criteria defined in this dialog are remembered until you modify them or if you click on a column header in the track list. When clicking on a column header in the track list, the new sorting criteria is remembered until you switch view or enter the Track List Sorting dialog and click OK.